Overview

When performing a Gap Analysis, developing a roadmap to improve risk management against a desired cybersecurity strategy is critical to successful adoption. Part of this roadmap includes reviewing requirements, processes, and staff. After inventorying policies, procedures, and technical controls, walkthroughs are conducted with appropriate control owners to gather insight and data about current configurations.

The first step is understanding the information you need to protect, prioritising your assets, and identifying the threats you are trying to protect them from. Undertaking a Gap Analysis will support your organisational commitment to improving your cyber posture. Next, a thorough and structured assessment of cyber risks will lead to a series of focus areas to prioritise. This, in turn, ensures deploying resources to effectively and efficiently protect the most important assets. Conversely, it means time and efforts aren't misguided.

Lastly, the prepared Gap Analysis report and action plan detail the current status of cybersecurity maturity levels against the desired level, forecasting improvement items to ensure effective controls. When implemented, a Gap Analysis is an effective tool that can serve as a precursor to a more in-depth review, such as a Risk Assessment.