project it security policy framework assignment

IT Security Policy: Key Components & Best Practices for Every Business

Back in 2017, The Economist declared that the world’s most valuable resource is data. And a cursory look at the 2020 Forbes most valuable brands most valuable brands reveals that indeed tech runs the world now.

The downside of this is significant. There’s now great pressure on companies to secure the information in their custody. Recent hacks involving SolarWinds , Twitter , and Garmin indicate that threats to information security continue to evolve, and all organizations have no option but to put in the legwork to establish and maintain required cybersecurity controls, whether their IT is on-premise, on cloud or outsourced.

From a governance perspective, an IT Security Policy is at the heart of this effort.

(This article is part of our Security & Compliance Guide . Use the right-hand menu to navigate.)

Why do we need an IT security policy?

According to the ISO 27001:2013 standard, the objective of information security (InfoSec) policies is to provide management direction and support for information security in accordance with business requirements and relevant laws and regulations.

An IT security policy is a type of administrative control that communicates to all stakeholders involved in IT so that they understand what is expected of them in reducing the risks associated with information security. (It is not limited only to the security team.)

It also demonstrates the commitment by the highest level of leadership within the organization to the ideals of the policy, therefore providing direction for the rest of the employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

(Explore the roles of Chief Information Security Officer and the security team .)

Whether at a strategic or tactical level, the IT security policy states ‘why’ the organization has taken a position to secure its IT systems. Most times, the rationale comes from:

• The value that the information held brings to the organization
• The need for trust from customers and stakeholders
• The obligation to comply with applicable laws

This is crucial from a governance perspective as it sets the tone for the design and implementation of IT security controls, and also institutes the relevant roles and responsibilities required for IT security to be managed effectively.

What’s in an IT security policy?

At the core of any IT security policy is understanding and managing the risks to IT systems and data.

How the organization does this is by defining their chosen approach to achieving the required security posture or characteristics through relevant administrative, physical, and technical controls.

The ITIL® 4 Information Security Management practice spells out some of these security characteristics as follows:

• Confidentiality: The prevention of information being disclosed or made available to unauthorized entities.
• Availability: A characteristic of information that ensures it is able to be used when needed.
• Integrity: An assurance that information is accurate and can only be modified by authorized personnel and activities.
• Authentication: Verification that a characteristic or attribute which appears or is claimed to be true is in fact true.
• Non-repudiation: Providing undeniable proof that an alleged event happened, or an alleged action was performed, and that this event or action was performed by a particular entity.

(Learn more about the CIA triad and additional security characteristics .)

The structure and size of an IT security policy varies from one organization to another, depending on their context:

• Some organizations deploy a large document with a lot of information on the controls.
• Others go for the simpler one-pager that references and points to other supporting documentation.

In terms of content, we can borrow from the CMMC model on what to include in your security policy:

• Purpose and scope
• Roles and responsibilities
• Establishment of procedures to meet the policy’s intent
• Regulatory guidelines addressed
• Endorsement by management and dissemination to appropriate stakeholders
• Framework for periodic review and updating
• Reference to applicable sub-policies, procedures and controls

IT security policy best practices

Regardless of the structure, what matters in an IT security policy is that you’re sending out a clear message to the entire organization and its stakeholders on what is required from an IT security standpoint.

The policy must be clear and unambiguous, with the right level of detail for the audience, and made easy to read and understand, especially for non-security experts.

Like other organizational-wide policies , you should create the IT security policy with the input of all relevant stakeholders. It would be imprudent for the IT management to develop a policy by themselves, without the buy-in of business users and external suppliers who they would expect to comply with it. Getting the input of stakeholders ensures broad based support in its implementation and compliance.

Alongside this is the need to communicate the policy to users and suppliers. The best bet for entrenching the IT security policy as the first line of defense against cybersecurity risks are these activities:

• Holding regular security awareness sessions for existing users.
• Establishing onboarding sessions for new users.
• Embedding policy requirements in supplier contracts.

A risk-based approach should be used for maintaining the IT security policy.

As your organization monitors and assesses the evolving risks to your IT infrastructure and data, you’ll need to update this policy to ensure its relevance to the changing context.

In addition, measuring compliance to the IT security policy provides feedback to management on whether the policy itself is still effective and relevant. According to COBIT , some sample metrics related to policy compliance include:

• Number of incidents related to noncompliance with policy
• Percentage of stakeholders who understand policies
• Percentage of policies supported by effective standards and working practices

IT security policies aren’t optional

An IT security policy that addresses, in particular, information security, is one of your most critical business policies. Without one, you risk your entire business.

Related reading

• BMC Security & Compliance Blog
• Introduction to Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
• Cybersecurity: A Beginner’s Guide
• Top IT Security, InfoSec & Cybersecurity Conferences

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About the author.

Joseph Mathenge

Joseph is a global best practice trainer and consultant with over 14 years corporate experience. His passion is partnering with organizations around the world through training, development, adaptation, streamlining and benchmarking their strategic and operational policies and processes in line with best practice frameworks and international standards. His specialties are IT Service Management, Business Process Reengineering, Cyber Resilience and Project Management.

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A N INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) security policy framework supports business objectives and legal obligations. It also promotes an organization’s core values. It defines how an organization identifies, manages, and disposes of risk. A core objective of a security framework is to establish a strong control mindset, which creates an organization’s risk culture.

So selecting the right information security framework is important. There are a variety of frameworks in industry to choose from. A number of these are industry specific. Others offer a comprehensive view of IT that cuts across all industries. Which one is right for your organization will depend on the organization’s needs, the employees’ ...

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ISO 27001 Information Security Policy: Ultimate Guide

Home / ISO 27001 Templates / ISO 27001 Information Security Policy: Ultimate Guide

Table of contents

Introduction, what is the iso 27001 information security policy, how to write an iso27001:2022 information security policy, how does it work, iso 27001 information security policy template, iso 27001 information security policy pdf example, why is an information security policy important, how can i create an information security policy, how to implement an information security policy, iso 27001 information security policy framework, how to write an iso 27001 information security policy, information security policy mapped to iso 27001, iso 27001 information security policy faq, iso 27001 information security policy template overview.

In this ultimate guide I show you everything you need to know about the ISO 27001 information security policy . Exposing the insider trade secrets, giving you the templates that will save you hours of your life and showing you exactly what you need to do to satisfy it for  ISO 27001 certification . I show you exactly what changed in the ISO 27001:2022 update. I am  Stuart Barker the ISO 27001 Ninja  and this is the ISO 27001 information security policy

The information security policy is a high level policy that sets out what the management approach of the organisation is. It includes some key elements such as management and leadership buy in. As a stand alone document it can be shared with staff to explain what they should be doing and with customers and potential customers to assure them you are doing the right thing.

The ISO27001 standard was updated in 2022 and this guide shows you how to write an Information Security Policy to meet the requirements of the updated standard.

You can learn more by reading: How to implement ISO27001 Clause 5.2 Policy and Pass the Audit

You are going to have a pack of policies that are required by ISO 27001 . This makes good, practical sense for a governance framework. It could all be in one document but there are practical benefits to having separate policies. By having separate policy documents, they are:

• easy to communicate and to share with the people they are relevant to
• easy to assign an owner who will keep it up to date and implement it
• easy to review and sign off

Designed to save hours of work and prewritten and fully populated the ISO 27001 Information Security Policy Template meets the requirements of ISO 27001 and other leading frameworks.

The 2022 Updated Edition ISO27001 Information Security Policy Example PDF .

Below is an example ISO27001 Information Security Policy extract of the contents page so you know what to include.

An  information security policy  is important because your organisation processes, stores and transmits valuable data and information. To understand the value of an  information security policy , let’s break out the data we are protecting into three parts.

Customer Data:  what ever your product or service, you are going to be handling customer data of some description. It could be customer personal information, order information, technical information. What is fundamental is that your customer cares deeply about that information. They also care about how you are taking care and protecting it. 

Employee Data : you have employees and you have their most private and personal information. It is likely that you have names, address, bank details, social security and tax information, sickness information, performance data, pension information and more. Your employees care deeply about the protection of their most private information. 

Company Data:  you have financial data relating to your performance, you have customer databases and CRM, you potentially have intellectual property or secrets about the way you conduct business. Your owners care a lot about protecting this to protect their profits.

The easiest way to create and information security policy is to download and  information security policy template  and tailor it your organisation. By downloading a trusted template most of the hard work has been done for you.

This video on How To Create An Information Security Policy has been viewed over 13,000 times. If you are doing it yourself watch and learn step by step how to create an information security policy in under 5 minutes.

An i nformation security policy  is a document that is created by the organisation. Usually created in Microsoft Word with the final version saved as a PDF. It will be based on best practice such as the  ISO 27001  the international standard for information security. It will have key common elements within it that are standard across every organisation. The information security policy will be approved by senior management and then shared with employees to let them know what is expected of them. It may form part of annual employee training. The policies will be reviewed, updated and reissued at least annually. As part of most customer tenders and bids you will be asked for a copy of your information security policy and it will be shared with them.

The information security management system is built upon an information security policy framework . In conjunction with this policy, the following policies make up the policy framework :

• Data Protection Policy
• Data Retention Policy
• ISO 27001 Information Security Policy ( this policy )
• ISO 27001 Access Control Policy
• ISO 27001 Asset Management Policy
• ISO 27001 Risk Management Policy
• ISO 27001 Information Classification and Handling Policy
• ISO 27001 Information Security Awareness and Training Policy
• ISO 27001 Acceptable Use Policy
• ISO 27001 Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy
• ISO 27001 Mobile and Teleworking Policy
• ISO 27001 Business Continuity Policy
• ISO 27001 Backup Policy
• ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy
• ISO 27001 Change Management Policy
• ISO 27001 Third Party Supplier Security Policy
• ISO 27001 Continual Improvement Policy
• ISO 27001 Logging and Monitoring Policy
• ISO 27001 Network Security Management Policy
• ISO 27001 Information Transfer Policy
• ISO 27001 Secure Development Policy
• ISO 27001 Physical and Environmental Security Policy
• ISO 27001 Cryptographic Key Management Policy
• ISO 27001 Cryptographic Control and Encryption Policy
• ISO 27001 Document and Record Policy

Time needed:  4 hours and 30 minutes

How to write an information security policy

ISO 27001 documents require version control of the author, the change, the date and the version as well as document mark up such as document classification.

Write the purpose of the document. The purpose of this policy is to protect against loss of data.

Consider the scope of the information security policy. It should really apply to all employees and third party staff working for your company.

The principle of the policy is the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. It is about the security and protection of of confidential data.

Write a statement from the most senior person in the organisation about the organisations commitment to information security. Provide a date for the quote.

Provided a definition for information security and for the terms confidentiality, integrity and availbabilty.

Provide a description of the policy framework and the policies that are part of it.

Create a definition of each of the roles for information security and what their responsibilities are.

Layout the measures and monitors that you will use to verify that the information security is effective.

Working with legal counsel set out the laws and regulations that your organisation follows

Provide for how compliance to the policy will be acheived.

Let’s map the information security policy template to each version of the ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001:2022

ISO 27001:2022 Clause 5 Leadership

ISO 27001:2022 Clause 5.1 Leadership and commitment

ISO 27001:2022 Clause 5.2 Policy

ISO 27001:2022 Clause 6.2 Information security objectives and planning to achieve them

ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.3 Awareness

ISO 27002:2022

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 5 Organisational Controls

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 5.1 Policies for information security

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 5.36 Compliance with policies, rules, and standards for information security

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 5.4 Management Responsibilities

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 6 People Controls

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 6.3 Information security awareness, education, and training

ISO 27002:2022 Clause 6.4 Disciplinary process

ISO 27001:2013/17

ISO 27001:2013/2017 Clause 5 Leadership

ISO 27001:2013/2017 Clause 5.1 Leadership and commitment

ISO 27001:2013/2017 Clause 5.2 Policy

ISO 27001:2013/2017 Clause 6.2 Information security objectives and planning to achieve them

ISO 27001:2013/2017 Clause 7.3 Awareness

ISO 27002:2013/17

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 5 Information security policies

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 5.1 Management direction for information security

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 5.1.1 Policies for information security

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 5.1.2 Review of the policies for information security

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 7 Human resource security

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 7.2.1 Management Responsibilities

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 7.2.2 Information security awareness, education, and training

ISO 27002:2013/2017 Clause 7.2.3 Disciplinary process

The purpose of the policy is to set out the information security policies that apply to the company to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

The scope of the policy is all employees and third-party users. This includes permanent staff, contractors, consultants and third party supplier employees working for your business.

Information security is managed based on risk, legal and regulatory requirements and business need.

Yes. Having a statement in the policy from the Chief Executive is a good way to record leadership commitment.

An information security policy sets out what you do for information security. It covers the what you do not how you do it. How you do it is covered in process, procedure and operating documents. It sets a clear direction for the organisation.

Yes. An Information Security Policy is a key requirement of ISO 27001 forming part of ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 / Annex A .

A copy of the information security policy template and best practice can be found here: https://hightable.io/product/information-security-policy-template/

Access to information is to those with appropriate authority. The right people with the right access.

Information is complete and accurate The right people with the right access to the right data.

Information is available when it is needed The right people with the right access to the right data at the right time.

CIA is the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of data.

Yes, it is a required element of the ISO 27001 certification.

Document Version Control Document Contents Page Purpose Scope Information Security Policy Principle Chief Executives Statement of Commitment Introduction Information Security Defined Information Security Objectives Information Security Policy Framework Information Security Roles and Responsibilities Monitoring Legal and Regulatory Obligations Policy Compliance Compliance Measurement Exceptions Non-Compliance Continual Improvement

Stop Spanking £10,000s on consultants and ISMS online-tools.

Do It Yourself ISO 27001 with the Ultimate ISO 27001 Toolkit.

ISO 27001 QUICK LINKs

Iso 27001 clauses.

ISO 27001 Clause 4.1 Understanding The Organisation And Its Context

ISO 27001 Clause 4.2 Understanding The Needs And Expectations of Interested Parties

ISO 27001 Clause 4.3 Determining The Scope Of The Information Security Management System

ISO 27001 Clause 4.4 Information Security Management System

ISO 27001 Clause 5.1 Leadership and Commitment

ISO 27001 Clause 5.3 Organisational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities

ISO 27001 Clause 6.1.1 Planning General

ISO 27001 Clause 6.1.2 Information Security Risk Assessment

ISO 27001 Clause 6.1.3 Information Security Risk Treatment

ISO 27001 Clause 6.2 Information Security Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them

ISO 27001 Clause 7.1 Resources

ISO 27001 Clause 7.2 Competence

ISO 27001 Clause 7.3 Awareness

ISO 27001 Clause 7.4 Communication

ISO 27001 Clause 7.5.1 Documented Information

ISO 27001 Clause 7.5.2 Creating and Updating Documented Information

ISO 27001 Clause 7.5.3 Control of Documented Information

ISO 27001 Clause 8.1 Operational Planning and Control

ISO 27001 Clause 8.2 Information Security Risk Assessment

ISO 27001 Clause 8.3 Information Security Risk Treatment

ISO 27001 Clause 9.1 Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis, Evaluation

ISO 27001 Clause 9.2 Internal Audit

ISO 27001 Clause 9.3 Management Review

ISO 27001 Clause 10.1 Continual Improvement

ISO 27001 Clause 10.2 Nonconformity and Corrective Action

Organisational Controls - A5

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.1   Policies for information security

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.2 Information Security Roles and Responsibilities

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.3 Segregation of duties

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.4 Management responsibilities

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.5 Contact with authorities

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.6 Contact with special interest groups

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.7 Threat intelligence  –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 In formation security in project management

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.9 Inventory of information and other associated assets  –  change

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable use of information and other associated assets  –  change

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.11 Return of assets

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.13 Labelling of information

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.14 Information transfer

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.15 Access control

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.16 Identity management

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.17 Authentication information –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.18 Access rights –  change

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.19 Information security in supplier relationships

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.20 Addressing information security within supplier agreements

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.21 Managing information security in the ICT supply chain  –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.22 Monitoring, review and change management of supplier services –  change

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.23 Information security for use of cloud services –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.24 Information security incident management planning and preparation  –  change

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.25 Assessment and decision on information security events 

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.26 Response to information security incidents

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.27 Learning from information security incidents

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.28 Collection of evidence

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.29 Information security during disruption  –  change

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.30 ICT readiness for business continuity –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.31 Identification of legal, statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.32 Intellectual property rights

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.33 Protection of records

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.34 Privacy and protection of PII

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.35 Independent review of information security

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.36 Compliance with policies and standards for information security

ISO 27001 Annex A 5.37 Documented operating procedures 

Technology Controls - A8

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.1 User Endpoint Devices

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.2 Privileged Access Rights

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.3 Information Access Restriction

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.4 Access To Source Code

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.5 Secure Authentication

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.6 Capacity Management

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.7 Protection Against Malware

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.8 Management of Technical Vulnerabilities

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.9 Configuration Management 

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.10 Information Deletion

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.11 Data Masking

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.12 Data Leakage Prevention

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.13 Information Backup

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.14 Redundancy of Information Processing Facilities

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.15 Logging

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.16 Monitoring Activities

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.17 Clock Synchronisation

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.18 Use of Privileged Utility Programs

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.19 Installation of Software on Operational Systems

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.20 Network Security

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.21 Security of Network Services

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.22 Segregation of Networks

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.23 Web Filtering

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.24 Use of Cryptography ISO27001 Annex A 8.25 Secure Development Life Cycle

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.26 Application Security Requirements

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.27 Secure Systems Architecture and Engineering Principles

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.28 Secure Coding

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.29 Security Testing in Development and Acceptance

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.30 Outsourced Development

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.31 Separation of Development, Test and Production Environments

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.32 Change Management

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.33 Test Information

ISO 27001 Annex A 8.34 Protection of information systems during audit testing

People Controls - A6

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.1 Screening

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.2 Terms and conditions of employment

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.3 Information security awareness, education and training

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.4 Disciplinary process

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.5 Responsibilities after termination or change of employment

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.6   Confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.7 Remote working  –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 6.8 Information security event reporting 

Physical Controls - A7

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.1 Physical security perimeter

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.2 Physical entry controls

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.3 Securing offices, rooms and facilities

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.4 Physical security monitoring

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.5 Protecting against physical and environmental threats

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.6 Working in secure areas

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.7 Clear desk and clear screen

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.8 Equipment siting and protection

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.9 Security of assets off-premises

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.10 Storage media –  new

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.11 Supporting Utilities

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.12 Cabling Security

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.13 Equipment Maintenance

ISO 27001 Annex A 7.14 Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment

Implementing the policy

After you have defined your needs for a security policy, you can use Secure Perspective to implement that policy. Use the tips in this topic to help you get started writing a security policy with Secure Perspective.

• Enter the data types that you identified into Secure Perspective as Resources .
• Enter the roles that you identified into Secure Perspective as Actors .
• Enter the data interactions that you identified into Secure Perspective as Actions .
• Create clear, meaningful policy statements.
• Identify the systems that contain relevant data that need to be connected to the controlling system. On Secure Perspective, add these machines to the system configuration list .
• Connect policy terms to digital assets. Be aware of the file system’s hierarchy and how this affects users’ access to files within directories. In Secure Perspective, map resources to data assets, actors to user profiles, and actions to system actions.
• Check current compliance. You may need to make adjustments on your system if it fails to comply with your policy. After applying patches or fixes, you might want to run a compliance check.
• Use problem prediction to determine whether your current processes could be affected by the application of your security policy. You may need to modify your policy if it interferes with essential system procedures.
• Use Secure Perspective to apply the policy. You can read the report for details and investigate any questionable failures. Undo the policy and make adjustments as necessary.

CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework.docx

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CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework To Purchase Click Link Below: http://strtutorials.com/CIS-462-WK-4-Assignment-1-IT-Security-Policy-Framework-CIS4622.htm CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework Establishing an... More

CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework To Purchase Click Link Below: http://strtutorials.com/CIS-462-WK-4-Assignment-1-IT-Security-Policy-Framework-CIS4622.htm CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework Establishing an effective Information Technology Security Policy Framework is critical in the development of a comprehensive security program. Additionally, there are many security frameworks that organizations commonly reference when developing their security programs. Review the security frameworks provided by NIST (SP 800-53), ISO / IEC 27000 series, and COBIT. Assume that you have been hired as a consultant by a medium-sized insurance organization and have been asked to draft an IT Security Policy Framework. You may create and / or assume all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment. Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you: 1. Select a security framework, describe the framework selected, and design an IT Security Less

CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework To Purchase Click Link Below: http://strtutorials.com/CIS-462-WK-4-Assignment-1-IT-Security-Policy-Framework-CIS4622.htm CIS 462 WK 4 Assignment 1 - IT Security Policy Framework Establishing an effective Information Technology Security Policy Framework is critical in the development of a comprehensive security program. Additionally, there are many security frameworks that organizations commonly reference when developing their security programs. Review the security frameworks provided by NIST (SP 800-53), ISO / IEC 27000 series, and COBIT. Assume that you have been hired as a consultant by a medium-sized insurance organization and have been asked to draft an IT Security Policy Framework. You may create and / or assume all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment. Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you: 1. Select a security framework, describe the framework selected, and design an IT Security Policy Framework for the organization. 2. Describe the importance of and method of establishing compliance of IT security controls with U.S. laws and regulations, and how organizations can align their policies and controls with the applicable regulations. 3. Analyze the business challenges within each of the seven (7) domains in developing an effective IT Security Policy Framework. More Details of the Question are hidden... Visit : www.strtutorials.com

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Information Security Policy: Examples and 11 Elements of a Successful Policy

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What Is an Information Security Policy? 

10.5 Minute Read

An information security policy is a set of rules, guidelines, and procedures that outline how an organization should manage, protect, and distribute its information assets. The policy aims to reduce the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and other security threats by providing a structured approach to information security management.

An effective information security policy should be tailored to the organization's specific needs and risk profile, as well as being regularly updated to account for changes in the threat landscape, technology, and business environment.

In this article:

Why Does Your Organization Need an Information Security Policy?

Acceptable use policy (aup), network security policy, access control policy, data management policy, remote access policy, vendor management policy, 11 key elements of an information security policy.

Information security policies play a critical role in an organization's overall security posture. They serve as a foundation for establishing a secure environment and mitigating potential risks. The value of information security policies can be outlined as follows:

• Risk management: Information security policies provide a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and managing risks associated with information assets. By addressing vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate controls, organizations can minimize the potential damage caused by security incidents.
• Security culture and awareness: Information security policies promote a culture of security awareness within an organization. By providing training and resources, organizations can educate employees on security best practices and encourage them to play an active role in protecting information assets.
• Trust and reputation: By implementing and maintaining a robust information security policy, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer, employee, and partner data. This fosters trust and confidence, which is crucial for maintaining a positive reputation and building strong business relationships.
• Competitive advantage: As data breaches and cyberattacks become more common, organizations with effective information security policies can differentiate themselves from competitors. Demonstrating strong security practices can provide a competitive advantage, particularly when dealing with clients or partners who prioritize data protection.
• Cost savings: By proactively addressing security risks, organizations can reduce the financial impact of security incidents, including costs associated with data breaches, system downtime, and regulatory fines.
• Continuous improvement: Information security policies include processes for regular monitoring, auditing, and reviewing security practices. This allows organizations to identify areas for improvement, adapt to evolving threats, and ensure that their security measures remain effective over time.

Examples of Information Security Policies

The AUP sets the ground rules for using an organization's IT resources, including computers, mobile devices, networks, email systems, and the internet. It aims to prevent activities that may compromise security, violate laws or regulations, or harm productivity. Key elements of an AUP may include:

• Prohibited activities (e.g., accessing malicious websites, downloading copyrighted materials, using offensive language in communications).
• Guidelines for email and instant messaging usage (e.g., avoiding phishing scams, not sharing sensitive information via email).
• Rules for using social media and personal devices in the workplace.
• Procedures for reporting security incidents or policy violations.
• Consequences for violating the policy (e.g., disciplinary actions, termination).

This policy provides a framework for securing an organization's network infrastructure. It may include:

• Network architecture and design principles (e.g., segmentation, redundancy).
• Firewall management and configuration (e.g., rules for inbound/outbound traffic, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts).
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems (e.g., monitoring for suspicious network activity, automatic response mechanisms).
• Wireless network security (e.g., secure encryption protocols, strong authentication methods).
• Guidelines for connecting personal devices to the network (e.g., BYOD policies).

This policy defines how access to information assets is granted, managed, and monitored. It may include:

• User authentication methods (e.g., passwords, multi-factor authentication, biometrics).
• Role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC) models.
• Procedures for granting, modifying, and revoking access rights (e.g., approval workflows, regular access reviews).
• Password management guidelines (e.g., password complexity requirements, expiration periods, storage best practices).
• Logging and monitoring of user activities (e.g., tracking login attempts, auditing access to sensitive data).

This policy governs the entire data lifecycle, from creation and storage to disposal. It may include:

• Data classification schemes (e.g., public, internal, confidential, top secret).
• Handling procedures for different data types (e.g., storage locations, access restrictions, encryption requirements).
• Data backup and recovery processes (e.g., frequency, storage media, offsite storage).
• Data retention and disposal policies (e.g., legal requirements, secure deletion methods).
• Guidelines for sharing data internally and externally (e.g., secure file transfer methods, third-party data sharing agreements).

This policy sets the rules for employees and contractors who access the organization's network and resources remotely. It may include:

• Approved remote access technologies (e.g., VPNs, remote desktop applications).
• Authentication and encryption requirements for remote connections.
• Device security guidelines (e.g., antivirus software, system updates, device encryption).
• Restrictions on remote access locations and networks (e.g., prohibiting public Wi-Fi connections).
• Procedures for revoking remote access privileges (e.g., when an employee leaves the organization).

This policy aims to ensure that third-party vendors maintain appropriate security standards when handling an organization's information assets. It may include:

• Criteria for selecting and evaluating vendors (e.g., security certifications, financial stability, past performance).
• Requirements for vendor contracts (e.g., security clauses, confidentiality agreements, data ownership).
• Vendor risk assessments and audits (e.g., reviewing security policies, testing security controls).
• Procedures for monitoring vendor compliance and performance (e.g., regular reporting, incident response coordination).
• Guidelines for terminating vendor relationships (e.g., secure data return or destruction, revoking access to systems, handling contractual obligations and penalties, post-contract reviews and lessons learned).

While the specifics may vary depending on the organization's size, industry, and regulatory environment, the following key elements are generally found in an effective information security policy:

• Purpose and scope: Clearly state the objectives of the policy, the types of information and systems it covers, and the people it applies to (e.g., employees, contractors, vendors).
• Roles and responsibilities: Define the roles and responsibilities of individuals or teams related to information security. This should include top management, the information security team, IT staff, and general employees.
• Risk management: Outline the approach to identifying, assessing, and managing risks related to information assets, including the process for conducting risk assessments and implementing appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Asset management: Establish guidelines for identifying, classifying, and handling information assets, covering areas such as data classification, ownership, acceptable use, and disposal.
• Access control: Describe the methods and procedures for granting, modifying, and revoking access to information assets, based on the principles of least privilege and separation of duties. This should include guidelines for user authentication, password management, and monitoring of user activities.
• Physical and environmental security: Address the protection of information assets from physical threats, such as theft, damage, or unauthorized access. This may include guidelines for securing server rooms, workstations, and storage media, as well as disaster recovery planning.
• Incident management: Define the process for detecting, reporting, and responding to security incidents and breaches, including the roles and responsibilities of those involved in incident response and communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery: Establish the processes and plans for maintaining critical operations and recovering from data loss or system failures, including backup procedures, recovery objectives, and emergency response teams.
• Compliance: Address the organization's legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations related to information security, outlining the measures in place to ensure compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.
• Training and awareness: Ensure that employees and other relevant parties receive the appropriate training according to the organization's security policies and procedures and are aware of their responsibilities related to information security.
• Monitoring, auditing, and review: Describe the processes for regularly monitoring and auditing the organization's security practices to ensure their effectiveness and compliance with the information security policy. This should include provisions for updating the policy based on changes in the threat landscape, technology, or business environment.

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Learn more about the HackerOne Attack Resistance Platform

Security Policy: What It Is, Types and Key Components

When you hear the phrase “security policy,” a number of things may come to mind — cyberattacks, malware, data breach es and the like. While these are some reasons an organization might create security policies, a security policy for an organization covers protection of not only its digital assets, but its physical assets as well. 

So, what is a security policy? Simply put, a security policy is a written document that addresses access to an organization’s physical and digital assets. According to the  National Institute of  Standards and  Technology (NIST), security policies clarify what  organizations need to do and why it’s necessary. However, these policies don’t get into the specifics of how organizations should achieve it. That’s because the how can vary depending on the situation and the technology in use. 

This article explains the key elements of a security policy and different types of security policies that organizations can establish. It also provides security policy examples and answers frequently asked questions regarding security policies.

Compliance Audit Software

Key Components of a Security Policy

A security policy must include the following important components:

Policy Purpose

Each security policy should only cover one specific subject. The purpose section explains why the security policy exists and what it governs. There are no hard rules for how you should write your policy statement or how long it should be. The overriding criterion is that it should effectively and unambiguously articulate the fundamental purpose of the security policy. 

If needed, this section may include additional context for the policy. For example, it may explain a particular problem the policy is designed to avoid, or it may list compliance requirements that the organization must meet.

Scope and Applicability

Different types of security policies cover different aspects of security. Therefore, it is imperative that you detail the scope of your security policy — the boundaries of what the security policy does and does not cover and where its rules do and do not apply.

This section should also define who the security policy applies to, such as all employees, contractors and third-party vendors.

Policy Guidelines

This is the body of the policy. It should clearly list what various actors (employees, contractors, etc.) should and should not do.

The guidelines should be technology independent so the policy stays relevant and actionable even if your organization switches to different applications, platforms or devices. However, the policy guidelines typically do require an update when there are changes in business processes, external risks or compliance requirements.

Policy Compliance

A policy is only as good as the feedback mechanism associated with it. Essentially, this section must answer two questions: “How do we know whether the policy is working?” and “How do we know when something happens that does not conform to the policy”?

This section may also include guidelines for exception handling. For example, it might list who should approve the exceptions and time limit requirements for the exceptions.

It can also include a formal statement of consequences for non-compliance. Make sure to consult with your HR team if you need to add this type of statement to the policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Your security policy can also identify the different roles associated with and responsible for security policies and procedures. You don’t need to define common roles like Auditor or CSO, just the roles that are specific to the policy. Examples include the following: 

• A data security policy may need to define the role of data custodian.
• An incident response policy may define the role of security incident response team.

Related Policies and Procedures

This is an optional section that can refer to other related policies. For example, your remote access policy might refer to the parts of your password management policy that explain how to restore lost network access and reset a forgotten password.

This section can also include links to the specific procedures that go into detail of how the policy should be implemented.

Policy Review and Updates

Finally, each policy must include a clear statement about when and how it will be reviewed and updated. Creating a security policy isn’t a one-time project. As threats evolve and your organization changes, so should your policy. You should therefore outline how you’ll conduct policy reviews and updates and how frequently you’ll do so. 

Types of Security Policies

There are several types of security policies your organization can use depending on its operations and mission. Established sources like SANS provide valuable guidance and templates for creating security policies.

Here are some security policies your organization might create: 

Information Security Policy

An information security policy is the foundation of an organization’s overall security policy. It provides a framework for consistent and coordinated security efforts, ensuring that all aspects of information, including data, technology and people, are protected.

Data Security Policy (Data Protection Policy)

A data security policy is essential for protecting sensitive and confidential data, which is a primary target for cyberattacks. It ensures that this data is handled appropriately and that the organization complies with data protection laws like GDPR and HIPAA. It addresses how data is collected, stored, processed and shared to maintain its confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Data Classification Policy

A data classification policy outlines how your organization classifies the data it handles. It helps everyone understand the kinds of data in use and outlines the rules for handling it, and helps you ensure you have the right measures in place to protect the data appropriately.

Data classification policies usually organize data based on purpose and sensitivity. The purpose of data concerns why you have it and what you use it for. Sensitivity looks at how critical the data is to your organization’s operations, reputation and legal responsibilities.

Risk Assessment Policy

This policy defines how to identify, evaluate and manage risks associated with your organization’s operations and assets. It will typically highlight the following details:

• The methods and procedures for identifying and cataloging potential risks
• The criteria and processes for evaluating the potential impact and likelihood of identified risks
• Strategies for reducing, mitigating or transferring risks once they are identified and assessed
• Who is responsible for conducting risk assessments, evaluating risks and implementing mitigation measures
• How risk assessment findings will be communicated to relevant stakeholders, including the frequency and format of reports
• How often risk assessments will be conducted and how frequently they will be reviewed and updated to adapt to changing circumstances, technologies and threats

Incident Detection Policy

This policy outlines the procedures and tools used to detect security incidents in your organization. It is essential for early detection and containment of security or data breaches. It defines the types of incidents, the roles and responsibilities for incident detection, and the use of intrusion detection systems (IDS), log monitoring and other tools.

Employee Awareness and Training Policy

Employees are often the first line of defense against cybersecurity threats. Therefore, an employee security awareness and training policy is crucial for managing and preventing security incidents. This policy educates employees on security best practices, risks and their responsibilities in maintaining a secure work environment. It outlines the requirements, topics and frequency of training. It may also include measures to test employee awareness.

Password Management Policy

Strong password practices help safeguard sensitive information and systems from unauthorized access through secure management of passwords. It covers password complexity requirements, expiration policies, account lockout rules, secure storage and more.

For organizations that have implemented multifactor authentication (MFA), password management can be a part of a broader User Authentication policy that specifies which systems and processes must be protected with MFA and lists any exceptions.

Remote Access Policy

A remote access policy outlines the rules and procedures for how employees access your organization’s network and resources away from the office. It defines who is eligible for remote access, as well as the authentication methods, encryption requirements and security measures for remote devices.

Email Policy

Email is the most common form of business communication, and emails often contain sensitive data. It’s therefore essential to have an email policy that protect against email-related risks to security, privacy and compliance. Email policies specify email usage guidelines, encryption requirements, handling of sensitive information and acceptable email practices.

Bring-Your-Own-Device Policy

This policy governs the use of personal devices for work purposes. It defines device security requirements, data access and storage rules, and responsibilities for device management.

Acceptable Use Policy

An acceptable use policy helps maintain network security, protect against legal liabilities and ensure employees use resources responsibly. It outlines acceptable and unacceptable practices for the organization computers, networks and other resources, such as internet usage, software installation and personal use such as accessing social media.

Backup Policy

Backups are critical for recovering from data loss, system failures and security incidents, so it’s vital to have a policy that defines your organization’s strategy for regular backups. It states the frequency of backups, the types of data or systems to be backed up, storage locations, and backup retention periods.

Disaster Recovery Policy

A well-defined disaster recovery policy helps an organization minimize downtime and data loss in the face of disasters by establishing procedures and strategies for resuming operations. It covers recovery of data and systems, as well as roles and responsibilities during recovery efforts.

Some organizations consolidate all facets of security into a single security policy document. Others craft distinct policy documents for each specific aspect of security. Whichever approach you choose, ensure that your policies are actionable and verifiable.

Remember that it’s not enough to simply create policies; you also need effective implementation, enforcement and regular review to adapt to evolving security threats and technologies. Engaging employees, providing training and fostering a security-conscious culture are equally important in achieving the goals outlined in your security policies.

What is a security policy?

A security policy is a foundational document that outlines the organization’s approach to securing its digital and physical assets.

What should a security policy include?

A security policy can contain any information that helps your organization protect and govern its assets. However, most security policies include the following components:

• Compliance requirements
• Review and update schedule

What are examples of security policies?

Examples of security policies include:

• Information security policy
• Data security policy ( data protection policy )
• Data classification policy
• Risk assessment policy
• Incident detection policy
• Employee awareness and training policy
• Password management policy
• Remote access policy
• Email policy
• Bring-your-own-device policy
• Acceptable use policy
• Backup policy
• Disaster recovery policy

What is the main purpose of a security policy?

The main purpose of a security policy is to establish a network security framework and set of guidelines that define how an organization will protect its assets, including data, systems, personnel and physical resources. 

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• Register for Classes

CSS 245: Security Policies and Implementation Issues

Course description.

The course will focus on security policies that can be used to help protect and maintain a network, such as password policy, e-mail policy and Internet policy. Topics also include organizational behavior and crisis management. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

• ITE 145: Fundamentals of Information Systems Security

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify the role of an information systems security (ISS) policy framework in overcoming business challenges.
• Recognize the relationship between business drivers and information systems security policies.
• Understand the relationship between regulatory compliance requirements and information system security policies.
• Explain how security policies help mitigate risks and support business processes in various domains of a typical IT infrastructure.
• Explain issues related to security policy implementations and the keys to success.
• Describe the components and basic requirements for creating a security policy framework.
• Describe how to design, organize, implement, and maintain IT security policies.
• Describe the different methods, roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of personnel, along with the governance and compliance of a security policy framework.
• Describe the different ISS policies associated with the user domain.
• Describe the different ISS policies associated with the IT infrastructure.
• Describe the different ISS policies associated with risk management.
• Describe the different ISS policies associated with incident response teams (IRTs).
• Describe issues related to implementing ISS policies.
• Describe issues related to enforcing ISS policies.
• Describe the different issues related to defining, tracking, monitoring, reporting, automating, and organizing compliance systems and emerging technologies.

Course Activities and Grading

Required textbooks.

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

• Jones & Bartlett (2021). Navigate 2 Ebook Access for Security Policies and Implentation Issues . Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. ISBN-13: 978-1-284-20004-1

Course Schedule

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Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at [email protected] .

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Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.

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special publication 800-12 chapters:

• Table of Contentes
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Elements of Computer Security
• Chapter 3: Roles & Responsibilities
• Chapter 4: Common Threats: A Brief Overview
• Chapter 5: Computer Security Policy
• Chapter 6: Computer Security Program Management
• Chapter 7: Computer Security Risk Management
• Chapter 8: Security & Planning in the Computer Security Life Cycle
• Chapter 9: Assurance
• Chapter 10: Personnel / User Issues
• Chapter 11: Preparing for Contingencies and Disasters
• Chapter 12: Computer Security Incident Handling
• Chapter 13: Awareness, Training and Education
• Chapter 14: Security Considerations in Computer Support and Operations
• Chapter 15: Physical and Environmental Security
• Chapter 16: Identification and Authentication
• Chapter 17: Logical Access Control
• Chapter 18: Audit Trails
• Chapter 19: Cryptography
• Chapter 20: Assessing and Mitigating the Risks to a Hypothetical Computer System
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special Publication 800-12: An Introduction to Computer Security: The NIST Handbook

Section ii: management controls.

Click here for a printable copy for Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5: Computer Security Policy

In discussions of computer security, the term policy has more than one meaning. 45 Policy is senior management's directives to create a computer security program, establish its goals, and assign responsibilities. The term policy is also used to refer to the specific security rules for particular systems. 46 Additionally, policy may refer to entirely different matters, such as the specific managerial decisions setting an organization's e-mail privacy policy or fax security policy.

In this chapter the term computer security policy is defined as the "documentation of computer security decisions"-which covers all the types of policy described above. 47 In making these decisions, managers face hard choices involving resource allocation, competing objectives, and organizational strategy related to protecting both technical and information resources as well as guiding employee behavior. Managers at all levels make choices that can result in policy, with the scope of the policy's applicability varying according to the scope of the manager's authority. In this chapter we use the term policy in a broad manner to encompass all of the types of policy described above-regardless of the level of manager who sets the particular policy.

Managerial decisions on computer security issues vary greatly. To differentiate among various kinds of policy, this chapter categorizes them into three basic types:

• Issue-specific policies address specific issues of concern to the organization.  
• System-specific policies focus on decisions taken by management to protect a particular system. 48  

Procedures, standards, and guidelines are used to describe how these policies will be implemented within an organization. (See following box.)

Familiarity with various types and components of policy will aid managers in addressing computer security issues important to the organization. Effective policies ultimately result in the development and implementation of a better computer security program and better protection of systems and information.

These types of policy are described to aid the reader's understanding. 49 It is not important that one categorizes specific organizational policies into these three categories; it is more important to focus on the functions of each.

5.1 Program Policy

A management official, normally the head of the organization or the senior administration official, issues program policy to establish (or restructure) the organization's computer security program and its basic structure. This high-level policy defines the purpose of the program and its scope within the organization; assigns responsibilities (to the computer security organization) for direct program implementation, as well as other responsibilities to related offices (such as the Information Resources Management [IRM] organization); and addresses compliance issues.

Program policy sets organizational strategic directions for security and assigns resources for its implementation.

5.1.1 Basic Components of Program Policy

Components of program policy should address:

Purpose . Program policy normally includes a statement describing why the program is being established. This may include defining the goals of the program. Security-related needs, such as integrity, availability, and confidentiality, can form the basis of organizational goals established in policy. For instance, in an organization responsible for maintaining large mission-critical databases, reduction in errors, data loss, data corruption, and recovery might be specifically stressed. In an organization responsible for maintaining confidential personal data, however, goals might emphasize stronger protection against unauthorized disclosure.

Scope. Program policy should be clear as to which resources-including facilities, hardware, and software, information, and personnel - the computer security program covers. In many cases, the program will encompass all systems and organizational personnel, but this is not always true. In some instances, it may be appropriate for an organization's computer security program to be more limited in scope.

Responsibilities. Once the computer security program is established, its management is normally assigned to either a newly-created or existing office. 50

The responsibilities of officials and offices throughout the organization also need to be addressed, including line managers, applications owners, users, and the data processing or IRM organizations. This section of the policy statement, for example, would distinguish between the responsibilities of computer services providers and those of the managers of applications using the provided services. The policy could also establish operational security offices for major systems, particularly those at high risk or most critical to organizational operations. It also can serve as the basis for establishing employee accountability.

At the program level, responsibilities should be specifically assigned to those organizational elements and officials responsible for the implementation and continuity of the computer security policy. 51

Compliance. Program policy typically will address two compliance issues:

• General compliance to ensure meeting the requirements to establish a program and the responsibilities assigned therein to various organizational components. Often an oversight office (e.g., the Inspector General) is assigned responsibility for monitoring compliance, including how well the organization is implementing management's priorities for the program.  
• The use of specified penalties and disciplinary actions. Since the security policy is a high-level document, specific penalties for various infractions are normally not detailed here; instead, the policy may authorize the creation of compliance structures that include violations and specific disciplinary action(s). 52

Those developing compliance policy should remember that violations of policy can be unintentional on the part of employees. For example, nonconformance can often be due to a lack of knowledge or training.

5.2 Issue-Specific Policy

Whereas program policy is intended to address the broad organizationwide computer security program, issue-specific policies are developed to focus on areas of current relevance and concern (and sometimes controversy) to an organization. Management may find it appropriate, for example, to issue a policy on how the organization will approach contingency planning (centralized vs. decentralized) or the use of a particular methodology for managing risk to systems. A policy could also be issued, for example, on the appropriate use of a cutting-edge technology (whose security vulnerabilities are still largely unknown) within the organization. Issue-specific policies may also be appropriate when new issues arise, such as when implementing a recently passed law requiring additional protection of particular information. Program policy is usually broad enough that it does not require much modification over time, whereas issue-specific policies are likely to require more frequent revision as changes in technology and related factors take place.

In general, for issue-specific and system-specific policy, the issuer is a senior official; the more global, controversial, or resource-intensive, the more senior the issuer.

5.2.1 Example Topics for Issue-Specific Policy 53

There are many areas for which issue-specific policy may be appropriate. Two examples are explained below.

Internet Access . Many organizations are looking at the Internet as a means for expanding their research opportunities and communications. Unquestionably, connecting to the Internet yields many benefits - and some disadvantages. Some issues an Internet access policy may address include who will have access, which types of systems may be connected to the network, what types of information may be transmitted via the network, requirements for user authentication for Internet-connected systems, and the use of firewalls and secure gateways.

E-Mail Privacy . Users of computer e-mail systems have come to rely upon that service for informal communication with colleagues and others. However, since the system is typically owned by the employing organization, from time-to-time, management may wish to monitor the employee's e-mail for various reasons (e.g., to be sure that it is used for business purposes only or if they are suspected of distributing viruses, sending offensive e-mail, or disclosing organizational secrets.) On the other hand, users may have an expectation of privacy, similar to that accorded U.S. mail. Policy in this area addresses what level of privacy will be accorded e-mail and the circumstances under which it may or may not be read.

5.2.2 Basic Components of Issue-Specific Policy

As suggested for program policy, a useful structure for issue-specific policy is to break the policy into its basic components.

Issue Statement. To formulate a policy on an issue, managers first must define the issue with any relevant terms, distinctions, and conditions included. It is also often useful to specify the goal or justification for the policy - which can be helpful in gaining compliance with the policy. For example, an organization might want to develop an issue-specific policy on the use of "unofficial software," which might be defined to mean any software not approved, purchased, screened, managed, and owned by the organization. Additionally, the applicable distinctions and conditions might then need to be included, for instance, for software privately owned by employees but approved for use at work, and for software owned and used by other businesses under contract to the organization.

Statement of the Organization's Position . Once the issue is stated and related terms and conditions are discussed, this section is used to clearly state the organization's position (i.e., management's decision) on the issue. To continue the previous example, this would mean stating whether use of unofficial software as defined is prohibited in all or some cases, whether there are further guidelines for approval and use, or whether case-by-case exceptions will be granted, by whom, and on what basis.

Applicability. Issue-specific policies also need to include statements of applicability. This means clarifying where, how, when, to whom, and to what a particular policy applies. For example, it could be that the hypothetical policy on unofficial software is intended to apply only to the organization's own on-site resources and employees and not to contractors with offices at other locations. Additionally, the policy's applicability to employees traveling among different sites and/or working at home who need to transport and use disks at multiple sites might need to be clarified.

Roles and Responsibilities . The assignment of roles and responsibilities is also usually included in issue-specific policies. For example, if the policy permits unofficial software privately owned by employees to be used at work with the appropriate approvals, then the approval authority granting such permission would need to be stated. (Policy would stipulate, who, by position, has such authority.) Likewise, it would need to be clarified who would be responsible for ensuring that only approved software is used on organizational computer resources and, perhaps, for monitoring users in regard to unofficial software.

Compliance . For some types of policy, it may be appropriate to describe, in some detail, the infractions that are unacceptable, and the consequences of such behavior. Penalties may be explicitly stated and should be consistent with organizational personnel policies and practices. When used, they should be coordinated with appropriate officials and offices and, perhaps, employee bargaining units. It may also be desirable to task a specific office within the organization to monitor compliance.

Points of Contact and Supplementary Information. For any issue-specific policy, the appropriate individuals in the organization to contact for further information, guidance, and compliance should be indicated. Since positions tend to change less often than the people occupying them, specific positions may be preferable as the point of contact. For example, for some issues the point of contact might be a line manager; for other issues it might be a facility manager, technical support person, system administrator, or security program representative. Using the above example once more, employees would need to know whether the point of contact for questions and procedural information would be their immediate superior, a system administrator, or a computer security official.

Guidelines and procedures often accompany policy. The issue-specific policy on unofficial software, for example, might include procedural guidelines for checking disks brought to work that had been used by employees at other locations.

5.3 System-Specific Policy

Program policy and issue-specific policy both address policy from a broad level, usually encompassing the entire organization. However, they do not provide sufficient information or direction, for example, to be used in establishing an access control list or in training users on what actions are permitted. System-specific policy fills this need. It is much more focused, since it addresses only one system.

Many security policy decisions may apply only at the system level and may vary from system to system within the same organization. While these decisions may appear to be too detailed to be policy, they can be extremely important, with significant impacts on system usage and security. These types of decisions can be made by a management official, not by a technical system administrator. 54 (The impacts of these decisions, however, are often analyzed by technical system administrators.)

To develop a cohesive and comprehensive set of security policies, officials may use a management process that derives security rules from security goals. It is helpful to consider a two-level model for system security policy: security objectives and operational security rules, which together comprise the system-specific policy. Closely linked and often difficult to distinguish, however, is the implementation of the policy in technology.

5.3.1 Security Objectives

The first step in the management process is to define security objectives for the specific system. Although, this process may start with an analysis of the need for integrity, availability, and confidentiality, it should not stop there. A security objective needs to more specific; it should be concrete and well defined. It also should be stated so that it is clear that the objective is achievable. This process will also draw upon other applicable organization policies.

Security objectives consist of a series of statements that describe meaningful actions about explicit resources. These objectives should be based on system functional or mission requirements, but should state the security actions that support the requirements.

Development of system-specific policy will require management to make trade-offs, since it is unlikely that all desired security objectives will be able to be fully met. Management will face cost, operational, technical, and other constraints.

5.3.2 Operational Security Rules

After management determines the security objectives, the rules for operating a system can be laid out, for example, to define authorized and unauthorized modification. Who (by job category, organization placement, or name) can do what (e.g., modify, delete) to which specific classes and records of data, and under what conditions.

The degree of specificity needed for operational security rules varies greatly. The more detailed the rules are, up to a point , the easier it is to know when one has been violated. It is also, up to a point , easier to automate policy enforcement. However, overly detailed rules may make the job of instructing a computer to implement them difficult or computationally complex.

In addition to deciding the level of detail, management should decide the degree of formality in documenting the system-specific policy. Once again, the more formal the documentation, the easier it is to enforce and to follow policy. On the other hand, policy at the system level that is too detailed and formal can also be an administrative burden. In general, good practice suggests a reasonably detailed formal statement of the access privileges for a system. Documenting access controls policy will make it substantially easier to follow and to enforce. (See Chapters 10 and 17, Personnel/User Issues and Logical Access Control.) Another area that normally requires a detailed and formal statement is the assignment of security responsibilities. Other areas that should be addressed are the rules for system usage and the consequences of noncompliance.

Policy decisions in other areas of computer security, such as those described in this handbook, are often documented in the risk analysis, accreditation statements, or procedural manuals. However, any controversial, atypical, or uncommon policies will also need formal statements. Atypical policies would include any areas where the system policy is different from organizational policy or from normal practice within the organization, either more or less stringent. The documentation for a typical policy contains a statement explaining the reason for deviation from the organization's standard policy.

5.3.3 System-Specific Policy Implementation

Technology plays an important - but not sole - role in enforcing system-specific policies. When technology is used to enforce policy, it is important not to neglect nontechnology-based methods. For example, technical system-based controls could be used to limit the printing of confidential reports to a particular printer. However, corresponding physical security measures would also have to be in place to limit access to the printer output or the desired security objective would not be achieved.

Technical methods frequently used to implement system-security policy are likely to include the use of logical access controls . However, there are other automated means of enforcing or supporting security policy that typically supplement logical access controls. For example, technology can be used to block telephone users from calling certain numbers. Intrusion-detection software can alert system administrators to suspicious activity or can take action to stop the activity. Personal computers can be configured to prevent booting from a floppy disk.

Technology-based enforcement of system-security policy has both advantages and disadvantages. A computer system, properly designed, programmed, installed, configured, and maintained, 55 consistently enforces policy within the computer system, although no computer can force users to follow all procedures. Management controls also play an important role - and should not be neglected. In addition, deviations from the policy may sometimes be necessary and appropriate; such deviations may be difficult to implement easily with some technical controls. This situation occurs frequently if implementation of the security policy is too rigid (which can occur when the system analysts fail to anticipate contingencies and prepare for them).

5.4 Interdependencies

Policy is related to many of the topics covered in this handbook:

Program Management . Policy is used to establish an organization's computer security program, and is therefore closely tied to program management and administration. Both program and system-specific policy may be established in any of the areas covered in this handbook. For example, an organization may wish to have a consistent approach to incident handling for all its systems - and would issue appropriate program policy to do so. On the other hand, it may decide that its applications are sufficiently independent of each other that application managers should deal with incidents on an individual basis.

Access Controls. System-specific policy is often implemented through the use of access controls. For example, it may be a policy decision that only two individuals in an organization are authorized to run a check-printing program. Access controls are used by the system to implement (or enforce) this policy.

Links to Broader Organizational Policies . This chapter has focused on the types and components of computer security policy. However, it is important to realize that computer security policies are often extensions of an organization's information security policies for handling information in other forms (e.g., paper documents). For example, an organization's e-mail policy would probably be tied to its broader policy on privacy. Computer security policies may also be extensions of other policies, such as those about appropriate use of equipment and facilities.

5.5 Cost Considerations

A number of potential costs are associated with developing and implementing computer security policies. Overall, the major cost of policy is the cost of implementing the policy and its impacts upon the organization. For example, establishing a computer security program, accomplished through policy, does not come at negligible cost.

Other costs may be those incurred through the policy development process. Numerous administrative and management activities may be required for drafting, reviewing, coordinating, clearing, disseminating, and publicizing policies. In many organizations, successful policy implementation may require additional staffing and training - and can take time. In general, the costs to an organization for computer security policy development and implementation will depend upon how extensive the change needed to achieve a level of risk acceptable to management.

Howe, D. "Information System Security Engineering: Cornerstone to the Future." Proceedings of the 15th National Computer Security Conference . Baltimore, MD, Vol. 1, October 15, 1992. pp. 244-251.

Fites, P., and M. Kratz. "Policy Development." Information Systems Security: A Practitioner's Reference . New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1993. pp. 411-427.

Lobel, J. "Establishing a System Security Policy." Foiling the System Breakers . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1986. pp. 57-95.

Menkus, B. "Concerns in Computer Security." Computers and Security . 11(3), 1992. pp. 211-215.

Office of Technology Assessment. "Federal Policy Issues and Options." Defending Secrets, Sharing Data: New Locks for Electronic Information . Washington, DC: U.S Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, 1987. pp. 151-160.

Office of Technology Assessment. "Major Trends in Policy Development." Defending Secrets, Sharing Data: New Locks and Keys for Electronic Information . Washington, DC: U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, 1987. p. 131-148.

O'Neill, M., and F. Henninge, Jr. "Understanding ADP System and Network Security Considerations and Risk Analysis." ISSA Access . 5(4), 1992. pp. 14-17.

Peltier, Thomas. "Designing Information Security Policies That Get Results." Infosecurity News . 4(2), 1993. pp. 30-31.

President's Council on Management Improvement and the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency. Model Framework for Management Control Over Automated Information System . Washington, DC: President's Council on Management Improvement, January 1988.

Smith, J. "Privacy Policies and Practices: Inside the Organizational Maze." Communications of the ACM . 36(12), 1993. pp. 104-120.

Sterne, D. F. "On the Buzzword `Computer Security Policy.'" In Proceedings of the 1991 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy , Oakland, CA: May 1991. pp. 219-230.

Wood, Charles Cresson. "Designing Corporate Information Security Policies." DATAPRO Reports on Information Security , April 1992.

45. There are variations in the use of the term policy , as noted in a 1994 Office of Technology Assessment report, Information Security and Privacy in Network Environments: "Security Policy refers here to the statements made by organizations, corporations, and agencies to establish overall policy on information access and safeguards. Another meaning comes from the Defense community and refers to the rules relating clearances of users to classification of information. In another usage, security policies are used to refine and implement the broader, organizational security policy...." 46. These are the kind of policies that computer security experts refer to as being enforced by the system's technical controls as well as its management and operational controls. 47. In general, policy is set by a manager. However, in some cases, it may be set by a group (e.g., an intraorganizational policy board). 48. A system refers to the entire collection of processes, both those performed manually and those using a computer (e.g., manual data collection and subsequent computer manipulation), which performs a function. This includes both application systems and support systems, such as a network. 49. No standard terms exist for various types of policies. These terms are used to aid the reader's understanding of this topic; no implication of their widespread usage is intended. 50. The program management structure should be organized to best address the goals of the program and respond to the particular operating and risk environment of the organization. Important issues for the structure of the computer security program include management and coordination of security-related resources, interaction with diverse communities, and the ability to relay issues of concern, trade-offs, and recommended actions to upper management. (See Chapter 6, Computer Security Program Management.) 51. In assigning responsibilities, it is necessary to be specific; such assignments as "computer security is everyone's responsibility," in reality, mean no one has specific responsibility. 52. The need to obtain guidance from appropriate legal counsel is critical when addressing issues involving penalties and disciplinary action for individuals. The policy does not need to restate penalties already provided for by law, although they can be listed if the policy will also be used as an awareness or training document. 53. Examples presented in this section are not all-inclusive nor meant to imply that policies in each of these areas are required by all organizations. 54. It is important to remember that policy is not created in a vacuum. For example, it is critical to understand the system mission and how the system is intended to be used. Also, users may play an important role in setting policy. 55. Doing all of these things properly is, unfortunately, the exception rather than the rule. Confidence in the system's ability to enforce system-specific policy is closely tied to assurance. (See Chapter 9, Assurance.)  

IT Security Policy Framework

Introduction

IT Security Policy Framework will be used as a draft of the medium-sized insurance organization network system.  The essence of the IT Security Policy Framework will broadly investigate five distinct risks.  These risks are as Financial Risk, Strategic Risks, Compliance Risks, Operational Risks, and other types of Risks. 

COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission) Framework will be used as IT Security Policy Framework for Insurance Organization. This framework starts an interspersed process of internal controls. It supports the better ways of managing organization by assessing the efficient use of internal controls. This framework includes five parts:

• Control Environment: This environment comprising factors related to the integrity of people, management and control authority and duties inside the organization.
• Risk Assessment: This points to recognize and estimate the risks to the organization;
• Control Activities: This part includes the ideas and strategies for the organization;
• Communication and Information: This part containing the communication channels and the identification of significant information to the business for passing control activities from administrators to staff;
• Monitoring: This part includes the process which is used to watch and evaluate the state of all internal control methods over time to time.

The main purpose for establishing compliance of IT security controls with U.S. laws and regulations are Operations, Reporting, and Compliance with group entities. The main reason of operations objectives is to make ensure that jobs and goals accomplished successfully.  Reporting objectives involve the making of good reports.  These reports may be regarding about internal, external, or it may be financial or non-financial. Compliance objectives are groups regarding laws and regulations for their actions and activities. (Soske, S. E, 2013)

Control environment provides discipline, process, and structure.  There are five policies which are related to Control Environment: (Soske, S. E, 2013)

• The organization shows a commitment to integrity and ethical values.
• The board of directors confirms the independence of management and practices mistake in the development area and review of internal control.
• Executives confirm with structures, appropriate authorities, duties, reporting lines in the chase of objectives.
• The organization explains a promise to attract, develop, and retain competent individuals in alignment with objectives.
• The insurance organization also holds individual’s statements for their internal control duties in the chase of purposes.

Risk Assessment is to examine the risks the entity’s objectives, determining how risks will be handled.  There are four policies relating to Risk Assessment: (Soske, S. E, 2013)

• The organization defines goals with enough certainty to allow the description and evaluation of risks associating to objectives.
• The organization distinguishes risks to the success of its goals across the entity and examines risks as a reason for concluding how the risks should be handled.
• The organization analyzes the possibility of fraud in evaluating risks to the success of purposes.
• The organization recognizes and evaluates modifications that could notably affect the system of internal control.

Monitoring activities are mostly separate evaluations, activity evaluations and the mixture of two is controlled by the different parts of the internal control.  Two policies regarding Monitoring Activities are: (Soske, S. E, 2013)

• The organization selects, produces, and conducts continuous separate evaluations to resolve whether the parts of internal control are in working condition or not.
• The organization decides and communicates with internal control that requires a proper way to communicate with those companies which are responsible for taking corrective action, including directors and senior management.

Policies would be the high-level papers that would strengthen our organization level information security policy. Procedures would have more detail, but would not be an operational process document. Policies and procedures would be substantial requirements that must be met. “The structure of policy information is given as: 

• Acceptable Use Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Email Security Procedure
• Email Security Guidelines ß
• Instant Messaging Procedure” (VanCura, L. , 2005)

The security frameworks provided by NIST (SP 800-53), ISO / IEC 27000 series and COBIT provided you the laws and regulations in which the security policies should be followed. By studying these regulations in the connection of security policies, you can recognize how they can be avoided. (Johnson, 2011)

The seven domains in developing an effective IT Security Policy Framework are: User, Workstation, LAN, WAN, LAN-to-Wan, Remote Access, System Application are managed. (Johnson, 2011). Each domain has unique functions for the data quality and handling. The following individuals analyze the challenge with the security group to ensure data quality in business:

• Data administrators
• Data security administrators
• Data stewards
• Head of information management
• Data custodians

Implementing a governance framework can allow the organization to identify and mitigate risks in an orderly fashion. The IT Security Policy Framework provides the ability to estimate the risk as:

• In the context of how well the organization has achieved leading practices.
• In the context of how much of the organization’s risk is covered by the resulting implemented controls. (Johnson, 2011)

            A well-defined governance and compliance framework gives a structured way. To implement the policy control design methods, the framework should specify the mapping to significant laws and regulations. E.g. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act.

After studying of this analysis, I will face organization’s IT Staff to evaluate my finding.  After evaluation of the fields of the policies, the framework would be presented to senior officials.  Once the senior officials and CIO have passed or changes made, the policy will then be implemented.

Johnson, R., & Merkow, M. S. (2011). Security policies and implementation issues . Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Soske, S. E., & Martens, F. J. (2013, May). COSO, Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission, 2011, “Internal Control – Integrated Framework “, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Durham, NC. Retrieved January 29, 2016, from http://www.coso.org/documents/990025p_executive_summary_final_may20_e.pdf  

VanCura, L. (2005, January 20). SANS Institute InfoSec Reading Room. Retrieved January 29, 2016, from https://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/awareness/building-security-policy-framework-large-multi-national-company-1564  

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