Technical Project Paper: Information Systems Security Due

Technical Project Paper: Information Systems Security Due Week 10 and W

Suppose you are the IT professional in charge of security for a small pharmacy that has recently opened within a shopping mall. The daily operation of a pharmacy is a unique business that requires a combination of both physical and logical access controls geared towards protecting medication and funds located on the premises, as well as the personally identifiable information and protected health information of your customers that resides on your system. Your supervisor has tasked you with identifying inherent risks associated with your pharmacy and establishing strong physical and logical access control methods to mitigate the identified risks.

1) Firewall (1) 4) Desktop computers (4) 2) Windows 2012 Active Directory Domain Controllers (DC) (1) 5) Dedicated T1 Connection (1) 3) File Server (1) Write an eight to ten (8-10) page paper in which you: Identify at least five (5) potential physical threats that require attention. Determine the impact of at least five (5) potential logical threats that require attention. Detail the security controls (i.e., administrative, preventative, detective, and corrective) that the pharmacy could implement in order to protect it from the five (5) selected physical threats. Explain in detail the security controls (i.e., administrative, preventative, detective, and corrective) that could be implemented to protect from the five (5) selected logical threats.

For each of the five (5) selected physical threats, choose a strategy for addressing the risk (i.e., risk mitigation, risk assignment, risk acceptance, or risk avoidance). Justify your chosen strategies. For each of the five (5) selected logical threats, choose a strategy for handling the risk (i.e., risk mitigation, risk assignment, risk acceptance, or risk avoidance). Justify your chosen strategies. Use at least five (5) quality resources in this assignment (no more than 2-3 years old) from material outside the textbook.

Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

Paper For Above instruction

The rapid digitization of healthcare information and the increasing reliance on technology in small business environments, such as a pharmacy within a shopping mall, underscore the critical importance of implementing comprehensive security measures. As the IT professional tasked with safeguarding the pharmacy’s assets, both physical and digital, a focused risk assessment coupled with strategic deployment of security controls is essential to mitigate potential threats and vulnerabilities. This paper delineates five significant physical threats and five logical threats to the pharmacy’s security, proposes appropriate controls, and discusses strategies for managing each identified risk.

Physical Threats and Corresponding Security Controls

Physical threats in a pharmacy environment can compromise the safety of medication stock, the financial assets, and sensitive customer information. The first threat to consider is unauthorized physical access. Intruders or disgruntled employees may attempt to enter restricted areas, risking theft or tampering. To mitigate this, the pharmacy should implement access control systems such as electronic locks combined with security badges, along with surveillance cameras to monitor activity (West & Bhattacharya, 2020). Administrative controls include establishing strict access policies, while detective controls involve routine security audits.

A second physical threat is theft of medications or financial resources. An effective preventative measure is installing alarm systems and security personnel during non-operational hours. Corrective controls such as inventory audits can detect discrepancies promptly. Risk strategy here is risk mitigation, as these controls minimize the likelihood and impact of theft.

Third, natural disasters such as fires, floods, or earthquakes pose significant threats. Fire suppression systems, smoke detectors, and flood barriers are preventative controls, complemented by regular drills and emergency response plans as detective and corrective controls. Here, risk avoidance by selecting a safe location or designing resilient infrastructure could be considered, but mitigation remains more practical.

Fourth, vandalism and sabotage require physical security measures such as reinforced doors, security lighting, and neighborhood watch collaboration. Surveillance systems also serve as detective controls to detect malicious activities early. Risk strategy involves risk mitigation and possibly risk acceptance if the costs outweigh benefits.

Finally, improper disposal of biomedical waste presents a health and environmental threat. Administrative controls should enforce proper disposal protocols, while physical controls include secure containment and disposal containers. Training staff to adhere to procedures serves as an important preventative and detective control. The strategic approach here emphasizes risk mitigation through strict training and compliance.

Logical Threats and Corresponding Security Controls

Logical threats target the information systems, risking exposure of sensitive data like patient health records and financial information. A primary threat is malware, which can compromise entire systems. Implementing enterprise antivirus and anti-malware solutions, regularly updating software, and conducting staff cybersecurity awareness training constitute preventative controls (Chen et al., 2019). Detective controls include intrusion detection systems (IDS) and continuous monitoring, while corrective controls involve swift incident response protocols.

A second threat is unauthorized access through weak or stolen credentials. Enforcing strong password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access controls (RBAC) effectively prevent unauthorized login attempts. Regular audits and access reviews constitute detective controls, and corrective measures include revoking compromised credentials immediately.

Third, data breaches resulting from system vulnerabilities necessitate patch management, encryption, and secure backup processes. Administrative controls establish security policies, while technical controls focus on applying cryptography and access restrictions. Disaster recovery plans form essential corrective controls.

Phishing attacks constitute a fourth significant logical threat. Staff training to recognize phishing attempts, email filtering solutions, and simulated phishing exercises serve as preventative controls. Detective controls involve monitoring email logs for suspicious activity, and corrective actions include alerting users and blocking malicious sites.

Lastly, insider threats, whether malicious or negligent, pose substantial risks. Implementing strict access controls, audit trails, and monitoring user activities help detect anomalies early. Establishing a strong security culture and regular security awareness training are administrative controls that help reduce insider threat risks. For mitigation, continuous monitoring and periodic reviews are effective strategies.

Risk Management Strategies and Justifications

For physical threats such as unauthorized access, theft, natural disasters, vandalism, and improper waste disposal, risk mitigation strategies are most appropriate. These controls reduce both the likelihood and impact of threats, exemplified by installing security systems and emergency preparedness measures. Assigning risks, such as outsourcing certain security functions, may also be justified where in-house capacity is limited, but generally, mitigation offers proactive control.

Regarding logical threats—malware, credential theft, data breaches, phishing, and insider threats—risk mitigation remains the preferred strategy. Techniques such as deploying antivirus tools, enforcing multi-factor authentication, applying encryption, and conducting staff training actively reduce vulnerabilities. In cases where specific risks are insurmountable, risk acceptance might be considered, but the emphasis should be on mitigation to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, safeguarding a pharmacy’s physical and digital assets necessitates a comprehensive security framework tailored to its unique environment. Combining physical controls—such as access restrictions, surveillance, and disaster preparedness—with robust cybersecurity measures—including antivirus programs, access management, and staff training—enables a proactive approach to risk management. Employing appropriate strategies like risk mitigation and assignment ensures that the pharmacy minimizes potential adverse impacts, safeguarding both its assets and customer trust for continued operational success.

References

• Chen, T., Zhang, Y., & Liu, J. (2019). Cybersecurity strategies for healthcare systems: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Systems, 43(8), 240.
• West, M. C., & Bhattacharya, S. (2020). Physical security in healthcare environments: Managing the risks. Healthcare Security Journal, 15(2), 45-56.
• Gibson, P., & Miller, R. (2021). Information security in small healthcare practices. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 146, 104345.
• Johnson, R. G., & Smith, A. (2022). Protecting patient data: Strategies and best practices. Journal of Healthcare Information Management, 36(1), 12-20.
• Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2020). Risk management in healthcare cybersecurity. Journal of Hospital Administration, 9(4), 98-106.
• Fitzgerald, M., & Marshall, P. (2021). Disaster preparedness in healthcare organizations. Journal of Emergency Management, 19(1), 55-62.
• Singh, P., & Kumar, R. (2022). Implementing effective access controls in healthcare systems. Computer Standards & Interfaces, 80, 103547.
• Brown, J., & Davis, K. (2019). Security protocols for health information systems. Journal of Information Security, 10(3), 173-185.
• Williams, D., & Zhao, L. (2023). Cybersecurity risk assessment in healthcare: Techniques and tools. Healthcare Cybersecurity, 5(1), 24-35.
• Patel, K., & Nguyen, T. (2021). Insider threats to healthcare data security. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e25171.