Six Principles of Information Security Governance

Governance of information security aligns the objectives and strategies of information security with business, delivers value to stakeholders, and ensures that risks are properly addressed. To achieve these goals, there are six principles of information security governance that provide a solid foundation for the implementation of information security governance processes.

First, organization shall establish information security throughout the organization in order to integrate information protection into the organization's activities and processes. Next, take a risk-based approach. The information security risk management approach must be integrated with the corporate risk management model. After that, establish the direction of investment decisions. An investment strategy on information security should be established based on the results and objectives of the business.

Furthermore, organizations shall ensure compliance with internal and external requirements. This means the information security shall comply with relevant laws and regulations. Then, promote a positive security environment. Human behavior is a key component for organizations to maintain the appropriate level of information security; thus, it is important that top management to implement education, training and safety awareness programs. Lastly, conduct performance analysis. Top management should critically analyze information security performance against its business impact.

Basic Outcomes of Information Security Governance

Introducing IT Governance in the organization can be a startling experience. Each IT Governance specialist may have a different way of accomplishing it. For organizations, there are several basic outcomes of information security governance that could lead to successful integration of information security with the organization’s mission.

First, strategic alignment. Through information security governance, organizations could align their information security strategy with business strategy. Then, risk management. The governance of information security could result a good risk management which involves risks mitigation and potential impact reduction or prevention on information resources. After that, resource management. This means through information security governance, resources expended on information security (e.g., personnel time and money) could be properly managed.

Moreover, one of the basic outcomes of information security governance is value delivery. It develops when security investments support business objectives. Lastly, since organizations need a metric to assess information security policy, information security governance could provide a performance measurement that could ensure organizational objectives are achieved.

Key Benefits of Information Security Governance

Information security governance is a system by which organizations direct and control IT security. IT security management concerns with making decisions to mitigate risks. Organizations should acknowledge several benefits of information security governance to start implement it in business operations.

Information security governance helps organizations protect all forms of information as well as personal information. It also protects entire organizations from technology-based risks and other more common threats. After that, the governance of information security helps respond to evolving security threats and protects confidentiality, availability and integrity of data. Lastly, information security governance is also Increase collaboration between employees, customers and partners.

Conclusion

Information security governance is the system by which the information security activities of a particular organization are directed and controlled. It has several principles, outcomes, and benefits that could be beneficial for organizations.

Reference:
Information Security Governance. (n.d.). EDUCAUSE. Retrieved April 30, 2021, from https://www.educause.edu/focus-areas-and-initiatives/policy-and-security/cybersecurity-program/resources/information-security-guide/toolkits/information-security-governance
Stallings, W. (n.d.). 2.2 Security Governance Principles and Desired Outcomes | Understanding Information Security Governance | InformIT. Informit. Retrieved April 30, 2021, from https://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2931571&seqNum=2