The Best Justification to Convince Management to Invest in an Information Security Program

D.

Investing in an information security program should increase business value and confidence.

Cost reduction by itself is rarely the motivator for implementing an information security program.

Compliance is secondary to business value.

Increasing business value may include protection of business assets.

When attempting to persuade management to invest in an information security program, it is essential to focus on the business benefits of implementing such a program. From the given options, the BEST justification to convince management to invest in an information security program is the protection of business assets (option C).

Here's a more detailed explanation:

A. Cost reduction: While information security programs can help reduce costs in the long run, it may not be the most compelling argument for investing in such a program. Focusing solely on cost reduction may suggest that the program is a cost center rather than a strategic investment.

B. Compliance with company policies: Compliance with company policies is necessary but not sufficient to justify an investment in an information security program. While compliance is important, it is not necessarily a driver for security investments. Also, the fact that compliance is necessary implies that it is not optional, which may not be the most compelling argument to invest in information security.

C. Protection of business assets: Protecting business assets is an essential reason to invest in an information security program. Business assets, such as intellectual property, customer data, financial information, and reputation, are valuable to an organization, and protecting them is critical to the organization's success. Focusing on the protection of business assets is likely to resonate with management, who is responsible for the organization's well-being.

D. Increased business value: While an information security program may increase business value, it may not be the best way to justify an investment in the program. Increased business value may be seen as a byproduct of the investment rather than its primary justification. Additionally, measuring the impact of an information security program on business value is not straightforward.

In conclusion, while each of the options presented may be a consideration when investing in an information security program, the BEST justification to convince management to invest in such a program is the protection of business assets. By emphasizing the protection of valuable business assets, security professionals can demonstrate the strategic importance of information security investments to the organization's success.