My latest @ISACA column was posted recently. This time I tackled a hard issue in the human factors space: awareness training. Specifically, I explored the notion that having a good security team may actually impede the effectiveness of a security awareness program. I did this through the application of some concepts from the bystander effect.Continue reading “Security Awareness and the Bystander Effect”
Category Archives: @ISACA
Cyber Risk Cassandras
I wrote this latest bit for the @ISACA column after reading Richard Clarke’s book and trying to rationalize how it applies to cyber risk. It’s overly easy to predict failures and impending doom at a macro level, its much harder to do it at the micro level, which is infinitely more interesting and useful. YouContinue reading “Cyber Risk Cassandras”
Lowest Common Risk Denominator
I tackle the notion of risk appetite in this month’s column using some metaphors with which you might be familiar. You don’t get to pick your auto insurance coverage by expressing the number of accidents you are willing to accept, yet that’s how a lot of organizations think about cyber risk. Fortunately, the cyber insuranceContinue reading “Lowest Common Risk Denominator”
Smart Contracts
I was interviewed for, and quoted in, this ISACA publication around Smart Contracts. Upon reflection, what we are really seeing is just a continuation of the concept of Code = Law as pointed out by Lawrence Lessig in his 1999 book, Code and Other Law of Cyberspace. The Smart Contracts doc is a free downloadContinue reading “Smart Contracts”
Interesting Times
In my latest column I wanted to call out some of the dichotomy that exists in the cyber world today. There are so many exciting new technologies in the world, and so much more risk inherent in them. Working in risk means that you can’t avoid bad things entirely (any more than you can stopContinue reading “Interesting Times”
Pure Risk
My latest @ISACA column was published today and in it, I talk about a concept called “pure risk.” It flies in the face of notions of “positive risk” that are in popular use. Understanding Pure Risk can help dispel any notion that Cyber Risk can be a good thing. You can read it here.
Risk and Regulation
My latest @ISACA article was published today. In it, I focus on the notion of where our authority comes from in Information Security. Too often, in my opinion, we rely on regulation as a source of “why” when articulating control requirements. I think this is dangerous and counter to the very nature of what anContinue reading “Risk and Regulation”
In Defense of Verbal Risk Labels
My latest column for @ISACA was published today. In it I talk about the benefits of using verbal risk labels (things like high, medium, and low) and give some examples where this is helpful in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. This is an important concept for those like myself that are dedicated to quantitativeContinue reading “In Defense of Verbal Risk Labels”
The Risk of Cyber Austerity
Sometimes, the organization you work for will need to make budget cuts. And sometimes that means cuts to the security budget. How that should be handled is the subject of my latest @ISACA column.
The Dose Makes the Poison
My latest @ISACA article posted today. I was really pleased with this one as it uses an easily understandable metaphor to call out the often experienced desire of people to live life without risk (as evidenced by statements such as “We don’t accept any risk…”). Take a look and let me know what you think.Continue reading “The Dose Makes the Poison”
The Risk Dr ® 