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🧰Assessment Methodologies: Auditing Fundamentals

Auditing Fundamentals:

Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. It involves measures to safeguard sensitive information and ensure the smooth functioning of digital environments.

What are we securing? Cybersecurity aims to secure various types of valuable data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Healthcare Information, Financial Data, Intellectual Property, Business Secrets, and Business Operations, to prevent unauthorized access and potential damage.

  1. Personally Identifiable Information (PII): PII includes personal data like names, addresses, and social security numbers. Safeguarding PII prevents identity theft and misuse of personal information.

  2. Healthcare Information: This includes patient records and medical histories. Protecting healthcare information ensures patient privacy and compliance with data protection laws like HIPAA.

  3. Financial Data: Financial data involves sensitive financial information such as credit card numbers and bank account details. Keeping this data secure prevents financial fraud and unauthorized transactions.

  4. Intellectual Property: Intellectual property comprises valuable ideas, inventions, and creative works. Secure IP safeguards innovations from theft or unauthorized use.

  5. Business Secrets: Business secrets encompass confidential strategies, plans, and proprietary information. Protecting them prevents competitors from gaining an unfair advantage.

  6. Business Operations: Securing business operations involves ensuring the availability and functionality of critical systems and processes, minimizing downtime due to cyberattacks.

CIA Triad

The CIA Triad is a foundational concept in cybersecurity:

  1. Confidentiality: This involves keeping information private and accessible only to authorized users, preventing unauthorized access and disclosure.

  2. Integrity: Integrity ensures that data remains accurate and unaltered. Protecting data integrity prevents unauthorized modifications or tampering.

  3. Availability: Availability ensures that systems and data are accessible when needed. It prevents disruptions and downtime that could impact operations.

Defense in Depth

Defense in Depth is a cybersecurity strategy that employs multiple layers of security mechanisms to provide comprehensive protection. This approach reduces the chances of a single point of failure and enhances overall security posture.

Regulations:

  • PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): PCI DSS is a set of security standards designed to protect credit card data during transactions and storage. It mandates security measures for businesses handling cardholder information, reducing the risk of payment card data breaches.

  • HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): HIPAA is a US law governing the security and privacy of healthcare information. It requires healthcare providers and organizations to safeguard patient data, ensure its confidentiality, and establish controls to prevent unauthorized access.

  • GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): GDPR is a European Union regulation that enhances data privacy and protection rights for individuals. It requires organizations to handle personal data responsibly, obtain consent, and provide transparency in data processing.

  • CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): CCPA is a California law granting consumers greater control over their personal data. It gives Californian residents the right to know, access, and request deletion of their data collected by businesses.

  • SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act): SOX is a US law that mandates financial reporting and auditing standards for publicly traded companies. It aims to enhance transparency and prevent financial fraud by imposing strict controls over financial processes and reporting.

These regulations set specific technical and procedural requirements to ensure the security, privacy, and accountability of sensitive data and financial information.

Frameworks

  • ISO/IEC 27000 (ISO 27000 series): ISO/IEC 27000 is a family of standards for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach to managing and securing sensitive information using risk assessment, controls, and continuous improvement.

  • COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies): COBIT is a framework for effective IT governance and management. It helps organizations align their IT activities with business goals, ensuring proper control, risk management, and compliance.

  • NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): NIST provides cybersecurity guidelines and standards, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. It offers a structured approach to managing and reducing cybersecurity risks for organizations of all sizes.

  • CIS (Center for Internet Security): CIS offers a set of security benchmarks and best practices to safeguard systems and data. The CIS Controls provide actionable steps to enhance cybersecurity posture and prevent common threats.

  • CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification): CMMC is a framework that measures and certifies the cybersecurity maturity of organizations in the defense supply chain. It ensures proper cybersecurity controls are in place to protect sensitive defense information.

  • ASD (Australian Signals Directorate) Essential Eight: ASD's Essential Eight is a cybersecurity framework that outlines eight strategies to mitigate common cyber threats. It provides practical guidance to improve an organization's resilience against cyberattacks.

ToolKit

  • SCAP Scan and STIG Viewer: SCAP (Security Content Automation Protocol) Scan is a tool used to assess the security posture of systems by checking compliance with security guidelines. STIG (Security Technical Implementation Guide) Viewer helps visualize and analyze the results of SCAP scans, ensuring systems adhere to recommended security configurations.

  • Nmap (Network Mapper): Nmap is a powerful network scanning tool that helps discover hosts and services on a network. It employs various techniques to identify open ports, services, and potential vulnerabilities in computer systems.

  • Nessus: Nessus is a widely used vulnerability assessment tool that scans networks and systems for security weaknesses. It identifies vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and potential threats, providing detailed reports to aid in remediation efforts.

Hacker's Mantra:The hacker community may be small, but it possesses the skills that are driving the global economies of the future. - Heather Brooke

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