Creating the Risk Assessment Team

Imagine that you are a new manager responsible for the IT team in a startup company that provides hosting services for online storefronts. Shortly
before you were hired, the IT systems were compromised, resulting in the
services going offline for almost 24 hours before services were restored. As
a result, the business suffered financial losses that it could ill afford as a
start-up company.
The CEO of the company has directed you to put together a plan to mitigate
future risks. The first step is to assemble a team of subject matter experts to
help you create the plan. The CEO wants to review a list of the
recommended team members before you proceed with the plan. You need to
create a list of recommended team members in a form for submission to the
CEO. In creating the recommendation, evaluate each role selected,
documenting the value that the team member will bring to the process. Also,
document any potential issues where team members might have conflicting
priorities and you would resolve any conflicts

Full Answer Section

      Recommended Team Members:
  1. IT Security Specialist (Team Lead):
    • Value:Extensive knowledge of security threats, security best practices, and security protocols. Will lead the team in vulnerability assessments, implementing security measures, and creating security policies.
    • Potential Conflicting Priorities:May have ongoing IT security maintenance tasks.
    • Resolution:Clearly define project timelines and deliverables to ensure focus on the risk mitigation plan.
  2. Network Administrator:
    • Value:Deep understanding of the company's network infrastructure, firewalls, and network security controls. Can identify potential network weaknesses and suggest mitigation strategies.
    • Potential Conflicting Priorities:Day-to-day network maintenance tasks might compete for time.
    • Resolution:Schedule dedicated time for the team member to focus on the risk mitigation plan, potentially with some overtime if necessary.
  3. Software Developer:
    • Value:Provides insights into potential software vulnerabilities within the hosting platform. Can recommend secure coding practices and identify areas for code improvement.
    • Potential Conflicting Priorities:Ongoing development tasks or bug fixes might take precedence.
    • Resolution:Prioritize participation in the risk mitigation plan during critical phases like vulnerability assessment and secure coding implementation.
  4. Disaster Recovery Specialist:
    • Value:Expertise in data backup, disaster recovery procedures, and business continuity planning. Can ensure critical data is protected and downtime is minimized in case of future security incidents.
    • Potential Conflicting Priorities:Updating and testing disaster recovery plans might be an ongoing task.
    • Resolution:Leverage existing disaster recovery expertise but clearly define the specific scope of work for this project within the risk mitigation plan.
  5. Business Continuity Specialist:
    • Value:Focuses on the business impact of IT disruptions. Can assess the financial and operational consequences of security breaches and guide the team in developing recovery strategies that minimize business disruption.
    • Potential Conflicting Priorities:Might be involved in broader business continuity planning efforts.
    • Resolution:Ensure alignment with existing business continuity plans, focusing on the IT security aspects specifically.
Conclusion: This team combines technical expertise with an understanding of the business impact of security risks. By working collaboratively, this team can develop a robust plan to mitigate future security threats and ensure the stability and continued operation of the company's hosting services. I am confident that this team's combined knowledge and experience will be instrumental in creating a comprehensive and effective IT security risk mitigation plan. I am ready to convene the team and begin work on the plan upon your approval.  

Sample Answer

 

IT Security Risk Mitigation Team Recommendation

To: CEO From: [Your Name], IT Manager

Subject: Team Composition for IT Security Risk Mitigation Plan

Introduction:

Following your directive, I have compiled a recommended list of team members to assist in creating a comprehensive IT security risk mitigation plan. Each member possesses specific expertise crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, implementing safeguards, and ensuring business continuity.