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RSK-12: Risk Assessment Methodology

RSK 8 — High Identify

Mechanisms exist to implement a risk assessment methodology to ensure coverage for organizational components relevant for secure, compliant and resilient operations.

Renumbered: Formerly RSK-04.2 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, RSK-12 was Risk Culture. That control is now RSK-04.

Control Question: Does the organization implement a risk assessment methodology to ensure coverage for organizational components relevant for secure, compliant and resilient operations?

General (6)
Framework Mapping Values
ISO 27701 2025 6.1.2(a)(2)
ISO 31000 2018 5.7.2 6.4.1 6.4.3 6.4.4
ISO 31010 2009 4.3.1 4.3.4 6.2 6.7
SWIFT CSF 2025 7.4A
UN R155 7.2.2.2(c) 7.2.2.2(f)
UN ECE WP.29 7.2.2.2(c) 7.2.2.2(f)
US (5)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal C2M2 2.1 RISK-2g RISK-3c RISK-3d RISK-3e RISK-4b
USA Federal CERT RMM 1.2 RISK:SG2.SP2
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 3 RA.L3-3.11.1E
USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 II.B
USA California CCPA 2025 7152(a)
EMEA (7)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA CHE FINMA Circular 2023/1 IV.A-33
EMEA Germany C5 2026 OIS-07.01B
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 3.1(b)
EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 2.1.3 6.1.2 6.1.2(a) 6.1.2(b) 6.1.2(c) 6.1.2(d) 6.1.2(e) 6.1.2(f) 6.1.3 7.2 7.2(a) 7.2(b) 7.2(c) 7.2(d) 7.2(e) 7.2(f)
EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 1-2-1
EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 1-5-1 1-5-2
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 1-3-1-1
APAC (4)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Japan ISMAP 4.4.6.1 4.4.7.1 4.4.7.4
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 9.2(e)
APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 3.4.1(c) 3.4.2
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 4.1.4(d)
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada OSFI Self-Assessment Guidance 1.3.2 3.1.3

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Risk Management (RSK) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with RSK domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with RSK domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A risk management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain RSK domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of risk management operations (e.g., risk management solution, GRC platform and TPRM tool). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with RSK domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to implement a risk assessment methodology to ensure coverage for organizational components relevant for secure, compliant and resilient operations.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Risk Management (RSK) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Assessment Objectives

  1. RSK-12_A01 a risk assessment methodology that can cover the organization's components relevant for secure, compliant and resilient operations is defined.
  2. RSK-12_A02 a risk assessment methodology that covers the organization's components relevant for secure, compliant and resilient operations is implemented.

Evidence Requirements

E-RSK-01 Risk Management Program (RMP)

Documented evidence of a Risk Management Program (RMP). This is program-level documentation in the form of a runbook, playbook or a similar format provides guidance on organizational practices that support existing policies and standards.

Risk Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Document how privacy risks are identified and managed

Small

  • Privacy risk assessment process integrated with security risk management

Medium

  • Formal privacy risk management integration with security risk program

Large

  • Enterprise privacy risk management program (GDPR DPIA, CCPA)

Enterprise

  • Enterprise integrated privacy and security risk management platform
  • Automated DPIA workflows

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