Information Security Management: SMBs Perspective
Information Security Management (ISM) involves implementing policies and controls to protect an organization's informational assets from threats and vulnerabilities. Here’s a summary from a company perspective:
Essential Parts of Information Security Management
- Confidentiality: Ensuring that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals.
- Integrity: Maintaining the accuracy and completeness of data, preventing unauthorized alterations.
- Availability: Ensuring that information and resources are available to authorized users when needed.
Key Components of Information Security Management
Risk Management:
- Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating risks to information assets.
- Risk Mitigation: Implementing measures to reduce or eliminate risks.
Policies and Procedures:
- Security Policies: Establishing guidelines for protecting information.
- Procedural Controls: Implementing specific actions to enforce policies.
Information Security Management System (ISMS):
A formal, documented process for managing information security, often aligned with standards like ISO/IEC 270011.
Incident Management:
- Detection and Response: Identifying and responding to security incidents promptly.
- Recovery: Restoring normal operations after an incident.
Who Must Be Involved in Information Security Management
Executive Leadership:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Oversees the entire information security program.
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO): Ensures that security measures align with technological advancements.
IT department, IT professionals and Security Teams:
- Security Analysts: Monitor and analyze security threats.
- IT Operators: Implement and maintain security controls
HR department, HR professionals
- Close collaboration with IT
- Screening applicants and new employees
- Onboarding an employee and assigning permissions, access management as part
- Employee departure and withdrawal of authorization
Office and Facility managers
- Office managers are usually responsible for access to rooms, keys, access cards and the like
Employees:
- Training and Awareness: All employees must be trained on security policies and practices to prevent human errors and insider threats1.
Stakeholders:
- Compliance Officers: Ensure that security measures comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Third-Party Vendors: Must adhere to the company's security standards to protect shared information.