Cyber Security Risk Assessment Services | Identify & Prioritise Your Risks
A cyber security risk assessment helps you identify, analyse and prioritise the cyber risks most likely to impact your organisation. Our cyber risk assessment gives you a clear view of what matters most, what to fix first, and where to invest for the biggest reduction in risk.
What is a Cyber Security Risk Assessment?
A cyber security risk assessment is a structured process used to identify, analyse and evaluate cyber risks to your organisation, then prioritise them based on likelihood and impact. Our cyber risk assessment helps you understand what could realistically go wrong, what the consequences would be, and what actions will reduce risk most effectively.
Key components of a cyber security risk assessment include:
Asset identification
Threat identification
Vulnerability assessment
Impact analysis
Risk prioritisation
How it differs from a penetration test
A risk assessment identifies and prioritises risks across people, process and technology. A penetration test actively attempts to exploit technical vulnerabilities to validate security controls.
Who needs one?
Any organisation that relies on IT systems, handles sensitive data, or has compliance obligations benefits from regular cyber risk assessments, especially when environments or threats change.
Types of Risk Assessments
Cyber risk assessments are sometimes delivered in different forms depending on scope, including:
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IT risk assessment (infrastructure and systems)
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Information security risk assessment (data and governance focus)
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Cloud risk assessment (identity, configuration, shared responsibility)
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Third-party/vendor risk assessment (supply chain exposure)
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Operational risk assessment (business-critical processes)
Our Cyber Risk Assessment Methodology
ContACt Us1) Scope Definition
We begin by defining the boundaries and objectives of the cyber risk assessment. This ensures the assessment aligns with your business priorities, regulatory requirements, and critical services.
2) Asset Discovery
We identify the assets that matter most, including critical systems, sensitive data, and key operational processes. This step helps answer: what needs protecting most?
3) Threat Analysis
Next, we assess the threat landscape relevant to your organisation. This includes identifying realistic threat actors, attack scenarios, and industry-specific risks.
4) Vulnerability Assessment
We evaluate weaknesses across technology, people and processes, including how well existing controls reduce risk.
5) Risk Calculation
Each identified risk is scored using a consistent approach based on likelihood and impact: Risk = Likelihood × Impact
This helps quantify cyber risks in a way that supports decision-making at both technical and board level.6) Risk Prioritisation
We rank risks by severity and business impact, helping you focus on what will reduce exposure most effectively. You receive a clear view of your highest priority risks, quick wins vs longer-term improvements and risks requiring immediate escalation.
7) Recommendations
Our cyber risk assessment doesn’t stop at identifying issues; we provide an actionable, prioritised remediation plan tailored to your organisation. Recommendations are designed to be practical and achievable, aligned with business priorities and mapped to recognised best practice.
8) Reporting
Finally, we deliver a clear, executive-friendly cyber risk assessment report, designed for both technical teams and senior leadership. Your report typically includes:
– Risk register and prioritised findings
– Strategic recommendations and next steps
– Board-ready summary for governance and compliance
What’s Included in a Cyber Risk Assessment?
Threat Identification
Our team conducts a thorough inventory of critical assets: networks, devices, applications and data stores, then maps out potential threats that could exploit these assets.
Vulnerability Analysis
We examine the current security controls and configurations, using scanning tools and expert insights to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Risk Prioritisation
We assess each identified risk against factors like impact, likelihood and business relevance – producing a prioritised list of vulnerabilities requiring attention.
Control Review
Our specialists evaluate your existing policies, processes and technical measures, pinpointing gaps and recommending ways to close them.
Clear Remedial Actions
We provide clear, step-by-step guidance on how to address identified risks, from patching and policy updates to technology deployments and process improvements.
Ongoing Monitoring
As threats evolve, we offer periodic reviews and updates to keep your risk profile current and your organisation’s defences aligned with best practice.
Cyber Risk Challenges We Help You Solve
Specialist Expertise
Conducting an in-depth cyber risk assessment requires a team of experts. For many organisations, in-house IT staff often lack the specialised knowledge required to address these highly technical cyber risks.
Limited Visibility of Risks
The task of understanding the full scope of your cyber risk can be overwhelming and you can be left with an incomplete picture of your threat exposure.
Compliance Pressure
Achieving regulatory and industry compliance can be a daunting task to tackle, especially when risk management practices aren’t clearly defined. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and reputational damage.
Evolving Cyber Threats
Cyber threats are becoming more complex, with attackers constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Businesses that do not have regular risk assessments may fall behind in addressing emerging cyber threats.
Specialist Expertise
Conducting an in-depth cyber risk assessment requires a team of experts. For many organisations, in-house IT staff often lack the specialised knowledge required to address these highly technical cyber risks.
Limited Visibility of Risks
The task of understanding the full scope of your cyber risk can be overwhelming and you can be left with an incomplete picture of your threat exposure.
Compliance Pressure
Achieving regulatory and industry compliance can be a daunting task to tackle, especially when risk management practices aren’t clearly defined. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and reputational damage.
Evolving Cyber Threats
Cyber threats are becoming more complex, with attackers constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Businesses that do not have regular risk assessments may fall behind in addressing emerging cyber threats.
What Our Clients Say
Benefits of Cyber Risk Assessment
Our cyber risk assessment service allows businesses to gain a complete understanding of your cyber security posture, whilst prioritising actions to safeguard your digital environment.
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Book HerePrioritised To-Do List
Prioritisation of vulnerabilities can be difficult when you are unclear of the full scope of your security posture. By identifying and evaluating risks through our cyber risk assessment, prioritisation can be straightforward. The targeted approach to risk mitigation ensures that your resources are used effectively in reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Improved Decision-Making
Regular cyber risk assessments provide senior leadership with the necessary insights to make informed decisions on cyber security investments. By clearly understanding potential risks, organisations can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that they are always prepared for emerging threats.
Proactive Risk Reduction
Cyber risk assessments identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, reducing the overall risk of cyber attacks such as ransomware attacks. Addressing weaknesses early means you drastically reduce the chances of a successful attack on your systems.
Meet Regulatory Compliance
Compliance is becoming increasingly difficult due to strict industry regulations and data protection laws. Our cyber risk assessments ensure that your business meets the required standards, such as the UK DPA, GDPR and ISO 27001.
Cyber Risk Assessment vs Penetration Testing: What’s the Difference?
They are complementary: a cyber risk assessment identifies what matters most, while penetration testing validates technical exposure in priority areas.
| Factor | Cyber Risk Assessment | Penetration Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identify and prioritise cyber risks | Find exploitable technical vulnerabilities |
| Scope | Holistic: people, process, technology | Technical: systems, apps, infrastructure |
| Method | Interviews, evidence review, analysis | Active testing and exploitation attempts |
| Output | Risk register + prioritised recommendations | Technical findings + exploit evidence |
| Frequency | At least annually, and after change | Regular assurance (e.g. quarterly/annually) |
| Best For | Strategy, compliance, board reporting | Validating controls, technical assurance |
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Cyber Risk Assessment FAQs
- What is a cyber risk assessment?
A cyber security risk assessment is a systematic process to identify, analyse and evaluate cyber threats and vulnerabilities that could impact your organisation, and prioritise them based on likelihood and potential impact.
- Why conduct a cyber risk assessment?
A cyber risk assessment helps organisations understand their true risk exposure, prioritise security investment, meet compliance obligations, and reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents.
Key benefits include:
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Better decision-making and governance
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Compliance support (ISO 27001, GDPR, Cyber Essentials)
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Clear remediation priorities
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Improved resilience and board reporting
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- How long does a cyber risk assessment take?
The time taken to complete a security risk assessment can range from a few weeks to a few months. The time is dependent on the scope of the assessment, the size of your organisation and the number of systems involved.
- Is a cyber risk assessment required for compliance?
Yes. Many frameworks and regulations such as ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI-DSS and Cyber Essentials expect organisations to carry out documented risk assessments as part of effective security governance.
- How often should cyber risk assessments be conducted?
Cyber risk assessments are recommended to be performed at least annually. In addition to this, they should take place when there has been a major change to IT infrastructure, business processes or an introduction of new technologies.
- What should a cyber risk assessment include?
Asset identification, threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, risk scoring (likelihood × impact), prioritised recommendations, and an executive summary supported by a risk register.
- What is the difference between a risk assessment and a penetration test?
A risk assessment identifies and prioritises cyber risks across people, process and technology. A penetration test actively attempts to exploit specific technical vulnerabilities. They’re complementary; risk assessment guides what to test.
- What is the weakest link in cyber security?
Human error remains one of the weakest links in cyber security for organisations. With social engineering (such as phishing) being one of the most frequent methods of cyber criminals, it is necessary to ensure your ‘human firewall’ is as secure as possible.
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