Developing an effective Security Strategy
In today’s interconnected and digitalised world, the importance of a robust security strategy cannot be overstated. In this article, we will explore the key components of an effective security strategy and provide guidance on how organisations can develop and implement one.
The evolving threat landscape
As technology continues to advance, so do the threats that organisations face.
From cyber-attacks and data breaches, to insider threats, alongside the physical threat from protest, anti-social behaviour, crime and terrorism, the landscape is constantly evolving.
Developing a comprehensive security strategy is crucial for protecting assets, people, reputation, and sensitive information while maintaining customer trust, and ensuring business continuity. It is paramount to an organisation’s overall resilience.
An approach for success
At the outset, to ensure the best chance of success for your security strategy:
- Get buy-in from all levels of your organisation. Security is everyone’s responsibility.
- Communicate your security strategy clearly and concisely.
- Regularly review your security strategy – including your risk assessments, security and response plans.
- Make security an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
Remember that we are in a customer-facing industry and therefore need to allow normal business to continue.
What do you need to protect?
The foundation of an effective physical or cyber security strategy lies in understanding the unique threat and risks and vulnerabilities that an organisation faces. Therefore, the first element in the development of a security strategy is to understand your environment:
- Identify what you need to protect this could be your data, systems, infrastructure, physical assets, or even people.
- Assess the threats you face: consider internal and external threats, such as cyber-attacks, natural disasters, human error, terrorism, and criminal activity.
- Evaluate your vulnerabilities: Identify weaknesses in your systems, processes, and controls that could be exploited by attackers.
This threat modelling phase will:
- Identify assets and define the security objectives.
- Identify threats and define agreed priorities.
- Analyse vulnerabilities.
- Create mitigation or safeguards to protect identified risks.
A threat modelling report will create a priority of actions, and define an appetite towards physical, cyber, and reputational risk.
It is strongly recommended that this element of the processes is recorded and agreed.
A thorough risk assessment
Conducting a thorough risk assessment is the next step in identifying and mitigating potential risks and their potential impact on the business. This process involves evaluating the organisation’s assets, assessing potential vulnerabilities, and estimating the likelihood and severity of various risks.
By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the threat and risk landscape, organisations can prioritise their security efforts and allocate resources effectively and can tailor their physical and cyber security measures to mitigate specific vulnerabilities.
The assessment and recording of the likelihood and potential impact of various risks, such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, unauthorised access, protests, terrorism or cyber-attack, is imperative.
Developing a security strategy
The combination of the threat modelling and risk assessment will provide the foundation for the security strategy, as at this point the budget available could become a defining factor.
It is not always the decisions we make that we later have to justify, it is those decisions or actions we choose to ignore or fail to consider that have a greater propensity to cause liability at a later stage.
Establishing clear security objectives and policies is essential for guiding the development and implementation of a physical and cyber security strategy.
These security objectives should align with the organisation’s overall aims and objectives and address the identified risks.
In defining your security goals:
- Decide what you want to achieve with your security strategy.
- Set realistic and measurable goals that align with your overall risk tolerance.
Once set they should be communicated effectively to all stakeholders within the organisation.
The establishment of a well-defined security policy will then serve as the cornerstone of an organisation’s security strategy.
A policy outlines the rules, procedures, and guidelines that employees and stakeholders must follow to ensure the protection of information and physical security expectations.
The security policy should cover various aspects, including data protection, access controls, incident response, and acceptable use of technology. It is imperative that we regularly update the security policy to adapt to emerging threats and changes in the business environment.
A security framework
At this stage of the process, you may consider choosing a security framework. Security frameworks provide best practices and guidelines for managing security risks.
Popular frameworks include:
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- ISO 27001.
- Protective Security Management Systems Authority (PSeMS), produced by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA): an emerging management system which considers a Plan – Do – Check – Act approach, which is certainly worthy of consideration when developing a security strategy.
The selection of a framework can help you structure your strategy and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
Using a Deter – Detect – Delay – Mitigate and Respond formula for a security plan will go a long way to ensuring that all reasonable mitigation is considered and the plan can be implemented successfully especially when this is combined with access to a comprehensive and accurate intelligence feed.
The implementation stage will cover a multitude of areas. By prioritising access control, surveillance, perimeter security, alongside continuous training, response planning and regular auditing, organisations can create a fortified environment that protects their physical assets and personnel. Each of these is outlined below:
Access control
Controlling access to physical spaces, sensitive data and critical systems is fundamental to a robust security strategy. Implementing access controls ensures that only authorised individuals have the necessary permissions to access specific resources. This includes user authentication mechanisms, role-based access controls, and encryption technologies.
You can implement access control measures, such as electronic key cards, biometric systems, or traditional locks and keys, to restrict entry to authorised personnel only. Consider implementing layered access controls for different areas based on the sensitivity of the information or assets stored within.
This may include technical controls (firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption), administrative controls (security policies, training programmes), and physical controls (access control systems, security cameras).
Surveillance
Surveillance systems are invaluable tools for monitoring and securing physical spaces. Install high-quality CCTV cameras strategically to cover critical areas, entrances, and exits.
Implementing surveillance systems not only acts as a deterrent, it also provides valuable evidence in the event of an incident. Regularly review and maintain these systems to ensure optimal performance.
Perimeter security measures
Securing the physical perimeter of an organisation is crucial for deterring and preventing unauthorised access.
Install physical barriers such as fences, gates, and bollards to control entry points.
Additionally, consider implementing technologies like intrusion detection systems to alert security personnel of any breach attempts.
Regularly inspect and maintain perimeter security measures to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Training for everyone
Continuous employee training should form part of any successful security strategy as human error remains one of the leading causes of security breaches, especially in cyber-attacks where the initial target is the human operator. Educating employees, not just security personnel, about best practices is essential for creating a security-conscious culture within an organisation.
Regular training sessions on topics such as phishing awareness, password hygiene and social engineering, alongside personal security and matters as simple as tailgaiting, can empower employees to recognise and avoid potential threats.
Continuous education ensures that the workforce remains vigilant in the face of evolving security threats. Identification and recognition of potential threats through behavioural detection, hostile perspective, baseline behaviours and anomalies are essential as part of the security strategy and subsequent plans and objectives.
Training security personnel
Well-trained and vigilant security personnel are the front line of defence in any physical security strategy.
Provide comprehensive training on security procedures, emergency response protocols, and effective communication.
Additionally, empower security personnel to use their initiative in taking measures to identify and address potential security threats.
Incident response plan
No security strategy is complete without a well-defined incident response plan. This plan outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a security incident, such as a terrorist, criminal activity, protests, data breach or a cyber-attack. It includes procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to incidents, as well as communication strategies for notifying stakeholders.
The incident response plan includes:
- What you should do if a security incident occurs.
- Steps for identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and reporting.
Regularly evaluate and update your incident response plan to ensure its effectiveness.
Audit, assess and test security
Regularly auditing and assessing the security posture of an organisation is crucial for identifying weaknesses and ensuring compliance with security policies.
Conducting penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and security audits can help identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system.
Regularly audit and assess the effectiveness of physical security measures. This may involve conducting simulated security drills, reviewing access logs, and assessing the overall security posture.
Use these audits to identify areas for improvement and address any emerging vulnerabilities, as addressing these issues promptly enhances the organisation’s overall security resilience.
In conclusion
Developing a security strategy is an ongoing process that requires an initiative-taking and adaptive approach. By understanding the risks, establishing comprehensive policies, implementing robust controls, and fostering a culture of security awareness, organisations can create a resilient defence against evolving threats.
As technology and political ideology continues to advance, so must our security strategies to safeguard against potential adversaries.
Developing an effective physical security strategy requires a holistic approach that combines risk assessment, clear policies, and the implementation of robust security measures.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to security. The specific steps you take will vary depending on your unique needs and environment.
By following these general principles, you can be well on your way to developing a strong security posture.
Dave Cox
CIS Security
