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Information security program development and implementation is not a simple process, but it is an absolutely essential and on-going process – particularly if your organization is responsible for maintaining the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of customer information or business-critical data. Information security programs are mandated by authorities in industries like health management, banking, and energy, as well as other state and federal agencies, but the legal and business ramifications go far beyond regulatory compliance when sensitive data is compromised. As such, even businesses in non-regulated industries need to embrace information security best practices. Regardless of the size or nature of your business, or the skill set of your Information Security (IS) team, security threats (both internal and external) to your organization exist, and having an active, comprehensive information security program in place is your best defense. The development phase of an information security program involves a thorough understanding and realistic assessment of the threat environment and associated risks to your business. Understanding this threat landscape is an important benchmark because it highlights the true threats facing your organization today, not someone’s opinions of what they may be, could be, or are not. In the development phase, an assessment team must determine what information is sensitive, where it is stored, how it is accessed, and the potential risks. An excellent method of objectively evaluating your current threats is to perform an information security risk assessment. You will gain a deep appreciation and understanding of the specific threats to your data. This assessment then becomes the foundation of your best-practices information security implementation plan. The implementation phase of your information security program involves developing controls to mitigate the risks uncovered during the risk assessment. These controls can vary in nature and include policies, processes, training, and technical controls, but must be supported by upper management so the IS department is empowered to take the necessary steps to mitigate the risk, regardless of the control method chosen. Implementation should also include those policies mandated by any governing authority you may have for your business; however, a best-practice information security program will already account for many of these requirements as security controls are put in place. Information security programs do not stop at the implementation step. A true best-practices program includes an ongoing series of reviews, audits, checks, and balances that ensure your security program remains up-to-date and aware of the latest threats facing your organization. This is accomplished through ongoing assessments and audits that can be performed internally using TraceCSO, or outsourced to a professional services organization focused on information security. A comprehensive information security program will address compliance issues. The opposite is not true, however. It’s important to understand that being compliant does not ensure data security. Only by developing, and then implementing and maintaining, a best-practices information security program can you ensure that your critical data is protected against the threats presented to you daily from within and outside your organization while still complying with the requirements of a governing authority. To learn more about TraceSecurity and our ability to help you create and manage your risk-based information security program, visit our website. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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