CISM Exam Preparation:

Aligning Information Security Governance with Corporate Governance

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Question

Which of the following MOST effectively helps an organization to align information security governance with corporate governance?

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A. B. C. D.

A.

Information security governance is a critical component of corporate governance, and it is essential to align the two to ensure that the organization achieves its strategic objectives. Effective alignment requires a deliberate approach that involves various stakeholders, including senior management, IT personnel, and other business units.

Out of the options provided, the MOST effective way to align information security governance with corporate governance is A. Promoting security as an enabler to achieve business objectives. This approach recognizes that security is not an end in itself but a means to an end. By positioning security as a business enabler, the organization can leverage it to achieve its strategic objectives, such as increasing revenue, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Promoting security as a business enabler involves the following key steps:

  1. Establishing a security strategy that aligns with business objectives: The security strategy should be aligned with the organization's overall strategy and goals to ensure that security initiatives contribute to achieving the desired outcomes.

  2. Communicating the security strategy to stakeholders: The security strategy should be communicated to all stakeholders to ensure that everyone understands the importance of security and how it contributes to achieving business objectives.

  3. Integrating security into business processes: Security should be integrated into business processes to ensure that it is considered at every stage of the process and that it does not hinder the achievement of business objectives.

  4. Measuring and monitoring security performance: Security performance metrics should be established to measure the effectiveness of security initiatives in contributing to business objectives. The metrics should be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure that security remains aligned with corporate governance.

In contrast, prioritizing security initiatives based on IT strategy (option B) may result in a misalignment between security and business objectives. IT strategy may not always be aligned with business objectives, and prioritizing security initiatives based on IT strategy may result in a focus on technical aspects of security rather than business needs.

Adopting global security standards to achieve business goals (option C) may be useful, but it does not necessarily ensure alignment with corporate governance. The organization may adopt global security standards that are not relevant to its business needs, resulting in a misalignment between security and business objectives.

Developing security performance metrics (option D) is important but is not sufficient on its own to align information security governance with corporate governance. The metrics should be developed based on an understanding of business needs and should be regularly reviewed to ensure that they continue to align with business objectives.

In summary, promoting security as an enabler to achieve business objectives is the MOST effective way to align information security governance with corporate governance. It involves establishing a security strategy that aligns with business objectives, communicating the strategy to stakeholders, integrating security into business processes, and measuring and monitoring security performance.