Högskolan i Skövde

Information security risk management capabilities have predominantly focused on instrumental onsets, while largely ignoring the underlying intentions and knowledge these management practices entail. This article aims to study what capabilities are embedded in information security risk management. A theoretical framework is proposed, namely rethinking capability as the alignment between intent and knowing. The framework is situated around four general risk management practices. A systematic literature review utilising the framework was conducted, resulting in the identification of eight identified capabilities. These capabilities were grouped into respective practices: integrating various perspectives and values to reach a risk perception aligned with the intended outcome (identify); adapting to varying perspectives of risks and prioritising them in accordance with the intended outcome (prioritise); security controls to enable resources, and integrate/reconfigure beliefs held by various stakeholders (implement); and sustaining the integrated resources and competences held by stakeholders to continue the alignment with the intended outcome (monitor).

In this paper, the formal processes so often assumed in information security risk management and its activities are investigated. For instance, information classification, risk analysis, and security controls are often presented in a predominantly instrumental progression. This approach, however, has received scholarly criticism, as it omits social and organisational aspects, creating a gap between formal and actual processes. This study argues that there is an incomplete understanding of how the activities within these processes actually interplay in practice. For this study, senior information security managers from four major Swedish government agencies were interviewed. As a result, 12 characteristics are presented that reflect an interplay between activities and that have implications for research, as well as for developers of standards and guidelines. The study's conclusions suggest that the information security risk management process should be seen more as an emerging process, where each activity interplays dynamically in response to new requirements and organisational and social challenges. 

Purpose: The study aims to revisit six previously defined challenges in information security risk management to provide insights into new challenges based on current practices. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on an empirical study consisting of in-depth interviews with representatives from public sector organisations. The data were analysed by applying a practice-based view, i.e. the lens of knowing (or knowings). The results were validated by an expert panel. Findings: Managerial and organisational concerns that go beyond a technical perspective have been found, which affect the ongoing social build-up of knowledge in everyday information security work. Research limitations/implications: The study has delimitation as it consists of data from four public sector organisations, i.e. statistical analyses have not been in focus, while implying a better understanding of what and why certain actions are practised in their security work. Practical implications: The new challenges that have been identified offer a refined set of actionable advice to practitioners, which, for example, can support cost-efficient decisions and avoid unnecessary security trade-offs. Originality/value: Information security is increasingly relevant for organisations, yet little is still known about how related risks are handled in practice. Recent studies have indicated a gap between the espoused and the actual actions. Insights from actual, situated enactment of practice can advise on process adaption and suggest more fit approaches. 

Today, information is a key asset for many organisations. Reducing risks of information compromise is increasingly prioritised. However, there is an incomplete understanding of how organisations with limited security knowledge and experience manage information security risks in practice. Previous studies have suggested that security-novice employees faced with burdensome, complex, and ambiguous security requirements can experience security-related stress (SRS), and ultimately influence their security decisions. In this study, we further this research stream by suggesting that SRS can similarly be found with security-novice managers responsible for developing and practising information security risk management (ISRM). Two organisations were targeted in the study using a case study approach, to obtain data about their practices, using SRS as an analytical lens. The study found various examples where SRS influenced security-novice managers’ decisions, and identifies several stressors and stress inhibitors in the ISRM process and supporting ISRM tools, and discusses the implications for practitioners.