Assignment Content Security Audit Teams Assess Co

Assignment Contentinformation Security Audit Teams Assess Compliance W

Assignment Content information security audit teams assess compliance with information security requirements and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). Construct a gap analysis matrix that captures the top 10 information security requirements. The matrix should, at a minimum, include the following: · Columns for the critical level of the requirement · Level of compliance · Responsible organization · Findings · Recommendations. Assume 5 of the 10 requirements do not meet the compliance criteria. Hypothesize the responsible accountable organization, findings, and recommendations for the non-compliant requirements.

Paper For Above instruction

Information security is a critical aspect of modern organizational operations, particularly within the context of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and stringent regulatory environments. An effective way to evaluate an organization’s security posture is through a structured security audit, focusing on the compliance of security requirements. A gap analysis matrix serves as a practical tool, enabling organizations to systematically identify where gaps exist and to develop targeted strategies for remediation. This paper constructs a comprehensive gap analysis matrix for the top ten information security requirements, inspired by frameworks such as ISO 22301, emphasizing practical application, including hypothesized non-compliance scenarios for half of these requirements.

Introduction

The importance of information security in safeguarding organizational assets has led to the development of various standards and frameworks. ISO 22301, primarily focused on Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS), emphasizes resilience, risk mitigation, and recovery strategies. In alignment with such standards, organizations must ensure that essential security requirements are met to protect sensitive data, uphold operational integrity, and comply with legal obligations. Conducting a gap analysis involves evaluating current security controls against established requirements, pinpointing deficiencies, and recommending improvements.

Constructing the Gap Analysis Matrix

The gap analysis matrix is designed to holistically assess ten critical information security requirements. The columns in the matrix include:

  • Critical Level: Signifies the importance of each requirement, classified as High, Medium, or Low.
  • Level of Compliance: Categorized as Compliant, Partially Compliant, or Non-Compliant.
  • Responsible Organization: Identifies the organizational unit accountable for implementing and maintaining the requirement.
  • Findings: Describes current compliance status, issues, or deficiencies identified during the audit.
  • Recommendations: Provides targeted actions to address gaps and improve compliance.

Top 10 Information Security Requirements

Drawing from ISO 27001 and other best practices, the top ten requirements include:

  1. Access Control
  2. Asset Management
  3. Cryptography
  4. Physical and Environmental Security
  5. Operations Security
  6. Communications Security
  7. Incident Management
  8. Business Continuity Planning
  9. Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements
  10. Supplier Relationships

Hypothetical Non-Compliance and Recommendations

In our analysis, five of these requirements are assumed to be non-compliant. The following outlines these non-compliant areas, hypothesizing responsible organizations, findings, and recommendations:

1. Asset Management – Non-Compliant

  • Responsible Organization: IT Asset Management Department
  • Findings: Lack of an updated inventory of organizational assets, inconsistent asset classification, and absence of asset ownership documentation.
  • Recommendations: Implement an automated asset inventory system, define asset ownership roles, and conduct quarterly asset audits.

2. Cryptography – Non-Compliant

  • Responsible Organization: Information Security Office
  • Findings: Outdated cryptographic protocols in use, failure to enforce strong encryption standards for data at rest and in transit.
  • Recommendations: Upgrade systems to support AES-256 encryption, enforce encryption policies, and provide staff training on cryptographic standards.

3. Physical and Environmental Security – Non-Compliant

  • Responsible Organization: Facilities Management
  • Findings: Inadequate access controls to server rooms, no surveillance or alarms for sensitive areas, and insufficient environmental controls.
  • Recommendations: Install biometric access controls, CCTV surveillance, alarms, and environmental monitoring systems.

4. Business Continuity Planning – Non-Compliant

  • Responsible Organization: Business Continuity Team
  • Findings: Outdated Business Continuity Plan (BCP), lack of regular testing, and unassigned recovery roles for critical functions.
  • Recommendations: Review and update the BCP, schedule biannual testing, assign clear responsibilities during disruptions.

5. Supplier Relationships – Non-Compliant

  • Responsible Organization: Procurement Department
  • Findings: No formal security requirements specified in supplier contracts, limited oversight on third-party security controls.
  • Recommendations: Incorporate security clauses in contracts, conduct periodic third-party assessments, and establish ongoing supplier security management processes.

Conclusion

A comprehensive gap analysis matrix offers organizations a clear view of their security posture, highlighting priority areas needing improvement. Addressing non-compliance in fundamental areas such as asset management, cryptography, physical security, business continuity, and supplier relationships is essential to strengthen overall resilience against cyber threats. Implementing the recommended actions facilitates compliance, enhances security controls, and aligns organizational practices with international standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and relevant legal frameworks. Continuous assessment, improvements, and staff training are vital to maintaining a robust security environment capable of adapting to emerging threats.

References

  • ISO/IEC 27001:2013. (2013). Information security management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
  • ISO 22301:2019. (2019). Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
  • Gordon, L. A., Loeb, M. P., & Zhou, L. (2011). The impact of information security breaches: Has there been a change in costs? Journal of Computer Security, 19(1), 33-56.
  • Chapple, M., & Seidl, D. (2018). CISSP (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide. Wiley.
  • Schneier, B. (2015). Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Whitman, M. E., & Mattord, H. J. (2017). Principles of Information Security. Cengage Learning.
  • Stallings, W. (2017). Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice. Pearson.
  • ISO/IEC 27002:2013. (2013). Information technology — Security techniques — Code of practice for information security controls. International Organization for Standardization.
  • Lam, S. S. (2020). Information Security and Privacy: Data Protection in the Age of Digital Transformation. Routledge.
  • Rittinghouse, J. W., & Ransome, J. F. (2016). Cloud Security and Privacy: An Enterprise Perspective on Risks and Compliance. CRC Press.

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