Developing a Risk Awareness Program for Mitigating Social Engineering Attacks

The Primary Goal of a Risk Awareness Program

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Question

An organization that has been the subject of multiple social engineering attacks is developing a risk awareness program.

The PRIMARY goal of this program should be to:

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A. B. C. D.

D.

The primary goal of the risk awareness program in an organization that has been the subject of multiple social engineering attacks should be to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Explanation: Social engineering attacks involve manipulating people to divulge sensitive information or perform actions that are against the organization's policies. They can be difficult to prevent with technical controls alone, as attackers often exploit human psychology and behavior. Hence, it is essential to develop a risk awareness program that educates employees about social engineering attacks and how to identify and respond to them.

Option A, which suggests communicating the consequences for violations, is important, but it is only a small aspect of a comprehensive risk awareness program. Consequences can include disciplinary action, termination, legal action, or even financial penalties, but they do not necessarily prevent attacks from happening.

Option B, which suggests implementing industry best practices, is also important but does not necessarily reduce the risk of social engineering attacks. Best practices can include measures such as access control, encryption, and monitoring, but they may not address the root cause of social engineering attacks.

Option C, which suggests reducing the organization's risk appetite, may not be an appropriate response to social engineering attacks. A risk appetite is a measure of the organization's willingness to accept risks in pursuit of its objectives. Reducing the risk appetite may mean that the organization becomes risk-averse and avoids taking risks that are necessary for its growth and success.

Therefore, the best option is D, which suggests reducing the risk to an acceptable level. This involves identifying the organization's vulnerabilities to social engineering attacks, assessing the likelihood and impact of such attacks, and implementing controls to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level. A risk-aware culture, coupled with a robust risk management framework, can help an organization reduce the likelihood and impact of social engineering attacks.