Security Policies

Threats to security and integrity

Threats to information systems include Human error

– keying errors, program errors, operator errors, Y2K Computer crime

– hacking, viruses, logic bombs Natural disasters

– fire, earthquake, hurricane, flood War and terrorist activities

– bombs, fire Hardware failure

– power failure, network failure, disk head crash

Risk analysis

What is the nature of the data stored in the system?

How is the data used? Who has access to the system? Is all software Year 2000 compliant? How much money does the company stand

to lose if the data is lost, corrupted or stolen?

Layers of control Personnel screening

Operational security

Communications security

Authorisation software

Terminal use controls

Building security

Guards, Ids, Visitors passes, sign in/out

IT SYSTEMS AND DATA

Locks, swipe cards, biometric measures (e.g. fingerprint recognition)

Access rights (e.g. no access, read-only, read-write)

Automatic callback, encryption, hand-shaking procedures

Audit trails, unusual patterns of use, virus checks, backup and recovery procedures

Hiring policies, separation of duties, education and training, establishing standards of honesty

Espionage, fraud and theft, threats, blackmail

Errors in programming, input and output procedures, operations

Natural disasters and accidents

Invasions of privacy, virus introduction, malicious destruction of data

Layers of control Building and equipment security

– locks and window grills, guards, alarms and automatic fire extinguishers, Id cards, visitor’s pass

Authorisation software– user ids and passwords

Communications security– Databases vulnerable to outside hackers. Combat illegal access with

callback, handshaking, encryption Operational security

– Audit controls track what happens on a network Audit trail

– record that traces a transaction Personnel safeguards

– users and computer personnel within an organisation are more likely to breach security than outsiders

Corporate I.T. security policy Awareness and education

– Training Administrative controls

– screening, separation of duties Operations controls

– backups, access controls Physical protection of data

– controlled access, fire/flood alarms, UPS Access controls to the system and information

– access levels, access rights, encryption Disaster recovery plan