CMGT 400 Grading Rubric Individual Week 3 Security Standards

3cmgt 400 Grading Rubric Individual Week 3 Security Standards Polic

Develop a 5- to 6-page manual using the Security Standards, Policies, and Procedures Template with recommendations to management of security standards, policies, and procedures which should be implemented in your chosen organization. Research and include the following:

• Explain the importance to your organization of implementing security policies, plans, and procedures. Discuss how security policies, plans, and procedures will improve the overall security of the organization. (35 pts)
• Recommend appropriate policies and procedures for:
  • Data privacy
  • Data isolation
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Protection
  • Passwords
  • Acceptable use of organizational assets and data
  • Employee policies (separation of duties / training)
  • Environmental/Physical security
  • Risk response (9 points): Avoidance, Transference, Mitigation, Acceptance
  • Compliance examples (9 points): HIPAA, FERPA, ISO, NIST, SEC, Sarbanes-Oxley
  • Incident response (9 points): Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, Lessons Learned
  • Miscellaneous (9 points): Auditing, Administration, Configuration

The manual should include a title page, introduction, body, conclusion, and references, adhering to APA format. The research must include at least two outside peer-reviewed references relevant to the course material or library sources. The paper should demonstrate organization, clarity, professionalism, and be proofread for spelling errors.

Paper For Above instruction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, implementing comprehensive security standards, policies, and procedures is paramount for safeguarding an organization's assets and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. As a cybersecurity engineer tasked with fortifying organizational defenses, it is essential to develop a detailed Security Standards, Policies, and Procedures Manual that aligns with best practices, legal mandates, and organizational objectives. This paper delineates the importance of such policies and presents targeted recommendations for various critical areas vital to organizational security.

The Importance of Security Policies, Plans, and Procedures

Security policies form the foundation for a structured defense mechanism within an organization. They define the roles, responsibilities, and behavioral expectations of employees and stakeholders, creating a security-conscious culture. Effective plans and procedures operationalize these policies, providing clear steps for preventing, detecting, and responding to security incidents. Such frameworks ensure consistency, reduce vulnerabilities, and facilitate compliance with regulatory standards, ultimately enhancing the organization's resilience against cyber threats.

Research indicates that organizations with well-defined security policies experience fewer security breaches and demonstrate improved incident response capabilities (Schneier, 2015). Policies serve as a reference point during audits and legal scrutiny, proving due diligence and regulatory adherence. Moreover, security protocols contribute to mitigating potential damage from cyberattacks, reducing financial losses, and protecting organizational reputation.

Recommendations for Security Policies and Procedures

Data Privacy and Data Isolation

Implement strict data privacy policies to control access and ensure that sensitive information is only available to authorized personnel. Data isolation techniques, such as network segmentation and data encryption, prevent lateral movement of threats within the network and safeguard data integrity.

Non-Disclosure and Intellectual Property Protection

Enforce NDAs for employees and third parties to mitigate intellectual property theft and unauthorized disclosures. IP protection policies should outline procedures for safeguarding proprietary information, including secure storage and controlled access.

Account Security and Acceptable Use Policies

Require strong, unique passwords combined with multi-factor authentication. Clearly articulate acceptable use policies for organizational assets and data to prevent misuse and inadvertent breaches.

Employee Policies and Physical Security

Separate duties among staff to reduce fraud and collusion, complemented by ongoing security training. Physical security measures such as surveillance, access controls, and environmental safeguards are necessary to protect physical assets from theft or damage.

Risk Response Strategies

Implement risk response strategies including avoidance, transference through cybersecurity insurance, mitigation via layered controls, and acceptance of residual risks after thorough analysis.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure adherence to compliance standards such as HIPAA for healthcare data, FERPA for educational records, ISO 27001 for information security management, NIST frameworks, SEC regulations, and Sarbanes-Oxley Act provisions. Regular audits and compliance checks are integral to maintaining adherence.

Incident Response

Develop a comprehensive incident response plan covering preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned. Training staff and conducting simulations enhance readiness.

Miscellaneous Policies

Include regular auditing procedures, administrative controls, and configuration management protocols to sustain security posture and adapt to emerging threats.

Conclusion

Establishing robust security standards, policies, and procedures is indispensable for organizational security and compliance. Through meticulous planning, employee education, and continuous monitoring, organizations can fortify defenses against cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and ensure operational continuity. The proposed recommendations serve as a strategic framework that management can adopt to create a secure, compliant, and resilient organizational environment.

References

• Schneier, B. (2015). Liars and Outliers: Enabling the Trust that Society Needs to Thrive. Wiley.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST.
• United States Department of Health & Human Services. (2013). HIPAA Privacy Rule. HHS.gov.
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). (2011). U.S. Department of Education.
• International Organization for Standardization. (2013). ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management Systems.
• Securities and Exchange Commission. (2018). Cybersecurity Disclosures. SEC.gov.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (2002). U.S. Congress.
• United States Department of Homeland Security. (2020). NIST Cybersecurity Framework. NIST.
• Andrews, D. (2017). Best practices in risk management: A practical guide. Journal of Information Security, 8(3), 125–134.
• Riggins, F., & Wamba, S. (2015). Research directions on the adoption of RFID-enabled supply chain management systems. Journal of Business Logistics, 36(1), 68–82.