SOUNDTHINKING, INC. - (SSTI)
10-K Filing Date: April 01, 2024
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 SafetySmart platform (“Information Systems and Data”).
Our information security and engineering functions, led by our Vice President of Operational Engineering, help identify, assess and manage the Company’s cybersecurity threats and risks. These teams identify and assess risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating our threat environment and our industry’s risk profile using various methods including, for example manual and automated tools (including firewalls and endpoint protection); subscribing to and analyzing reports and services that identify cybersecurity threats; conducting scans of our environment; evaluating threats reported to us and coordinating with law enforcement concerning certain threats; conducting threat assessments of both internal and external threats; conducting vulnerability assessments to identify vulnerabilities; working with third-parties to conduct testing and tabletop exercises; and using external threat intelligence feeds.
Depending on the environment 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: incident response and detection policy and processes; vulnerability management processes; a secure software development lifecycle policy and change management procedures; business continuity plans; penetration tests; encrypting certain data; using network security controls; segregating and maintaining access controls over certain data; asset management and tracking; training our employees; and maintaining cybersecurity insurance.
Our assessment and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats are integrated into the Company’s overall risk management processes. For example, (1) cybersecurity risk is addressed as a component of the Company’s enterprise risk management program and identified in the Company’s risk register; (2) the information security function 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; (3) our senior 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 third-party service providers to assist us from time to time to identify, assess, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including for example: professional service firms; threat intelligence service providers; cybersecurity consultants; penetration testing firms; darkweb monitoring services; and managed detection and response providers.
We use third-party service providers to perform a variety of functions throughout our business, such as application providers, hosting companies, and network and cellular communications providers. We have a vendor management program to manage cybersecurity risks associated with our use of these providers. Depending on the nature of the services provided, the sensitivity of the Information Systems and Data at issue, and the identity of the provider, our vendor management process may involve different levels of assessment designed to help identify cybersecurity risks associated with a provider, including for example, conducting risk assessment of certain vendors, providing our vendors with a security questionnaire or reviewing their SOC report, reviewing the vendor’s written information security program in certain circumstances, conducting audits of our vendors as may be needed, and requiring certain technical controls of our vendors through contractual obligations.
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 the
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risks titled “If our information technology systems or data, or those of third parties upon which we rely, are or were compromised, our solutions may be perceived as not being secure, our customers may be harmed and we could experience adverse consequences, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation or mass arbitration demands; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputation harm; loss of revenue or profits; loss of customers or sales; and other adverse consequences.”
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 of mitigation of risks from cybersecurity threats.
Our cybersecurity risk assessment and management processes are implemented and maintained by certain Company management, including our Vice President of Operational Engineering, Dave Halliday. Mr. Halliday has over thirty years of experience in information technology and information security management and oversees our operational engineering component, which includes our information security function, IT, networking, cloud operations, and development operations teams.
Mr. Halliday is responsible for hiring appropriate personnel, helping to integrate cybersecurity risk considerations into the Company’s overall risk management strategy, and communicating key priorities to relevant personnel. Our Chief Financial Officer 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 Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the Vice President of Operational Engineering. Those members of management work with the Company’s incident response team to help the Company mitigate and remediate cybersecurity incidents of which they are notified. In addition, the Company’s incident response and vulnerability management processes includes reporting to the audit committee of the board of directors for certain cybersecurity incidents.
The audit committee receives periodic reports from the Chief Financial Officer concerning the Company’s significant cybersecurity threats and risk and the processes the Company has implemented to address them. The audit committee also has access to various reports, summaries or presentations related to cybersecurity threats, risk and mitigation.