The FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool has been sunset. Here is how institutions can move from a checklist exercise to a defensible risk management program using current frameworks.
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April 28, 2026
KEV-Driven Vulnerability Management: Prioritizing What Attackers Are Actually Exploiting
CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog gives institutions a practical way to prioritize patching around real-world exploitation, not just severity scores.
Read moreLogging and monitoring is one of the most consistently cited gaps at smaller institutions. Here’s what a defensible program looks like — and why it matters beyond just satisfying examiners.
Read moreIT examinations don’t have to be a surprise. Understanding what examiners are looking for — and getting your documentation in order before they arrive — makes a measurable difference.
Read moreThe updated Safeguards Rule has been in effect for several years — but many smaller institutions are still running compliance programs built around the old standard. Here’s what needs to change.
Read morePatch management rarely gets attention until something goes wrong. Examiners have been scrutinizing it more closely for years — here’s what a defensible program actually looks like.
Read moreAn incident response plan that exists only on paper will cost you at the worst possible moment. Here’s what regulators expect — and how to build a program that holds up under pressure.
Read moreA BCP that lives in a binder and hasn’t been tested is a liability, not an asset. Here’s what regulators expect from your business continuity program and how to build one that works.
Read moreAccess control findings are among the most common exam citations at community banks and credit unions. The fix is usually less technical than you’d expect.
Read moreAnnual security awareness training is required — but a once-a-year video and a quiz aren’t enough anymore. Here’s what regulators expect and how to build a program that actually changes behavior.
Read moreFebruary 24, 2026
The Annual Risk Assessment: What Examiners Expect and How to Build One That Holds Up
Most institutions complete an annual risk assessment because they have to. The ones that get the most value out of it treat it as a management tool, not a compliance checkbox.
Read moreThird-party vendor management is one of the most consistently cited exam findings at organizations. If your program still lives in a spreadsheet with annual certificates of insurance, this post is for you.
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