Information Security Emergency Preparedness: Action Plans to Tackle Cyber Attacks and Other Threats
With the latest advancements in technology that are highly sophisticated and pervasive across all aspects of life, technology integration has become a crucial component of the business processes within an organization. By adopting technology in a positive manner, organizations can enhance the value for continually evolving human resources and improve the flow of business processes.
The various benefits derived from the implementation of technology involve the enhancement of effectiveness and efficiency in human work, the ability to communicate with individuals located at distant locations, and the reduction of travel costs required for face-to-face meetings. The implementation of information technology within an organization has created a new environment, particularly in the dissemination of information. However, the reality is that many stakeholders within organizations are often less sensitive to information security.
Information security is a critically vital aspect for an organizational entity. This is attributed to the objectives of information security, which aim to protect the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information within the organizational structure. Imperfections in maintaining information security can lead to unforeseen problems and threats, such as data theft. This article can serve as a reference for understanding methods to maintain information security by utilizing the Octave Allegro framework. The scope of this article includes risk measurement criteria, information asset profiles, identification of information assets, identification of problem areas, identification of threat scenarios, risk identification, risk analysis, mitigation approaches, and recommendations, each of which will be explained for clarity in the subsequent sections.
Risk Measurement Criteria
Constructing risk measurement criteria involves a series of processes aimed at establishing organizational benchmarks that serve as evaluative elements for assessing the impact of risks on business objectives and identifying impact areas within the scope of risk management. The content of these risk measurements against organizational drivers can be organized into a sheet named the Risk Measurement Criteria Worksheet. Here is an example:
Information Asset Profiles
Constructing an information asset profile involves a series of processes designed to serve as the initial documentation of information that needs to be secured. This includes the identification of information assets, structured risk assessment, gathering information about assets, documenting the selection of assets, describing assets, filling in security details for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as well as identifying security needs for information assets. The information asset profile can be created in a sheet named the Asset Profile. Here is an example:
Identification of Information Assets
Identifying information assets involves focusing on key points related to the information assets that need to be secured. The information assets obtained from the previous stage can be re-evaluated and documented in a sheet named the Information Asset Risk Environment, with the scope encompassing Technical, Physical, and People aspects. Here is an example:
Identification of Problem Areas
Identifying problem areas involves creating and developing a risk profile for an information asset. The risk profile provides a depiction of risks or threats that may occur within an organization. The identified problem areas can be documented in a sheet named Area of Concern. Here is an example:
Identification of Threat Scenarios
Identifying threat scenarios involves identifying additional threat scenarios that may occur. The identified threat scenarios can be documented in a sheet named Threat Scenario. Here is an example:
Risk Identification
Identifying risks involves recognizing potential risks that may occur and have been documented in the information asset risk worksheet. The potential risks can be documented in a sheet named Consequences. Here is an example:
Risk Analysis
Risk analysis is a series of processes conducted to review risk measurement criteria and calculate the relative risk value, which can be utilized as a basis for analyzing risks and determining the best strategy to address potential risks. Calculating impact area scores and relative risk scores for each information asset risk can be done by multiplying the priority of the impact area. The potential results of the risk analysis can be documented in a sheet named Impact Area Score. Here is an example:
Next is the Risk Relative Score, which includes the Area of Concern, Risk, and Impact Area Score. Here is an example:
Mitigation Approaches
Choosing a mitigation approach begins by ranking each identified risk based on its risk value, followed by approaching and mitigating each risk by considering the current conditions within an organization. Mitigation, in this context, relates to the recommendations provided and can be documented in a sheet named Risk Relative Matrix. Here is an example:
Recommendations
The recommendation provided here can serve as guidance or advice in implementing information security risk management, aiding organizations in reducing and anticipating potential threats that may arise in the future. The recommendation can be documented in a sheet named Recommendation. Here is an example:
Conclusion
To enhance information security management, it is recommended to establish and regularly update a comprehensive Risk Measurement Criteria Worksheet for evaluating risks’ impact on organizational goals. Systematically create and maintain an Asset Profile sheet to categorize information assets based on Technical, Physical, and People aspects. Identify and document potential problem areas within the organization through an “Area of Concern” sheet and anticipate additional threat scenarios in a dedicated “Threat Scenario” sheet. Document identified risks in a “Consequences” sheet for systematic analysis of potential impacts. Use the Impact Area Score sheet to calculate relative risk scores, providing a quantitative basis for prioritizing risks. Incorporate Area of Concern, Risk, and Impact Area Score in the Risk Relative Score sheet for a comprehensive risk view. Develop a Risk Relative Matrix sheet to guide the mitigation approach, prioritizing, and addressing risks based on their calculated values. Finally, compile derived recommendations into a “Recommendation” sheet, offering practical guidance for effective information security risk management.
