Why you need information security policy?
Image : Bizsecure
Your customer data is stolen!
What would you do?
Isn't it a good idea to refer to your Information Security Policy first?
A policy define values and views of the organization. They are the fundamental rules and regulations that governs the organization.
All employees must follow the policies to run the business smoothly. They enforce a centralized control over it's business activities and resources.
Some organization policies provide guidance to employees, and others help protect the business from legal risks.
Policies are general statements, which state how an organization should act. Procedures define exactly how a task to be performed step by step. Guidelines are further advise to execute a procedure.
An information security policy is aims to protect information assets of an organization. They are set of instructions to employees to prevent data breaches.
A security policy is important to identify risks and mitigate risks to information.
In most Information Security incident cases, employees are involved directly or indirectly. For instance phishing scams, malware infections, revenge attacks and industrial esponage are common causes. Therefore information security policies, procedures and guidelines are essential to an organization.
An information security policy defines how information assets and resources should be used, managed, and protected in an organisation. It applies to all employees, data, systems, and networks belongs to the organization. It addresses threats and defines strategies and procedures for mitigating information security risks.
The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) defines An information security policy as "an aggregate of directives, regulations, rules, and practices that prescribes how an organization manages, protects, and distributes information."
An information security policy provides the context,
objectives, scope, and goals to ensure information security.
The core components of an information security policy. includes:
1. Roles and responsibilities for Information security.
2. Controls for minimum information security.
3. Procedure for breaking information security policy rules.
An information security policy needs to reflect unique operational aspects and specific threats related to an industry, region, or organization.
For instance a healthcare organization collecting Personal Health Information(PHI) should meet HIPAA regulations while, an organization handling personal data of European citizens must adhere to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). A research and development business need to consider insider threats to protect it's intellectual properties.
An information security policy is a living document. It require regular review and update based changing threat landscape, organisation processes, and regulations because :
Information security a high business priority.
Security protocols need to be up to address threats and compliance requirements.
For accurate issue resolution, disaster recovery, and security management.
To reduce the risks to productivity, finance and reputation resulting from a security incident.
Your information security policy defines the strategies and procedures to reduce vulnerabilities.
It also monitors for incidents, and address security threats.
It provides a clear direction on steps to be taken in the event of a security breach or disaster.
A good information security policy:
Standardizes organization business processes and rules to help protect against threats to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.
Implements recovery procedure to quickly respond to minimize damage to business in the event of an incident.
Enforce security programs across the organization providing a framework for operationalizing the procedures.
Provides clear statement of organizations security policy to third parties
Provides a foundation to meet regulatory compliance requirements.
Information security policy provides a solid for the ISO 27001 compliance process.
Niranjan Meegammana
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