Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. - (TPST)

10-K Filing Date: March 19, 2024
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

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Risk management and strategy

We have implemented and maintain various information security processes designed to identify, assess and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats to our critical computer networks, third party hosted services, communications systems, hardware and software, and our critical data, including intellectual property, confidential information that is proprietary, strategic or competitive in nature, and data related to our clinical trials and employees (“Information Systems and Data”).

Our information security function is led by our Vice President, Strategy & Finance (“IT Lead”), who reports to our CEO and is supported by our third party security provider, and it helps identify, assess and manage the Company’s cybersecurity threats and risks. The information security function identifies and assesses risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating our threat environment using various methods including, for example analyzing report of threats and threat actors and conducting periodic vulnerability assessments for certain systems. Our assessment and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats are considered as part of our risk management processes. For example, our IT Lead and certain management, including our CEO, evaluate identified material risks from cybersecurity threats against our overall business objectives and our IT Lead periodically reports to the audit committee of the board of directors, which evaluates our overall enterprise risk.

Depending on the environment, systems, and data, we implement and maintain various technical, physical, and organizational measures, processes, standards and policies designed to manage and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats to our Information Systems and Data, including, for example: risk assessments for certain systems, systems monitoring for certain systems, access controls, asset management, and employee training. We use third-party service providers to assist us from time to time to identify, assess, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including for example our managed security provider and professional services firms, including legal counsel.

For a description of the risks from cybersecurity threats that may materially affect the Company and how they may do so, see our risk factors under Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including that if our information technology systems or those of third parties upon which we rely, or our data, are or were compromised, we could experience adverse consequences, including disclosure of sensitive information, damage to our reputation, and significant financial and legal exposure.

Governance

Our board of directors addresses the Company’s cybersecurity risk management as part of its general oversight function. The board of directors’ audit committee is responsible for overseeing Company’s cybersecurity risk management processes, including oversight and mitigation of risks from cybersecurity threats.

Our cybersecurity risk assessment and management processes are implemented and maintained by certain Company management, including the IT Lead. The IT Lead has 3 years of experience in roles that include oversight of cybersecurity risk management programs.

Our IT Lead is responsible for hiring appropriate personnel, helping to integrate cybersecurity risk considerations into the Company’s overall risk management strategy, communicating key priorities to relevant personnel, helping prepare for cybersecurity incidents, approving cybersecurity processes, and reviewing security assessments and other security-related reports.

Our cybersecurity incident response processes are designed to escalate certain cybersecurity incidents to members of management depending on the circumstances, including the CEO, who help the Company mitigate and remediate cybersecurity incidents of which they are notified. In addition, the Company’s incident response processes include reporting to the audit committee for certain cybersecurity incidents.

The audit committee receives periodic reports from our IT Lead concerning cybersecurity issues, including certain threats and risks and the processes the Company has implemented to address them, as applicable. The audit committee also has access to various reports, summaries or presentations related to cybersecurity threats, risk and mitigation.

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