Applying the CIA Triad to an Organization

The application of the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) within an organization involves implementing comprehensive security controls and policies. Two primary references for these controls are ISO/IEC 27002 and NIST Special Publication 800-53. This article provides an in-depth look at how these standards help manage and apply the CIA principles in organizational settings.

Key Standards and Publications

1. ISO/IEC 27002

Reference:

• Standard: ISO/IEC 27002 – Information technology – Security techniques – Code of practice for information security controls.
• Clauses to Review: Clauses 5.1 and 5.2.

Summary of Clauses 5.1 and 5.2:

Clause 5.1: Security Policies

• Purpose: Defines the framework for managing security within an organization.
• Key Elements: Development, approval, and communication of security policies.
• Implementation: Policies must be established, documented, and reviewed periodically to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

Clause 5.2: Organizational Roles and Responsibilities

• Purpose: Assigns specific roles and responsibilities for information security.
• Key Elements: Defining and allocating security-related responsibilities across the organization.
• Implementation: Clear assignment of roles ensures accountability and effective management of security controls.

Clause 8: Technological Controls

• Summary: Describes a wide range of technological controls available to enhance cybersecurity. These controls include encryption, access control, intrusion detection systems, and more.
• Implementation Guidance: Offers detailed guidance on selecting and implementing appropriate technological controls to address specific security risks.

Useful Resource:

• British Standards Institution: Provides summaries and updates on the role of ISO/IEC 27002 within the suite of cybersecurity standards.
• Article: “An important information security standard has been revised” (2022).

2. NIST Special Publication 800-53 (Rev 5)

Reference:

• Document: National Institute of Standards and Technology. Security and privacy controls for information systems and organizations, NIST Special Publication 800-53 (Rev 5), 2020.
• Chapter to Review: Chapter 2 (pp. 7–15).

Summary of Chapter 2:

Overview of Controls

• Purpose: Provides a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations.
• Key Elements: Categorizes controls into families such as Access Control, Audit and Accountability, Configuration Management, etc.
• Implementation: Guidance on selecting and tailoring controls based on organizational needs and risk assessments.

Browsing the Document:

• Breadth of Controls: The document covers a vast range of controls, offering detailed descriptions and implementation guidance. It emphasizes the importance of integrating security and privacy into the system development lifecycle.

Applying CIA with ISO/IEC 27002 and NIST SP 800-53

1. Confidentiality

ISO/IEC 27002 Controls:

• Access Control: Policies and procedures to limit access to sensitive information (Clause 8).
• Cryptographic Controls: Using encryption to protect data (Clause 8).

NIST SP 800-53 Controls:

• AC (Access Control) Family: Policies and mechanisms to control access to information systems.
• SC (System and Communications Protection) Family: Controls for securing communications and information.

2. Integrity

ISO/IEC 27002 Controls:

• Information Integrity: Mechanisms to ensure data integrity, such as checksums and hash functions (Clause 8).
• Physical Security: Measures to protect physical data repositories from unauthorized access or damage (Clause 8).

NIST SP 800-53 Controls:

• SI (System and Information Integrity) Family: Controls to ensure the integrity of data and information systems.
• CM (Configuration Management) Family: Controls to manage the security configurations of information systems.

3. Availability

ISO/IEC 27002 Controls:

• Backup and Recovery: Procedures for regular data backups and recovery plans (Clause 8).
• Redundancy: Implementing redundant systems to ensure continuous availability (Clause 8).

NIST SP 800-53 Controls:

• CP (Contingency Planning) Family: Controls for preparing and responding to disruptions.
• PE (Physical and Environmental Protection) Family: Controls to protect physical assets and ensure their availability.

Additional Resources for Understanding and Implementing Controls

1. ISO/IEC 27000 Series

• Book: “Information Security Management Principles” by Andy Taylor, David Alexander, Amanda Finch, and David Sutton.
• Provides comprehensive insights into information security management, aligning with ISO/IEC standards.

2. “Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know” by P.W. Singer and Allan Friedman

• Offers a broader context for understanding cybersecurity principles, including the application of the CIA triad.

3. “Security Risk Management: Building an Information Security Risk Management Program from the Ground Up” by Evan Wheeler

• Discusses practical approaches to risk management, integrating broader principles that complement the CIA triad.

Summary

Applying the CIA triad within an organization involves a structured approach to implementing and managing security controls. ISO/IEC 27002 and NIST Special Publication 800-53 are key resources that provide detailed guidance on security policies, roles and responsibilities, and a wide range of technological and procedural controls. By leveraging these standards, organizations can effectively manage confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are in place. The recommended books and resources offer further insights and practical guidance for implementing these principles in organizational settings.