EBIOS Risk Manager method: how to succeed in your cyber risk analysis?
At a time when cyberattacks are increasing and regulatory pressure is increasing (NIS2 directive, DORA, PSSI...), succeeding in its risk analysis becomes a decisive advantage for any organization wishing to protect its digital activities.
The EBIOS Risk Manager method, designed by ANSSI, is the reference for structuring, professionalizing and promoting your cybersecurity and risk management approach. Let's take stock.
In shorts:
EBIOS Risk Manager is a French cyber risk analysis method developed by ANSSI. It is based on 5 key steps: scoping, identification of risk sources, scenarios, treatment and follow-up. Aligned with ISO 27005, it applies to any type of organization wishing to structure its cybersecurity.
Summary
- What is the EBIOS method?
- EBIOS RM method: the 5 steps to a successful cyber risk analysis
- The various benefits of aligning with the EBIOS method for your organization
- Take Action with Egerie
- FAQ: frequently asked questions about the EBIOS Risk Manager method
Digital transformation and a rapidly changing regulatory environment are exposing businesses to increasing risks. Faced with the resurgence of cyber threats and ever more stringent compliance requirements, how can you build an effective, dynamic security policy that is adapted to the reality of your job? The answer lies in two words: the EBIO RM or EBIOS Risk Manager method.
In this guide, you will discover the essentials of EBIOS Risk Manager method: Its principles, its steps, its strategic value and practical advice to succeed in each phase of the analysis. We will rely on examples from the field, as well as on the feedback from major players such as MGEN, to illustrate the added value of a well-equipped and collaborative approach.
What is the EBIOS Risk Manager method?
En Cybersecurity, it is no longer enough to react after an attack. Anticipating, structuring and managing protection actions is becoming essential to guarantee business continuity and maintain the trust of stakeholders.
It is precisely in this context that the EBIOS Risk Manager method Stands out: it offers a modern methodological framework, ready to meet the challenges posed by the increasing complexity of information systems, the multiplication of attack scenarios and the tightening of regulatory requirements.
What is the latest version of the EBIOS method?
EBIOS (Expression of Needs and Identification of Security Objectives) is a French method, initiated by ANSSI, and widely recognized for structuring cybersecurity risk analysis.
The latest evolution, EBIOS Risk Manager (2024), offers an enriched vision that is aligned with international standards, in particular the Norm ISO 27005:2022. This update includes a wider range of tools and adjustments based on feedback from practitioners. It thus strengthens the capacities of organizations to anticipate risks, to make informed decisions and to ensure business continuity in a constantly changing environment.
EBIOS RM method: the 5 steps to a successful cyber risk analysis
The EBIOS Risk Manager is based on a process structured in five main steps, allowing for continuous analysis and proactive risk assessment.
1. Framing and perimeter
The first step is to clearly define the framework for applying the analysis. What are the boundaries of the system orActivity To protect? What are the goals and sources of information?
Key actions:
- Map information systems and critical assets.
- Identify the main stakeholders and determine their role.
- Establish the main principles of evaluation, such as impact criteria or criticality levels.
2. Study of sources of risk
This stage focuses on identifying the Threats and potential vulnerabilities.
Recommended practices:
- Conduct a collaborative workshop to brainstorm the main risks.
- Rely on existing threat databases, such as those from ANSSI.
- Categorize the sources of threats into human, technical, organizational issues, etc., in order to map the Attack Surface of the organization.
3. Analysis of strategic and operational scenarios
One of the specificities of the EBIOS Risk Manager is to integrate strategic scenarios to simulate dreaded events. This method contextualizes risks in real situations, facilitating decision-making.
- Example: A financial sector provider could develop a scenario where a phishing attack paralyzes the payment chain, causing financial loss and reputational damage.
- Objective: The objective is to prioritize these scenarios to guide security investments. This type of scenario is particularly useful for anticipating Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), difficult to detect and often targeted.
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4. Risk Assessment and Treatment
After Identifying Threats and Developing Strategic scenarios, it is time to prioritize and treat risks based on their impact and criticality. The following actions are required:
- Detailed assessment: weigh the risk in terms of its probability and associated losses.
- Treatment: reduce risks through appropriate security measures or transfer them (for example, via cybersecurity insurance). The aim is to reduce the risks to a Residual Risk Level acceptable, defined according to the organization's criteria.
5. Implementation and monitoring of measures
This final step is essential to ensure continuous improvement in safety:
- Plan regular review cycles.
- Adapt models and scenarios based on emerging threats or technological change.
- Ensure monitoring using safety performance indicators, and rely on a cyber audit Regular to assess the effectiveness of the measures put in place, detect discrepancies and readjust your priorities.
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EBIOS Risk Manager vs Other Methods: What to Choose?
The EBIOS RM method is often compared to other frameworks such as ISO 27005, MEHARI, or OCTAVE. Here are its particularities:
- EBIOS RM : French method, structured in 5 steps, focused on collaboration and concrete scenarios, adapted to all sectors.
- ISO 27005 : an international, more general standard, used to frame an ISMS (Information Security Management System).
- MEHARI : older, detailed but less flexible method in a multi-actor context.
EBIOS RM is distinguished by its ability to combine rigor, business adaptability and modern tools.
The various benefits of aligning with the EBIOS method for your organization
Here is what the EBIOS Risk Manager method can concretely bring to your structure.
Increased and dynamic security
The EBIOS method makes it possible to detect, quantify and anticipate emerging cyber threats before they destabilize your critical assets or interrupt your essential services. For example, a local authority can, with EBIOS, identify the most frequent attack scenarios on its urban management systems and prioritize investment in appropriate defense measures.
Strategic alignment with your business goals
La EBIOS method makes the link between business strategy (growth, innovation, digital transformation, etc.) and cybersecurity requirements, while ensuring the involvement of management, business and IT in each stage. The EBIOS method also makes it possible to strengthen the Risk governance At all hierarchical levels. One Bank Will thus be able to demonstrate the adequacy of its security policies with regulatory compliance, while promoting the innovation of new digital services.
Unique adaptability to the ecosystem and context
EBIOS is applicable in industry as well as in health, energy or the public sector. It supports the consideration of specific requirements: diversity of partners, supplier management, supplier management, supplier management, cloud infrastructure, sector regulations, etc. An industrial company will be able to model risks throughout its production chain or extend the analysis to its critical subcontractors.
Customer case: MGEN — Professionalizing cyber risk management with Egerie
MGEN, which has been ISO 27001 certified since 2018, did its risk analyses on Excel via a hybrid file. EBIOS 2010/EBIOS RM, updated once a year with the help of external consultants. This mode of operation became too cumbersome, difficult to read and limited to meet the new strategic challenges of controlling, centralizing and using risk data on a daily basis.
The Main Challenges
- Take Back Control of the Risk analyses To no longer depend on a complex external document.
- Centralize and make the management of all data reliable, get out of siloed mode and make analysis a daily management tool.
- Facilitate monitoring, compliance audits (in particular ISO 27001) and internal communication on the Risk management.
The Egerie Solution
After experimenting with the platform, MGEN chose Egerie to:
- Its strict compliance with the EBIOS RM method.
- Its ergonomics and ease of use,
- Its ability to centralize all analyses and to enhance risk management via dynamic dashboards.
As early as 2024, the switch to Egerie made it possible to expand use well beyond traditional analysis: PSSI compliance, cyber program monitoring, awareness plan management, etc.
“With Egerie, everything comes together naturally. You enter information once, and it goes where it needs to be. The result: fewer errors, more clarity, and real added value on our analysis. ” - Florian Bourdon, Cyber GRC Expert @MGEN
👉 Discover this customer case in detail
How do I simply get started with the EBIOS RM method?
Here are the recommended first steps to launch an EBIOS approach in your organization:
1. Identify a restricted area (e.g. a service or a critical process)
2. Bringing together key stakeholders (CISO, businesses, IT)
3. Carry out a first framing workshop with a structuring tool
4. Capitalize on a platform like Egerie to model scenarios
This gradual approach will allow you to mature quickly.
Take Action with Egerie
Much more than a simple tool, Egerie centralizes and simplifies your Centralized Risk Management, in compliance with the principles of the EBIOS method.
- Automated risk mapping: identify, visualize, and prioritize your threats in a few clicks.
- Management of action plans: monitor the progress of your corrective measures and ensure their alignment with your strategic objectives and compliance with EBIOS.
- Dynamic dashboards: get a clear and usable overview to manage your indicators, support your decisions and demonstrate your compliance during regular external or internal audits.
Don't let cyber threats hold your organization back. With the Egerie platform, go from compliance to proactive and efficient cybersecurity.
Request your demo As of Today and discover how Egerie can support you in rigorously managing your cyber risks.
When should you use the EBIOS method?
The EBIOS Risk Manager method is ideal:
- During the Compliance (NIS 2, ISO 27001, PSSI...)
- Upstream of Deployment of a New Digital Service
- To assess the Critical suppliers or subcontractors
- As part of a Internal or External Cybersecurity Audit
- During the Strengthening the global cyber posture Of an organization
FAQ: frequently asked questions about the EBIOS Risk Manager method
Which sectors can adopt the EBIOS Risk Manager?
All sectors, from SMEs to large companies, can use this method: health, finance, industry, public administrations.
How much does it cost to implement EBIOS in a company?
The cost varies according to the scope and the tools adopted. However, a solution like Egerie guarantees optimal ROI by reducing manual tasks.
How does Egerie simplify the EBIOS method?
Egerie offers an intuitive platform, facilitating risk mapping, data processing, and monitoring deployed solutions.
Is it possible to combine EBIOS with ISO 27001?
Yes, the EBIOS method helps to structure the risk analyses necessary to achieve certification ISO 27001. It is now in line with the standard ISO 27005:2022, making it an ideal tool for meeting information security requirements.
What is the difference between EBIOS RM and EBIOS 2010?
EBIOS RM introduces strategic scenarios and a strong alignment with ISO standards. It is more collaborative, more business-oriented, and better adapted to current contexts.
What types of threats can be analyzed using the EBIOS method?
The EBIOS methodology makes it possible to analyze a wide range of threats, ranging from cyberattacks (ransomware, phishing) to technical incidents, through internal compromises and supply chain risks.
How to train your teams in the EBIOS Risk Manager method?
ANSSI offers guides and resources to understand and apply the method. In addition, specialized training is available to support teams in their skills development. Egerie also offers personalized support to facilitate the adoption of the method.
Is the EBIOS method recognized internationally?
Yes, EBIOS is widely recognized, in particular thanks to its alignment with the ISO 27005 standard and more precisely 27005:2022. It is used by organizations in France and abroad to structure their risk analyses and meet security requirements.
What are the main challenges when implementing the EBIOS method in your organization?
Key challenges include defining a clear perimeter, engaging stakeholders, and managing data. A platform like Egerie helps overcome these obstacles by centralizing information and facilitating collaboration.
What tools are needed to apply the EBIOS Risk Manager method?
In addition to Excel, platforms like Egerie make it possible to industrialize the EBIOS method through automated mapping, action plans and monitoring indicators.
