Multi-dimensional enterprise-wide security: The goal of an information security policy
This tip is excerpted from Chapter 3 of The Definitive Guide to Security Inside the Perimeter, written by Rebecca Herold and published by Realtimepublishers.com. Read the entire e-book for free.
An information security policy documents executive management's direction on, and commitment to, information security. To be effective, you must communicate the security policy to everyone within your enterprise that handles your information or uses your systems.
An effective information security policy will...
Include a statement of direction from executive management supporting the goals and principles of information security.
Communicate the business risks associated with information security incidents and accidents.
Document information security, responsibilities and the high-level principles personnel must observe.
Specify key activities that must occur within the organization, such as carrying out security classifications and risk analyses, safeguarding important records and reporting suspected security weaknesses.
Require information to be protected in terms of its requirements for availability, integrity and confidentiality.
Emphasize the need for compliance with software licenses and other legal, regulatory and contractual obligations.
Prohibit unauthorized or personal use of the organization's information and systems and the use of obscene, racist or otherwise offensive statements (for example, via e-mail or over the Internet).
Document that disciplinary action will be taken against individuals who violate policy requirements.
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ENTERPRISE-WIDE SECURITY
Introduction
Protection strategies
Risk assessment and analysis methodologies
Define risks
The goal of an information security policy
Due diligence
Corporate reputation
Audit and validation
Simplifying complexity
Divide and conquer
An action plan
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Rebecca Herold is currently an information privacy, security and compliance consultant, author and instructor with her own company, Rebecca Herold, LLC. Rebecca has provided information security, privacy and regulatory services to organizations from a wide range of industries. She has over 15 years of information privacy, security and compliance experience. Rebecca was instrumental in building the information security and privacy program while at Principal Financial Group, which was awarded the 1998 CSI Information Security Program of the Year Award.
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This was first published in January 2006