Classifying and Determining the Relative Sensitivity of Assets | CISM Exam Preparation

The Importance of Classifying and Determining Asset Sensitivity

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Question

It is important to classify and determine relative sensitivity of assets to ensure that:

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A. B. C. D.

D.

Classification of assets needs to be undertaken to determine sensitivity of assets in terms of risk to the business operation so that proportional countermeasures can be effectively implemented.

While higher costs are allowable to protect sensitive assets, and it is always reasonable to minimize the costs of controls, it is most important that the controls and countermeasures are commensurate to the risk since this will justify the costs.

Choice B is important but it is an incomplete answer because it does not factor in risk.

Therefore, choice D is the most important.

Asset classification is the process of categorizing information assets based on their level of sensitivity and value to an organization. Asset classification helps organizations to determine the appropriate level of protection required for different types of assets based on their importance, sensitivity, and criticality to business operations.

The primary purpose of asset classification is to ensure that the cost of protection is in proportion to the sensitivity of assets. This means that highly sensitive assets are given the highest level of protection, while less sensitive assets are protected with lower levels of security measures. The goal is to allocate resources and budget based on the relative importance of the assets to the organization.

In addition to ensuring that the cost of protection is proportional to asset sensitivity, asset classification also helps organizations to minimize the cost of controls. By identifying the relative sensitivity of assets, organizations can tailor their security measures to the specific needs of each asset. This can help to reduce unnecessary or ineffective security controls, resulting in lower costs and more efficient security management.

Finally, asset classification ensures that countermeasures are proportional to risk. By classifying assets based on their sensitivity, organizations can prioritize their security efforts on the assets that pose the highest risk. This helps organizations to focus their resources on protecting the assets that are most critical to their business operations and reputation.

In summary, asset classification is a critical process for information security management. It ensures that resources and budget are allocated in proportion to asset sensitivity, minimizes the cost of controls, and prioritizes countermeasures based on risk. By classifying assets, organizations can ensure that they are implementing the appropriate level of security measures to protect their most critical information assets.