What is an IT security plan? Why do you need one? Also, what are the steps to make it?
Read on to find out.
What Is an Information Security Plan?
A plan consists of steps to do something. In the information security context, it has ways to protect information.
Having an information security plan also helps lessen the risks. So, your information is secured.
To do this, it’s important to prevent access from other people. So, only those allowed can see it.
Finally, an information security plan obeys the three principles of InfoSec. Which is also known as the CIA triad.
This triad means:
- Confidentiality – keeping information private
- Integrity – keeping information correct and complete
- Availability – keeping the information accessible
But, you may wonder. Why do you need an information security plan?
Why Do You Need an Information Security Plan?
There are three main reasons why you need an information security plan. What are these?
First, it’s lawful to have one. In fact, some nations will penalize companies that don’t have an information security plan.
Second, we are in the era of increasing cybercrimes. So, security threats and risks are on the rise.
Finally, we want to protect our information. So, we don’t face loss or breaches.
We also don’t want to leak our information to bad guys. Imagine knowing your bank account details are sold to other people. Well, we don’t want that to happen!
So, companies should have a plan ready. But, how can you create one?
How Can You Create an Information Security Plan?
Here are five steps you need to make an information security plan.
Step 1: Assign your Information Security Manager.
There is someone responsible for making a plan. In companies, they need an information security manager.
They will give security updates. Plus, they can monitor the plan.
Information security managers should also give awareness training to employees. So, everyone from all positions can prepare.
Step 2: Know your sensitive data.
Second, it’s important to know your security assets. Why?
Identifying what information you need to protect will help you think of ways to do so.
This includes digital, online, and physical information. After all, you don’t want to lose them.
Step 3: Explain the protection methods.
In an information security plan, there are many types of protection. So, you can choose how you will protect your information.
These include:
- locked file cabinets
- locked storage areas
- electronic encryption
- network intrusion security
- secure data transfer
But, it’s critical to train employees to use these. So, they can utilize the purpose of each tool.
Step 4: Know how you share your data with others.
There is information that we keep secret. For example, we don’t go around and share our passwords.
But, companies need to share access to information with some employees. So, it’s important to know how this process happens. As a result, they can apply limits if needed.
Step 5: Train your staff.
As mentioned, it’s important to train employees. So, they can practice good security habits.
For example, they will learn to identify suspicious emails or links. So, they can avoid phishing or malware.
