Addressing Information Security Exceptions in BYOD Programs

D.

The situation described in the question presents a challenge for the information security manager, who must address the large number of exceptions to the organization's information security standards that have been granted due to the approval of a bring your own device (BYOD) program by senior management.

The most important step for the information security manager to take in this situation is to update the information security policy (answer D). This is because the exceptions to the information security standards are likely due to a lack of clear and updated policies related to the use of personal devices for work purposes. By updating the policy to include clear guidelines and standards for the use of personal devices, the information security manager can ensure that employees are aware of what is expected of them and what is prohibited.

Introducing strong authentication on devices (answer A) is also an important step, as it can help to ensure that only authorized individuals are able to access the organization's systems and data. However, without clear policies and guidelines in place, this step alone may not be sufficient to address the root cause of the problem.

Rejecting new exception requests (answer B) may be necessary in some cases, particularly if the requests are for activities or behaviors that are clearly prohibited by the updated policy. However, this step alone is not sufficient to address the underlying issues related to the BYOD program and the organization's information security standards.

Requiring authorization to wipe lost devices (answer C) is a useful control for ensuring that sensitive data is not lost or compromised if a device is lost or stolen. However, this step is not directly related to the issue of exceptions to the information security standards and may not be sufficient to address the underlying issues related to the BYOD program and the organization's information security standards.

In summary, while all of the answer choices may be important controls for addressing information security risks related to a BYOD program, the most important step for the information security manager in this situation is to update the information security policy to ensure that clear guidelines and standards are in place for the use of personal devices for work purposes.