Assignment

As an IT professional, you'll often be required to communicate policies, standards, and practices in the workplace. For this assignment, you'll practice this important task by taking on the role of an IT professional charged with creating a memo to communicate your company's new security strategy. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Analyze the importance of network architecture to security operations.

• Apply information security standards to real-world implementation.

• Communicate how problem-solving concepts are applied in a business environment.

• Use information resources to research issues in information systems security.

• Write clearly about network security topics using proper writing mechanics and business formats.

Preparation

1. Review the essential elements of a security strategy A successful IT administration strategy requires the continuous enforcement of policies, standards, and practices (procedures) within the organization.

Review these elements to see how they compare:

Policy: The general statements that direct the organization's internal and external communication and goals. Standards: Describe the requirements of a given activity related to the policy. They are more detailed and specific than policies.

In effect, standards are rules that evaluate the quality of the activity. For example, standards define the structure of the password and the numbers, letters, and special characters that must be used in order to create a password. Practices: The written instructions that describe a series of steps to be followed during the performance of a given activity. Practices must support and enhance the work environment. Also referred to as procedures.

2. Describe the business environment You are the IT professional in charge of security for a company that has recently opened within a shopping mall. Describe the current IT environment at this business. You can draw details from a company you work for now or for which you have worked in the past. You'll need to get creative and identify the details about this business that will influence the policies you'll create. For example, does the company allow cell phone email apps? Does the company allow web mail? If so, how will this affect the mobile computing policy? Describe all the details about this business environment that will be necessary to support your strategy.

3. Research sample policies Familiarize yourself with various templates and sample policies used in the IT field. Do not just copy another company's security policy, but rather learn from the best practices of other companies and apply them to yours. Use these resources to help structure your policies:

• Information Security Policy Templates

• Sample Data Security Policies

• Additional Examples and Tips.