How to Create a Good Information Security Plan

information security plan

A Good Information Security Plan Provides Full and Dynamic Coverage

Any information security plan that you, your organization’s executives, and your IT team devise will work best when you all understand that, in order for your plan to stay effective, it must remain an ongoing and broad-scoped endeavor.

Devise, Implement and Regularly Update a Strong and Multi-Pronged Information Security Plan, Starting with 5 Tips

CIO states that your business’s information exists in a complex ecosystem, brimming with multiple new technologies, continually updating regulatory requirements, business processes, security threats, market pressures and so much more.

The only way to manage this intricate flow of information, proliferation of technology, and human error is to hatch a good information security plan and commit to it. Incorporate the following 5 steps as part of your own information security plan.

1. Form Your Security Team.

Work with this invaluable team to establish your information security mission, objectives and goals. Often comprised of senior executives, your security team also sets up top-level security policies, technology user agreement components and terms, the organization’s risk thresholds, security project funding, and a cross-functional feet-on-the-ground data and network security team.

2. Assess Your System and Its Security Risks.

Work with your security team to identify your company’s most valuable data, and determine whether those properties are vulnerable to data security risks. Launch a “risk register,” which accounts for risks — critical systems, vulnerabilities, and internal and external risks — that you and your IT team discover. Figure out what type of controls you need to adopt and apply. Many organizations — even those with top-notch in-house IT teams — hire expert outside security experts to help shore up systems at this critical point.

3. Manage Data Assets.

Assign one of your cross-functional security teams to take inventory of all organizational data assets, hardware and software. Examine and log all technological devices, internal and external applications, and databases. Additionally, go through information assets that include network shared folders and FTP sites. Once you and your team have gone over the assets, you must assign custodians who are responsible for the protection of their assigned assets.

4. Identify the Regulatory Standards That Apply to Your Organization and Work Out a Compliance Strategy.

Avoid penalties and fines from federal and other regulatory bodies by learning which rules, laws and acts apply. Schedule updates and any necessary preparation or audits, assessments and certifications.

5. Develop Strong Incident Management and Disaster Recovery Programs.

Computing system risks come in any forms, including security breaches, accidental deletion of data, a massive power outage, natural disaster, terrorist attacks, and other events that cause the unintentional loss of assets. A strong disaster recovery plan helps you and your team stay calm and focused in what is an urgent situation, so you can approach the problem calmly and systematically, with a plan in hand.

Solid and consistent assessments and planning is the foundation for your organization’s information security plan. You can continue to build on these steps and other approaches you have in mind for a comprehensive and highly functional plan.

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