Developing an information security strategy is a challenging task for many organizations, both in terms of organizing the process and implementing it. Many companies believe that formal planning is not important, as it can be cumbersome and time-consuming. One explanation for this view is the rapid pace of technological development, which can seemingly render the results of the planning phase obsolete. While this approach may lead to some success if accompanied by effective actions, it fails to guarantee long-term success and raises serious concerns.
Formal planning significantly reduces the risk of incorrect decisions, serves as a basis for subsequent control, and increases readiness for market changes.
The need for an information security strategy typically arises in companies that feel confident enough in the market to plan years ahead but have encountered the following challenges:
1. Lack of alignment between strategic company goals and the directions of information security development.
2. Insufficient level of information security in the company’s key business processes.
3. Low return on investment (ROI) in information security development.
An information security strategy should be viewed as a roadmap that defines key landmarks and guides the organization toward its goals. It is essential to note that the strategy should not be static. As uncertainty factors decrease over time, the strategy must be reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted to set new priorities for tactical decision-making.
Who is the Information Security Strategy Relevant To?
Some believe that an information security strategy is only needed by those responsible for ensuring information security. However, its users are much broader, each with their own interests. The key stakeholders include:
Company Leadership:
1. Understanding the role of information security in implementing the overall company development concept.
2. Ensuring alignment of actions with the company’s development strategy.
3. Understanding the objectives and scope of information security investments.
IT Department:
1. Understanding the role of information security in the company’s IT development.
2. Understanding information security requirements for the target IT architecture.
Information Security Department:
1. Establishing unified principles for information security development.
2. Understanding the target information security architecture of the company.
3. Availability of a detailed action plan (project portfolio).
Defining Criteria for an Effective Information Security Strategy
An information security strategy should be viewed as a roadmap that defines key landmarks and guides the organization toward its goals
Before examining the main steps in developing the strategy, it is important to define the criteria for its quality and purpose. This involves answering three key questions:
1. What are the strategic goals of information security development, and how do they align with the company’s overall strategic objectives?
2. What is the desired future state of the company’s information security?
3. What actions are necessary to achieve the strategic information security development goals?
This structured approach ensures that the information security strategy is aligned with broader organizational priorities and provides a roadmap for effective implementation.
Step 1: Preparation
First, establish the parameters and process for managing the project. Key tasks include:
1. Creating a project team and defining tasks.
2. Agreeing on the structure of collected data and adapting templates.
3. Preparing and approving the work plan.
Step 2: Analysis of the Current State of Information Security
The goal of this stage is to collect and analyze methods and processes for handling information from the perspective of information security and to assess the current state of implementation. Key questions to answer include:
1. What is the current state of information security processes?
2. What security measures are used in the company?
3. What are the business requirements for information security?
Step 3: Development of a Target Information Security Profile
At this stage, the following key tasks are addressed:
1. Ensuring alignment between the company’s strategic objectives and the directions for information security development.
2. Formulating the fundamental principles of the information security strategy.
3. Defining the company’s future information security profile.
Basic Principles of Information Security Strategy
The fundamental principles of an information security strategy establish a set of overarching rules to guide its design and the selection and implementation of solutions. These principles should align with the company’s strategic objectives, processes, and investment capacity. While tailored to each organization, the following universal principles apply:
1. Information Security Integrity
2. Standardization and Unification
3. Ease of Use
4. Minimal Privileges
5. Economic Efficiency
Standards like ISO, COBIT, and NIST can help to form a future information security profile. However, no single standard is universally applicable. Strategies must align organically with the logic of business development—balancing growth facilitation with risk management.
Step 4: Formation of the Information Security Project Portfolio
In the final stage, the focus is ensuring effective investment in information security development. This involves forming a project portfolio, evaluating and selecting potential projects, setting priorities, and establishing feasibility criteria.
The outcomes of this stage include:
• A target portfolio of information security projects.
• An information security development roadmap.
• Risks and key success factors for implementation.
• Metrics and criteria for strategy execution.
Conclusion
An information security strategy is a management tool designed to enhance the company’s security capabilities, achieve business objectives, and minimize risks. It sets boundaries for development goals and prioritizes tactical decisions, making goal achievement a manageable and feasible task.
During its development, one key principle must guide the process: the information security strategy must align with the business and remain feasible for implementation.
