Cybersecurity Risk and Maturity Assessment Framework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organizations face challenges in effectively managing and evaluating their cybersecurity/privacy programs due to the complexity and interdependency of compliance schemes like NIST CSF and FISMA, which are subject to frequent updates, making it difficult to maintain continuous compliance and risk management.
Innovation Solution
A computing device configured to compute risk and maturity factors for a cybersecurity/privacy program, determining an integrated result that includes recommendations for improvements, by tracking remediation activities and monitoring changes in risk management and maturity levels across functional areas, using a combination of risk and maturity factors based on weighted criteria and data inputs such as documentation and vulnerability assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organizations implement comprehensive compliance schemes like NIST CSF and FISMA, then cybersecurity/privacy protection is improved, but the complexity of managing and evaluating these programs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cybersecurity program evaluation into distinct functional areas (e.g., risk management, governance, operations) with specific criteria and subcriteria. This segmentation allows organizations to systematically assess each aspect separately while maintaining an integrated view of overall program effectiveness, thereby managing complexity through structured division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal assessment framework that can evaluate multiple compliance schemes (NIST CSF, FISMA, and others) using a common set of functional areas and criteria. This multi-functional approach allows organizations to assess their cybersecurity programs against different standards through a single integrated system, reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate compliance evaluations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If organizations track multiple compliance standards and guidelines, then compliance coverage is improved, but the difficulty of maintaining continuous compliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment framework is designed to be universal and adaptable to multiple compliance standards including NIST CSF, FISMA, and other industry-specific guidelines. By mapping various standards to common functional areas and criteria, the system provides comprehensive compliance coverage while simplifying maintenance through a unified assessment approach that can accommodate different regulatory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt to changing compliance requirements and guidelines. The assessment criteria and functional areas can be adjusted to reflect updates in standards, enabling organizations to maintain continuous compliance as regulations evolve without requiring complete restructuring of their assessment processes.
3Measurement precision
If organizations conduct detailed vulnerability assessments and documentation reviews, then assessment accuracy is improved, but the time and resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment process is segmented into multiple functional areas with specific criteria and subcriteria, allowing assessors to systematically evaluate different aspects of the cybersecurity program. This structured segmentation enables thorough and accurate assessment by breaking down complex evaluation tasks into manageable components, improving precision while organizing the time investment efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework allows organizations to perform assessments at varying levels of depth depending on their needs. While the complete framework provides comprehensive coverage for maximum accuracy, organizations can selectively focus on specific functional areas or criteria that are most relevant to their risk profile, thereby achieving sufficient assessment accuracy with reduced time and resource investment when full-depth assessment is not necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a computing device with a memory and a processor configured to perform operations including computing a cybersecurity and privacy (CS&P) framework profile (or risk factor) for a cybersecurity program implemented by an enterprise, computing a CS&P maturity level (or maturity factor) for the cybersecurity program, determining an integrated result for the cybersecurity program based at least in part on a combination of the CS&P framework profile and the maturity factor.