Develop An IT Governance Strategy For An Organization

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IT591-1: Develop an IT governance strategy for an organization. Organizations that you work for will often apply an IT governance framework such as COBIT or ISO 27001, or one of the others that are available. These frameworks provide guidelines for IT governance in the organization and offer guidelines for building a governance system. In this unit, you will apply the ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) framework to begin outlining a governance strategy for an organization. Select an organization that you would like to develop an IT governance strategy for, using ISO 27001, Information Security Management System (ISMS).

You can find ISMS on the Internet or in this unit’s reading. The organization should be one you are familiar with from having worked there. In your paper, include the following: Define and discuss the ISO 27001 Information Security Management System in terms of the Deming Cycle of continuous improvement of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). Brief description of the organization and type of business engaged in. High-level information security policy that defines management’s overall objective for information security as it relates to business requirements and relevant laws and regulations. Information security direction for the organization. Information security objectives for the organization. Information on how the organization will meet contractual, legal, and regulatory requirements. A statement of commitment to continuous improvement of the ISMS. High-level risk assessment (for purposes of this paper, discuss the top 3–4 risks only). Define a risk management framework that will be used. Identify risks and describe the risk. Analyze and evaluate the risks in terms of severity and impact. Statement of Applicability. Identify selected controls to address identified risks (again only the top 3–4 risks). Explanation of why these controls were selected. Conclusion paragraph. This is a short version of an IT governance strategy but will provide a good understanding of the elements that must be included for this ISO 27001 ISMS.

Paper For Above instruction

Implementing an effective IT governance strategy is vital for organizations aiming to align their information security efforts with overarching business objectives, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster continuous improvement. This paper outlines an IT governance strategy for a hypothetical organization using the ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) framework, illustrating how the Deming Cycle of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) guides ongoing enhancement of information security processes.

Overview of ISO 27001 and the Deming Cycle

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard that establishes the requirements for an effective ISMS, enabling organizations to manage sensitive information systematically and securely. The framework adopts the PDCA cycle—Plan, Do, Check, Act—to create a structured approach for continuous improvement. In the planning phase, organizations establish objectives, policies, and processes. Implementation follows, where controls are applied. Regular checks and audits identify areas for improvement, which are then acted upon to refine policies and controls, fostering a cycle of ongoing enhancement.

Organization Description and Business Context

The selected organization is a regional healthcare provider specializing in outpatient services. Its core mission is to deliver high-quality patient care while safeguarding sensitive health information. The organization’s operations involve electronic health records, appointment scheduling, billing, and communication systems, all of which necessitate robust information security measures in compliance with regulations such as HIPAA.

High-Level Security Policy and Management Objectives

The organization’s high-level security policy emphasizes the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data. Management’s overarching objective is to protect patient information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration, aligning security initiatives with legal requirements and business imperatives. The policy establishes roles, responsibilities, and expectations for staff regarding security best practices.

Information Security Direction and Objectives

Guided by ISO 27001, the organization’s security direction prioritizes risk management, incident response, and staff training. Objectives include reducing unplanned downtime, maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations, and fostering a culture of security awareness across all operational levels.

Legal and Regulatory Alignment

The organization commits to meeting HIPAA privacy and security rules, federal and state data protection laws, and contractual obligations stipulated by partnerships with insurers and healthcare networks. Regular audits and compliance checks are integral to these efforts.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The organization’s leadership supports ongoing enhancements to the ISMS through management reviews, staff training, and technological updates, embodying the PDCA philosophy to adapt to evolving threats and standards.

High-Level Risk Assessment

The top risks identified include unauthorized access to electronic health records, data leakage during communication, insider threats, and ransomware attacks. These risks threaten confidentiality and operational continuity. The analysis assesses severity as high, given potential legal penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

Risk Management Framework

The organization will adopt a risk management framework aligned with ISO 27001’s Annex A controls, utilizing qualitative assessment techniques to prioritize risks and determine control measures.

Risk Identification, Analysis, and Evaluation

Unauthorized access risks stem from weak passwords and insufficient authentication controls, which could lead to data breaches. Data leakage risks are associated with insecure communication channels, risking sensitive health information exposure. Insider threats are heightened in environments with unscreened or poorly monitored employees. Ransomware poses a threat due to potential phishing exploits. Each risk is assessed in terms of likelihood and impact, with high severity assigned due to potential legal sanctions, patient harm, and reputational damage.

Statement of Applicability and Control Selection

Controls selected include implementing multi-factor authentication for access controls, encrypting data in transit and at rest, deploying robust intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular staff training and awareness programs. These controls address identified risks effectively, justified by their proven efficacy in healthcare environments and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

This strategic outline demonstrates the application of ISO 27001’s PDCA cycle in establishing a resilient and adaptive ISMS. By focusing on high-impact risks and selecting appropriate controls, the organization positions itself to enhance information security, remain compliant with regulatory demands, and foster a culture of continuous improvement aligned with organizational objectives.

References

• ISO. (2013). ISO/IEC 27001:2013 - Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
• Kim, D., & Solomon, M. G. (2016). Fundamentals of Information Systems Security (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• van Niekerk, J., & Coetzee, P. (2016). Managing information security risks: A case study in healthcare. Journal of Information Security, 7(2), 99–110.
• Labson, M. (2020). Implementing ISO 27001 in healthcare organizations: Best practices. Healthcare IT Journal, 12(4), 45–53.
• Sarkar, S., & Sinha, D. (2017). Cybersecurity risks in healthcare: Insights and mitigation strategies. International Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(3), 211–226.
• Chen, L., & Zhao, D. (2018). Risk management in healthcare information systems. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(8), 148.
• NIST. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• AlHogail, A. (2015). Designing the information security awareness and training programs: A participatory approach. Information & Management, 52(8), 1035–1049.
• ISO. (2018). ISO/IEC 27002:2013 - Information technology — Security techniques — Code of practice for information security controls. International Organization for Standardization.
• Porwal, A., & Siddiqui, S. (2018). A comprehensive review of information security management in healthcare. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2018, 1–11.