ASPEN AEROGELS INC 10-K Cybersecurity GRC - 2024-03-07

Page last updated on April 11, 2024

ASPEN AEROGELS INC reported their cybersecurity risk management and governance process in a yearly 10-K filed on 2024-03-07 17:03:00 EST.

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10-K filed on 2024-03-07

ASPEN AEROGELS INC filed an 10-K at 2024-03-07 17:03:00 EST
Accession Number: 0000950170-24-028127

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Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY We recognize the critical importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of customers, suppliers, business partners and employees toward our business and are committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our business operations and systems. Our Board of Directors is actively involved in oversight of our risk management activities, and cybersecurity represents an important element of our overall approach to risk management. Our cybersecurity policies, standards, processes and practices are based on recognized frameworks established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, the International Organization for Standardization and other applicable industry standards. Our customers requirements for their suppliers to have certain cybersecurity policies, standards and processes in place also drives and guides some of our policies and practices. In general, we seek to address cybersecurity risks through a comprehensive, cross-functional approach that is focused on preserving the confidentiality, security and availability of the information that we collect and store by identifying, preventing and mitigating cybersecurity threats and effectively responding to cybersecurity incidents when they occur. Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy; Effect of Risk We face risks related to cybersecurity such as unauthorized access, cybersecurity attacks and other security incidents, including as perpetrated by hackers and unintentional damage or disruption to hardware and software systems, loss of data, and misappropriation of confidential information. To identify and assess material risks from cybersecurity threats, we maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity program to ensure our systems are effective and prepared for information security risks. The program includes regular oversight of our programs for security monitoring for internal and external threats to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of our information assets. We consider risks from cybersecurity threats alongside other company risks as part of our overall risk assessment process. We employ a range of tools and services, including regular network and endpoint monitoring, audits, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, threat modeling and tabletop exercises to inform our risk identification and assessment. As discussed in more detail under Cybersecurity Governance below, our Audit Committee provides oversight of our cybersecurity risk management and strategy processes, which are led by our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Security. We also identify our cybersecurity threat risks by comparing our processes to standards set by the NIST, International Organization for Standardization and the Center for Internet Security, as well as by engaging experts to attempt to infiltrate our information systems. To provide for the availability of critical data and systems, maintain regulatory compliance, manage our material risks from cybersecurity threats, and protect against and respond to cybersecurity incidents, we undertake the following activities: monitor emerging data protection laws and implement changes to our processes that are designed to comply with such laws; through our policies, practices and contracts (as applicable), require employees, as well as third parties that provide services on our behalf, to treat confidential information and data with care; 58 employ technical safeguards that are designed to protect our information systems from cybersecurity threats, including firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, anti-malware functionality and access controls, which are evaluated and improved through vulnerability assessments and cybersecurity threat intelligence; provide regular, mandatory training for our employees, Board members and certain contractors regarding cybersecurity threats as a means to equip them with effective tools to address cybersecurity threats and incident response preparedness, and to communicate our evolving information security policies, standards, processes and practices; conduct regular phishing email simulations for all employees and contractors with access to our email systems to enhance awareness and responsiveness to possible threats; conduct annual cybersecurity management and incident training for current employees involved in our systems and processes that handle sensitive data; run tabletop exercises to simulate a response to a cybersecurity incident and use the findings to improve our processes and technologies; leverage the NIST incident handling framework to help us identify, protect, detect, respond and recover when there is an actual or potential cybersecurity incident; and carry information security risk insurance that provides protection against the potential losses arising from a cybersecurity incident. Our incident response plan coordinates the activities we take to prepare for, detect, respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents, which include processes to triage, assess severity for, escalate, contain, investigate and remediate the incident, as well as to comply with potentially applicable legal obligations and mitigate damage to our business and reputation. As part of the above processes, we periodically engage with consultants, auditors and other third parties, including having independent third-party consultants review our cybersecurity program to help identify areas for continued focus, improvement and compliance. Our processes also address cybersecurity threat risks associated with our use of third-party service providers, including our suppliers and manufacturers who have access to customer, supplier and employee data or our systems. In addition, cybersecurity considerations affect the selection and oversight of our third-party service providers. We perform diligence on third parties that have access to our systems, data or facilities that house such systems or data, and continually monitor cybersecurity threat risks identified through such diligence. Additionally, we endeavor to require those third parties that could introduce significant cybersecurity risk to us to agree to manage their cybersecurity risks in specified ways. We describe whether and how risks from identified cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition, under the heading Risks Related to Our Business and Strategy which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein. In the last three fiscal years, we have not experienced any material cybersecurity incidents and the expenses we have incurred from cybersecurity incidents were immaterial. This includes penalties and settlements, of which there were none. Cybersecurity Governance; Management Cybersecurity is an important part of our risk management processes and an area of focus for our Board of Directors and management. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of risks from cybersecurity threats. At least quarterly, our Audit Committee receives an update from management of our cybersecurity threat risk management and strategy processes covering topics such as data security posture, results from third-party assessments, progress towards pre-determined risk-mitigation-related goals, our incident response plan, and material cybersecurity threat risks or incidents and developments, as well as the steps management has taken to respond to such risks. In such sessions, our Audit Committee generally receives materials discussing current and emerging material cybersecurity threat risks, and describing our ability to mitigate those risks, as well as recent developments, evolving standards, technological developments and information security considerations arising with respect to our peers and third parties, and discusses such matters with our Director of Information Security and Chief Information Officer. Our Audit Committee also receives prompt and timely information regarding any cybersecurity incident that meets established reporting thresholds, as well as ongoing updates regarding any such incident until it has been addressed. 59 Members of our Audit Committee and Board of Directors are also encouraged to regularly engage in conversations with management on cybersecurity-related news events and discuss any updates to our cybersecurity risk management and strategy programs. Members of our Audit Committee and Board of Directors continue to receive updates around the cybersecurity threat landscape and ongoing best practices as a means of continuing education in the area. Material cybersecurity threat risks are also considered during separate board meeting discussions of important matters like enterprise risk management, operational budgeting, business continuity planning, mergers and acquisitions, brand management, and other relevant matters. Our cybersecurity risk management and strategy processes, which are discussed in greater detail above, are led by our Chief Information Officer, Director of Information Security, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer. Such individuals have collectively over 40 years of prior work experience in various roles involving managing information security, developing cybersecurity strategy, implementing effective information and cybersecurity programs, as well as several relevant degrees and certifications, including Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Global Information Assurance Certification, Certified Professional Hacker. These management team members are informed about and monitor the prevention, mitigation, detection, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents through their management of, and participation in, the cybersecurity risk management and strategy processes described above, including the operation of our incident response plan. As discussed above, these management team members report to the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors about cybersecurity threat risks, among other cybersecurity related matters, on a quarterly basis.

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