INOVIO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. - (INO)
10-K Filing Date: March 06, 2024
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
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 clinical trial data) (collectively, “Information Systems and Data”).
Our Information Technology department (“IT Department”) (including its Senior Director), with support from service providers, helps identify, assess and manage the Company’s cybersecurity threats and risks. The IT Department identifies and assesses risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating our threat environment and the Company’s risk profile using various methods. For example, the methods include manual and automated tools; subscriptions to reports and services that identify cybersecurity threats; analysis of threat and threat actor reports; threat environment scans; law enforcement coordination; audits; threat assessments; and vulnerability assessments.
Depending on the environment, 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: security incident response strategies; tools designed to detect and respond to security incidents; data encryption strategies; access controls; physical security controls; asset management strategies; systems monitoring; personnel training; penetration testing; and cybersecurity insurance.
Our assessment and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats are integrated into our overall risk management processes. For example, the IT Department works with management to prioritize our risk management processes and mitigate cybersecurity threats that are more likely to lead to a material impact to our business and our management evaluates material risks from cybersecurity threats against our overall business objectives and reports to the audit committee of the board of directors, which evaluates our overall enterprise risk.
We use service providers to assist us from time to time to identify, assess, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including for example: professional services firms (including legal counsel); cybersecurity consultants; cybersecurity software providers; managed cybersecurity service providers; and penetration testing firms.
We use service providers to perform a variety of functions throughout our business, such as application providers; hosting providers; and contract research organizations. Depending on the nature of the services provided, in order to analyze the cybersecurity processes of certain vendors we review their internal security assessment reports and certifications, if available.
For a description of the risks from cybersecurity threats that may materially affect us 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 in particular under the caption “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 resulting from such compromise, including but not limited to, regulatory investigations and actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue and profits; and other adverse consequences.”
Governance
Our board of directors addresses our cybersecurity risk management as part of its general oversight function. The board of directors’ audit committee is responsible for overseeing our 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 members of our management, including the Senior Director of the IT Department. This individual has previously held roles as a head of cybersecurity, cybersecurity consultant and information security specialist for other organizations. This individual holds several certifications related to cybersecurity including as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
The IT Department reports to our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who is responsible for helping the IT Department hire appropriate personnel, integrate cybersecurity risk considerations into our overall risk management strategy, and communicating key priorities to relevant personnel. The Senior Director of the IT Department is responsible for approving budgets, helping prepare for cybersecurity incidents, approving cybersecurity processes, and reviewing security assessments and other security-related reports.
Our cybersecurity incident response and vulnerability management processes are designed to escalate certain cybersecurity incidents to members of management depending on the circumstances, including the CFO. The Senior Director of IT and the CFO work with our incident response team to help mitigate and remediate cybersecurity incidents of which they
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are notified. In addition, our incident response and vulnerability management processes include reporting to the audit committee of the board of directors for certain cybersecurity incidents.
As indicated above, the audit committee receives reports from the Senior Director of IT or other designee concerning significant cybersecurity threats and risk and the processes we have implemented to address them. The audit committee also receives various written reports, summaries or presentations related to cybersecurity threats, risk and mitigation. In turn, the audit committee routinely provides reports to the board on cybersecurity matters.