How can you manage risks for mobile devices in ISMS risk management?

1 Identify the risks

When it comes to ISMS risk management, the first step is to identify the potential sources and impacts of risks that mobile devices may introduce to your information assets and processes. Common risks include loss or theft of sensitive data, unauthorized access or modification of data or systems, exposure to malware or ransomware, non-compliance with legal or ethical obligations, and damage to reputation. To accurately identify these risks, you need to consider the context, scope, and objectives of your ISMS, as well as the characteristics, functions, and locations of mobile devices. Various methods such as interviews, surveys, audits, inspections, checklists, or threat modeling can be used to gather information and evidence about the risks.

2 Analyze the risks

The next step in ISMS risk management is to analyze the risks that you have identified to determine their likelihood and consequences. Likelihood is the probability or frequency of a risk occurring, while consequences are the effects or outcomes of a risk on your information assets and processes. You can use qualitative or quantitative methods, or a combination of both, to measure and estimate the likelihood and consequences of the risks. For example, you can use scales, ratings, scores, matrices, or formulas to assign values or categories to the risks based on your criteria and assumptions.

4 Treat the risks

The fourth step in ISMS risk management is to treat the risks that you have evaluated as unacceptable or requiring further action. Risk treatment is the process of selecting and implementing appropriate measures or controls to modify the risks to an acceptable level or to achieve your objectives. You can avoid the risk by eliminating or discontinuing the activity or source that causes the risk, reduce it by implementing preventive or detective controls, transfer it by sharing or transferring the responsibility or liability for the risk, or retain it by accepting or tolerating the residual risk after applying other options. Various methods, such as policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, training, awareness, encryption, authentication, backup, recovery, and contingency can be used to treat the risks associated with mobile devices. Additionally, you should document your risk treatment plan which outlines objectives, scope, responsibilities, resources, timeframes and performance indicators for your risk treatment activities.

5 Monitor the risks

The fifth step in ISMS risk management is to monitor the risks that you have treated or retained to ensure that they remain within your acceptable level and that your risk treatment measures are effective and efficient. Monitoring is the process of collecting and analyzing data and information about the performance and status of your risks and controls, and identifying any changes or deviations that may affect your objectives or risk appetite. You can use various methods, such as audits, reviews, inspections, tests, reports, or feedback, to monitor the risks and controls related to mobile devices.

6 Review the risks

The sixth and final step in ISMS risk management is to review the risks that you have monitored to evaluate whether they are still relevant and accurate, and whether they need any adjustments or improvements. Reviewing is the process of comparing and assessing the results and outcomes of your risk management activities against your expectations and objectives, and identifying any gaps, weaknesses, opportunities, or threats that may arise. You can use various methods, such as surveys, interviews, meetings, workshops, or lessons learned, to review the risks and controls related to mobile devices.