Explore effective strategies for managing data risk in the digital age, focusing on monitoring, identifying anomalous behavior, and empowering swift action.

October 27, 2014 4:00:50 AM EDT | Risk, What Risk?

Explore effective strategies for managing data risk in the digital age, focusing on monitoring, identifying anomalous behavior, and empowering swift action.

Navigating the Seas of Data Risk Management

In the vast ocean of digital information, every organization faces the challenge of managing risk. It's not just about safeguarding against data loss anymore; it's about understanding the multifaceted vulnerabilities that come into play with each employee interaction with data. The essence of risk management in this context transcends Data Loss Prevention (DLP) strategies, delving into the granular details of user behavior, data access rights, and the overarching control of the organizational environment.

Understanding and Controlling Data-Related Risks

The cornerstone of effective risk management is a thorough understanding of the data landscape and the activities within it. Employees, depending on their roles, may have varying degrees of access to critical data, often termed as Privilege Access. Monitoring and managing such access is pivotal. But how do organizations distinguish between normal and abnormal activities? The answer lies in the ability to correlate data about both the information accessed and the individuals accessing it, thereby enhancing control and visibility across the board.

Identifying Anomalous Behavior: A Red Flag for Risks

Identifying risks requires setting clear parameters around what constitutes normal operations and what does not. Anomalous behavior is often the first indicator of potential risks. Engaging with business stakeholders to define these norms is crucial, as is the implementation of systems that can track deviations in real-time. Once an anomaly is detected, the next critical step is to empower the teams responsible for data oversight with the tools and authority to intervene and remediate any issues promptly.

Empowering Teams to Act

Effective risk management is not just about detection; it's about action. Organizations must equip their data security and risk management teams with the necessary tools and authority to address and mitigate risks swiftly. This empowerment is essential for maintaining a secure and resilient data environment.

The Path Forward in Risk Management

So, how do organizations manage risk? By adopting a holistic approach that includes understanding the landscape, monitoring for anomalies, and empowering swift action. In today's digital age, the dynamics of risk management have evolved, demanding a proactive and informed strategy to navigate the complexities of data security.

Rosario Mastrogiacomo

Written By: Rosario Mastrogiacomo

Rosario Mastrogiacomo is the Vice President of Engineering for SPHERE, where he focuses on solving complex security and infrastructure problems involving the processing and analysis of large data sets to find creative and out-of-box thinking solutions. Rosario has been working as a technology leader for over 25 years at financial organizations such as Neuberger Berman, Lehman Brothers, and Barclays. He has held various senior leadership positions including Global Head of Core Software Engineering, Head of Mac Platform Engineering, Global Head of Windows Engineering, and Windows Support Manager. Rosario has built and managed several teams within these positions, some with multi-million-dollar budgets. For the last eight years at SPHERE, Rosario has built the team and methodologies for the development of SPHEREboard. Rosario holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Baruch College (CUNY).