Establishing an Information Security Program: Step-by-Step Guide

The First Step in Establishing an Information Security Program

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The FIRST - step in establishing an information security program is to:

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A. B. C. D.

A.

The correct answer is A. Secure organizational commitment and support.

Establishing an information security program is a critical step in protecting an organization's information assets from various risks such as unauthorized access, theft, destruction, or alteration. The success of an information security program depends on the support and commitment of senior management and the entire organization. Therefore, the first step in establishing an information security program is to secure organizational commitment and support.

Without organizational commitment and support, it is difficult to achieve the following objectives:

  1. Assess the organization's compliance with regulatory requirements: Compliance with regulatory requirements is critical for protecting an organization's information assets. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements can lead to legal and financial penalties, loss of reputation, and loss of customer trust. Organizational commitment and support are essential for conducting an effective compliance assessment.

  2. Determine the level of risk that is acceptable to senior management: The level of risk that an organization is willing to accept varies based on its business objectives, industry, and regulatory requirements. Senior management must be involved in the risk management process to determine the level of risk that is acceptable and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.

  3. Define policies and standards that mitigate the organization's risks: Policies and standards are critical components of an information security program. They provide guidance on how to protect information assets and define the rules that must be followed by employees and other stakeholders. Organizational commitment and support are essential for developing and implementing effective policies and standards.

In summary, securing organizational commitment and support is the first step in establishing an information security program. Without it, the organization cannot effectively assess its compliance with regulatory requirements, determine the level of risk that is acceptable, and define policies and standards that mitigate the organization's risks.