A cybersecurity gap assessment is a structured evaluation process used to identify weaknesses or deficiencies in an organization’s current cybersecurity posture compared to a desired standard or framework (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, etc.).
Key Objectives:
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Identify Gaps: Determine where current security measures fall short of best practices or compliance requirements.
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Prioritize Risks: Evaluate which gaps pose the most significant threat based on potential impact and likelihood.
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Recommend Improvements: Provide actionable steps to close the gaps and enhance overall security.
Typical Steps:
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Define Scope and Framework: Choose what systems, departments, or processes to assess, and which cybersecurity framework to benchmark against.
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Collect Information: Review policies, configurations, logs, and conduct interviews.
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Analyze Findings: Compare current practices against the chosen framework.
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Document Gaps: List missing controls, outdated systems, or non-compliance areas.
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Report and Remediate: Deliver a detailed report with recommendations for addressing each gap.
Common Areas Assessed:
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Network security
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Access controls
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Incident response
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Data protection
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Security awareness training
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Third-party/vendor risk