Addressing Risks in Systems Development

D.

Risk should be addressed as early as possible in the development cycle.

The feasibility study should include risk assessment so that the cost of controls can be estimated before the project proceeds.

Risk should also be considered in the specification phase where the controls are designed, but this would still be based on the assessment carried out in the feasibility study.

Assessment would not be relevant in choice A or.

C.

Risk assessment is a critical process that helps identify, analyze, and evaluate potential risks that may impact the success of a project. Risk assessment is an essential component of any information security management program, and it should be integrated into the development process to ensure that risks are identified and addressed at the appropriate stages.

Out of the options provided, the most suitable phase to integrate risk assessment into the development process is the Specification phase. The Specification phase is the phase of the development process that defines the requirements and specifications for the project. This phase includes the development of functional and non-functional requirements, as well as the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) and the scope of the project.

Integrating risk assessment into the Specification phase helps to ensure that potential risks are identified and addressed at an early stage of the development process. During this phase, project stakeholders can assess the potential impact of risks on the project and determine appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

For example, during the Specification phase of a software development project, project stakeholders may identify the risk of data breaches due to weak authentication protocols. They can then develop and implement appropriate security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, to mitigate this risk.

While risk assessment should be integrated into all phases of the development process, integrating it into the Specification phase is particularly critical. By doing so, project stakeholders can ensure that risks are addressed early in the development process, and that appropriate risk mitigation strategies are developed and implemented.