Semester Project Phase III Additional Information For Phase

Semester Project Phase Iiiadditional Information For Phase Iiisecuri

Develop an information governance policy/program for Security Transport Professionals (STP) Inc., a company specialized in transporting high-risk, sensitive, top-secret, and regulated goods. The policy should encompass management and governance of data, emphasizing security, legal compliance, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency. It must address key components such as roles and responsibilities, policies and procedures, third-party management, disaster recovery, business continuity, and ongoing monitoring and review.

The program should be tailored to STP’s industry-specific needs, ensuring the retention of critical information related to customer data, product details, transportation records, and legal requirements for litigation and e-discovery. Moreover, the policy should establish effective data disposal and long-term digital preservation methods, aligning with federal and state law. Incorporate decisions related to cloud computing, mobile device usage, and enterprise social media, clearly explaining the rationale behind such choices.

Use the sample template provided as a guide but customize the content to clearly specify policies, roles, responsibilities, and procedures unique to STP. The policy must be comprehensive enough to serve as a practical framework for managing organizational information securely and efficiently, while avoiding overly broad or overly detailed documentation that would impede implementation or review.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Security Transport Professionals (STP) operates in a uniquely sensitive transportation sector where the security and integrity of cargo—often classified as top secret or highly regulated—are paramount. Effective information governance (IG) is critical for ensuring organizational compliance, safeguarding data, supporting operational efficiency, and mitigating legal and security risks. Therefore, designing a comprehensive IG policy tailored to STP's operational context will establish formal procedures and responsibilities to manage information throughout its lifecycle.

Scope of the Information Governance Program

The scope of STP’s IG program encompasses all data and information handled by the organization, including digital and physical formats. This includes customer details, shipment records, legal documentation, operational data, personnel files, and third-party information sharing processes. The program will govern the creation, receipt, storage, sharing, and disposal of all information assets, aligning with applicable federal regulations, state laws, and industry standards.

Roles and Responsibilities

Effective IG begins with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability and proper management of information assets. The Information Governance Committee will oversee the development and enforcement of policies, ensuring strategic alignment with organizational goals. The Information Governance Team, composed of representatives from IT, legal, compliance, and operations, will handle day-to-day implementation, monitor regulatory adherence, and coordinate audits. The Records Manager will develop and enforce records retention and disposal schedules, ensuring proper tagging and archiving of necessary documents.

Line-of-business managers are accountable for managing departmental data, ensuring compliance with policies and safeguarding sensitive information within their scopes. Employees play a crucial role in adhering to policies, properly handling information, and reporting security incidents or compliance concerns. Each role will have detailed responsibilities documented to facilitate accountability and continuous improvement.

Information Policies

Key policies supporting STP’s IG framework include the information security policy, data privacy policy, records management policy, retention and disposal policy, archiving policy, and guidelines for remote working and cloud computing. These policies establish rules for safeguarding sensitive data, controlling access, ensuring privacy compliance, and maintaining secure data handling practices across all organizational units.

Procedures for Managing Information

Operational procedures shape how staff manage information at each stage of its lifecycle. This includes protocols for creating, receiving, storing, sharing, and archiving data. All personnel must adhere to legal and regulatory compliance standards, particularly for sensitive or classified information, following authorized access and encryption practices. Storage procedures will specify secure storage locations, use of encryption, and access controls. Disposal procedures will outline sanitization or destruction methods aligned with retention schedules, minimizing retention of unnecessary data to reduce litigation risk and costs.

Work with Third Parties

As STP relies heavily on third-party vendors, the IG policy will define standards for data sharing, confidentiality, and security commitments within contractual agreements. Third-party vendors handling sensitive or classified information will be subject to rigorous due diligence and regular assessments to ensure compliance with organizational policies and applicable legal obligations.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans are essential to sustain operations and protect critical information assets in emergencies. Procedures will specify backup schedules, off-site storage options, incident escalation protocols, and recovery time objectives (RTOs). Regular testing of these plans will ensure readiness and rapid response capabilities, minimizing data loss and operational disruptions.

Monitoring, Auditing, and Review

To maintain an effective IG program, continuous monitoring and periodic reviews will be implemented. Metrics such as access logs, incident reports, compliance audit results, and security breach analysis will guide improvements. Formal audits will assess adherence to policies, effectiveness of controls, and risk levels, supporting ongoing risk management and policy refinement.

Decisions on Technology Use

Given the sensitive nature of transported cargo, STP will employ cloud computing solutions with strict security controls and encryption to ensure data confidentiality. Mobile devices used in the field will be equipped with secure communication software, remote wipe capabilities, and user authentication. The organization will consider the implementation of enterprise social media under strict access controls, ensuring information sharing aligns with security policies and confidentiality requirements.

Conclusion

Developing a tailored and comprehensive IG policy for STP will strengthen organizational security, enhance legal compliance, streamline data management, and support operational resilience. Custom structuring of the policies and procedures according to industry best practices and organizational specifics will ensure a practical, enforceable, and sustainable governance framework, enabling STP to meet its strategic objectives with minimized risk exposure.

References

• Rainey, D. (2020). Information Governance in Practice. Wiley Publications.
• Smith, J. (2019). Data Security and Privacy Strategies. Journal of Information Security, 15(3), 200-214.
• ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Information Security Management Systems.
• Keen, P. G. W., & Williams, J. (2017). Digital Records Management. Electronic Records Conference.
• Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). (2014).
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). (2018).
• Department of Homeland Security. (2021). Secure Transportation Guidelines.
• American Society for Information Science & Technology. (2016). Records Management and Governance. ASIST Press.
• Gartner, Inc. (2022). Modern Data Disposition Strategies. Gartner Reports.