A digital risk assessment – DRA – is like a check-up for your business's digital health. Like going to the doctor, businesses need to assess their digital risks to make sure everything is running smoothly.
So what is a digital risk?
As you'd probably expect, it's a potential threat to your business's digital systems. Think: viruses, malware, hackers, or even human error. Whatever the cause, they're capable of causing some major headaches including data breaches, cyberattacks and system failures.
A digital risk assessment helps you identify any possible risks. Depending on your business's specific needs, it might involve scanning your network for vulnerabilities, checking your software for security updates, or testing your people on cybersecurity best practices.
A DRA usually takes a deep dive into your business' digital systems.
That means looking at things like your software, hardware, networks, and data to identify any weak spots that cybercriminals can exploit.
Digital risk assessment tools like these examples of vulnerability scanners, penetration testing and security information and event management (SIEM) tools can highlight your weaknesses. You might also want to check user permissions, password policies, and data encryption to make sure they're up-to-date – and up to the job.
It may never happen (and a DRA can help ensure you stay secure). But if it does, having a readily available incident response plan can make sure you do all the right things at the right time to reduce the impact on you, your business and your clients.
Don’t forget to test it, too. The last thing you want is to find out it's not fit for purpose just when you need to spring into action.
Download our digital risk assessment worksheet below for a handy overview of how you can help stay secure.
For more support on digital risks or free 1-2-1 business advice, you can also speak to one of our V-Hub Digital Advisors by phone.