[Trae Johnson]

This is important because risk management provides a structured way for the Systems Security Officer to protect an organization’s assets and ensures that security decisions are based on real, measurable threats. Assets include data, hardware, software, and even personnel that have value; therefore, understanding their importance enables an organization to prioritize what must be protected first. The use of a thorough risk assessment will help identify threats, vulnerabilities, and the potential impact if those assets are compromised. As the video highlighted, knowing both the likelihood of a threat and the severity of the impact allows us to calculate the level of risk more accurately.

Once risks are identified, the subsequent process involves the selection of security controls to lower the risks to an acceptable level. Controls include technical safeguards, such as firewalls; administrative measures, such as policies; and physical protections, such as secure facilities. These will be selected based on their applicability to specific vulnerabilities and their effectiveness in reducing overall risk. Continuous monitoring and periodic evaluation keep an organization protected against the evolving threat spectrum. In other words, risk management enables the Systems Security Officer to make informed decisions, apply appropriate controls, and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical assets.