Formal Risk Acceptance
OperationsControl Statement
The organization has implemented a formal process for risk acceptance that is measured, tracked and reported.
Description
Risk acceptance is a deliberate decision to retain a specific risk without further treatment, typically because the cost of mitigation exceeds the potential impact, or because the risk falls within the organization's stated risk appetite. A formal risk acceptance process ensures that these decisions are made by individuals with appropriate authority, are based on a complete understanding of the risk, and are documented, tracked, and reported to governance bodies. Without a formal process, risk acceptance can become a default outcome of inaction rather than a conscious, informed decision.
Key Implementation Activities
- 1 Define a formal risk acceptance process including submission requirements, required analysis, approval authority levels based on residual risk severity, and documentation standards
- 2 Require risk acceptances to include a complete risk assessment, justification for acceptance, compensating controls (if any), and a defined review or expiration date
- 3 Ensure risk acceptance authority is assigned to individuals commensurate with the magnitude of the risk being accepted (higher risk requires higher authority)
- 4 Maintain a risk acceptance register that tracks all accepted risks, their review dates, and any conditions or compensating controls
- 5 Report on risk acceptances to governance bodies, including metrics on volume, risk levels, aging, and any acceptances that have exceeded their review dates
Evidence Examples
- Risk acceptance policy or procedure document defining the process, authority levels, and documentation requirements
- Completed risk acceptance forms showing risk analysis, justification, compensating controls, and approval signatures
- Risk acceptance register showing all current acceptances with review dates and status
- Governance reporting showing risk acceptance metrics (volume, risk levels, aging, overdue reviews)
- Evidence of risk acceptance reviews and decisions to renew, remediate, or escalate
Maturity Levels
Risks are implicitly accepted through inaction or lack of awareness. No formal acceptance process exists. Accepted risks are not tracked or reviewed.
A formal risk acceptance process is defined and followed. Acceptances are documented, approved by appropriate authority, and tracked in a register with review dates. Regular reporting to governance bodies occurs.
Risk acceptances are continuously monitored for changes in risk level or context. Automated alerting notifies stakeholders of approaching review dates. Acceptance trends are analyzed to identify systemic issues. The process is integrated with enterprise risk management.
Document Templates
Evidence Requirements View all evidence
| Type | Evidence Item | Frequency | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document | Risk acceptance policy or procedure defining process, authority levels, and documentation standards | Reviewed annually | Required |
| Record | Completed risk acceptance forms with analysis, justification, compensating controls, and approvals | Per acceptance | Required |
| Record | Risk Acceptance Register showing all current acceptances with review dates and status | Maintained continuously | Required |
| Record | Governance reporting showing acceptance metrics (volume, risk levels, aging, overdue reviews) | Quarterly | Required |
| Record | Risk acceptance review records showing renewal, remediation, or escalation decisions | Per review date | Required |
| Record | Evidence that acceptance authority aligned with residual risk level per authority matrix | Per acceptance | Expected |