As You Begin To Perform The Information Systems Audit For PV

As You Begin To Perform The Information Systems Audit For Pvss Assume

As you begin to perform the information systems audit for PVSS, assume the identity of a different person in the scenario. For this Discussion Board, you are now the Network Systems Manager for PVSS. As the Network Systems Manager, how would you create the following four controls (or policies) to be used by PVSS: Entity level control, Network level control, Operating system level control, Web or database server level control. Keep in mind that each control should focus on a specific topic and offer the following structure: The Policy Statement, Responsibilities, Enforcement, and Violations.

Paper For Above instruction

As the Network Systems Manager at PVSS, establishing comprehensive security controls across various levels of the organization is critical for safeguarding information assets and ensuring operational integrity. The four controls—entity level, network level, operating system level, and web/database server level—each serve distinct yet interconnected roles. Each control policy must be precise, enforceable, and clearly defined in terms of responsibilities, enforcement mechanisms, and consequences for violations.

Entity Level Control

Policy Statement: PVSS shall implement an overarching entity-level security control requiring all employees and stakeholders to complete annual security awareness training and acknowledge organizational security policies. This policy aims to create a security-conscious organizational culture.

Responsibilities: The Human Resources (HR) department is responsible for coordinating training sessions, maintaining records of attendance, and ensuring all new employees complete security awareness onboarding. Managers are responsible for enforcing compliance within their teams. The IT Security team oversees policy updates and monitors compliance metrics.

Enforcement: Compliance will be validated through mandatory training completion reports and periodic security awareness assessments. The IT Security team will perform annual audits to verify policy adherence and document training records. Non-compliance will trigger follow-up training sessions and potential disciplinary actions.

Violations: Violations of this policy, such as failure to complete training or acknowledgment, will result in restricted system access until compliance is achieved. Repeated violations may lead to disciplinary measures including termination, in accordance with organizational HR policies.

Network Level Control

Policy Statement: PVSS will deploy and maintain a comprehensive network security framework that includes the implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.

Responsibilities: The Network Security team is tasked with configuring and managing firewall rules, IDS/IPS devices, and network segmentation policies. Network administrators are responsible for maintaining documentation, monitoring logs, and responding to security alerts. Management is responsible for approving network access policies and security updates.

Enforcement: Enforcement occurs through automated log analysis, real-time alerts, and quarterly security audits. Network traffic will be continuously monitored for anomalous patterns, and access controls will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with established policies.

Violations: Unauthorized access attempts, policy violations, or failure to respond to alerts constitute violations. Violations may result in access revocation, disciplinary actions, and revision of access permissions. Critical breaches will be immediately escalated to senior management for further investigation.

Operating System Level Control

Policy Statement: PVSS will ensure that all operating systems used within the organization are securely configured according to best practices, with regular patching, disabling of unnecessary services, and implementation of host-based security controls.

Responsibilities: The IT Operations team is responsible for configuring operating systems, applying security patches promptly, and maintaining system hardening guidelines. System administrators are responsible for monitoring system logs, managing user permissions, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments.

Enforcement: Enforcement includes scheduled updates, security audits, and automated vulnerability scans. Compliance will be validated through configuration management tools and periodic manual reviews to ensure adherence to security standards.

Violations: Non-compliance with patching schedules or misconfigured systems will be subject to review. Repeated violations may lead to restricted system access, mandatory reconfiguration, or disciplinary measures depending on severity.

Web or Database Server Level Control

Policy Statement: PVSS will implement stringent security controls on web and database servers, including regular updates, strict access controls, encryption, and continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities and suspicious activities.

Responsibilities: Web and database administrators are responsible for applying security patches, configuring access permissions, and implementing encryption protocols. The Security Operations team is responsible for monitoring server logs, conducting vulnerability scans, and responding to incidents related to web and database services.

Enforcement: Compliance will be verified through routine vulnerability assessments, configuration audits, and real-time monitoring tools. Access rights will be reviewed quarterly, and incident response protocols will be tested regularly.

Violations: Unauthorized modifications, unpatched vulnerabilities, or non-adherence to access policies will result in remediation measures, including access revocation, reconfiguration, and possible disciplinary actions based on organizational policies.

Conclusion

By establishing and enforcing these targeted controls across entity, network, operating system, and server layers, PVSS can significantly enhance its information security posture. Clear policies, defined responsibilities, and proactive enforcement mechanisms are essential for mitigating risks, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

References

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