Title: Risk Management
Author: Kriko
Published: Jun 8, 2023
Last modified: Jul 7, 2026

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# Risk Management

**Risk management** is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling potential
events that may prevent an organisation or individual from achieving their objectives.
Risk mitigation is one component of this broader process and focuses specifically
on reducing the likelihood or impact of identified risks.

In a business context, risk management covers financial, legal, strategic, operational
and security-related threats that may affect a company’s capital, revenue, reputation
or ability to operate. Risks may arise from uncertainty, legal obligations, human
error, accidents, cyber threats, market changes or natural disasters. For this reason,
organisations should consider a wide range of possible scenarios when developing
their risk management approach.

The objective is not always to eliminate every risk, as this may be impossible or
commercially impractical. Instead, organisations seek to increase the likelihood
of positive outcomes while reducing the probability and potential impact of negative
events.

The process begins by defining organisational objectives and determining the risks
associated with each one. These risks are then identified, assessed and prioritised
using appropriate methods. Suitable controls and response plans are developed to
prevent, reduce, transfer, accept or avoid the risks.

An effective risk management approach should be consistent, systematic and integrated
into business processes. This provides organisations with a structured framework
for determining which risks are most important, how they should be managed and which
measures should be implemented to reduce their impact.

Risk management can also be described as a strategy development process involving
people, processes and technology. It focuses on anticipating what may prevent a 
strategy from succeeding and implementing actions that enable the organisation to
manage uncertainty more effectively.

A successful risk management process should identify potential weaknesses, establish
monitoring mechanisms and use threat intelligence where relevant. Organisations 
should also consider different risk categories and apply appropriate risk models
when evaluating potential threats.

The core process generally includes the following stages:

**Risk Identification:** Potential threats, vulnerabilities and uncertainties that
may affect organisational objectives are identified. Industry-specific risks should
also be considered at this stage.

**Risk Analysis:** Identified risks are examined to determine their likelihood, 
potential impact and possible consequences.

**Risk Evaluation:** Risks are prioritised according to their significance and compared
with the organisation’s risk appetite and tolerance levels.

Based on this evaluation, risk mitigation measures, monitoring policies and response
strategies are developed. These controls should be reviewed continuously and activated
when relevant risk conditions arise.

Risks may also be classified as **pure risk** or **speculative risk**.

Pure risk involves situations in which the outcome may result in loss or no loss,
but not a financial gain. Examples include fires, theft, accidents and natural disasters.

Speculative risk involves the possibility of either loss or gain. It is generally
associated with business decisions, investments, market movements, profitability
and competitive position.

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