SEC450 GROUP CASE STUDY Compromised Credit Card Informati ✓ Solved

The key to securing any size network is to understand where the biggest threats are and how to address the weaknesses. To protect an organization against vulnerabilities, for example, malware and computer viruses, there must be an information security policy in place to keep the data infrastructure safe from cyber-attacks. This policy will force the organization to think through and address all the ways it handles data and how to keep that data safe. In addition, it will include best practices that employees are expected to follow, including procedures for keeping employee, vendor, and customer information safe.

Unlike processes and procedures, policies do not include instructions on how to mitigate risks. Instead, they acknowledge which risks the organization intends to address and broadly explain the method that will be used. The first step in developing a security policy is to identify the risk factors that an organization may encounter. This is called a risk profile and is an extremely important part of the security policy. Assessing risk factors will help determine issues such as outdated software that can cause you to be at risk of dangerous malware.

Once potential risks are identified, they can be addressed. In addition to risk factors associated with software, network risks must be addressed. In addition to antivirus installation and firewalls, appropriate technology solutions, company policies, and an Incident Response Plan (IRP) will be utilized. The risk assessment will state how often potential threats will be reassessed for IT security and update the security program. The type of risk assessment that needs to be performed will identify data that may be defined as outside of compliance.

Once those compliance risks have been identified, they can be remediated quickly. All personnel within the corporation will be trained according to the security policies set in place. A training plan is needed to provide employees with advice on policies, password setup, verification processes, and a variety of other topics. Employees will be trained in an ongoing fashion by integrating educational opportunities in all facets of the workplace. Employees can learn the importance of strong passwords by demonstrating how easily passwords can be cracked using weak passwords.

Hardware and software updates on desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and mobile devices will be updated regularly for data security. Spam filters will be set in place to catch phishing emails and other junk mail before it can pose a threat to the network. Operating systems updates will be set to automatically download and install key cyber security fixes as soon as they are available to protect from cyber threats. Software patches will be installed to cover security holes and fix or remove computer bugs. Access will be limited for unauthorized personnel to the organization’s computers and accounts.

Trusted employees will not be allowed to access computers and information that they are normally unauthorized to use. Individual logins for employees and dictating a policy that ensures that they do not share their logins with others will be implemented. The number of people that have access to sensitive data will be limited to avoid the risk of data breaches. An access control system will be installed to effectively limit access to certain areas of the building, and personalized key cards will be issued to unlock certain doors. Furthermore, potential harms will be minimized by shredding and recycling all documents such as invoices that may contain sensitive information.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) privilege will be controlled using ID and password authentication to ensure unauthorized users are not allowed access to the network. Only traffic destined for this organization will travel across the VPN tunnel; all other traffic will go through the user’s ISP (Internet Service Provider). VPN services will be terminated immediately if any suspicious activity is found and may also be disabled until the issue has been identified and resolved. The Wi-Fi network will be secured; all rogue access will be blocked, and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) will be standardized with proper security protocols. All traffic will be monitored with suggested ESET Endpoint Security network monitoring software to identify potential hackers, and encryption algorithms will be utilized for all storage and transmission of sensitive data on the server.

All data will be backed up regularly in case of any data breaches, and this backup will be tested by restoring the system to ensure the process works. Finally, this security policy will be a living, breathing document that will evolve as the company changes or new technologies are implemented. It will be reevaluated and updated annually using policy management software to analyze its effectiveness and stay ahead of potential threats. Changes may include complying with new global laws (such as the General Data Protection Regulation), changes in cybersecurity regulations, a data breach at the company, new management, adopting new technologies, or new types of threats. This security policy will be audit-ready and based on industry-recognized best practices.

In summary, the completed security analysis of the customer’s network has been concluded with recommendations for an IT Security Policy. Antivirus installation and firewalls, appropriate technology solutions, company policies, and an Incident Response Plan (IRP) should be implemented. A training plan is needed to provide employees with advice on policies, and hardware and software updates should be done regularly for data security. VPN privileges should be controlled, and security policies will be reevaluated annually to stay ahead of potential threats.

Paper For Above Instructions

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations face the crucial challenge of ensuring the security of sensitive information, particularly compromised credit card data. Cybersecurity threats can lead to severe financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. To effectively mitigate these threats, a robust information security policy is necessary.

The design of a comprehensive security policy begins with a thorough understanding of potential risks. Organizations should conduct risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities within their network. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), risk assessments should evaluate threats, vulnerabilities, and the potential impacts of a breach (NIST, 800-30). Regular assessments are essential as cyber threats are continually evolving, necessitating an adaptive security approach.

The integration of security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software is critical. Firewalls serve as a barrier between the secure internal network and untrusted external networks, helping to prevent unauthorized access (Stallings, 2018). Antivirus solutions, on the other hand, detect and eliminate malicious software that can compromise systems. A layered security approach, combining these tools with intrusion detection systems, enhances overall protection (García, 2020).

Furthermore, employee training is a vital element of an effective security policy. Employees must be well-informed about security practices, including the importance of strong passwords and recognizing phishing attempts. A study conducted by the Ponemon Institute found that organizations with continuous security training reduce the likelihood of a data breach significantly (Ponemon Institute, 2019). Continuous education fosters a cybersecurity-aware workforce, actively engaged in the protection of organizational assets.

To further protect sensitive data, implementing an access control system is advisable. Limiting access to sensitive information to authorized personnel reduces the risk of data breaches. Role-based access control (RBAC) is an effective method, ensuring that individuals only have access to information necessary for their job functions (Sanders, 2021). This minimizes the attack surface and decreases the potential for insider threats.

Regular updates to hardware and software also play a fundamental role in maintaining cybersecurity. Outdated systems are prime targets for cybercriminals, as they often contain unpatched vulnerabilities. According to Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), organizations should adopt a patch management strategy to ensure all software components are regularly updated (CISA, 2021). This includes operating systems, applications, and any other software utilized across the organization.

Additionally, the use of encryption for sensitive data is paramount. Encryption transforms readable data into coded forms, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. As noted by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), encrypting sensitive data at rest and in transit is a critical safeguard against data breaches (ENISA, 2020). This security measure ensures that, even if data is intercepted or accessed unlawfully, it remains unintelligible.

Organizations must also have incident response plans (IRPs) in place. An effective IRP outlines the predetermined procedures to be followed during a security incident, facilitating a swift and organized response to breaches (Wheeler, 2021). Immediate response can mitigate damage, reduce recovery time, and maintain business continuity. Regular tabletop exercises should be conducted to evaluate and improve the response strategy continuously.

The necessity for regular data backups cannot be overstated. Backups ensure that critical business data is preserved in the event of a cyber incident, such as ransomware attacks, where data may be encrypted and held hostage. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recommends implementing a backup strategy that includes off-site storage and regular testing of restore processes (NCSC, 2022). This protects against data loss and facilitates quick recovery from incidents.

In conclusion, a comprehensive security policy is essential for organizations seeking to safeguard compromised credit card information and other sensitive data. Through risk assessment, employee training, robust access controls, regular updates, encryption, incident response planning, and systematic backups, organizations can create a resilient cybersecurity posture. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, so too must security policies, ensuring they remain effective against emerging risks and challenges.

References

  • CISA. (2021). Patch Management: A Guide for Organizations. Retrieved from CISA

  • ENISA. (2020). Guidelines for Secure Cryptographic Key Management. Retrieved from ENISA

  • García, R. (2020). Introduction to Intrusion Detection Systems. Cybersecurity Journal, 10(2), 56-70.

  • NCSC. (2022). Backup Strategy: The Essential Guide. Retrieved from NCSC

  • NIST. (n.d.). Risk Management Framework. Retrieved from NIST

  • Ponemon Institute. (2019). The Cost of a Data Breach Report. Retrieved from Ponemon Institute

  • Sanders, C. (2021). Insider Threats: Prevention and Management. Security Management, 45(5), 42-50.

  • Stallings, W. (2018). Network Security Essentials: Applications and Standards. Pearson.

  • Wheeler, D. (2021). Incident Response Planning for IT Security. Business Security Journal, 15(1), 30-45.