Avast ye! This be a machine-translated text, an’ it may contain errors, aye!
Knowin’ that threats be existin’ be good, but ‘tis little help if ye don’t know which threats be most relevant to yer system. A risk analysis helps ye prioritize: what should ye be protectin’, what can go wrong, and what should ye be doin’ about it?
What be a Risk Analysis?
A risk analysis be a systematic review where ye:
- Discover what can go amiss
- Consider how likely it be
- Consider how grave the consequence be
- Propose measures to lessen the risk
Ye need not be a security expert to do this. ‘Tis about thinkin’ systematically.
Avast, Here Be the Steps!
1. Treasure Appraisal: What Booty Do We Have?
Before ye can guard somethin’, ye must know what ye possess. List the most valuable treasures in the system:
| Treasure | Example | Why ‘tis Important? |
|---|---|---|
| Data | User data, project files | Cannot be recreated |
| Services | Web server, email, file storage | Folk be dependin’ on ‘em |
| Hardware | Servers, network equipment | Costs coin and time to replace |
| Reputation | The trust users have in the system | Difficult to rebuild |
2. Risk Identification: What Could Go Astray?
Think through what might threaten yer treasures:
| Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Ransomware | Files be encrypted and demandin’ ransom |
| Power Outage | Servers and networks be fallin’ dark |
| Disk Failure | Data be lost to the depths |
| Phishing | Someone gives up their passwords |
| Misconfiguration | A change that brings a service to its knees |
| Natural Disaster | Fire, water damage, storms |
3. Weigh the Likelihood and Impact
For each risk, ye be assessin’ two things on a scale (e.g. 1-5):
- Likelihood: How likely be it that this comes to pass?
- Impact: How grievous be it if ‘tis to happen?
Risk Value = Likelihood × Impact
| Risk | Likelihood (1-5) | Impact (1-5) | Risk Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disk Failure | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Ransomware | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Phishing | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Power Outage | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Misconfiguration | 3 | 3 | 9 |
The higher the risk value, the more priority ye should give to the measures.
Risikomatrise
A risk matrix shows this visually with colours:
- 🟢 Low (1-6): Acceptable risk, but keep a weather eye on it
- 🟡 Medium (7-14): Should have measures in place
- 🔴 High (15-25): Requires immediate action
4. Propose Courses o’ Action
Fer each risk o’ high or moderate value, ye propose measures:
| Risk | Course o’ Action |
|---|---|
| Disk Failure | Backup (3-2-1 rule), RAID on servers |
| Ransomware | Updates, offline backup, trainin’ |
| Phishin’ | Awareness, MFA, email filterin’ |
| Misconfiguration | Documentation, change log, snapshot afore changin’ |
5. Chart the Course and Keep a Weather Eye
A risk assessment be not a one-time task, aye. Scribble it down, share it with yer crew, and review it regularly (such as every six months or after an event).
Task 1 - Conduct a Mini-Risk Analysis
Choose a system ye know well (e.g., yer own PC, a VM ye’ve set up, or the school network) and walk the plank through these steps:
- List 3-5 treasures (what be important?)
- Find 3-5 perils (what can go wrong?)
- Give each point a probability and consequence (1-5)
- Propose measures for those with the highest risk value
Use a spreadsheet or a simple table in Markdown.
Summation
- A risk analysis be helpin’ ye prioritize security measures, aye.
- The steps be: value assessment, risk identification, assessin’ probability/consequence, measures, and documentation.
- Risk value = probability × consequence
- Risk analysis ain’t a one-time task, it should be updated regularly, savvy?
Ye can download a template for risk assessment at Datatilsynet.