The risk assessment is critical because it enables the person responsible for contingency planning to focus risk management efforts and resources in a prioritized manner only on the identified risks. The risk management process includes the risk assessment and determination of suitable technical, management, and operational security controls based on the level of threat the risk imposes. Business units should be included in this process. Source: SWANSON, Marianne, & al., National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NIST Special Publication 800-34, Contingency Planning Guide for Information Technology Systems, December 2001 (page 7).