# Risk Register Template

- **PURPOSE:** Provides a standardized template for documenting and communicating security risks in business terms, moving beyond technically focused vulnerability listings.
- **WHEN TO USE:**For ongoing tracking of security risks, communicating with business stakeholders, and informing security investment decisions.

**[COMPANY NAME] SECURITY RISK REGISTER**

**Date Last Updated**[DATE]

**Register Owner**[NAME, TITLE]

**RISK ID:** [UNIQUE IDENTIFIER]

## RISK OVERVIEW

**Risk Title**[Brief, business-focused description]

**Risk Description**[Business-friendly explanation of the risk]

**Risk Category**□ Data Protection  □ System Availability  □ Operational  □ Regulatory  □ Reputational  □ Other: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## BUSINESS CONTEXT

**Affected Business Function(s)**[Primary business activities at risk]

**Business Process Owner(s)**[Names and departments]

**Supporting Technology Assets**[Systems, applications, data]

**Business Criticality**□ Mission Critical  □ Important  □ Supporting  □ Minimal

## TECHNICAL VULNERABILITY DETAILS

**Vulnerability Source**[Identified through scan, audit, incident, etc.]

**Technical Description**[Brief explanation for technical teams]

**Technical Severity (CVSS)**[If applicable]

**Reference IDs**[CVE numbers or internal references]

## BUSINESS IMPACT ASSESSMENT

**Maximum Acceptable Downtime**[How long business can function without this]

**Data Sensitivity**□ Highly Restricted  □ Confidential  □ Internal  □ Public

## Potential Business Impacts:

**Financial Impact**$[RANGE] [Include calculation basis]

**Operational Impact**[Description and extent]

**Regulatory Impact**[Potential compliance issues]

**Reputational Impact**[Customer/partner trust implications]

## RISK EVALUATION

**Likelihood**□ Very High  □ High  □ Medium  □ Low  □ Very Low

**Impact**□ Critical  □ Severe  □ Moderate  □ Minor  □ Insignificant

**Business Risk Rating**□ Critical  □ High  □ Medium  □ Low

**Confidence in Assessment**□ High  □ Medium  □ Low

## RISK RESPONSE

**Risk Owner**[Person accountable for managing this risk]

**Risk Response Strategy**□ Accept  □ Mitigate  □ Transfer  □ Avoid

**Mitigation Actions:**

1. [Action description, owner, timeline, status]

2. [Action description, owner, timeline, status]

3. [Action description, owner, timeline, status]

**Current Status**[In progress, Awaiting resources, Completed, etc.]

**Residual Risk After Mitigation**□ Critical  □ High  □ Medium  □ Low

## APPROVAL AND REVIEW

**Risk Acceptance Authority**[Position/committee that accepted this risk]

**Date of Last Review**[DATE]

**Next Review Date**[DATE]

**Review Notes**[Document changes in assessment or context]

## IMPLEMENTATION TIPS: 

- Start with your top 5-10 security risks rather than trying to document everything at once
- Update the register regularly (at least quarterly) to reflect changes in the business environment, threat landscape, and control effectiveness
- Use the register as a discussion tool in security governance meetings with business stakeholders

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(c)[Kayne McGladrey](https://kaynemcgladrey.com/) - [Get the full book "Cyber Risk is a Myth"](https://www.routledge.com/Cyber-Risk-is-a-Myth-A-Business-Approach-to-Integrated-Risk-Management/McGladrey/p/book/9781041249054)