Interscale Content Hub – IT risk assessment services are all about spotting, looking into and taking control of any potential threats to an organisation’s IT systems and data.
By using IT risk assessment services, organisations can keep potential threats at bay and make sure their operations stay secure and running smoothly.
For consideration; the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) says that over 76,000 cybercrime reports were made via ReportCyber during the 2021–22 financial year. That’s a 13% increase from the previous financial year.
That means there was one cybercrime report every seven minutes, compared to one every eight minutes in 2020–21.
With data breaches costing millions these days, it’s time we took a closer look at IT risk assessment services.
Types of IT Risk Assessment Services
There are lots of different IT risk assessment services out there, each one designed to address specific parts of your company’s digital ecosystem.
One big thing and popular service is vulnerability assessment. This involves scanning and identifying weaknesses in networks, systems and applications that could be exploited by cyber threats.
This proactive approach is all about finding and fixing any potential security issues before they can be exploited.
Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is another related service. It simulates cyberattacks to evaluate the security of an IT system.
This service is great for spotting weaknesses that you might not find in a standard vulnerability assessment.
Your organisations can gain actionable insights to improve their security measures by understanding how an attacker could exploit existing vulnerabilities.
Compliance audits are another fundamental type of IT risk assessment service.
These audits ensure that an organisation’s IT infrastructure meets industry standards and regulations like ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and the Essential Eight.
Compliance audits help organisations stay on the right side of the law and avoid any nasty legal penalties, which makes them a big part of a company’s overall risk management strategy.
Using risk management frameworks, such as those provided by NIST or COBIT, helps you manage and mitigate IT risks in a structured way.
These frameworks give you all the info you need to keep your IT security in check. They cover everything from spotting potential threats to putting in place effective solutions.
Another must-have service is business continuity and disaster recovery planning. This helps assess risks related to business continuity and develop plans to ensure operations can continue or quickly resume after a disruptive event.
This kind of planning is important for keeping your business running smoothly and avoiding any unnecessary downtime in the event of an unexpected problem.
Finally, security awareness training is a key part of IT risk assessment.
This service teaches employees about the best ways to stay safe online and how to spot and deal with potential threats.
If companies make sure their employees know about security, they can cut down on the number of security breaches caused by human error.
For a quick overview of the framework, kindly read “Why 5 IT Risk Assessment Framework Matters: Tips and Update Insights.“
Top IT Risk Assessment Service Providers
There are lots of reputable providers offering IT risk assessment services in Australia.
Each one brings something different to the table, with their own unique expertise and methodologies.
So, here are some of the best-known firms you can consider.
1. Interscale
Interscale’s specialty is doing risk assessments for medium-sized businesses into enterprises.
Interscale also offers vulnerability assessments, compliance audits and penetration testing, which are helpful for businesses that want to stay ahead of potential cyber threats.
At Interscale, we believe in providing tailored solutions that address the specific needs of SMEs.
Our goal is to ensure they are not only compliant with industry standards but also resilient against emerging threats.
For instance, Interscale vulnerability assessments find weaknesses in IT systems so businesses can fix them before anyone can exploit them.
You might find it helpful to take a look at our Interscale Cybersecurity Support page.
Or, if you’d like to know more and have a more in-depth meeting, just give us an appointment. We’re here for you 24/7, whenever you need us.
2. Deloitte
Deloitte’s got a great range of IT risk assessment services. They use their global expertise to put together detailed IT risk management frameworks, compliance audits and business continuity plans.
At Deloitte, they take a strategic approach and use solid methodologies.
Their IT risk management frameworks are designed to help businesses identify, assess, and mitigate risks in one go.
At Deloitte, their clients get strategies that fit their business goals, so they can tackle cybersecurity in a way that covers all the bases.
3. KPMG
KPMG can help clients with all their IT risk assessment needs, including cyber maturity assessments, vulnerability management, and risk management frameworks.
KPMG uses data to identify and tackle IT risks in a way that’s precise and effective.
KPMG’s cyber maturity assessments help organisations understand where they stand in terms of cybersecurity and identify areas for improvement.
This service is great for businesses looking to build a more solid cybersecurity strategy.
KPMG uses data analytics to make sure their risk assessments are thorough and accurate, so businesses can protect their digital assets.
4. EY
EY offers a full range of IT risk assessment services, from initial vulnerability assessments to ongoing risk management and compliance audits.
They make sure that IT risk management is aligned with business objectives, so that cybersecurity is approached in a holistic way.
EY’s services are all about helping businesses understand their risk environment and put in place effective strategies to manage and mitigate these risks.
Their focus on aligning cybersecurity measures with overall business goals ensures a balanced approach to risk management.
5. IBM Security Services
IBM Security Services brings together the latest tech with top-notch expertise to give you a full picture of your IT risks.
They also offer penetration testing, threat intelligence and risk management frameworks, helping businesses stay safe from cyber threats.
IBM uses the latest tech to give in-depth risk assessments, so they can spot and fix potential vulnerabilities before anyone can exploit them.
Their threat intelligence services give businesses real-time insights into emerging threats, so they can manage risks proactively.
Meanwhile, here’s a review of the software options on the market that you can choose from: “Here’s 5 IT Risk Assessment Software to Outsmart Cyber Threats in 2024.”
How to Choose the Right IT Risk Assessment Service
The first thing to do is to work out which parts of your IT infrastructure need to be looked at.
This could include things like network security, application security, compliance needs, or business continuity planning.
Knowing what you need will help you find the most relevant services to your organisation.
Next, look for providers with a strong track record, relevant certifications and a good understanding of the cybersecurity challenges your industry is facing.
Providers with lots of experience and knowledge can offer more tailored and effective solutions.
Then, it’s a good idea to check what kind of methodologies the providers use.
Make sure they use solid and thorough methodologies, like frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, or COBIT.
These frameworks show that the providers are taking a thorough and structured approach to IT risk assessment, which means that they’re covering all aspects of cybersecurity.
It’s always worth asking for case studies and references from similar organisations. This can give you a good idea of a provider’s ability to deliver results and handle specific industry challenges.
This helps you understand how the provider has handled similar cybersecurity issues in the past.
Make sure you can understand what’s being said and that the recommendations are practical.
The provider should give you detailed, actionable reports that show you the risks and how to fix them.
Absolutely. Good reporting is essential for understanding the risks and implementing the solutions.
Finally, check that they’re up to date with all the relevant regulations.
If you’re worried about staying on the right side of the regulators, make sure the provider has the right experience and can help you stay on the straight and narrow with local and international rules.
If you’re looking for help with navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements and avoiding potential legal issues, look for a provider with expertise in compliance.
In Closing
IT risk assessments are a great way to make sure your business is secure and resilient to future threats.
They really help you succeed and stay stable in the long run.
This proactive approach means businesses are ready to deal with the challenges of the digital world and stay competitive by using IT risk assessment services.
