Security Risk Assessment
Know your security risks before attackers do
Put your security budget
where it reduces the most security risk.
where it reduces the most security risk.
Threats. Vulnerabilities. Controls. Priorities. Roadmap.
Risk assessment basics
What is security risk, and how is it assessed?
Security risk is the business harm that can follow a security failure: legal and regulatory costs, damage to your reputation, lost customer trust, lost sales, and disruption to operations.
A security risk assessment identifies what matters most to your business, the threats and vulnerabilities that could affect it, and how well your current controls hold up. Each security risk is rated by likelihood and business impact, so you know which ones need attention first.
It is the foundation of every security program, and a documented risk assessment is required by HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, CMMC, and FedRAMP, as well as security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. We follow recognized NIST and ISO 27001 security risk practices, so the results stand up to auditors as well as your leadership.
Why it matters
Decisions based on evidence, not guesswork
Smarter spending
Your budget goes to your highest security risks first
Ranked findings show where each dollar cuts the most security risk, not spread across vendor pitches.
Ranked findings show where each dollar cuts the most security risk, not spread across vendor pitches.
Hidden threats found
See what is already happening in your environment
We look for malicious connections, data leaving your network, and risky applications that often go unnoticed.
We look for malicious connections, data leaving your network, and risky applications that often go unnoticed.
Requirements met
Satisfy auditors and regulators with one assessment
A documented, methodology-based assessment meets the risk assessment requirements of HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, CMMC, and FedRAMP, and frameworks like the NIST CSF.
A documented, methodology-based assessment meets the risk assessment requirements of HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, CMMC, and FedRAMP, and frameworks like the NIST CSF.
Leadership clarity
Give your board a clear, defensible picture of security risk
Plain-language results let leadership make informed decisions and explain them to customers, investors, and insurers.
Plain-language results let leadership make informed decisions and explain them to customers, investors, and insurers.
What we assess
A complete view of your security risk
We look across your products, systems and infrastructure, organizational structure and management, people, and processes, so the security risks you fix are the ones that actually threaten the business.
Assets
Systems and data
The applications, data, and services your business depends on, and what happens if they are compromised.
Threats
Threats and vulnerabilities
Who might attack you, how, and the weaknesses in systems, configurations, and people they could exploit.
Network
Network activity
Visibility into traffic to find malicious connections, data leaving the network, and risky applications.
Controls
Controls and gaps
How well your safeguards work against threats and the frameworks you must meet, and where gaps remain.
Assessment, scan, or test
Which assessment answers your question?
A risk assessment is the foundation. Scans and penetration tests answer narrower questions.
Area
Risk assessment
Vulnerability scan
Penetration test
Question
What are the biggest security risks to the business?
Which known weaknesses exist?
Can an attacker actually get in?
Scope
People, process, technology, and vendors
Systems and software
Selected systems or applications
Result
Prioritized security risks and a roadmap
A list of technical findings
Proof of exploitable paths
Best for
Planning, budgeting, and compliance
Routine technical hygiene
Testing defenses against real attacks
Our assessment approach
Security risk assessments built around your business
Business context
Security risks ranked by what they mean to your business
We rate each security risk by business impact, not just technical severity, so priorities make sense to leadership.
We rate each security risk by business impact, not just technical severity, so priorities make sense to leadership.
Framework aligned
One assessment that serves every audit
Our methodology follows NIST and ISO 27001 practices and supports HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, CMMC, and FedRAMP, and other security frameworks.
Our methodology follows NIST and ISO 27001 practices and supports HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, CMMC, and FedRAMP, and other security frameworks.
Actionable results
A clear roadmap, not a 200-page report
Findings come with prioritized remediation steps, owners, and a realistic sequence your team can follow.
Findings come with prioritized remediation steps, owners, and a realistic sequence your team can follow.
Tailored, not templated
An assessment built around your environment
We customize scope and methods to your systems, industry, and obligations rather than running a generic checklist.
We customize scope and methods to your systems, industry, and obligations rather than running a generic checklist.
Know where you stand, what matters most, and what to do next.
How we assess
From scope to safeguards that reduce security risk
01
Scope & Assets
We define what is in scope and identify the systems, data, and services your business depends on.
02
Threats & Vulnerabilities
We identify likely threats and the weaknesses they could exploit, including a review of network activity.
03
Controls & Gaps
We evaluate your existing safeguards against those threats and the frameworks you must meet.
04
Security Risk Rating
Each security risk is rated by likelihood and business impact, giving you a clear, ranked picture.
05
Prioritized Roadmap
You receive a plain-language report and a remediation roadmap with priorities, owners, and timing.
06
Remediate & Reassess
We help deploy the safeguards that deliver the most protection, then reassess as your business changes.
FAQ
Risk assessment questions, answered
The assessment
Is a risk assessment required?
For many organizations, yes. HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, CMMC, and FedRAMP all require a documented risk assessment, and security frameworks such as the NIST CSF build on one. Even where it is not required, it is the most reliable way to decide where security spending should go.
How often should we do one?
At least once a year, and whenever something significant changes, such as new systems, a merger, a move to the cloud, or a security incident.
How is a risk assessment different from a gap assessment?
A gap assessment measures you against a specific framework’s requirements. A risk assessment looks at the threats to your business and how likely and damaging they are. We often combine the two so one effort serves both needs.
Will the assessment disrupt our operations?
No. Most of the work is interviews, document and configuration review, and passive analysis of network activity. We schedule anything more involved with your team in advance.
Results, timing, and cost
What do we receive at the end?
A plain-language report with ranked security risks, an executive summary for leadership, and a prioritized remediation roadmap with owners and timing.
Can you help us fix what you find?
Yes. We can help deploy the safeguards on the roadmap, or guide your IT team and vendors as they do the work, and then reassess to confirm the security risk is reduced.
How long does an assessment take?
It depends on your size and scope. Many assessments are completed within a few weeks, from kickoff to final report.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on the size of your environment, the number of locations and systems in scope, and the depth required. There is no flat fee. We provide a firm quote after a short scoping conversation.
Assessment in practice
A report in a drawer won't reduce security risk
An assessment only pays off when it drives decisions, budgets, and fixes.
Next step
Tell us where you stand
Tell us about your organization and what is driving the assessment. We’ll reply with next steps and a scope that fits your goals and obligations.