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Business Risk Assessment

The following risk assessment and controls evaluation is provided to assist Business Online Banking users in identifying threats and measure the strength of their controls. BankFirst suggests that all Online Business Banking customers perform a risk assessment and controls evaluation at least once a year.
 
 

Recommended Annually

Risk Assessment

For each question, select the answer(s) that best represent(s) your environment. Following the assessment, use the Control Evaluation below to evaluate your environment.

 

Personnel Security:

1) Are employees required to sign an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)?

a) Yes, at least annually or more frequently as needed (1)

b) Yes, but only at hire (2)

c) No (5)


2) Does each employee using Online Banking go through security awareness training?

a) Yes, at least annually or more frequently as needed (1)

b) Yes, but only at hire (2)

c) No (5)


3) Do you run background checks on employees prior to hire?

a) Yes, for all employees (1)

b) Yes, but only based on position (2)

c) No (5)

 

Computer System Security:

4) Do computer systems have up-to-date antivirus software?

a) Yes, all systems (1)

b) Yes, but only critical systems (3)

c) No (5)


5) Is there a process in place to ensure software updates and patches are applied (e.g. Microsoft, web browser, Adobe products, etc.)?

a) Yes, a formal process where updates are applied at least monthly (1)

b) Yes, but informally as needed (3)

c) No (5)


6) Do users run as local Administrators on their computer systems?

a) No (1)

b) Only those that require it (3)

c) Yes (5)


7) Is a firewall in place to protect the network?

a) Yes (1)

b) No (15)


8) Do you have an Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS) in place to monitor and protect the network?

a) Yes (1)

b) No (3)


9) Is Internet content filtering being used?

a) Yes, Internet traffic on the system used for "high risk" Online Banking activities is completely restricted to only sites specifically needed for business functions (1)

b) Yes, we have Internet content filtering (2)

c) No (5)


10) Is email SPAM filtering being used?

a) Yes (1)

b) No (5)


11) Are users of the Online Banking system trained to manually lock their workstations when they leave them?

a) Yes, and the systems are set to auto-lock after a period of inactivity (1)

b) Yes, but it is only manually (2)

c) No (5)


12) Is wireless technology used on the network with the Online Banking system?

a) No (1)

b) Yes, but wireless traffic uses industry-approved encryption (e.g. WPA, etc.) (1)

c) Yes, but wireless uses WEP encryption (2)

d) Yes, and wireless traffic is not encrypted (15)

 

Physical Security:

13) Are critical systems (including systems used to access Online Banking) located in a secure area?

a) Yes, behind a locked door (1)

b) Yes, in a restricted area (2)

c) No, in a public area (5)


14) How are passwords protected?

a) Passwords are securely stored (1)

b) Passwords are written on paper or sticky notes and placed by the computer (15)

Add Up Your Totals

Risk Rating

Once you have completed the questionnaire, add up the totals following the answers selected to see a summary risk rating of your environment. Note: this risk rating is designed to give a general idea of your risk posture based only on the answers in this questionnaire. Additional factors could either increase or decrease the risk.

Overall Risk Rating
0-15: Low
16-25: Medium
26-35: High
Over 35: Extreme























































































Best Answers and Tips

Control Evaluation

Below are the results from the risk assessment. Review your answers and the tips to help you protect your systems and information.

1. The best answer is "a) Yes, at least annually or more frequent as needed." An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) details the permitted user activities and consequences of noncompliance. Examples of elements included in an AUP are: purpose and scope of network activity; devices that can be used to access the network, bans on attempting to break into accounts, crack passwords, circumvent controls or disrupt services; expected user behavior; and consequences of noncompliance.

2. The best answer is "a) Yes, at least annually or more frequently as needed." Security Awareness Training (SAT) for Online Banking users, at a minimum, should include a review of the acceptable use policy, desktop security, log-on requirements, password administration guidelines, social engineering tactics, etc.

3. The best answer is "a) Yes, for all employees." Companies should have a process to verify job application information on all new employees. The sensitivity of a particular position or job junction may warrant additional background and credit checks. After employment, companies should remain alert to changes in employees' circumstances that could increase incentives for abuse or fraud.

4. The best answer is "a) Yes, all systems." Companies should maintain active and up-to-date antivirus protection provided by a reputable vendor. Schedule regular scans of your computer in addition to real-time scanning.

5. The best answer is "a) Yes, a formal process where updates are applied at least monthly." Update your software frequently to ensure you have the latest security patches. This includes a computer's operating system and other installed software (e.g. web browsers, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader, Java, Microsoft Office, etc.). In many cases, it is best to automate software updates when the software supports it.

6. The best answer is "a) No." Limit local Administrator privilege on computer systems where possible.

7. The best answer is "a) Yes." Use firewalls on your local network to add another layer of protection for all the devices that connect through the firewall (e.g. PCs, smart phones, and tablets).

8. The best answer is "a) Yes." Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) are used to monitor network/Internet traffic and report or respond to potential attacks.

9. The best answer is "a) Yes, Internet traffic on the system used for "high risk" Online Banking activities is completely restricted to only sites specifically needed for business functions." Filter web traffic to restrict potentially harmful or unwanted Internet sites from being accessed by computer systems. For "high risk" systems, it is best to limit Internet sites to only those business sites that are required.

10. The best answer is "a) Yes." Implementing email SPAM filtering will help eliminate potentially harmful or unwanted emails from making it to end users' inboxes.

11. The best answer is "a) Yes, and the systems are set to auto-lock after a period of inactivity." Systems should be locked (requiring a password to reconnect) when users walk away from their desks to prevent unauthorized access to the system.

12. The best answers are either "a) No" or "b) Yes, but wireless traffic uses industry approved encryption (e.g. WPA, etc.)." Wireless networks are considered public networks because they use radio waves to communicate. Radio waves are not confined to specific areas and are easily intercepted by unauthorized individuals. Therefore, if wireless is used, security controls such as encryption, authentication, and segregation are necessary to ensure confidentiality and integrity.

13. The best answer is "a) Yes, behind a locked door." Physically secure critical systems to only allow access to approved employees.

14. The best answer is "a) Passwords are securely stored." Passwords should never be left out for unauthorized individuals to gain access.