We review, generate and manage information security policies and procedures for businesses
Birmingham Consulting helps organizations in writing, approving, and implementing information security (InfoSec) policies effectively. Policies and procedures often need to be the first step in creating a strong security posture.
Administrative policies are found across all industries as a means of protecting businesses for a variety of reasons. Quality Assurance needs to do it. Health & Safety needs to do it. HR needs to do it.
Even in large organizations, many policies and procedures only exist as institutional knowledge. Not only does this create security gaps for an organization, but it also makes compliance with any framework almost impossible.
Optimize your information security policies and procedures – book a consultation today!
When it comes to information security, you can trust Birmingham Consulting to keep you armed with the best protective measures for your business. Book an information security consultation with us to find out how our services can augment your plans, tools, procedures and policies. Click below or call (289) 895-8948 to schedule.
FAQ’s about information security policies and procedures, and more:
Information Security Policies and Procedures: A business responsibility, not IT
It’s understandable for executives to go to IT to discuss security measures. Cyber security, as a subfield of information security, has a lot of overlap with IT. For example, IT frequently oversees the implementation and establishment of technical security controls.
So, IT needs to ensure your business is running as efficiently as possible. But, they generally don’t:
- Develop and implement an incident response policy, asset management policy, or other administrative policies that directly support the security of your data
- Or ensure that risk levels are documented and effectively communicated to board members and executive management on a regular basis
- Or evaluate potential vendors for any cyber risk they could pose to your business
Because information security encompasses all protective aspects of your data and information assets, businesses also need to be mindful that you still need effective corresponding administrative policies.
That being said, one of the most important traits for security specialist is to have a strong working knowledge of IT infrastructure.
So, recommendations that fit the business depend on the security consultant understanding IT infrastructure and the IT department’s working environment. One of the primary roles for information security’s is to help protect the work that IT does.
AI and work operations: what questions should executives be making sure are included in your AI policy?
…Particularly in the vetting process of vendors or suppliers that use AI? There are a few things you can ask your security team in how they vet the tools they use, or even what your vendors are using. Now, these aren’t red flags out the gate – but they ARE areas you should definitely ask about.
- How are they ensuring that AI is being used ethically? Are they auditing it, or testing for bias at all?
- Or, do they use AI when handling data? If so you could be subject to compliance and privacy regulations depending on how AI is collecting, processing or using that data
- And, how much human oversight is included in their processes?
We all have to be careful – so make sure you know what to ask your security team and vendors on any risks AI could be introducing to your business. We can help you properly navigate and evaluate whether a tool or service, that includes AI technology, is going to help your business OR increase your liability.
Here’s why it’s important to be internally compliant with your own information security policies and procedures
It’s one thing for businesses to adhere to the rules & regulations required by your industry, customers, clients, and your government for your information security. It’s another for you to be compliant with your own set security policies.
This is important to keep your business safe – but it’s CRITICAL for your cyber insurance.
Insurance companies are making their requirements stricter and stricter. If it turns out you haven’t been able to meet their requirements, typically achieved through your own internal policies, it could potentially lead to a claim being denied.
Information security is the inclusive management of technical, physical and administrative processes and tools.
People often use the terms information security and cyber security interchangeably, but key differences exist between the two.
Information security, also known as InfoSec, is managing risk to the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of information through Administrative, Physical and Technical controls. It involves the processes and tools implemented to safeguard information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction. Therefore, it encompasses a variety of security tools, solutions, and processes designed to safeguard information across devices and locations. Together, these help businesses and individuals defend against cyber attacks and other forms of cyber incidents.
Whereas, cyber security is a subfield of information security that focuses only on the technical controls involved in defending computer systems and networks.
This means that information security is crucial because it addresses all aspects of protecting a business from both the occurrence and the impact of a cyber incident. For instance, ensuring that a business’ cyber insurance coverage and premiums correctly match their risk profile.
Therefore, by implementing strong information security, including compliance with your own policies and procedures, you can significantly reduce your cyber risk.
Learn more: What is information security
How our information risk assessments help you respond to identified cyber risks
Following an assessment, organizations are given a score outlining vulnerabilities identified. They are also provided recommendations on how to strategically respond to each of those risks, through:
Avoiding the risk: Completely eliminate the risk.
Mitigating the risk: Reduce the probability or impact of the risk.
Transferring the risk: Shift the risk to a third party, typically through Cyber Liability Insurance.
Accepting the risk: Acknowledge the risk and choose not to address, transfer, or mitigate it.
How can you determine where to invest in information security?
Firstly – how do you identify high-risk?
So, risk severity can be determined using the following calculation:
The likelihood of something happening
X (Multiplied by)
The impact on the organization.
Therefore, something that is high-risk means that it has a high likelihood of happening and would have a big impact. So you should invest in avoiding, transferring, or mitigating it. Whereas a low-risk might be something you simply accept.
Brace for financial impact with our Cyber Liability Calculator
Estimate the financial impact to your business from a cyber incident with our free and anonymous Cyber Liability Calculator.
Results include email fraud, ransom demand, downtime cost, remediation cost per industry statistics, 1st-Party liability, number of Personally Identifiable Records, Third-Party liability, legal costs associated with Third-Party liability and more!
