Strategic Information Security

The new emphasis on physical security resulting from the terrorist threat has forced many information security professionals to struggle to maintain their organization's focus on protecting information assets. In order to command attention, they need to emphasize the broader role of information security in the strategy of their companies. Until now

Bridging the gap between information security and strategic planning This publication is a reflection of the author's firsthand experience as an information security consultant, working for an array of clients in the private and public sectors. Readers discover how to work with their organizations to develop and implement a successful information security plan by improving management practices and by establishing information security as an integral part of overall strategic planning. The book starts with an overview of basic concepts in strategic planning, information technology strategy, and information security strategy. A practical guide to defining an information security strategy is then provided, covering the "nuts and bolts" of defining long-term information security goals that effectively protect information resources. Separate chapters covering technology strategy and management strategy clearly demonstrate that both are essential, complementary elements in protecting information. Following this practical introduction to strategy development, subsequent chapters cover the theoretical foundation of an information security strategy, including: * Examination of key enterprise planning models that correspond to different uses of information and different strategies for securing information * Review of information economics, an essential link between information security strategy and business strategy * Role of risk in building an information security strategy Two separate case studies are developed, helping readers understand how the development and implementation of information security strategies can work within their own organizations. This is essential reading for information security managers, information technology executives, and consultants. By linking information security to general management strategy, the publication is also recommended for nontechnical executives who need to protect the value and security of their organization's information.

Most introductory texts provide a technology-based survey of methods and techniques that leaves the reader without a clear understanding of the interrelationships between methods and techniques. By providing a strategy-based introduction, the reader is given a clear understanding of how to provide overlapping defenses for critical information. This understanding provides a basis for engineering and risk-management decisions in the defense of information. Information security is a rapidly growing field, with a projected need for thousands of professionals within the next decade in the government sector alone. It is also a field that has changed in the last decade from a largely theory-based discipline to an experience-based discipline. This shift in the field has left several of the classic texts with a strongly dated feel. Provides a broad introduction to the methods and techniques in the field of information security Offers a strategy-based view of these tools and techniques, facilitating selection of overlapping methods for in-depth defense of information Provides very current view of the emerging standards of practice in information security

Advance your career as an information security professional by turning theory into robust solutions to secure your organization Key FeaturesConvert the theory of your security certifications into actionable changes to secure your organizationDiscover how to structure policies and procedures in order to operationalize your organization's information security strategyLearn how to achieve security goals in your organization and reduce software riskBook Description Information security and risk management best practices enable professionals to plan, implement, measure, and test their organization's systems and ensure that they're adequately protected against threats. The book starts by helping you to understand the core principles of information security, why risk management is important, and how you can drive information security governance. You'll then explore methods for implementing security controls to achieve the organization's information security goals. As you make progress, you'll get to grips with design principles that can be utilized along with methods to assess and mitigate architectural vulnerabilities. The book will also help you to discover best practices for designing secure network architectures and controlling and managing third-party identity services. Finally, you will learn about designing and managing security testing processes, along with ways in which you can improve software security. By the end of this infosec book, you'll have learned how to make your organization less vulnerable to threats and reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation. As a result, you will be able to make an impactful change in your organization toward a higher level of information security. What you will learnUnderstand and operationalize risk management concepts and important security operations activitiesDiscover how to identify, classify, and maintain information and assetsAssess and mitigate vulnerabilities in information systemsDetermine how security control testing will be undertakenIncorporate security into the SDLC (software development life cycle)Improve the security of developed software and mitigate the risks of using unsafe softwareWho this book is for If you are looking to begin your career in an information security role, then this book is for you. Anyone who is studying to achieve industry-standard certification such as the CISSP or CISM, but looking for a way to convert concepts (and the seemingly endless number of acronyms) from theory into practice and start making a difference in your day-to-day work will find this book useful.

This textbook places cyber security management within an organizational and strategic framework, enabling students to develop their knowledge and skills for a future career. The reader will learn to: • evaluate different types of cyber risk • carry out a threat analysis and place cyber threats in order of severity • formulate appropriate cyber security management policy • establish an organization-specific intelligence framework and security culture • devise and implement a cyber security awareness programme • integrate cyber security within an organization’s operating system Learning objectives, chapter summaries and further reading in each chapter provide structure and routes to further in-depth research. Firm theoretical grounding is coupled with short problem-based case studies reflecting a range of organizations and perspectives, illustrating how the theory translates to practice, with each case study followed by a set of questions to encourage understanding and analysis. Non-technical and comprehensive, this textbook shows final year undergraduate students and postgraduate students of Cyber Security Management, as well as reflective practitioners, how to adopt a pro-active approach to the management of cyber security. Online resources include PowerPoint slides, an instructor’s manual and a test bank of questions.

Cyber Strategy: Risk-Driven Security and Resiliency provides a process and roadmap for any company to develop its unified Cybersecurity and Cyber Resiliency strategies. It demonstrates a methodology for companies to combine their disassociated efforts into one corporate plan with buy-in from senior management that will efficiently utilize resources, target high risk threats, and evaluate risk assessment methodologies and the efficacy of resultant risk mitigations. The book discusses all the steps required from conception of the plan from preplanning (mission/vision, principles, strategic objectives, new initiatives derivation), project management directives, cyber threat and vulnerability analysis, cyber risk and controls assessment to reporting and measurement techniques for plan success and overall strategic plan performance. In addition, a methodology is presented to aid in new initiative selection for the following year by identifying all relevant inputs. Tools utilized include: Key Risk Indicators (KRI) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework (CSF) Target State Maturity interval mapping per initiative Comparisons of current and target state business goals and critical success factors A quantitative NIST-based risk assessment of initiative technology components Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) diagrams for Cyber Steering Committee tasks and Governance Boards’ approval processes Swimlanes, timelines, data flow diagrams (inputs, resources, outputs), progress report templates, and Gantt charts for project management The last chapter provides downloadable checklists, tables, data flow diagrams, figures, and assessment tools to help develop your company’s cybersecurity and cyber resiliency strategic plan.

Building a Practical Information Security Program provides users with a strategic view on how to build an information security program that aligns with business objectives. The information provided enables both executive management and IT managers not only to validate existing security programs, but also to build new business-driven security programs. In addition, the subject matter supports aspiring security engineers to forge a career path to successfully manage a security program, thereby adding value and reducing risk to the business. Readers learn how to translate technical challenges into business requirements, understand when to "go big or go home," explore in-depth defense strategies, and review tactics on when to absorb risks. This book explains how to properly plan and implement an infosec program based on business strategy and results. Provides a roadmap on how to build a security program that will protect companies from intrusion Shows how to focus the security program on its essential mission and move past FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) to provide business value Teaches how to build consensus with an effective business-focused program

Addressing the diminished understanding of the value of security on the executive side and a lack of good business processes on the security side, Security Strategy: From Requirements to Reality explains how to select, develop, and deploy the security strategy best suited to your organization. It clarifies the purpose and place of strategy in an information security program and arms security managers and practitioners with a set of security tactics to support the implementation of strategic planning initiatives, goals, and objectives. The book focuses on security strategy planning and execution to provide a clear and comprehensive look at the structures and tools needed to build a security program that enables and enhances business processes. Divided into two parts, the first part considers business strategy and the second part details specific tactics. The information in both sections will help security practitioners and mangers develop a viable synergy that will allow security to take its place as a valued partner and contributor to the success and profitability of the enterprise. Confusing strategies and tactics all too often keep organizations from properly implementing an effective information protection strategy. This versatile reference presents information in a way that makes it accessible and applicable to organizations of all sizes. Complete with checklists of the physical security requirements that organizations should consider when evaluating or designing facilities, it provides the tools and understanding to enable your company to achieve the operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and brand enhancements that are possible when an effective security strategy is put into action.