Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc

Risk management and strategy

We have implemented and maintain various information security processes designed to identify, assess and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats to our critical computer networks, third party hosted services, communications systems, hardware and software, and our critical data, including intellectual property, confidential information that is proprietary, strategic or competitive in nature, and trade secrets, data we may collect about trial participants in connection with clinical trials, sensitive third-party data, business plans, transactions, and financial information, or collectively Information Systems and Data.

Our cybersecurity function, which comprises, in part, our Interim Chief Financial Officer and third-party service providers (including our managed security services provider, or MSSP), helps identify, assess and manage our cybersecurity threats and risks. Our cybersecurity function identifies and assesses risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating our threat environment using various methods including, for example, manual tools, internal or external audits, automated tools, subscribing to and analyzing reports and services that identify cybersecurity threats and threat actors, conducting threat assessments for internal and external threats (including third party threat assessments), using external intelligence feeds, coordinating with law enforcement regarding certain threats, and evaluating threats reported to us. Depending on the environment, we implement and maintain various technical, physical, and organizational measures and processes designed to manage and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats to our Information Systems and Data, including, for example: incident detection and response, network security controls, systems monitoring, and asset management, tracking, and disposal.

Our assessment and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats areintegrated into our overall risk management processes. For example, the cybersecurity function works with management to prioritize our risk management processes and mitigate cybersecurity threats that are more likely to lead to a material impact to our business.

We use third-party service providers to assist us from time to time to identify, assess, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including for example managed cybersecurity service providers. We also use third-party service providers to perform a variety of functions throughout our business, such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations. We manage cybersecurity risks associated with our use of these providers by reviewing their conducting audits and imposing contractual obligations on the vendor to protect our information.

For a description of the risks from cybersecurity threats that may materially affect the Company and how they may do so, see our risk factors under Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Governance

Ourboard of directors addresses our cybersecurity risk management as part of its general oversight function. The audit committee is responsible for overseeing our cybersecurity risk management processes, including oversight and mitigation of risks from cybersecurity threats.

Ourcybersecurity risk assessment and management processes are implemented and maintained by certain members of management, including our Interim Chief Financial Officer, who oversees outsourced IT (including cybersecurity).

Ourcybersecurity function is responsible for hiring appropriate personnel, helping to integrate cybersecurity risk considerations into our overall risk management strategy, and communicating key priorities to relevant personnel. Our Interim Chief Financial Officer is responsible for approving budgets, helping prepare for cybersecurity incidents, approving cybersecurity processes, and reviewing security assessments and other security-related reports.

Ourresponse process to cybersecurity incidents is designed to escalate certain incidents to members of management depending on the circumstances, including the Interim Chief Financial Officer. Our Interim Chief Financial Officer and others work with our incident response team (including our MSSP) to help us mitigate and remediate cybersecurity incidents of which they are notified. In addition, our incident response policy includes reporting certain cyber incidents to the audit committee.

Theaudit committee receives periodic reports from our cybersecurity function concerning our significant cybersecurity threats and risk and the processes we have implemented to address them. The audit committee also has access to various reports, summaries or presentations related to cybersecurity threats, risk andmitigation.