Home > Ask the Security Experts > Security Management Questions & Answers > How can a CSO determine if a company has a data security problem?
Ask The Security Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

How can a CSO determine if a company has a data security problem?

Mike Rothman EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Mike Rothman

Pose a Question
Other Security Categories
Meet all Security Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 16 March 2007
What would a CSO look for in an annual report in order to isolate potential security problems? How can a CSO identify security problems in major corporations by looking at this or, say, a 10-K form?

>
EXPERT RESPONSE
The annual reports are legal documents. All information is considered a potential risk, which may or may not become a problem. Legally, companies get in hot water if something happens and the potential of it happening isn't disclosed. I've never seen an annual report specifically discuss what security controls are in place, since that would give attackers a map of someone's defenses. Considering, I think the 10-K is the wrong place to look for information on security problems.

Though the intent of this question isn't clear, I recommend CSOs focus on internal policy documents, penetration test results and the like. Obviously, that information is not available to outsiders. When trying to determine if a company has had data breach problems in the past, one place to look is the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse's Chronology of Data Breaches. Finally, correlate IP addresses to reputation services to figure out if there are fundamental issues that are present within an organization.

For more information:

  • In this SearchSecurity.com Q&A, security management expert Mike Rothman describes how protecting data and systems is a collaborative effort.
  • Security expert Shon Harris explains the essential elements behind deploying a successful security governance program.


  • Sound Off! -   Be the first to post a message to Sound Off!


    Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


    RELATED CONTENT
    Security Management
    Is it against HIPAA regulations to permanently store sensitive information?
    Two-tier distributed systems vs. three-tier distributed systems
    How to prevent software piracy
    How do ISO 17799 and SAS 70 differ?
    Has FFIEC made any VoIP-specific mandates?
    How are the PCI DSS deadline extensions affecting corporations' desire to become compliant?
    What are the roles of a liaison officer?
    Why are there still various independent credit card security standards?
    What is the best way to administer exams to students via computer?
    How can birth certificate fraud and passport fraud be prevented?

    Data Privacy
    Architect Security and Compliance Programs to Be Complementary
    Information security book excerpts and reviews
    Credit card thieves target small merchants, flawed POS systems, study finds
    RSA attendees see data classification, rights management projects stumble
    Next version of PCI DSS due in September
    Hannaford breach illustrates dangerous compliance mentality
    Data loss prevention (DLP) tools: The new way to prevent identity theft?
    FISA bill would prevent exposure of details of warrantless wiretapping
    TJX offers $40.9 million breach settlement
    Data breach costs soar
    Data Privacy Research

    Identity Theft and Data Security Breaches
    Security data lapses hamper researchers
    Data breaches caused by employee errors, process failures
    Data breach laws have no effect on prevention, researchers say
    Walter Reed admits breach of patient information
    Address Authentication and Transaction Validation Protocols to Stem Identity Theft
    Stolen data ending up in Google cache, say researchers
    Security breach management: Planning and preparation
    Societe Generale bolsters internal controls, discovers second insider
    Companies still monitoring email manually, survey finds
    NSS Labs to focus research on PCI technologies

    RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
    Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
    cypherpunk  (SearchSecurity.com)
    P3P  (SearchSecurity.com)

    RELATED RESOURCES
    2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
    Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
    Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



    Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
    Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
    Browse our Expert Advice

    TechTarget Security Media
    Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
    Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
    SearchSecurity.com
    HomeNewsMagazineWebcastsWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts