You may recall from our definition in “What is Information Security?” that fundamentally information security is: The application of Administrative, Physical, and Technical controls in an effort to protect the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of information. Information security personnel need to understand how the business uses information. Information Security is not only about securing information from unauthorized access. In order to gain the most benefit from information security, it must be applied to the business as a whole. In Part 1 of his series on IT Security, Matthew Putvinski discusses information security best practices and outlines a checklist for a best practice IT security program, including the importance of designation an ISO, incident response, and annual review. Applying appropriate adminis… They both have to do with security and protecting computer systems from information breaches and threats, but they’re also very different. When is the right time to address information security? About the Author: Kim Crawley spent years working in general tier two consumer tech support, most of which as a representative of Windstream, a secondary American ISP. You get the picture. Establish a general approach to information security 2. Do you have information that needs to be accurate? Applying appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards through an information security program can help you to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your organization’s critical assets. Information security differs from cybersecurity in that InfoSec aims to keep data in any form secure, whereas cybersecurity protects only digital data. Good examples of administrative controls are: Physical controls address the physical factors of information security. A better question might be “Who is responsible for what?”. An information security policy aims to enact protections and limit the distribution of data to only those with authorized access. A weakness in one part of the information security program affects the entire program. What is infosec, and why is information security confusing? Now we are starting to understand where information security applies in your organization. Data security should be an important area of concern for every small-business owner. While it’s not practical to incorporate every employee’s opinion into an information security program, it is practical to seek the opinions of the people who represent every employee. Administrative controls address the human factors of information security. Information security is a business issue. Creativity They must be able to anticipate cyberattacks, always thinking one step ahead of a … Building an information security program means designing and implementing security practices to protect critical business processes and IT assets. Senior management demonstrates the commitment by being actively involved in the information security strategy, risk acceptance, and budget approval among other things. A good information security program clearly defines how your organization will keep your company’s data secure, how you will assess risk, and how your company will address these risks. Failure to do so can lead to ineffective controls and process obstruction. Your email address will not be published. Therefore, information security analysts need strong oral and written communication skills. Your email address will not be published. So, answer these questions: If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have a need for information security. The right time to address information security is now and always. To do that, they first have to understand the types of security threats they're up against. Technical controls use technology to control access. As mentioned before, an information security program helps organizations develop a holistic approach to securing their infrastructure, especially if regulations mandate how you must protect sensitive data. Information security is not an IT issue any more or less than it is an accounting or HR issue. Your email address will not be published. The fundamental principles (tenets) of information security are confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These security practices that make up this program are meant to mature over time. The “top” is senior management and the “start” is commitment. Infosec programs are built around the core objectives of the CIA triad: maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and availability of IT systems and business data. There are a couple of characteristics to good, effective data security that apply here. All employees are responsible for understanding and complying with all information security policies and supporting documentation (guidelines, standards, and procedures). Why Does a Company Need an Information Security Policy. The responsibility of the third-party is to comply with the language contained in contracts. Information security policy is a set of policies issued by an organization to ensure that all information technology users within the domain of the organization or its networks comply with rules and guidelines related to the security of the information stored digitally at any point in the network or within the organization's boundaries of authority. Whether you’re responsible for protected health information (PHI), personally identifiable information (PII), or any other proprietary information, having a fully developed program provides you with a holistic approach for how to safeguard and protect the information for which you are responsible. Less expensive is important if your company is into making money. Comply with legal and regulatory requirements like NIST, GDPR, HIPAA and FERPA 5. It identifies the people, processes, and technology that could impact the security, confidentiality, and integrity of your assets. Maintaining availability means that your services, information, or other critical assets are available to your customers when needed. Protect the reputation of the organization 4. This doesn’t just apply to lost or destroyed data, but also when access is delayed. Every element of an information security program (and every security control put in place by an entity) should be designed to achieve one or more of … When looking to secure information resources, organizations must balance the need for security with users’ need to effectively access and use these resources. Physical controls are typically the easiest type of control for people to relate to. One has to do with protecting data from cyberspace while the other deals with protecting data in […] The communicated commitment often comes in the form of policy. Information security is the technologies, policies and practices you choose to help you keep data secure. As we know from the previous section, information security is all about protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. It applies throughout the enterprise. When is the right time to implement and information security program? Senior management must make a commitment to information security in order for information security to be effective. Confidentiality limits information access to authorized personnel, like having a pin or password to unlock your phone or computer. The NIST said data protections are in place "in order to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability" of secure information. Integrity ensures information can only be altered by authorized users, safeguarding the information as credible and prese… The process of building a thorough program also helps to define policies and procedures for assessing risk, monitoring threats, and mitigating attacks. Information security needs to be integrated into the business and should be considered in most (if not all) business decisions. Information security can be confusing to some people. We need information security to reduce risk to a level that is acceptable to the business (management). Information concerning individuals has value. ready to adapt to an evolving digital world in order to stay a step ahead of cybercriminals The original blog post may be found here. Okay, maybe most people. It … Information Security is basically the practice of preventing unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, inspection, recording or destruction of information. and why? By focusing on the protection of these three pillars of information security, your information security program can better ready your organization to face outside threats. Information security personnel need employees to participate, observe and report. Some methods that could be used to protect confidentiality include encryption, two-factor authentication, unique user IDs, strong passwords, etc. Do you have information that must be available when you need it. The topic of cyber security is sweeping the world by storm with some of the largest and most advanced companies in the world falling victim to cyber-attacks in just the last 5 years. As mentioned before, an information security program helps organizations develop a holistic approach to securing their infrastructure, especially if regulations mandate howyou must protect sensitive data. Hopefully, we cleared up some of the confusion. File permissions and access controls are just a couple of things that can be implemented to help protect integrity. According to Oxford Students Dictionary Advanced, in a more operational sense, security is also taken steps to ensure the security of the country, people, things of value, etc. I know that I do. Physical controls can usually be touched and/or seen and control physical access to information. Understanding information security comes from gathering perspective on the five Ws of security: what, why, who, when, and where. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have a need for information security. In order to be effective, your information security program must be ever-changing, constantly evolving, and continuously improving. The need for Information security: Protecting the functionality of the organisation: The decision maker in organisations must set policy and operates their organisation in compliance with the complex, shifting legislation, efficient and capable applications. Where does information security apply? Risk assessments must be performed to determine what information poses the biggest risk. Third parties such as contractors and vendors must protect your business information at least as well as you do yourself. Information Systems are composed in three main portions, hardware, software and communications with the purpose to help identify and apply information security industry standards, as mechanisms of protection and prevention, at three levels or layers: physical, personal and organizational. Information Security Attributes: or qualities, i.e., Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA). Perhaps your company hasn’t designed and/or implemented an information security program yet, or maybe your company has written a few policies and that was that. Reviewing Your Information Security Program, 15 Must-Have Information Security Policies, […] Morris is a guest blogger from auditor KirkpatrickPrice. In understanding information security, we must first gain an understanding of these well-established concepts. First off, information security must start at the top. Required fields are marked *, https://frsecure.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/the-5-Ws-of-infosec.jpg, /wp-content/uploads/2018/05/FRSecure-logo.png. Proactive information security is always less expensive. Who is responsible for information security? Employees are responsible for seeking guidance when the security implications of their actions (or planned actions) are not well understood. What Does a Strong Information Security Program Look Like? Good examples of technical controls are: As mentioned previously, these concepts are what our controls aim to protect. Keep in mind that a business is in business to make money. Organizations create ISPs to: 1. The triad of confidentiality, integrity and availability is the foundation of information security, and database security, as an extension of InfoSec, also requires utmost attention to the CIA triad. Although IT security and information security sound similar, they do refer to different types of security. Confidentiality is the most important aspect of database security, and is most commonly enforced through encryption. According to Sherrie et al. Typically administrative controls come in the form of management directives, policies, guidelines, standards, and/or procedures. When is the right time to update your existing program? In order to decrease information exposure, companies must protect the place sensitive information resides because that is the entry point for cybercriminals. For additional information on security program best practices, visit the Center for Internet […], Your email address will not be published. Information security is a lifecycle of discipline. Why Bother with an Information Security Program? Information security must be holistic. Protect their customer's dat… If you have questions about how to build a security program at your business, learn more at frsecure.com. Regardless of the size of your business or the industry you’re in, an information security program is a critical component of any organization. This can’t be stressed enough. Maintaining the integrity of sensitive data means maintaining its accuracy and authenticity of the data. A top-down approach is best for understanding information security as an organization and developing a culture with information security at the forefront. We need information security to reduce risk to a level that is acceptable to the business (management). We could also include the sixth W, which is actually an “H” for “how.” The “how” is why FRSecure exists. A great place to start when developing an information security program is to identify the people, processes, and technologies that interact with, or could have an impact on the security, confidentiality, or integrity of your critical assets. This is an easy one. Developing a disaster recovery plan and performing regular backups are some ways to help maintain availability of critical assets. This is sometimes tough to answer because the answer seems obvious, but it doesn’t typically present that way in most organizations. We need information security to improve the way we do business. In information security, there are what are known as the pillars of information security: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA). Schneier (2003) consider that security is about preventing adverse conseq… An information security assessment will help you determine where information security is sufficient and where it may be lacking in your organization. These objectives ensure that sensitive information is only disclosed to authorized parties (confidentiality), prevent unauthorized modification of data (integrity) and guarantee the data can be accessed by authorized parties when requested (availability). As a term laden with associations, information security covers a wide area of practices and techniques but simply put, it is protecting information and information systems from various undesired and or dangerous situations such as disruption, destruction, or unauthorized access and use. Although they are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the terms cybersecurity and information security. The continued preservation of CIA for information assets is the primary objective for information security continuity To ensure this is considered in a disaster scenario, it is highly recommended (but not mandatory) to include information security aspects within … These principles, aspects of which you may encounter daily, are outlined in the CIA security model and set the standards for securing data. In order to do this, access must be restricted to only authorized individuals. Detect and minimize the impact of compromised information assets such as misuse of data, networks, mobile devices, computers and applications 3. An information security program is the practices your organization implements to protect critical business processes, data, and IT assets. Designating an information security officer can be helpful in this endeavor to help organize and execute your information security program. If your business is starting to develop a security program, information security is where yo… A printed account statement thrown in the garbage can cause as much damage as a lost backup tape. On the surface, the answer is simple. This is how we define them: Basically, we want to ensure that we limit any unauthorized access, use, and disclosure of our sensitive information. Simplified, that’s understanding our risks and then applying the appropriate risk management and security measures. Maybe it’s because we miss some of the basics. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, security in general is the quality or state of being secure, that is, to be free from harm. Your information security program must adjust all of the time. . Should an entity have an Information Security Officer? We need information security to reduce the risk of unauthorized information access, use, disclosure, and disruption. Much of the information we use every day cannot be touched, and often times the control cannot be either. An information security program that does not adapt is also dead. 13.8a Describe the measures that are designed to protect their own security at work, and the security of those they support 13.8b Explain the agreed ways of working for checking the identity of anyone requesting access to premises or information Let’s take a look at how to protect the pillars of information security: confidentiality, integrity, and availability of proprietary data. Your right to audit the third-party’s information security controls should also be included in contracts, whenever possible. Security awareness training for employees also falls under the umbrella of administrative controls. It’s important because government has a duty to protect service users’ data. Although an information security policy is an example of an appropriate organisational measure, you may not need a ‘formal’ policy document or an associated set of policies in specific areas. Information can be in any form like digital or … Well, managers need to understand that managing information security is similar – the fact that you have finished your project, or that you got an ISO 27001 certificate, doesn’t mean that you can leave it all behind. We need information security to reduce the risk of unauthorized information access, use, disclosure, and disruption. For more information on how to develop your information security program, or for help developing your policies and procedures, contact us today. Fundamentally, information security is the application of administrative, physical, and technical controls in an effort to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability of information. This means that sensitive data must be protected from accidental or intentional changes that could taint the data. Maintaining confidentiality is important to ensure that sensitive information doesn’t end up in the hands of the wrong people. A good information security program consists of a comprehensive set of information security policies and procedures, which is the cornerstone to any security initiative in your organization. Information can … Information systems security does not just deal with computer information, but also protecting data and information in all of its forms, such as telephone conversations. Without senior management commitment, information security is a wasted effort. A business that does not adapt is dead. (2006), “Information is a vital asset to any company, and needs to be appropriately protected.” (as citied in Hong et al, 2003). Information security requirements should be included in contractual agreements. Three Ways to Verify the Identity of an Email, Business continuity and/or disaster recovery plans. Abstract: Information security is importance in any organizations such as business, records keeping, financial and so on. A disgruntled employee is just as dangerous as a hacker from Eastern Europe. If you want your Senior management’s commitment to information security needs to be communicated and understood by all company personnel and third-party partners. Information security refers to the processes and tools designed to protect sensitive business information from invasion, whereas IT security refers to securing digital data, through computer network security. If a system’s security measures make it difficult to use, then users Against that backdrop, highly personal and sensitive information such as social security numbers were recently stolen in the Equifax hack , affecting over 145 million people . Making money is the primary objective, and protecting the information that drives the business is a secondary (and supporting) objective. The consequences of the failure to protect the pillars of information security could lead to the loss of business, regulatory fines, and loss of reputation. Information security protects companies data which is secured in the system from the malicious purpose. This point stresses the importance of addressing information security all of the time. Business unit leaders must see to it that information security permeates through their respective organizations within the company. Why You Need to Document Your Policies and Procedures, Information Security Program Is Critical | AIS Network. Consequences of the failure to protect the pillars of information security could lead to the loss of business, regulatory fines, and loss of reputation. Everyone is responsible for information security! You have the option of being proactive or reactive. 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