1. Purpose
Define [ORGANIZATION]'s strategic approach to managing cyber risk in alignment with business objectives and technology direction, establishing the guiding principles, strategic objectives, and priorities that will shape the cyber risk program over the planning horizon.
2. Scope
This strategy applies to all cyber risk management activities across [ORGANIZATION], including all business units, subsidiaries, and joint ventures where [ORGANIZATION] has operational control. It covers all technology environments including on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and third-party managed infrastructure.
3. Strategy Content
3.1 Executive Summary
This Cyber Risk Strategy establishes [ORGANIZATION]'s approach to managing cyber risk for the period [CUSTOMIZE: FY2025-FY2027]. It is aligned with the enterprise business strategy approved by the Board on [CUSTOMIZE: date] and the technology strategy approved on [CUSTOMIZE: date].
The strategy reflects [ORGANIZATION]'s commitment to protecting its stakeholders, customers, and operational capabilities from cyber threats while enabling business innovation and digital transformation.
This strategy was developed in consultation with [CUSTOMIZE: list key stakeholders] and approved by [CUSTOMIZE: Board/Executive Committee] on [CUSTOMIZE: date].
3.2 Business Context and Alignment
[ORGANIZATION]'s business strategy prioritizes the following objectives: [CUSTOMIZE: list 3-5 business strategic objectives]. This cyber risk strategy directly supports these objectives by ensuring that cyber risk does not impede their achievement.
The technology strategy calls for [CUSTOMIZE: describe key technology initiatives, e.g., cloud migration, digital transformation, AI adoption]. This cyber risk strategy addresses the risk implications of these initiatives and ensures appropriate controls are integrated from inception.
The following table maps business strategic objectives to corresponding cyber risk strategic priorities:
[CUSTOMIZE: Insert alignment matrix - Business Objective | Cyber Risk Implication | Strategic Priority]
3.3 Threat Landscape Assessment
[ORGANIZATION] operates in the [CUSTOMIZE: industry sector] and faces the following primary threat categories: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., nation-state actors, organized cybercrime, hacktivists, insider threats, supply chain compromise].
Key threat trends relevant to [ORGANIZATION] include: [CUSTOMIZE: list 3-5 emerging threats specific to the organization's sector and operating model].
Threat intelligence sources used to inform this strategy include: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., industry ISACs, government advisories, commercial threat intelligence feeds, internal threat analysis].
This assessment will be updated at least [CUSTOMIZE: quarterly/semi-annually] and significant changes will trigger a strategy review.
3.4 Strategic Cyber Risk Objectives
[ORGANIZATION] establishes the following strategic cyber risk objectives for the planning horizon:
Objective 1: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Achieve and maintain regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of operation]
Objective 2: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Reduce mean time to detect cyber incidents to under 24 hours]
Objective 3: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Ensure all critical business processes can be recovered within defined RTOs following a cyber incident]
Objective 4: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Establish a risk-aware culture with measurable security awareness across all personnel]
Objective 5: [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Integrate security by design into all technology and business transformation programs]
Each objective shall have defined key results, owners, and timelines documented in the Cyber Risk Program Plan.
3.5 Risk Appetite Alignment
This strategy operates within the cyber risk appetite boundaries defined in [ORGANIZATION]'s Risk Appetite Statement, approved by [CUSTOMIZE: Board/Risk Committee] on [CUSTOMIZE: date].
[ORGANIZATION] has a [CUSTOMIZE: low/moderate/low-to-moderate] appetite for cyber risk affecting the confidentiality and integrity of customer data and critical business systems.
[ORGANIZATION] has a [CUSTOMIZE: moderate] appetite for cyber risk associated with business innovation and technology adoption, provided appropriate controls are implemented.
Any cyber risk exposure that exceeds the defined appetite thresholds must be escalated to [CUSTOMIZE: Executive Risk Committee/Board] for decision.
3.6 Strategic Priorities and Investment Areas
Based on the threat landscape assessment, business alignment requirements, and current maturity gaps, the following strategic investment areas are prioritized:
Priority 1 (Critical): [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Identity and access management modernization]
Priority 2 (High): [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Detection and response capability enhancement]
Priority 3 (High): [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Third-party risk management program maturity]
Priority 4 (Medium): [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Data protection and privacy controls]
Priority 5 (Medium): [CUSTOMIZE: e.g., Security architecture for cloud environments]
Annual budgets and resource allocations shall be aligned with these priorities as documented in the Cyber Risk Program Plan.
3.7 Governance and Accountability
The [CUSTOMIZE: CISO/CRO/VP of Security] is accountable for the execution of this strategy and shall report on progress to [CUSTOMIZE: Board Risk Committee/Executive Committee] no less than [CUSTOMIZE: quarterly].
Strategy performance shall be measured using the Key Risk Indicators and Key Performance Indicators defined in the Cyber Risk KRI/KPI Register.
This strategy shall be reviewed at least annually and updated when triggered by significant changes in the business strategy, technology strategy, threat landscape, or regulatory environment.
The next scheduled review date is [CUSTOMIZE: date].
4. Compliance
Compliance with this strategy is mandatory for all personnel and functions within its scope. Compliance will be monitored through periodic audits, management review, and second line of defence oversight.
Exceptions to this strategy must be documented with a business justification, approved by [CUSTOMIZE: CISO/Executive Risk Committee], and reviewed at least annually.
5. Review and Revision
This strategy shall be reviewed at least annually by [CUSTOMIZE: CISO/Document Owner] and updated as necessary to reflect changes in the threat landscape, regulatory requirements, organizational structure, or risk appetite.
All revisions shall be documented with version number, date, author, and description of changes.
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