What is the purpose of a risk register?

A risk register serves as a crucial tool in risk management by documenting identified risks, their assessments, and the planned responses. It provides a comprehensive overview of risks that might impact an organization and helps ensure that these risks are effectively managed. The entries in a risk register typically include various details such as the description of the risk, its potential impact, likelihood of occurrence, who is responsible for managing the risk, and the mitigation strategies that will be employed.

This structured documentation allows organizations to monitor the status of risks, track changes over time, and evaluate the effectiveness of their risk management strategies. By having a centralized record, all stakeholders can have increased visibility into the organization's risk landscape, which aids in decision-making and prioritizing resources for risk mitigation. This makes the risk register an essential component of a comprehensive risk management program, aligned with the goals outlined in the CISSP framework.