Glossary · R
Risk acceptance
Risk acceptance is a documented decision by an accountable owner to live with an identified risk, for a stated period and with stated reasoning, rather than remediate it.
Extended definition
In more detail.
Acceptance is legitimate when the fix costs more than the exposure, would disrupt the business disproportionately, is infeasible for a period, or is offset by compensating controls. The record states the finding, the reasoning, the compensating controls, an expiry date and a signature. Without the record, a finding left open is neglect, which auditors and insurers treat very differently from a documented decision.
In our work
Where it appears.
Acceptance records are part of every remediation plan. See risk acceptance versus remediation.
By David Selakovic · Published 2026-10-16 · Revised 2026-10-16 · Reviewed every 180 days