Guide: Security Risk Assessment in the Software Development Life Cycle (CISSP)

A Security Risk Assessment is an essential process in the Software Development Life cycle. Its primary objective is to lead to the discovery of any potential threats or vulnerabilities present within the system.

Importance: Implementing a Security Risk Assessment ensures that the security risks in software products are identified, analyzed and managed appropriately. This process aids in minimizing any potential damage that could occur due to undiscovered vulnerabilities, and eventually, it results in the successful development of a secure software product.

What it is: In essence, a Security Risk Assessment is a procedure that involves the identification and assessment of potential risks which could adversely affect a system's security and integrity. This involves evaluating the potential impacts of threats and vulnerabilities, in order to provide a basis for decision-making and risk-reducing actions.

How it works: The Security Risk Assessment follows a practical approach starting with the collection of all relevant system information. This includes identifying crucial assets, recognizing potential threats, and uncovering system vulnerabilities. After accumulating all the essential details, they are then analyzed to determine the level of impact and likelihood of the identified risks.

How to answer questions in exams: Understand the basic concepts about Security Risk Assessment including the steps involved in the process and its outcomes. Also, remember that the main goal of a Security Risk Assessment is to mitigate risk and not to completely eliminate it.

Exam Tip: When answering CISSP exam questions on Security Risk Assessment, focus on the goal to continually manage risk through the assessment process. Display a deep understanding of the importance, steps, and results of a Security Risk Assessment. Here's a tip – many exam questions might stress on the point that the risk cannot be eliminated but only can be reduced to an acceptable level.