Tag Archives: risk assessment

How CVSS Works: A Guide to Vulnerability Scoring

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is a widely used framework for evaluating and communicating the severity of software vulnerabilities. First introduced in 1999, CVSS has become the standard scoring method for organisations to prioritise security efforts and manage vulnerabilities systematically. By assigning numerical scores to vulnerabilities based on their characteristics, CVSS enables teams to assess risks and allocate resources effectively.

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The Evolution of FAIR: Cyber Risk in Financial Terms

The Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) framework has emerged as a cornerstone in cyber risk quantification, enabling organisations to measure and communicate risk in financial terms. FAIR’s evolution represents a shift from traditional qualitative assessments to a structured, quantitative model that aligns cybersecurity strategies with business objectives. By breaking down risk into probability and impact components, FAIR provides decision-makers with actionable insights to prioritise investments and mitigate threats effectively.

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Mapping Cyber Risk Approaches: Bridging Quantification and Scoring

The diverse landscape of cyber risk methodologies, ranging from technical scoring systems like CVSS to financial quantification frameworks like FAIR—offers organisations multiple tools to manage threats. However, these tools often operate in isolation, creating challenges when aligning technical, operational, and financial risk perspectives. Mapping between these approaches bridges the gaps, enabling organisations to unify risk management strategies and enhance decision-making.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Cyber Risk Scoring

Cyber risk scoring is a critical tool for organisations to measure their cybersecurity posture, prioritise risk mitigation efforts, and communicate threats effectively. Unlike broader risk quantification methods, which often involve financial modelling and probability analysis, cyber risk scoring assigns a numerical or categorical value to risks based on their severity, likelihood, and potential impact.

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The Enlightenment: Formalizing Risk Assessment

The Enlightenment, spanning the 17th and 18th centuries, was a transformative period in intellectual and scientific history. During this era, humanity began to apply rational thought, empirical observation, and mathematical rigor to address questions of uncertainty and risk. The formalization of risk assessment emerged as a critical outcome of this intellectual revolution, driven by advancements in actuarial science, economics, and probability theory. This essay explores the key contributions of the Enlightenment to the field of risk assessment, highlighting pivotal figures, innovations, and ideas that continue to shape our understanding of risk today.

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