Key Factors for Selecting Risk Mitigation Controls

B.

When an information security manager is deciding on the best controls to mitigate risk to acceptable levels, their decision should primarily be driven by a cost-benefit analysis. This is because organizations have limited resources to allocate to information security, and it is essential to use those resources efficiently and effectively to mitigate the most significant risks.

Cost-benefit analysis involves identifying the potential risks and the cost of implementing the control measures to mitigate them. The information security manager should consider the likelihood and potential impact of the risk, the cost of implementing the control, and the benefits of implementing the control in terms of reducing the risk.

While regulatory requirements, best practices, and control frameworks may be useful guidance in the decision-making process, they should not be the primary drivers. Regulatory requirements are often minimum standards, and organizations should aim to exceed these requirements to achieve an appropriate level of security. Best practices and control frameworks may not be suitable for every organization and should be evaluated in the context of the organization's specific risks and environment.

Therefore, the information security manager should use a cost-benefit analysis to determine the most effective controls to mitigate risk to acceptable levels. They should consider the potential risks and the cost of implementing the control measures to mitigate them to allocate their resources most efficiently and effectively.