No one wakes up in the morning and says, “WOW! I’d LOVE to FAIL today!”
Well, if you aren’t addressing risk ownership with your clients, that’s exactly what you’re doing.
Imagine a client whose organization has no risk owner. They wander around in a perilous territory where accountability is diffuse, and risks are neither properly assessed nor adequately managed. Nightmare fuel, right?
And it gets worse.
When something goes wrong—and without adequate risk ownership things will go wrong – guess who’s head may be on chopping block? That’s right. Their MSP.
Your client NEEDS to own their security risks
If you aren’t empowering a risk owner within your client, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Your client has to understand and be able to decide on how to deal with their security risks. These risks are not ubiquitous across clients, as SOPs and core business process can vary, but that doesn’t negate the need for risk ownership.
Even if your client base is diverse across different industries and perspectives—you can still keep them on a consistent path of understanding and deciding how to deal with their specific security risks.
Here’s why risk ownership is so critical:
- Everyone is clear regarding who’s managing the risks.
- Clarity in rish management fosters a culture of accountability.
- Communication channels are opened and all stakeholders are kept informed.
- A dedicated risk owner within the client's organization brings focused attention and specialized knowledge to the table.
- Risks are managed proactively and with the requisite expertise.
A risk owner can ensure that risk management strategies are aligned with the organization's overall goals and objectives, turning potential challenges into opportunities for strengthening compliance and security postures.
MILLION $$ QUESTION: How can you start engaging your clients through risk ownership?
- Identify the risks specific to your client's organizational context
- Pinpoint suitable individuals or teams as risk owners
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities.
- Train and empower these risk owners to make informed decisions. This is extremely important, because it fosters a culture that supports open communication and continuous improvement in risk management practices.
Encouraging and supporting your client in establishing and maintaining risk ownership is not just about compliance or mitigating security threats; it's about building a resilient organization that can navigate the complexities of today's business environment. As consultants, service providers, or partners, our role extends beyond delivering solutions; it encompasses guiding our clients towards best practices in risk management. By doing so, we not only protect our interests but also contribute to a stronger, more secure business ecosystem.
When it comes to risk management, the absence of ownership is not just a missed opportunity—it's a direct pathway to vulnerability. Wake up tomorrow saying, “I’m ready to succeed” and then let's embark on this journey together, steering our clients towards a future where risks are not just managed but owned, mitigated, and transformed into avenues for growth and resilience.
