Information security (ISec) describes activities that relate to the protection of information and information infrastructure assets against the risks of loss, misuse, disclosure or damage. Information security management (ISM) describes controls that an organization needs to implement to ensure that it is sensibly managing these risks.
The risks to these assets can be calculated by analysis of the following issues:
- Threats to your assets. These are unwanted events that could cause the deliberate or accidental loss, damage or misuse of the assets
- Vulnerabilities. How susceptible your assets are to attack
- Impact. The magnitude of the potential loss or the seriousness of the event.
Standards that are available to assist organizations implement the appropriate programmes and controls to mitigate these risks are for example BS7799/ISO 17799, Information Technology Infrastructure Library and COBIT.
Famous quotes containing the words information, security and/or management:
“When action grows unprofitable, gather information; when information grows unprofitable, sleep.”
—Ursula K. Le Guin (b. 1929)
“The reins of government have been so long slackened, that I fear the people will not quietly submit to those restraints which are necessary for the peace and security of the community.”
—Abigail Adams (1744–1818)
“The management of fertility is one of the most important functions of adulthood.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)