University of Guelph

IT Security PolicyDoug Blain

Manager, IT Security

ISC, April 27th

IT Security policy• What is it?

– The IT Security policy defines the minimum security posture needed to be maintained to protect IT resources from compromise (internal or external) or loss. It defines the scope of the data and resources to be protected. It also protects the members of the University community when they need to make decisions or take actions when handling IT resources.

Why do we need it?• Business risk management

– Protect assets– Protect reputation– Due diligence

• Risks increasing– Virus, worms– Phishing, email scams– Social Engineering – Spyware, Trojans

Famous names in the news• Tufts, Boston College, Columbia,

Carnegie-Mellon • ChoicePoint, Lexus Nexus, Polo Ralph

Lauren, Ameritrade, HSBC Holdings, Bank of America, DSW Shoes, etc.

All have had compromises that have made the evening news….this year

Additional factors• Establishment of CIO position• IT needs to move from technological to

business issues • Security is not just a firewall (crunchy on

the outside, soft and chewy on the inside)• External Security Audits• Government legislation

Scope • University Wide• Departmental • Regional Colleges• Residences• Wireless, PDA, Cellphone• Home, Remote access

Elements of an IT Security Policy• Based on standards

– ISO 17790– SANS– CERT– peers

Mission statement– Organizational roles

• Executive, HR, Board• CIO• Security officer• Technical staff• Campus Police• Legal, Audit• User community

– Definitions

Data handling Policy• Data sensitivity• Electronics records retention• Privacy

User Account management• Accounts Management• Password Management• Acceptable Use Policy

Access Management– Trust model – Access Controls– Data classification

Virus Protection Policy• Perimeter (email, firewall) • Desktop • Actions based on detection

Networking• Standards (protocols, ports)• Authorized Access• Remote Access

Intrusion Detection / Logging Configurations / Backups• Monitoring• Log consolidation• Incident Handling

– Incident Response team– Reporting requirements

• Configuration management• Backups / Archiving

– Business resumption (not disaster recovery)

Unique requirements of University Environment• Needs to be realistic for a University

environment• Students, Faculty, Staff, 3rd parties• Mix of research, educational, business and

personal data• Open environment of collaboration and

learning• Wide range of research and educational

issues

Development Process• Develop Security Policy Team

– Security officer alone should not write the policy

– Broad cross-section of community, but not too big

– Involve major stakeholders HR, Audit, Legal, IT staff

Risk Assessment (KISS)• Asset inventory • Asset values• Threats• Mitigations

– Provides guideline for priorities

Review Existing policies• Compare to standards• Revise as needed• Develop new policies to fill in gaps• Use templates (SANS)• Borrow from peers

Obtain approval

Establish audit & review process• Measurements• Revisions based on results, problems• Ensure standards and practices are

established– Document how policy will be followed– Defines technical elements to implementation

Communicate policy to community• Promote better understanding • Encourage feedback

Time?• ASAP• Take small steps when possible• Generally considered a long process in the

industry• Consultants, products may speed up

process.