Episode 34

Applying IRMBOK to Risk Management

Published on: 3rd June, 2025

In this episode of The Smart IT podcast, I welcomed Jeff Lowder, a seasoned risk professional and author of the upcoming Information Risk Management Body of Knowledge (IRMBOK), to the show. The conversation centered on how risk management professionals must evolve beyond traditional roles to become strategic partners in decision-making. Modern IT demands a deeper understanding of business objectives, as technology is not just about infrastructure—it’s about enabling organizations to thrive while managing risk effectively.

Jeff reviewed IRMBOK, a comprehensive guide for information risk management, covering both process frameworks and practical techniques. It covers a lot of intuitive and useful tools that risk practitioners can utilize in their work.

A major theme of the episode is the inadequacy of conventional risk methods—such as high/medium/low risk matrices—and the push toward quantitative approaches.

Many cybersecurity professionals are trained to focus only on downside risk, but real-world decision-making involves balancing both risks and opportunities. This broader perspective, which Jeff calls "decision management," leads to better alignment with how executives and boards think and make choices.

He emphasized the need for upskilling in quantitative risk analysis, stating that most of the required math is basic and accessible. He advocated for a more rigorous, business-aligned, and outcome-focused approach to IT and cybersecurity risk management, underlining that better decisions—not just compliance—should be the end goal.

“Risk management is about helping the business make better decisions—not just saying no.”  - Jeff Lowder

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/SRrvluPLuls


#SmartIT #IRMBOK #RiskManagment #CRQ #DecisionManagement #DecisionScience #CyberRisk #SiRA #SiRACon #SiRAcon25


Production: Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat


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About the Podcast

The Smart IT Podcast
Where IT explores what's next...
The Smart IT Podcast, where IT professionals can assemble and hear from each other, industry leaders, thought leaders, and those in adjacent fields to collaborate and learn from each other and explore what’s next for IT.

The Smart IT Podcast explores what’s next for IT as it continues to find ways to get the important things done for our organizations.
Preparing for the next decade, we need to think differently about how we approach our work to continue to thrive into the future.

Smart IT is an approach, conceptual framework, and development model to getting the important things done by transforming the way traditional IT thinks, works, and leads. It supports the disruption of the status quo, simplifies the complex, reduces uncertainty, and improves risk mitigation.

There has never been more pressure to deliver for our organizations; but I know IT is up to the challenge.

That will require IT to lead by working smarter. Let’s do it together.

About your host

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William Reed

I am an advisor of technology for business use, have seen the possibilities, the challenges, the constraints, and the risks. I have seen firsthand the technical debt, silos, broken communication, despair of IT, and business frustrations. And, I have seen the possibilities, the hopes, and the opportunities while working in the trenches of IT.

As someone that has analyzed, designed, built, and supported technology infrastructure for many businesses over the years, and followed the technology trends and cyber threats, I see the opportunities for our organizations and for the professionals of IT as a fulfilling and thriving career.

I believe we have been blessed with great opportunities to continue to improve ourselves and organizations. If it’s possible, there is no reason enterprise IT cannot reach new heights and help our businesses thrive in age of disruption, complexity, and risk.

I have a passion is bringing a fresh perspective to the challenges in front of IT and help inspire a team to tackle and win. And to help individuals and organizations make better decisions to improve outcomes and experiences.

I advise on matters of technology use for organizational benefits. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Information Technology field. He has worked for multiple technology value added resellers, representing the major vendors and technologies in the industry. He has consulted across the major industries, including banking, health care, retail, oil & gas, education, government, finance, and legal.