IT Security Alignment with Organizational Policy and Security Impact

This report comprehensively examines various facets of organizational security, beginning with access control mechanisms such as advanced locks, access cards, and biometric authentication to restrict physical access to sensitive areas. It highlights the importance of surveillance systems, including motion, heat, and smoke detectors, alongside surveillance cameras for real-time monitoring and incident investigation. The report emphasizes the critical role of security awareness training for employees to mitigate internal negligence, covering topics like password hygiene and recognizing phishing attempts. Furthermore, it evaluates the suitability of security tools like antivirus software, firewalls, and data backup systems, stressing the need for effectiveness, efficiency, and compatibility. The document also discusses the roles of different stakeholders, including senior management, IT departments, employees, and external consultants, in implementing security audit recommendations. Finally, it underscores the significance of aligning IT security with organizational policy to ensure consistent security practices and compliance, detailing the potential security impacts of misalignment, such as increased risk and non-compliance. Desklib offers a range of resources for students, including past papers and solved assignments.

Access Control
At the outermost point of your security perimeter, which you should build early
on in this procedure, access control may be initiated. Advanced locks, access
control cards, mobile devices, or biometric authentication and authorization are
all parts of a comprehensive access control system and strategy. The majority of
places begin access control at the entrance, where cardholders swipe their
distinctive identification badges or mobile phones to enter. From there, you can
install card readers on virtually anything else, such as entrances to conference
rooms, offices, and even kitchens. Each employee swipes out using the same
procedure at the end of the day, so there is no need to clock out or question if
someone is left in the building beyond business hours.
Here are some ways access control can help ensure organizational security:
Limiting access: Access control systems can restrict access to certain areas, such
as server rooms, data centers, and other sensitive locations. By limiting access,
organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized individuals gaining access to
sensitive information, equipment, or infrastructure.
Accountability: Access control systems can provide an audit trail that allows
organizations to track who accessed specific areas or information, and when they
accessed it. This can help to hold individuals accountable for their actions and can
assist with investigations into security incidents.
Protection against insider threats: Access control can help to prevent internal
security breaches by limiting access to sensitive information or areas to only those
who need it to perform their job functions. This can reduce the risk of insider
threats such as data theft, sabotage, or other malicious actions.
Compliance: Access control systems can help organizations to comply with
regulatory requirements related to data privacy and security. Many regulations,
such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), require organizations to
implement access control measures to protect sensitive data.
In summary, access control is an essential security measure that can help to
ensure organizational security by limiting access to sensitive areas and
information to only authorized individuals, providing accountability, protecting
against insider threats, and assisting with regulatory compliance.

Surveillance
A crucial factor to take into account in an organization is surveillance. For
protection against entry and mishaps, modern security systems include a variety
of sensors, including those that detect motion, heat, and smoke. These sensors
can establish a direct connection with your alarm system, enabling them to sound
alarms and notify you and other system administrators without the need for
human assistance. Naturally, implementing surveillance cameras and notification
systems into your security plan is a must. These tools can record crimes on video
and help you identify offenders much more quickly. Access control systems that
use the cloud update wirelessly and offer real-time information let you keep an
eye on the system from a mobile dashboard.
Surveillance can be a useful tool for ensuring organizational security in several
ways:
Deterrence: The presence of surveillance cameras and other monitoring systems
can act as a deterrent to potential intruders or unauthorized individuals who may
be considering accessing restricted areas or engaging in inappropriate behavior.
Detection: Surveillance cameras can be used to detect suspicious activity or
behavior, allowing security personnel to intervene before a security breach
occurs. This can help to prevent theft, vandalism, and other security incidents.
Investigation: In the event of a security incident, surveillance footage can be used
as evidence to help identify suspects and prosecute those responsible. This can be
especially important in cases where the incident occurs outside of regular
business hours or when there are no witnesses present.
Monitoring: Surveillance systems can be used to monitor areas of the
organization in real-time, allowing security personnel to respond quickly to any
security breaches or incidents.
It is important to note that the use of surveillance must be balanced with
individuals' privacy rights and that appropriate policies and procedures must be in
place to ensure that surveillance is used responsibly and ethically. Organizations

should also ensure that they comply with applicable laws and regulations related
to the use of surveillance, including data privacy and protection laws.
Security Training
Security issues are frequently the result of internal negligence; thus, security
awareness training is essential. Employees need to be made aware of the value of
proper password hygiene and trained to recognize shady phone calls, SMS
messages, and email messages. They must look out for emails sent from open
email addresses, emails with errors in the syntax and spelling, and emails that
convey a feeling of urgency. Never click on links to shady websites or download
attachments from enigmatic senders as an employee.
Security awareness training is an essential part of any comprehensive
organizational security plan. Here are some ways in which security awareness
training can help ensure organizational security:
Educate employees: Security awareness training can educate employees on the
potential threats facing the organization and how to identify and report security
incidents.
Promote a security culture: By fostering a security-conscious culture within the
organization, employees are more likely to take proactive measures to protect
sensitive data, systems, and networks.
Compliance: Security awareness training can help organizations comply with
industry regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR, by ensuring that
employees are aware of their responsibilities and obligations related to protecting
sensitive information.
Reduce security incidents: Effective security awareness training can reduce the
number of security incidents caused by human error, such as phishing attacks,
social engineering, and password misuse.
Overall, security awareness training is an important investment for any
organization looking to improve its security posture and protect against a wide
range of cyber threats.

D3:
When evaluating the suitability of the tools used in an organizational policy, it is
important to consider their effectiveness, efficiency, and compatibility with the
organization's infrastructure and resources.
The first tool to consider is antivirus software, which is an essential part of any
organization's security policy. Antivirus software helps to prevent and detect
malware infections, which can cause significant damage to an organization's IT
systems and data. It is important to ensure that the antivirus software is up-to-
date and regularly updated to provide adequate protection against new threats.
Additionally, the software should be compatible with the organization's operating
systems and software applications.
The second tool is a firewall, which controls incoming and outgoing network
traffic based on pre-defined security rules. A firewall is essential for preventing
unauthorized access to the organization's IT systems and data. When evaluating a
firewall, it is important to consider its effectiveness in detecting and preventing
network attacks, such as malware infections and hacking attempts. It is also
important to ensure that the firewall is compatible with the organization's
network infrastructure and that it is properly configured to provide maximum
protection.
The third tool is a data backup and recovery system, which is essential for
ensuring that the organization's critical data is protected against loss or damage.
When evaluating a backup and recovery system, it is important to consider its
effectiveness in backing up data in a timely and reliable manner. Additionally, the
system should be compatible with the organization's storage infrastructure and
should be able to quickly recover data in the event of a system failure or other
disaster.
Overall, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and compatibility
of the tools used in an organizational policy to ensure that they provide the
necessary protection against IT security threats. It is also important to regularly
review and update the tools to ensure that they remain effective against new and
emerging threats.

M5 Discuss the roles of stakeholders in the organization to implement security
audit recommendations.
The success of implementing security audit recommendations in an organization
depends on the involvement and commitment of various stakeholders. These
stakeholders include:
Senior Management: Senior management plays a critical role in implementing
security audit recommendations as they are responsible for providing the
necessary resources, support, and leadership to drive the implementation
process. They also set the tone for the organization's security culture and ensure
that security is a top priority.
IT Department: The IT department is responsible for implementing the technical
recommendations from the security audit, such as updating software and
hardware, configuring firewalls, and enhancing access controls. They also ensure
that the organization's IT infrastructure is secure and resilient.
Employees: Employees are responsible for implementing the non-technical
recommendations from the security audit, such as following security policies,
attending security awareness training, and reporting security incidents. They are
the first line of defense against cyber threats and play a critical role in maintaining
the security of the organization's assets.
External Consultants: In some cases, organizations may engage external
consultants to provide expertise and support in implementing security audit
recommendations. They can provide specialized skills and knowledge to
complement the organization's existing resources.
To ensure successful implementation of security audit recommendations,
stakeholders must work collaboratively and communicate effectively. The roles
and responsibilities of each stakeholder must be clearly defined and understood,
and regular progress updates and reporting must be provided. Additionally,
stakeholders must be committed to the process and willing to invest the
necessary time and resources to achieve the desired outcomes. By working
together, stakeholders can effectively implement security audit recommendations
and improve the overall security posture of the organization.

D2 Consider how IT security can be aligned with organizational policy, detailing
the security impact of any misalignment.
Aligning IT security with organizational policy is essential to ensure that the
organization's security measures are consistent with its overall goals and
objectives. Here are some steps that can be taken to align IT security with
organizational policy:
Develop a comprehensive security policy: The first step in aligning IT security with
organizational policy is to develop a comprehensive security policy. The policy
should clearly define the organization's security objectives, and the roles and
responsibilities of employees, contractors, and third-party vendors in achieving
these objectives.
Conduct a risk assessment: Conduct a risk assessment to identify the potential
security threats that the organization faces. The risk assessment should cover all
areas of the organization, including hardware, software, networks, and data. This
will help the organization to prioritize its security measures and allocate resources
accordingly.
Develop security controls: Develop security controls based on the results of the
risk assessment. The controls should be designed to mitigate the risks identified in
the assessment and to comply with the organization's security policy. The controls
should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they are effective.
Communicate the policy and controls: Once the security policy and controls have
been developed, they should be communicated to all employees, contractors, and
third-party vendors who have access to the organization's systems and data. This
will help to ensure that everyone is aware of the organization's security
requirements and the consequences of non-compliance.
Monitor compliance: Regularly monitor compliance with the security policy and
controls. This can be done through regular security audits and reviews. Any issues
that are identified should be addressed promptly to ensure that the organization's
security posture remains strong.
Provide training and awareness: Finally, provide training and awareness programs
to employees, contractors, and third-party vendors. This will help to ensure that
everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in maintaining the

organization's security posture, and that they are aware of the latest security
threats and best practices.
IT security should always be aligned with the organizational policy to ensure that
all information assets are protected in accordance with the organization's
objectives, priorities, and legal requirements. Misalignment between IT security
and organizational policy can have significant security impacts, including:
Non-compliance: Misalignment can lead to non-compliance with legal, regulatory,
and contractual obligations. For example, if the organizational policy requires
certain data to be encrypted, but IT security fails to implement this requirement,
the organization could be in violation of data protection laws.
Increased risk: Misalignment can result in an increased risk of security incidents.
For instance, if the organizational policy requires regular security assessments,
but IT security fails to conduct them, the organization is exposed to vulnerabilities
and threats that could be identified through the assessments.
Inconsistent security: Misalignment can lead to inconsistent security practices,
which can create security gaps that attackers can exploit. For example, if the
organizational policy requires the use of strong passwords, but IT security allows
weak passwords, the organization's security will be compromised.
Reduced effectiveness: Misalignment can reduce the effectiveness of security
controls and measures. For instance, if the organizational policy requires network
segmentation to protect sensitive information, but IT security fails to implement
it, the organization's security measures will be less effective.
To prevent these security impacts, IT security must work closely with the
organization's policy team to ensure that IT security measures are aligned with
the organizational policy. Any misalignment should be identified and resolved as
soon as possible to ensure that the organization's information assets are
adequately protected.
1. Security breaches: If the IT security policies are not aligned
with the organizational policies, security breaches may occur.
For example, if the organizational policy requires that
employees use complex passwords but the IT security policy

allows weak passwords, the organization may be vulnerable to
password-based attacks.
2. Compliance violations: Misalignment between IT security and
organizational policies can result in compliance violations. For
example, if the organizational policy requires that all
confidential data be encrypted, but the IT security policy does
not enforce this requirement, the organization may be in
violation of regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or
PCI DSS.
3. Increased costs: Misalignment can result in additional costs for
the organization. For example, if the IT security policy requires
that all devices accessing the organization's network have the
latest security patches, but the organizational policy does not
provide the necessary resources to update devices, the
organization may be required to allocate additional resources
to ensure compliance.
4. Reduced efficiency: Misalignment can also reduce the
efficiency of IT security measures. For example, if the IT
security policy requires that all employees change their
passwords every 90 days, but the organizational policy does
not provide training to help employees remember their
passwords, employees may resort to writing their passwords
down or using easily guessable passwords, which can reduce
the effectiveness of the security policy.
5. Damage to reputation: Misalignment can result in damage to
the organization's reputation. For example, if the organization
is found to be in violation of regulatory requirements due to a
misalignment between IT security and organizational policies,
this can damage the organization's reputation and erode trust
among customers, partners, and stakeholders.
In summary, misalignment between IT security and organizational
policies can result in security breaches, compliance violations,
increased costs, reduced efficiency, and damage to reputation. To
avoid these risks, it is important to ensure that IT security policies
are aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the organization.