IT risk analysis for data security in organizations

It Risk Analysis

Risk is a constant in everyday life. It is part of life, where there are no guarantees. As humans, we have developed or reasoning skills enough to figure out that minimizing risk allows us to live a better life and provide some level of comfort and safety. No one or nothing is 100% safe and so risk analysis is necessary to provide this assistance to inform, protect and guide people and organizations into performing wise and prudent action.

The purpose of this essay is to explain the benefits of performing a risk analysis using information technology to secure data within an organization. This essay will discuss the objective and goal of this analysis as well as suggest ways to discuss these issues with the target audience. This essay will also list the steps necessary for performing a risk analysis and the types of securities that will be recommended. Finally mitigation strategies will be discussed to help describe a continuation plan and keeping risk analysis alive within that organization.

Objectives of Risk Analysis

According to the text the objectives of risk analysis are very simple yet important. The text claims, " risk analysis will always be an art informed by science (p.290). This suggests that an open and 'artistic' mind should be maintained when discussing the objective of risk analysis. Essentially risk analysis, as it applies to information or data, is designed to lower the possibilities of having this critical capital stolen or manipulated. Risk analysis should increase an organization's ability to increase their competitive advantage within any given industry and, at the same time, improve levels of efficiency, effectiveness and economic functioning.

Causey (2013) explained that an effective IT security risk analysis plan is critical to the overall security posture of the organization but no single method should be adopted as correct. He wrote " It's important to note that not every IT security risk assessment is alike -- or even remotely close. Indeed, there are many ways to perform IT security risk assessments, and the results may vary widely depending on the method used. It should also be noted that performing a risk assessment is a very small part of the overall risk management process."

Mitigating a Safe Environment

When weighing options it is once again important to remember the overall strategy of the company and how IT data security fits within in that framework. Each company and organization needs to weigh the pros and cons of each suggestion the analysis provides. Mitigation often entails ignoring risks to help keep a focus on what's important and what needs the most protection and attention. Keeping and maintain a situational awareness about new dangers and threats will significantly contribute to the success of any risk analysis approach. This requires a constant scanning and a vigilant imagination to help visualize the source of any possible attacks. Balance and understanding of the organization will no doubt assist greatly in these efforts as a successful risk analysis plan is incorporated into an IT-based platform.