Review the essential elements of a security strategy

As an IT professional, you’ll often be required to communicate policies, standards, and practices in the workplace. For this assignment, you’ll practice this important task by taking on the role of an IT professional charged with creating a memo to communicate your company’s new security strategy.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: • Analyze the importance of network architecture to security operations. • Apply information security standards to real-world implementation. • Communicate how problem-solving concepts are applied in a business environment. • Use information resources to research issues in information systems security. • Write clearly about network security topics using proper writing mechanics and business formats.

Preparation

1. Review the essential elements of a security strategy

A successful IT administration strategy requires the continuous enforcement of policies, standards, and practices (procedures) within the organization. Review these elements to see how they compare:

Policy The general statements that direct the organization’s internal and external communication and goals.
Standards Describe the requirements of a given activity related to the policy. They are more detailed and specific than policies. In effect, standards are rules that evaluate the quality of the activity. For example, standards define the structure of the password and the numbers, letters, and special characters that must be used in order to create a password.
Practices The written instructions that describe a series of steps to be followed during the performance of a given activity. Practices must support and enhance the work environment. Also referred to as procedures.

2. Describe the business environment

You are the IT professional in charge of security for a company that has recently opened within a shopping mall. Describe the current IT environment at this business. You can draw details from a company you work for now or for which you have worked in the past. You’ll need to get creative and identify the details about this business that will influence the policies you’ll create. For example, does the company allow cell phone email apps? Does the company allow web mail? If so, how will this affect the mobile computing policy? Describe all the details about this business environment that will be necessary to support your strategy.

Instructions

With the description of the business environment (the fictional company that has opened in a shopping mall) in mind and your policy review and research complete, create a new security strategy in the format of a company memo (no less than three to five pages) in which you do the following:

1. Describe the business environment and identify the risk and reasoning Provide a brief description of all the important areas of the business environment that you’ve discovered in your research. Be sure to identify the reasons that prompted the need to create a security policy.

2. Assemble a security policy Assemble a security policy or policies for this business. Using the memo outline as a guide, collect industry-specific and quality best practices. In your own words, formulate your fictional company’s security policy or policies. In a few brief sentences, provide specific information on how your policy will support the business’ goal.

3. Develop standards Develop the standards that will describe the requirements of a given activity related to the policy. Standards are the in-depth details of the security policy or policies for a business.

4. Develop practices Develop the practices that will be used to ensure the business enforces what is stated in the security policy or policies and standards.

Additional Examples and Tips Example 1: XYZ Inc. Company-Wide Employee Password Strategy

Policies • All users must have a password. • Passwords must be changed every six months.

Standards • A password must have a minimum of six characters. • A password must have a maximum of 12 characters. • A password must contain letters, numbers, and special characters other than $.

Practices-Employee • Create a password. The UserID should be an EmployeeID already generated by HR. • Send a request to create the account to the Information Technology (IT) department. • User receives a temporary password. • Users must change their temporary password the first time they log in.

Example 2: Security Policy and Standards

Password Policy: Passwords are an important part of computer security at your organization. They often serve as the first line of defense in preventing unauthorized access to the organization’s computers and data.

In order to define the password policy, it is important to identify the standards.

1. Multi-factor authentication 2. Password strength standard 3. Password security standards; how to keep the password secure

Tips and Points to Consider When Identifying Risks or Security Vulnerabilities

• Flaws in operating systems due to constant attack by malware • Denial of services attacks • Employees data theft • User set a weak password or password that is easy to guess, such as a birthday or child’s name. • User leaves sensitive data on an unlocked, unattended computer • Organization allows sensitive data on a laptop that leaves the building • Data can be accessed remotely without using proper security

Memo Outline Example

Network Security Associates of Atlantis, Inc. 123 Watery Lane Atlantis, USVI 91199
From: IT Security Dept. Re: Security Policy
Date:
Section 1: General Policies and Motivation
Section 2: Passwords Section 3: Biometrics
Section 4: Tokens
Section 5: Physical Security
Section 6: Email Policies Section 7: Breach Reporting Responsibilities
Section 8: Mobile Policy and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

APA

2611 words