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The GRC buyer’s guide for 2025: Building resilience with AI-powered, federated solutions

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The GRC buyer’s guide for 2025: Building resilience with AI-powered, federated solutions


Security life cycle in information security

The security life cycle in information security is a structured approach to protecting an organization's digital assets from cyber threats. It encompasses a continuous process of identifying risks, assessing vulnerabilities, implementing protective measures, monitoring threats, and improving security postures. By following a defined security life cycle, organizations can proactively mitigate risks and strengthen their defense against evolving cyber threats.

Phases of the security life cycle

The security life cycle can be divided into four key phases: Identify, Assess, Protect, and Monitor.

1. Identify — Asset and risk identification

This phase focuses on discovering and categorizing all organizational assets that require protection. It involves:
  • Infrastructure inventory – Cataloging servers, networks, and devices
  • Data classification – Identifying sensitive information such as PII, financial records, and intellectual property
  • Threat landscape analysis – Understanding potential cyber risks like malware, phishing, and insider threats

2. Assess — Risk assessment and analysis

Once assets are identified, the next step is to assess vulnerabilities and prioritize security risks based on their potential impact. This includes:
  • Vulnerability scanning – Detecting weaknesses in systems and applications
  • Threat modeling – Analyzing possible attack vectors
  • Compliance and gap analysis – Ensuring alignment with information security frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST CSF

3. Protect — Implementation of security controls

This phase involves applying administrative, physical, and technical security controls to mitigate identified risks. Key protective measures include:
  • Network security – Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
  • Identity & Access Management (IAM) – Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Data protection – Encryption, secure storage, and backup solutions
  • Security awareness training – Educating employees on best security practices

4. Monitor — Continuous monitoring and threat detection

Cyber threats are dynamic, making continuous monitoring essential. Organizations deploy security tools to detect, analyze, and respond to threats in real time. This includes:
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) – Log analysis and anomaly detection
  • Threat intelligence feeds – Proactively identifying emerging threats
  • Incident response planning – Establishing procedures to detect, contain, eradicate, and recover from security incidents
  • Regular security audits – Evaluating compliance and security effectiveness

Summary

The security life cycle is a continuous process that enables organizations to systematically manage security risks. By following the Identify, Assess, Protect, and Monitor framework, organizations can strengthen their security posture, ensure compliance, and proactively mitigate cyber threats. A well-structured security life cycle enhances resilience, minimizes vulnerabilities, and supports long-term cybersecurity readiness.

Streamline your security life cycle with 6clicks' comprehensive features:

 

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