table of contents
- 01.What is an information security policy?
- 02.Why is an information security policy necessary?
- 03.Information Security Policy Contents
- 04.Information Security Policy Formulation Procedure
- 05.Points to note when formulating an information security policy
- 06.LANSCOPE Endpoint Manager Cloud Edition: Identify at a glance devices that violate information security policies
- 07.Information security policy to ensure organizational security
An information security policy refers to the guidelines and code of conduct for information security measures implemented by a company or organization.
The content of an information security policy will vary depending on the size of the company or organization, the information assets it holds, its structure, etc., so it is necessary to formulate one that is appropriate for your company. However, it is generally considered a good idea to include the following items:
| Information Security Basic Policy | A basic document that defines the organization’s information security policy |
|---|---|
| Information Security Policy | A document that describes the internal structure, roles, and responsibilities for information security management |
| Information Security Measures | A document that describes the security measures that will actually be implemented |
| Information Security Procedures | Operating procedures for software and hardware used to implement information security measures |
| Records and ledgers | A ledger of assets to which information security policies are applied and a record of the actions taken |
By formulating an information security policy
- Protection of information assets
- Rapid response in emergencies
- Raising employee security awareness
The need for this is increasing year by year as it becomes possible to do things like:
This article explains the overview and necessity of information security policies, as well as points to keep in mind when formulating them.
To summarize this article:
- An information security policy is a set of guidelines and guidelines for information security measures implemented by a company or organization.
- The need for information security policies is increasing year by year, as they enable the protection of information assets , rapid response in emergencies , and improved security awareness among employees.
- Items that should be included in an information security policy include ” basic information security policy ,” ” information security policy ,” ” information security measures regulations ,” ” information security measures procedure manual, ” and “records and ledgers .”
- Key points for formulating an information security policy include ” describe specific content ,” ” establish a system to maintain and improve the security policy ,” and ” clarify the scope of application .”
What is an information security policy?
An information security policy refers to the guidelines and code of conduct for information security measures implemented by a company or organization.
Specifically, we formulate what measures to take and what procedures to follow to protect the information assets we hold from various threats.
The content of an information security policy will vary depending on the size of the company or organization, the information assets it holds, its structure, etc., so it is necessary to formulate one that is appropriate for your company.
Why is an information security policy necessary?
Reasons why you need an information security policy include:
- You can protect your information assets
- To enable quick response in the event of an emergency
- It helps to improve security awareness among employees
You can protect your information assets
Information security policies are formulated after conducting risk analysis.
Specifically, we analyze what information assets our company has and what threats are expected to occur to them, and then prioritize them.
This enables you to take high-level security measures to protect your information assets from various threats, including external attacks, internal fraud, and human error.
To enable quick response in the event of an emergency
The information security policy also outlines the procedures that should be followed in the event of a security incident.
for example
- If you are infected with ransomware, immediately disconnect the infected device from the network and report it to your security officer.
- In this case, do not use networks that are suspected to be infected.
- Once the damage has been prevented from spreading, check the extent of the infection and record the information.
If you include the above in your information security policy, you will be able to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
It helps to improve security awareness among employees
Formulating an information security policy and disseminating it throughout a company or organization will also help improve security awareness among employees.
This is because the information security policy specifically states what information must be protected and how , along with the reasons for doing so.
This will encourage you to be careful about how you handle information and avoid actions that could lead to information leaks.
Information Security Policy Contents
Because information security policies cover a wide range of content, the main framework will be established before the details are worked out.
Information Security Basic Policy
This is a basic document that sets out the organization’s information security policy. It
is published on the company’s homepage or corporate website and also serves to communicate the organization’s thinking to customers and business partners.
Information Security Policy
This is a document that describes the internal structure, roles, and responsibilities for information security management.
When formulating and implementing an information security policy, it is important to clearly identify the person responsible for each document and scope of work.
By clarifying who is responsible, it becomes easier to understand the intent and issues of the policy and make any necessary adjustments.
Information Security Measures
This is a document that describes the security measures that will actually be implemented.
This also includes the introduction of antivirus software, security products such as firewalls and IDS, and how to manage and operate each IT device.
Information Security Procedures
These are operating procedures for software and hardware used to implement information security measures. They
are created with the assumption that users will actually follow the procedures when performing tasks such as configuring devices according to their purpose, updating antivirus software and the OS, etc.
Records and ledgers
It is a ledger of assets to which information security policies apply and a record of what has been implemented.
This includes work execution logs and asset management ledgers.
In addition to the above, there is also a three-stage structure: “Basic Policy,” “Countermeasure Standards,” and “Implementation Procedures and Operational Rules.”
It is best to choose the structure that best suits your organization.
Information Security Policy Formulation Procedure
An information security policy that applies to all employees requires a system that takes into account cooperation between departments and clear action procedures.
The formulation procedure varies greatly depending on the size of the organization and the type of job, but here is an example of the procedure for formulating an information security policy from scratch.
1. Establishment of an information security policy management system
This is a system for organizational security management.
The formulated security policy will be translated into concrete actions, and a person responsible for each will be selected.
The scope of application of the information security policy and the division of roles are also decided here.
This falls under the aforementioned “Information Security Policy.”
2. Formulation of information security policy
It is important that top management, including executives, declare that they take responsibility for maintaining and operating information security.
The formulation and implementation of an organization’s information security policy begins with the security basic policy that contains this declaration.
This falls under the aforementioned “Basic Information Security Policy.”
3. Identifying information assets and analyzing risks
We identify the information assets held by the organization and analyze the risks surrounding them.
Understanding the level of threat posed by each risk allows you to determine the priority of security measures and clarify what measures should be taken within a set budget.
This falls under the aforementioned “Information Security Measures Regulations.”
4. Documenting threats and risk responses
Determine what security measures you will take to address the risks and document them.
By clarifying the security products used and how they are used, an organization’s security measures can become more concrete.
This corresponds to the aforementioned “Information Security Measures Regulations” and “Information Security Measures Procedures.”
5. Employee awareness and education
We will inform our employees of the contents of our information security policy and provide training to ensure that they comply with it without fail.
If employees do not comply with the information security policy, it will not have the expected effect.
Clearly communicate the importance of following the rules, the risks of violating them, and the penalties within your organization.
6. Information Security Policy Implementation
We will carry out our work in accordance with the information security policy.
It is not uncommon for practical inconveniences or deficiencies in the information security policy to be discovered when it is first formulated.
We will respond flexibly, such as by reviewing operations if they deviate from organizational policy, or by changing information security policies if there is a deviation from actual practice that does not actually pose a security issue.
7.Maintenance of Information Security Policy
Over time, an organization’s environment changes, including the use of new services and new business.
Information security policies will also need to be improved on a daily basis to ensure they are in line with the organization’s actual situation.
Information security policies are generally improved using a method known as the “PDCA cycle,”
which ensures that employees are always aware of the information security policy and helps to create a consistent security environment throughout the organization.
Formulating an information security policy takes a lot of time and effort,
but an appropriate information security policy will improve an organization’s credibility and reduce the occurrence of security incidents.
Points to note when formulating an information security policy
Information security policies vary widely in content.
It is a good idea to formulate standards and procedures that are tailored to the circumstances of each department and site, in line with the organization’s established policies.
Key points of the plan
By keeping the following points in mind, you can prevent your information security policy from becoming a mere formality and increase employee awareness of complying with the policy.
- If the specific details
of an information security policy are ambiguous, it may be interpreted differently by different individuals, and may deviate from the policy intended by the organization.
For example, instead of “Set a strong password for accounts that use the system,” you could say, “Set a password of 8 characters or more that includes numbers and symbols for accounts that use the XX system.” - Establish a system to maintain and improve the information security policy.
The information security policy, which covers all of an organization’s operations, must always be in line with the current state of the organization.
By clarifying who is responsible for the tasks required to operate the information security policy and who is responsible for each document, it will be possible to reduce omissions and deficiencies. - Clarifying the scope of application:
The scope of information assets and target persons to which the formulated information security policy applies must be clearly defined.
Information assets include confidential information such as personal information and internal information held by the organization, and target persons are generally all employees, and external personnel such as partner companies may also be included as necessary.
Example of information security policy
A basic policy can be considered a declaration of intent that an organization makes to the world, so expressions that could be misunderstood or a lack of a basic philosophy could lead to a decline in credibility.
Although structures and procedures vary greatly from organization to organization, the IPA has published a sample basic policy that many organizations can use as a reference.
LANSCOPE Endpoint Manager Cloud Edition: Identify at a glance devices that violate information security policies
“LANSCOPE Endpoint Manager Cloud Edition” provided by MOTEX makes it possible to grasp at a glance which devices are violating security policies based on the acquired asset information. It is
also possible to periodically notify administrators of alert details by email, helping to reduce the burden on even busy administrators in device management.
For more information about the LANSCOPE Endpoint Manager Cloud Edition, please see the product page below.
Information security policy to ensure organizational security
In this article, we discuss the topic of “information security policy,” explaining its necessity and key points to consider when formulating it.
Summary of this article
- An information security policy is a set of guidelines and guidelines for information security measures implemented by a company or organization.
- The need for information security policies is increasing year by year, as they enable the protection of information assets , rapid response in emergencies , and improved security awareness among employees.
- Items that should be included in an information security policy include ” basic information security policy ,” ” information security policy ,” ” information security measures regulations ,” ” information security measures procedure manual, ” and “records and ledgers .”
- Key points for formulating an information security policy include ” describe specific content ,” ” establish a system to maintain and improve the security policy ,” and ” clarify the scope of application .”
An information security policy is a very effective foundation for security.
Companies and organizations should work together to formulate and implement these policies and protect the information assets they hold.
