Information system (IS) security has become a strategic challenge for all organizations. Cyberattacks, data breaches, technical failures, or human error: threats are numerous, and their impact can be significant, ranging from minor operational disruptions to long-term damage to a company’s reputation.
In this context, IT risk mapping, also known as information system risk mapping, has become an essential approach. It enables organizations to visualize, analyze, and prioritize threats in order to implement appropriate preventive measures.
In this article, we explain why IT risk mapping is essential, how to identify and prioritize information system risks, and how a tool like myCarto helps manage this process simply and efficiently.
Why IT Risk Mapping Is Essential for Your Information System
IT risk mapping consists of clearly and structurally representing the threats that may affect the information system. It plays a key role in anticipating cyber threats, whether phishing, ransomware, or targeted attacks.
This approach also directly contributes to business continuity. A server outage or a successful cyberattack can paralyze an entire department, or even the whole organization.
IT Risk Mapping and Information System Governance
Beyond security, IT risk mapping is also a powerful governance lever. It helps organizations comply with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, ISO 27001, as well as directives like NIS2 and DORA.
By identifying weaknesses in the information system, risk mapping strengthens overall organizational resilience. It also helps engage top management, IT departments, and business teams around a shared vision of risks.
Good to know:
ANSSI recommends carrying out an information system mapping as a prerequisite for any structured cybersecurity approach, particularly within risk analysis methods such as EBIOS Risk Manager.
Identifying Potential Information System Risks
The first step in IT risk mapping is identifying threats and vulnerabilities. This phase is critical to obtaining a comprehensive view of the information system.
Identifying Critical Assets
This involves identifying elements essential to the organization’s operations, including:
- Strategic business applications
- Sensitive databases (customers, HR, finance)
- Network infrastructures, servers, and critical equipment
Analyzing Entry Points and Attack Vectors
Next, potential vulnerabilities must be analyzed, such as:
- Misconfigurations
- Insufficiently secured workstations
- Poorly controlled remote access
- Strong dependencies on external service providers
Assessing IT Risk Scenarios
Finally, IT risk mapping should integrate various scenarios, such as:
- A targeted cyberattack involving data exfiltration
- Malware spreading across the network
- A critical hardware failure
- Human error, such as accidental data deletion
The goal is to identify technical, organizational, and human risks alike.
Prioritizing IT Risks: Methods and Visualizations
Once identified, risks must be classified and prioritized according to two main criteria:
- Likelihood of occurrence (rare, possible, frequent)
- Impact on the organization (minor, significant, critical)
This makes it possible to distinguish between:
- Major risks requiring immediate action
- Moderate risks that need monitoring
- Acceptable risks that can be tolerated within defined limits
An IT risk mapping tool allows these elements to be displayed through risk dashboards. These visualizations facilitate decision-making and improve communication between IT teams, management, and business stakeholders.
Implementing Effective Preventive Measures
IT risk mapping only creates value if it leads to concrete actions. Preventive measures can be technical, organizational, or regulatory.
From a technical standpoint, this may include:
- Network segmentation
- Regular application of security patches
- Strong authentication mechanisms
- Automated backups
On the organizational side, prevention also involves user awareness and the definition of incident management procedures. Risk mapping also helps prepare for audits and compliance requirements, particularly for ISO 27001, GDPR, or NIS2.
Finally, this approach must be continuous. IT risk mapping should be regularly updated to reflect changes in the information system and the emergence of new threats.
How myCarto Simplifies IT Risk Mapping
Implementing IT risk mapping can seem complex, especially in organizations with large and constantly evolving information systems. This is where a dedicated solution like myCarto makes a real difference.
With myCarto, you benefit from:
- Automatic connectors to integrate your data (CMDB, directories, monitoring, business tools)
- Dynamic visualizations to represent your information system and risks in real time
- Continuous updates, with mappings that evolve automatically alongside your systems
- A shared vision between CISOs, enterprise architects, and business teams, creating a common language around risk
- Compliance support, helping with ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIS2 initiatives through improved traceability of assets and risks
In short, myCarto turns IT risk mapping into an operational and strategic tool—easy to maintain and directly usable by governance teams.
Want to Secure Your Information System and Anticipate Risks?
FAQ : IT Risk Mapping
What is IT risk mapping?
It is a visual representation of the threats affecting the information system, enabling organizations to analyze and prioritize risks.
Why is information system risk mapping essential?
It helps anticipate cyberattacks, strengthen resilience, and meet regulatory requirements.
How can you identify information system risks?
By identifying critical assets, analyzing vulnerabilities, and defining potential attack scenarios.
How should IT risks be prioritized?
By assessing their likelihood and impact, often represented in a risk matrix.
Which tool should be used for IT risk mapping?
A solution like myCarto, which automates data collection and generates dynamic, visual mappings.
In Summary: A Key Lever for Securing the Information System
IT risk mapping is now a cornerstone of cybersecurity and information system governance. It enables organizations to anticipate threats, prioritize actions, and strengthen overall resilience.
By leveraging an information system mapping tool like myCarto, companies move from a reactive approach to a proactive strategy. They gain a clear, shared, and continuously updated view of their IT risks.
