May 25 2010

Tips for building security organization

Category: Security organization — DISC @ 5:54 pm

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By: Brian Prince

Businesses have increased expectations on the security team in recent years, sometimes producing a disconnect between what is expected and what the security team can deliver. In a new report, Forrester Research lays out some advice for building an effective security organization.

As IT security has become a bigger part of business discussions, security teams have increasingly shifted their focus from operations to strategic business objectives.

For businesses building their security groups, there needs to be a balance between fulfilling operational and strategic goals, and a new report from Forrester Research offers advice on how businesses can find it.

“In a few cases we found that the strategic aspect of security was so important or was so highlighted in terms of the CISO [chief information security officer] role that the CISO was sometimes moved outside the IT organization, [and] sometimes wasn’t as connected with the operation [of] the IT…[but] much more connected with the business side and the strategy side,” explained Forrester analyst Khalid Kark. “What that does is basically creates an ivory tower for the chief security officers, and then they are not able to operate.”

To avoid that, there are several steps Forrester recommends organizations take. Here are a few of them.

— New Roles: To make your security practice more strategic, add these three positions: a business liaison to advocate for the business unit within the security team and communicate the security perspective to business; the third-party security coordinator to address outsourcing, assessments and cloud computing; and a security engineer focused on working with the enterprise architecture team to build security into the architecture and integrate specific infrastructure security components into the architecture.

— Understand IT security vs. information risk: “Many security organizations fail to get management attention because they’re always focused on the IT security activities, which the business doesn’t understand,” according to the report. “On the other hand, the business understands risk well, and if you articulate those same problems in the risk context, the business is much more likely to react and respond to them.”

— Develop a cross-functional security council: “Focus on ‘who’ not ‘how.’ Forrester has long professed the benefits of a security council, but one thing that is absolutely essential for the success of this council is its composition,” the report continues. “The trick is not to aim for the highest ranking businessperson but the one most interested in security and risk issues who has a reasonable level of visibility in the business. When you have a passionate team working on the security issues, the ‘how’ will be easy to determine.”

— Equip the business to perform risk assessments: “To meet the security and risk obligations effectively, you have to delegate, and risk assessments are ideal for this,” Forrester said. “Provide the checklists and basic training to the business to perform the basic risk assessment tasks so that it takes the pressure off your resources. Make it easy and seamless for the business to incorporate these into its existing processes.”

Complicating things is today’s economic environment in which businesses may be forced to reshuffle or even cut their security personnel. When that happens, organizations may have to refocus their attention from strategic projects and get back to basics, the report noted.

“As security organizations get leaner, delegation, formalized and documented processes, and good monitoring and metrics become key,” said Forrester analyst Rachel Dines, who worked on the report with Kark. “Security organizations don’t need to have direct ownership of all security-related processes, but they do need to monitor and control them.”

How to create a security culture in your organization: a recent study reveals the importance of assessment, incident response procedures, and social engineering … article from: Information Management Journal

Tags: Business, Chief Information Security Officer, Cloud computing, Consultants, Forrester Research, General and Freelance, Information Security, Security

Nov 30 2009

Hackers steal credit-card numbers from restaurant customers

Category: pci dss,Security Breach — DISC @ 2:44 am


Here we have another unnecessary credit card data breach in a small organization which resulted in a loss of customers data demonstrating poor baseline security of small organization in this case a restaurant. Small organizations are not ready for PCI Compliance. Checkout why PCI Compliance is essential and why small merchants have to comply. Review my threats page and evaluate your current business and system risks to make sure this does not happen to you.
Contact DISC for any question

By Theodore Decker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Diners who frequent a popular Downtown restaurant should review their charge-card statements because hackers broke into its computer system to loot debit- and credit-card numbers, police said today.

Between 30 and 50 people have reported fraudulent charges on their accounts, and Columbus detectives said that anyone who used a charge card at Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails in July or August is at risk.

Detective Wyatt Wilson of the Columbus police fraud/forgery unit said police began linking reports of credit-card fraud in October. Cross-checking the victims’ accounts revealed Tip Top, which is on E. Gay Street, as a common denominator, he said.

The hackers have been traced to an overseas Internet address, and no Tip Top employees are involved, police said. Wilson said the business was as much a victim as its customers were.

The hackers found a weak point in the restaurant’s computer defenses, wormed their way in, and installed “malware” that stripped the numbers, he said.

The restaurant has fixed the problem, but customers who charged anything there in July or August should contact their credit-card companies or banks, cancel their cards and get new ones, even if they haven’t been victimized yet, police said.

New fraud reports have rolled in periodically until a few days ago, Wilson said, indicating that the card numbers are still in criminal circulation.

Elizabeth Lessner, the restaurant’s owner, said she has been told by investigators that the breach might have been the work of high-level hackers in Russia, and she wondered whether it was connected to a global case that surfaced this year.


Most of the small companies have trouble justifying their investments when it comes to security. At the same time PCI DSS for the “brick & mortar” merchants have been a blessing for security firms who sell hardware solutions to small merchants. The problem is these hardware point solution does not address the business issues of a small merchant on daily basis.
This is why small merchants need to build a security program and the in-house expertise with training and help of outside consultant to understand business issues related to information security clearly. You mature this process over time with an ongoing effort and full management support.
Do you think it’s time for small merchants to take information security seriously as a business limiting risk?

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Prevent and Protect from Credit Card Fraud and Scams

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS_jCET-YFA&feature=related

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Tags: Banking Services, Business, Credit card, crime, Financial services, fraud, hacker, Information Security, Malware, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, Point of sale, Police, Security

Jul 16 2009

Common Information Security lapses

Category: Information Security — DISC @ 4:36 pm

Information Security Wordle: RFC2196 - Site Se...
Image by purpleslog via Flickr
User Security
  • Opening email attachments with integrated email clients

  • Not updating client software

  • Downloading untrusted software

  • Not creating or testing backups

  • Using wireless router connected inside the LAN

    • Strategic Security

  • Not providing training to security personnel

  • Only addressing physical security, neglecting data security

  • Not validating security fixes

  • Relying on firewall for all security needs

  • Not evaluating impact on reputation and data of security breach

  • Not implementing long term security decisions, relying on hot fixes to put out fires

  • Not addressing issues, neglecting security as policy

    • Operational Security

  • Not hardening internet connected host

  • Connecting test systems to the internet

  • Not updating systems on a regular and emergency basis

  • Using unencrypted protocols for management, reporting

  • Choosing bad default user passwords, changing passwords in insecure manner, or notifying users in insecure manners

  • Not testing or maintaining backups, not understanding the intricacies of backup software and procedures


    • Tags: Backup, Information Security, poor security, Security, security mistakes

    Jun 30 2009

    Security controls and ISO 27002

    Category: Information Security,ISO 27k — DISC @ 1:56 pm

    seeyourdataUsually security breach occurs due to lack of basic security controls or lack of effective control which is not relevant over the time. Security controls also disintegrate over the time due to lack of maintenance and monitoring.
    According to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse survey, the top three breaches resulted from laptop theft, software or human error, and hackers. Most of these breaches could have been prevented by procedural, management and technical security controls. Most of the security breaches happen during the state of non-compliance. The most famous TJX security breach happens in 2007, at the time of the breach TJX complied with only 3 out of 12 PCI-DSS requirements.

    Small organizations sometimes don’t have enough resources to comply with all the requirements of regulations and standards like HIPAA and PCI. But that is not an excuse of not understanding the relevant regulations and standards requirements to your business and having a clear security strategy which explains how to achieve the compliance down the road. Also your security strategy will be an evidence of your due diligence to secure your critical assets. On the other hand big organizations have enough resources to implement security controls, but for whatever reason they often do not have clear strategy how to establish security controls.

    Information security is not a onetime static process but an ongoing assessment of risks in your business, where you need to understand the your critical assets, classification of those assets based on CIA, sensitive data and its access, policies, standards, procedures , training, security reviews and continuous monitoring.

    One of the most popular baseline for security controls is the international standard ISO 27002 – Code of Practice for Information Security management. ISO 27002 have 11 security clauses and 133 security controls are high level which provides a reasonable guidance for implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Due to ISO 27002 broad scope, it’s relevant to every industry and size of business.

    Organization should have a baseline of security controls before barging onto complying with PCI or HIPAA regulation. ISO assessment will help you to understand what controls are in place and assist you with security strategy and later will become a measuring stick for your ISMS.

    Ongoing compliance is achieved by monitoring the relevant controls. Ongoing compliance will depend on the quality of your information security management system (ISMS). ISMS would include thorough monitoring, logging and reviewing controls to maintain and improve system security over time. You can develop an automated monitoring process to achieve consistent results and sustain compliance by continuously monitoring your system. ISMS (based on ISO 27001) certainly can be a great value to manage ongoing monitoring, maintenance and improvement cycle.

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    Tags: Computer security, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Information Security, Information Security Management System, ISO/IEC 27001, pci dss, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

    May 06 2009

    Rise of cybercrime and management responsibility

    Category: Information Security,Information Warfare — DISC @ 5:08 pm

    ITIL Security Management
    Image via Wikipedia
    According to SF Chronicle article by Deborah Gage (May 8, 2009, c2) consumer reports magazine’s annual “State of the Net” survey finds that cybercrimes has held steady since 2004, with one out of five consumers becoming victims in last two years at a cost to economy of $8 billion. Consumer report can be found on at www.consumerreports.org

    Uncertain economic time brings new threats and scams and most of the security experts agree that there’s a possibility of increase in cybercrime for this year. Survey also found that around 1.7 million people were victims of identity theft and 1.2 million had replaced their computers because of infected software.

    First why all the signs are showing uptick in cybercrimes and second what are we going to do about it.

    Management should start considering security as total cost of ownership instead of wasting time on what is ROI of information security. If there is a security breach, somebody in the management should be held accountable not an IT or security personnel. Management will keep demonstrating lax attitude toward data protection and security in general unless there are serious consequences like spending time in jail for lack of security controls (basic due diligence) and not taking appropriate actions for the risks that posed a significant threat to the organization.

    PCI, HIPAA and SOX compliance are a good start in a right direction for management to take information security into consideration, but these compliance initiatives don’t address the security of a whole organization. They address security risks of a business unit in an organization. If management is really serious about security then ISO 27002 code of practice is one of the option which should be considered to address the security of the whole organization and ultimately organization should achieve ISO 27001 certification which will build a comprehensive information security management system to manage ongoing risks.

    [TABLE=2]

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    Tags: Information Security, International Organization for Standardization, isms, iso 27001, iso 27002, Operating system, Policy, Security

    Apr 22 2009

    RSA and cybersecurity

    Category: Information Security — DISC @ 6:52 pm

    SAN FRANCISCO - FEBRUARY 6: Art Coviello, Exe...
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    This week I was in attendance with thousands of people from all over the globe at RSA conference in Moscone Center San Francisco. The conference offers variety of training tracks and this year included two new tracks physical security & governance and risk & compliance. Since Novell CNE was one of my first professional certification, I was glad to see Novell making some headway’s in information security arena, especially Deloitte was promoting Novell identity management solution in the conference.

    The cloud computing is the buzz word for this year conference. As far as virtual environment boundaries are concerned , it’s hard to say where it start and where it ends which complicate the matters and complexity of the cloud will introduce new threats and risks. With that in mind cyber security appears to be worse than last year. Attendance might be bit low this year due to budget cut but the conference floor was packed with vendors and enthusiastic audiences.

    Most of the security expert understand that companies are cutting budgets and might be decreasing their investment in security. Having a proactive security strategy and spending the security dollars wisely is the key to success of a business in this downturn economy. One thing to understand about information security, there is no ROI (return on investment) in security. ROI is a total cost of ownership.

    Another concern in the conference is that the threats and fraud goes up during downturn economy. Companies should have comprehensive policies to tackle insider threats regarding disgruntled employees who might be at verge of getting laid off to prevent them from stealing intellectual property.

    There is an outstanding line of keynote speakers like Melissa Hathaway, federal acting senior director of cyberspace. She advised the current (Obama) administration. She will be discussing issues like how much federal government should be involved in protecting critical assets like power grids. The conference like RSA helps security professionals to sharpen their skills and work in collaborative manners to successfully defend their organizations from attackers.

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    RSA Conference 2009 Highlights
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAxAagvmu6w

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    Tags: Cloud computing, Consultants, Information Security, Melissa Hathaway, Moscone Center, Obama, RSA Conference, San Francisco, Security

    Feb 18 2009

    Economic turmoil and BCP

    Category: BCP,Information Security — DISC @ 6:42 pm

    information
    Due to economic insecurity all the warning signs are pointing that this year is going to top the record for information security and privacy incidents. Organizations may not be in a position to take business limiting risk and bypass security fundamental like Business Continuity Planning (BCP). During this economic uncertainty organizations have to pay more attention to liability, regulatory penalties and negative PR which might cause an irrecoverable damage to business in today’s market.


    “BCP is the creation and validation of a practiced logistical plan for how organization will recover and restore partially or completely interrupted critical functions within a predetermine time after a disaster or extended disruption”

    The first step in business continuity process is to consider the potential impact of each disaster or disruption. Next step is to determine the likelihood of the disruption or how likely this disruption will occur within a year and how many times. Both impact and likelihood will determine the risk to the organization critical asset in a sense if impact of the disruption is high the risk is high or if likelihood of the incident is high the risk is high. High risk disruption will attract more attention during planning process.

    Risk Analysis:
    • Understand the function of probabilities and risk reduction
    • Identify potential risks to the organization
    • Identify outside expertise required
    • Identify vulnerabilities / threats / exposures
    • Identify risk reduction / mitigation alternatives
    • Identify credible information sources
    • Interface with management to determine acceptable risk levels
    • Document and present findings

    BCP Plan:
    • Understand clear objectives, available alternatives, their advantages, disadvantages, and cost ranges, including mitigation as a recovery strategy
    • Identify viable recovery strategies with business functional areas
    • Consolidate strategies
    • Identify off-site storage requirements and alternative facilities
    • Develop business unit consensus
    • Present strategies to management to obtain commitment

    Assessing the Effectiveness of a BCP Plan for an Individual Business Unit:
    Business unit contingency planning was never more important than now. The success of BCP planning depends upon the feasibility and appropriateness of the plan. However, only comprehensive TESTING of the contingency plans could validate that and everyone hates testing. It is important that the Contingency Plan clearly identify those responsible for declaring a disaster and executing the plan. BS 25999-2:2007 is the specification for implementing, establishing, and improving a business continuity management system (BCMS) within an organization.

    The requirements in the standard are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations, regardless of type, size and nature of business. The extent of application of these requirements depends on the organization’s operating environment and complexity. BS 25999-2 can be used by internal and external parties, including certification bodies, to assess an organization’s ability to meet its own business continuity needs, as well as any customer, legal or regulatory needs.

    Purchase BS25999-2:2007 online today and prove business resilience to customers and partners.

    [TABLE=16]

    BSI – What is Business Continuity Management?
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkQsmSg1PFU&NR=1

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    Tags: Business, Business continuity planning, Business Services, Contingency plan, Emergency Management, Fire and Security, Information Security, Risk management

    Feb 13 2009

    Global economic insecurity and rise of insider threats

    Category: Insider Threat — DISC @ 6:04 pm

    information

    According to BBC news article by Maggie Shiels (Feb 11, 2009) the world’s biggest software maker has warned companies to expect an increase in “insider” security attacks by disgruntled, laid-off workers. Microsoft said so-called “malicious insider” breaches were on the rise and would worsen in the present downturn.





    Below are the high points:
    • With 1.5 million predicted job losses in the US alone, there’s an increased risk and exposure to these attacks

    • Insider threat is one of the most significant threats companies face. Said Microsoft Doug Leland

    • The malicious insider is classed as the greatest security concern because they have access, and relatively easy access to corporate assets

    • During economic insecurity people are motivated by revenge, fear or greed

    • 88% of data breaches were caused by simple negligence on the part of staff

    • Employees steal information to sell to a third party, to get back at a company for being laid off or demoted or to try and get a job at another company

    • Even though Insiders attacks are lower in numbers but they could be more devastating because the employee knew where “the crown jewels” were kept – unlike a hacker who had to go on something of a “fishing expedition” to find a company’s valuable assets

    • The outstanding, unsolved, unaddressed risk management problem that has existed for years is that everyone is focusing on the hacker

    • Data loss prevention systems specialize in the detection of precisely these events

    Here is the article: Malicious insider attacks to rise

    To find the correct balance between data security and data availability, organizations are urged to buy a copy Data Breaches: Trends, costs and best practices.

    Even in good time management focused on driving shareholder value by increasing revenue and profits. I think during this economic downturn information security will be the last thing on their mind which will not only compound the problem but gives an edge to a attacker and simply a bad business decisions considering the circumstances. It’s about time to start paying attention to regulatory compliance for sake of securing organization assets. Good place to start is to have some sort of baseline based on information security framework and come up with a strategy to improve that baseline. ISO assessment can be utilized to baseline the organization security posture and is a great first step towards ISO 27002 compliance or for that matter any compliance audit.

    What do you think board rooms are appropriately prepared to tackle or perhaps slow down the wave of data breaches coming our way?

    • Related article
    Unstable Economy and Insider Threats
    Economic Crisis Tops Security Threats to U.S

    Detecting Insider Threats
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ce3S6DkvwY

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    Tags: BBC, Consultants, Data loss prevention products, Information Security, International Organization for Standardization, iso 27002, Microsoft, Risk management, Security

    Feb 12 2009

    SB1386 and ISO27002

    Category: ISO 27k — DISC @ 7:08 pm

    In April 20007, California state IT council adopted the information security program guide which help organizations to comply with SB 1386. The council advised the use of information security standard ISO 27002 framework to comply and meet the needs of SB 1386.

    [Table = 13]

    Which businesses are affected by SB 1386 law?
    o If you have a business in California
    o Outsourcing company who does business with a company in California or have customers in California
    o Data centers outside of California which store information of California residents

    sb1386

    Toolkits are designed to help organizations who need to comply with a law like SB 1386. SB 1386 and ISO 27002 implementation toolkit assist ISO 27002 compliance. Also help organizations who are interested in certification to lay in the ground work for (ISO 27001) certification that would demonstrate the conformance with world class information security management systems.


    The Comprehensive SB1386 Implementation toolkit comprises of:
    1. The SB 1386 Documentation Toolkit: a download with nearly 400 of densely packed pages of fit-for-purpose policies and procedures ensuring full compliance with SB 1386.
    2. International IT Governance: An Executive Guide to ISO 17799/ISO 27001 (Soft Cover) This is the US version of the long established world leading manual on designing and implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) in line with the best practice guidance of ISO27001/ISO17799.
    3. vsRisk™- the Definitive ISO 27001: 2005-Compliant Information Security Risk Assessment Tool which in summary:
    o automates and delivers an ISO/IEC 27001-compliant risk assessment
    o Uniquely, can assess confidentiality, integrity & availability for each of business, legal and contractual aspects of information assets – as required by ISO 27001
    o Comprehensive best-practice alignment
    o Supports ISO 27001
    o Supports ISO 27002 (ISO/IEC 17799)
    o Conforms to ISO/IEC 27005
    o Conforms to NIST SP 800-30
    o The wizard-based approach simplifies and accelerates the risk assessment process;
    o Integrated, regularly updated, BS7799-3 compliant threat and vulnerability databases.
    4. Plus an electronic copy of the Information Security Standard ISO/IEC 27002: (formerly ISO 17799).

    Buy The SB-1386 & ISO27002 Implementation Toolkit NOW!

    ISO assessment is a great first step towards ISO 27002 compliance and toward the final goal of ISO 27001 certification audit or for that matter any compliance audit.

    ISO 27002 Framework for Today’s Security Challenges
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRFMfiLbNj8

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    Tags: Information Security, Information Security Management System, International Organization for Standardization, iso 27001, iso 27002, iso 27005, iso assessment, National Institute of Standards and Technology, sb 1386

    Jan 30 2009

    ISO 27k and CMMI

    Category: Information Security,ISO 27k — DISC @ 2:00 am

    To become a successful business in today’s market, optimized information security controls may be the panacea for unmet security needs. One way to achieve optimized information security control is to perform ISO assessment and assess the organization security posture based on ISO 27002 code of practice and map each control with Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) to find out the current CMMI level for each control. information The goal is to address the organization security needs as a whole, and assess how different departments and business functions are addressing the current business security requirements. The CMMI has five levels and evaluate security controls based on levels, not on specific objectives. Each level provides the basis for the next level where it is not possible to get to the next level without complying with previous level. ISO 27002 is a comprehensive framework which can be utilized to obtain the baseline upon which to build each level. For each control in ISO 27002, maturity levels are defined using maturity definition found in CMMI. In the assessment report maturity level of each control of ISO 27002 standard can be evaluated. Utilizing the color coded scheme provided by CMMI model, create a one page ISO control summary for executives which will not only help them to understand the current security posture but also can be instrumental for measuring progress and resource allocation.

    The scope of the ISO27k standards includes various aspects of IT. The introduction to ISO 27002 states clearly: “Information can exist in many forms. It can be printed or written on paper, stored electronically, transmitted by post of using electronic means, shown on films, or spoken in conversation. Whatever form information takes, or means by which it is shared or stored, it should always be appropriately protected.”

    Benefits of ISO 27k framework:
    o Framework addresses the security issues for the whole organization and limit data breaches
    o Address compliance with various regulations like (SOX, HIPAA, and PCI) without creating silos.
    o Reduce total cost of security by decreasing total number of controls required
    o Perception of your business that you are serious about information security not just compliance
    o Enhance partners and vendors confidence to do business with your organization
    o Future deciding factor for national and especially international partners for more business
    o Internationally recognized standard which addresses security awareness for the whole organization

    isotocmmi

    Assessment will give an organization a high level view of their current security posture and provide a road map for security strategy in a sense what needs to be addressed first utilizing risk based approach. This is also a good start if your organization is interested in the Information Security Management System (ISMS) or ISO 27001 certification. ISO 27001 is the standard for the certification which includes the set of requirements for ISMS. Justifiable scoping is the key to a quick and successful certification; organization may adjust their scope in a re-certification attempt. Perhaps in the first attempt you may need to include just a web portal in your scope and the entire infrastructure behind supporting that portal. Once the ISMS project scope is determined, here are some steps you can follow to prepare for ISO 27001 auditors.

    1. Based on your scope, create an asset list
    2. Find out asset threats and vulnerabilities and classify the asset based on CIA scale
    3. Come up with risk matrix based on impact and likelihood of the risk
    4. Create priorities based on impact and likelihood of the risk
    5. Based on priorities, implement appropriate controls for risks which needs to be addressed
    6. Do the risk assessment again, PDCA improve ISMS

    “ISO27001 is a structured, technology-neutral, vendor-agnostic specification and code of practice for information security management in organizations of all sizes that should be adopted as part of an organization’s overall risk management strategy.”

    This should give you a jump start to certification. You have already started the process of certification because most of the documentations in the risk assessment will become part of certification process later and will lead you to 12 steps which are part of PDCA cycle. ISMS certification process utilized Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle methodology which continually improve information security management system and meet the contractual, legal, and regulatory requirements for information security.

    ISO assessment is utilized to analyze the current security posture of an organization where each control is defined and can be color coded using the base definition found in CMMI. Therefore ISO assessment is a great first step towards the final ISO 27001 certification audit or for that matter any compliance audit.

    [TABLE=2]

    ISO 27k framework for today’s security challenges
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRFMfiLbNj8

    Three useful titles on ISO 27k by Alan Calder

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    Tags: Capability Maturity Model Integration, CIA scale, Information Security, Information Security Management System, International Organization for Standardization, isms, iso 27001, iso 27002, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI, PDCA, Risk Assessment, Risk management, Security, SOX HIPAA, vsrisk

    Nov 04 2008

    Open Network and Security

    Category: Information Security,Open Network — DISC @ 7:54 pm

    Made and uploaded by John Manuel - JMK{{#if: |...

    Open networks are heterogeneous environment where users like to use all the applications and systems at any given time. In a heterogeneous environment, each department run different hardware and software, but you can control the protocols which will work on this environment.

    Universities are famous for open network. Most Universities network is comprised of a Bank (To give loan to students), a restaurant, and a bookstore which have credit card processing ability. Students, alumni, researchers, employee and staff need access to utilize resources. Now how would you control access if same person assume all the roles mentioned above. Universities are basically transient communities, where users come back and plug-in their new devices and expect an immediate access to all the resources. Where the reputation of openness is challenge at every step of the way, now the question is how can they maintain reputation and yet control the environment based on security policies.

    Reasonable security can be accomplished by focusing on a process rather than adding yet another security control. The process is based on risk assessment program where you assess your critical assets based on threat and vulnerability pair and measure the likelihood and impact of a threat if a given vulnerability is exploited.

    The process start with knowing your assets – Network registration will detect when you plug-in your new equipment. Before you get an access, it detects a hardware address and username. You can also control common misconfigurations and noncompliance issues with network registration process. Some vulnerability management systems discover assets and perform vulnerability and security configuration assessment to proactively identify and prioritize risks. New vulnerabilities are accessed from trusted site on a regular basis and when vulnerabilities are identified, the management system needs to have an ability to remediate to comply with the information security policy.

    Most of the departments in an open network contains different systems and applications and basically have different security appetite. Distributed IT Governance can address this issue where you develop policies and procedures which fit their needs and hand it over to the department to comply.
    Open network requires pretty much open borders, Instead of securing the network/system emphasis should be on data protection.

    [TABLE=9]

    Recent news from AT&T to make its network open where customers can use any handset of their choice, perhaps a reaction to in response to recent moves from Verizon and Google to promote open network. Specifically Verizon announced that it would allow “any device” and “any application” to operate on its network. These open networks does provide flexibility for customers but at the same time burden lies on the shoulders of the corporations to provide right balance of security and privacy with availability of the network.

    In an open network, reasonable security can be achieved by embracing ISO 27k standard and eventually acquiring ISO 27001 (ISMS) certification. Information Security Management System (ISMS) can be a great value added process to manage ongoing monitoring, maintaining and for process improvement of an open network. ISMS as a process in-place provides reasonable security safeguard to your information and certainly help to minimize the liability in the court of law.

    End-to-End Network Security: Defense-in-Depth by Omar Santos
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTJSMjYd9c4

    (Free Two-Day Shipping from Amazon Prime). Great books

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    Tags: AT&T, Computers, Credit card, data protection, heterogeneous, impact, Information Security, Information Security Management System, isms, iso 27001, ISO 27k, ISO/IEC 27001, IT Governance, likelihood, Network registration, Omar Santos, Reasonable security, risk assessment program, security controls, threat, Universities network, Verizon, vulnerability, vulnerability management systems

    Aug 08 2008

    ISO27k and compliance

    Category: Information Security,ISO 27k — DISC @ 2:42 am

    Security review is performed to identify and analyze risks and weaknesses in the current security posture of an organization. An ISO assessment is performed utilizing international standard ISO 27002 and company security policy, the purpose of the review is to evaluate the information security posture of an organization based on international standard. The level of compliance will indicate how close your organization is to meeting the key objectives for each 133 controls defined within 11 security control clauses collectively containing a total of 39 main security categories and one introductory clause introducing risk assessment and treatment.

    It is important to not only assess the control for completeness (all relevant areas are addressed) and comprehensiveness (each individual area is covered completely), but also this balanced framework serves as the basis for both measuring an organization’s effectiveness in addressing risk and structuring an organization’s overall security program. Because ISO 27002 requirements are largely a superset of other major regulations, achieving ISO 27002 compliance positions most organizations to be well on their way to meeting the requirements of SOX, HIPAA and GLBA.

    To achieve ISO compliance, thorough assessment utilizing all 133 controls will provide mitigating solution guidelines for gaps. To give your business an edge, conduct a security review based on ISO controls, if you would like to compare your security practices with international standard.
    The result of the assessment will not only establish and maintain security policy, but also validates the policy’s completeness, design new controls and provide a road map to mitigate risks. An assessment of risks will determine what issues need to be addressed and provide a guideline to meet security regulations and a road map to build a world class ISMS (Information Security Management System).

    ISO27001 is an international standard which is considered as an information security best practice or due diligence and is part of the security controls and audit controls specification document. ISO27002 is a code of practice which recommends guidelines for information security management systems and is closely linked to ISO 27001. ISO27001 continues to provide comprehensive best-practice advice and guidance to private and public organizations around the globe on how to design and implement a compliant information security management system ISMS.
    An ISMS is not simply a set of documents. Maintaining and improving ISMS allows it to grow over time to address new business requirements. An ISMS is simply a system which addresses information security risks facing an organization and identifies the level of organization compliance with applicable regulations.

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    Tags: glba, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, hipaa, Information Security, Information Security Management System, isms, iso 27002, iso assessment, iso compliance, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27002, sox

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