Information Security Policy (CISSP Free by Skillset.com)

Skillset

3 May 201604:35

Summary

TLDRThis module delves into the creation of information security policies, emphasizing the importance of aligning with laws, regulations, and best practices. It outlines the development process, starting with organizational policies and moving to functional policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Special Publication 800-12 is highlighted for its guidance on IT security. The necessity for clear, written policies and procedures for compliance and employee accountability is stressed, distinguishing between different policy types and their purposes in ensuring organizational security.

Takeaways

📜 The module focuses on the creation of information security policies, procedures, standards, baselines, and guidelines.
🏛️ Developing policies should begin with considering laws, regulations, and industry best practices as foundational drivers.
🛡️ Organizational policy is a management statement on security, which is essential before working on functional policies.
📋 Functional policies address specific business and system security issues and are derived from management's directives.
📚 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publication 8-12 provides guidance on information technology security.
📝 Management's responsibility is to create a computer security program and assign necessary roles and responsibilities.
🔒 Policies should include compliance issues, security, privacy, and acceptable use policies for organizational security.
📘 Information security success depends on clear, understandable, and universally implemented security policies.
📊 ISC² certifications emphasize the importance of written plans, procedures, and policies for security management.
👥 Clear responsibilities for employees and detailed step-by-step procedures are crucial for ensuring compliance.
🚫 Types of policies include regular, advisory, and informative, each serving different purposes within an organization.
🔑 Standards, baselines, and procedures are mandatory and binding, dictating expected behaviors and minimum security levels.
📍 Guidelines are non-binding and serve as operational guides, providing recommended actions for employees.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the information security policy module?
-The primary focus of the information security policy module is to discuss policies, procedures, standards, baselines, and guidelines in the context of information security.
What should be the starting point when developing policies and procedures for information security?
-The starting point should be looking at laws and regulations that the industry is required to follow and considering best practices as the drivers for policy development.
What is the role of organizational policy in information security?
-The organizational policy serves as management's statement on security, providing the foundation upon which functional policies, standards, procedures, baselines, and guidelines are developed.
What does the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provide to assist with information technology security?
-NIST provides Special Publication 800-12 to help with information technology security, which describes the need for computer security based on laws, regulations, the desire to avoid liabilities, and best practices.
What are the components of an information security policy as discussed in the script?
-The components include compliance issues, the SECCI (Security, Education, Compliance, Control, and Investigation) model, and organizational policies such as internet policy, privacy policy, and acceptable use policy.
Why is it important for information security policies to be easy to understand and implemented throughout the organization?
-It is important because without clear and well-implemented security policies, an organization will not be successful in providing information security.
What does the ISC² certification emphasize regarding policies, procedures, and plans?
-ISC² certifications emphasize the importance of having written plans, procedures, and policies, with clear responsibilities for employees and step-by-step procedures to ensure compliance.
What is the difference between regular policies and advisory policies in the context of information security?
-Regular policies ensure compliance with industry regulations and are often detailed, while advisory policies advise against unacceptable behavior, provide prohibited regulations, and outline punishments for noncompliance.
How are organizational standards different from baselines and procedures in information security?
-Organizational standards are binding and dictate how hardware and software should be used and the expected behavior of employees. Baselines are mandatory and define a minimum level of security required on all devices. Procedures are also mandatory and provide detailed step-by-step actions for users.
What is the role of guidelines in information security policies?
-Guidelines are not binding or mandatory; they serve as operational guides and provide employees with recommended actions to follow.
For the CISSP exam, why is it important to distinguish between standards, baselines, procedures, and guidelines?
-It is important to distinguish between them because standards, baselines, and procedures are all mandatory, while guidelines are not and are meant to be a simple guide for employees to follow.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to Information Security Policy Development

This paragraph introduces the information security policy module, emphasizing the importance of starting with laws, regulations, and best practices as the foundation for policy development. It outlines the process of creating an organizational policy, functional policies, and the subsequent development of standards, procedures, baselines, and guidelines. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publication 8-12 is highlighted as a resource for IT security needs, emphasizing management's role in creating a computer security program and assigning responsibilities. The paragraph underscores the necessity of clear, understandable security policies implemented throughout the organization for success.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Information Security

Information Security refers to the practice of protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It is crucial in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. In the video, information security is the central theme, focusing on developing policies and procedures to safeguard against threats and vulnerabilities.

💡Policies

Policies are formal statements of intent and are generally used to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. In the context of the video, policies are essential in defining the organizational stance on security, outlining the management's commitment to creating a secure environment, and providing a framework for compliance with laws and regulations.

💡Procedures

Procedures are a set of established or official ways of行事 (acting) or doing something. They are detailed instructions that outline the steps to be taken to complete a task or achieve an objective. In the video, procedures are mentioned as a critical component of information security, providing clear guidelines for employees to follow in order to maintain security standards.

💡Standards

Standards are criteria or benchmarks used to evaluate actions or decisions. In the field of information security, standards are mandatory rules that dictate how hardware and software should be used and the expected behavior of employees. The video emphasizes the importance of standards in establishing a minimum level of security across an organization.

💡Baselines

Baselines in information security are the minimum requirements for security measures that must be met. They serve as a starting point for developing more comprehensive security strategies. The video script mentions baselines as mandatory and binding, indicating that they set the foundation for all security measures within an organization.

💡Guidelines

Guidelines are suggestions or recommendations rather than strict rules. They provide a framework for action but are not enforceable like policies or standards. In the video, guidelines are described as operational guides for employees, offering recommended actions rather than mandatory ones.

💡National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency that develops and promotes measurement, standards, and technology. In the video, NIST is highlighted for its publication 8-12, which provides guidance on information technology security. This publication is instrumental in helping organizations understand the need for computer security based on legal requirements and best practices.

💡Compliance

Compliance refers to the act of conforming to a set of rules or standards, often mandated by law or regulation. In the context of the video, compliance is a key aspect of developing information security policies, ensuring that an organization adheres to legal requirements and avoids potential liabilities.

💡Best Practices

Best practices are methods or techniques that have been found to produce the best results and are established or proposed as being more effective than other means. The video emphasizes the importance of considering best practices when developing information security policies, as they help organizations avoid common pitfalls and improve their security posture.

💡ISC² Certifications

ISC² (Information Systems Security Certification Consortium) is a global leader in IT security certifications. The video mentions ISC² certifications as being focused on having well-documented plans, procedures, and policies. These certifications are a benchmark for professionals in the field of information security, ensuring that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to implement effective security measures.

💡Management's Responsibilities

In the video, management's responsibilities are discussed in the context of creating a computer security program and assigning roles and responsibilities. This underscores the importance of leadership in setting the direction and ensuring that the organization's security measures are effectively implemented and maintained.

Highlights

Introduction to the information security policy module discussing policies, procedures, standards, baselines, and guidelines.

Importance of considering laws, regulations, and best practices when developing policies and procedures.

Development of organizational policy as a management statement on security.

Functional policies focusing on business and system-specific security directives.

The role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in providing guidelines for information technology security.

Management's responsibilities in creating a computer security program and assigning roles.

Components of a policy including compliance issues, security, and privacy policies.

The necessity of having clear and understandable security policies for organizational success.

ISC² certifications' emphasis on written plans, procedures, and policies for security.

The requirement for a broad statement from upper management on overall security goals.

Detailed step-by-step procedures for ensuring compliance with security policies.

Accountability for enforcing security policies within the organization.

Different types of policies: regular, advisory, and informative, and their purposes.

The binding nature of organizational standards dictating the use of hardware and software.

Baselines as mandatory minimum security levels required for all devices.

Procedures as mandatory step-by-step actions for performing security tasks.

Guidelines as non-binding operational guides providing recommended actions for employees.

The distinction between mandatory standards, baselines, procedures, and non-mandatory guidelines for the CISSP exam.

Conclusion of the information security policy module with a thank you note.