Security Policies

Security Policies (Wikipedia) Computer security policy Defines the goals and elements of an organization's computer systems Definition can be Highly formal Informal Security policies are enforced by organizational policies or security mechanisms

Security Policies (Wikipedia) Technical implementation defines whether a computer system is Secure Insecure Formal policy models can be categorized into the core security principles of: Confidentiality Integrity Availability For example: Bell-La Padula model A confidentiality policy model Biba model An integrity policy model

Written Security Policy Document that outlines the rules, laws and practices for computer and network access Regulates how an organization will manage, protect and distribute its sensitive information Both corporate and client information Lays the framework for the computer- network-oriented security of the organization From: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/security_policy.html

Core Security Objectives Confidentiality Ensures the people who are authorized to have access to information are able to do so when needed Keeps valuable information only available to those people who are intended to see it Prevents unauthorized access

Core Security Objectives Integrity Maintains the value and the state of information  protected from unauthorized modification Information only has value if we know that it's correct Major objective of information security policies: Ensure that information is not modified or destroyed or subverted in any way

Core Security Objectives Availability Ensuring that information and information systems are available and operational when they are needed Major objective of an information security policy must be to ensure that information is always available to support critical business processing

Policies or Practices? Policies Practices Rules or guidelines to ensure How to do something - or - Don't do something Practices How the polices are done Policies and practices together: What should be done How to do it

What is needed for good security? Management support Structure to support it Money to do it Culture of security Expand on each here

Methods of Support Military Model Bell-LaPadula Model Your own method

Military Model Levels of classification e.g.: Secret Confidential Restricted Unclassified Each has its rules of access Who may access How it may be access Are copies permitted?

Bell-Padula Basically simplified Military Model Secret Relies on an ordering of access Secret > Confidential > Restricted > Unclassified

Your Own What works for your organization Policies and procedures that match your organizational needs Identify the needs Develop policies to meet the needs Develop procedures Implement the policies Enforce the policies (Monitor and update as needed)

Basic Structures (documentation) Policies and their owners Technical Guides System owners What does the Policy cover

Typical Topics (not exhaustive) Physical Security Network Security Access Control Authentication Encryption Key Management Compliance Auditing and Review Security Awareness Incident Response & Disaster Contingency Plan Acceptable Use Policy Software Security

SANS Private company Specializes in internet security training http://www.sans.org/security-resources/policies/#template

SANS Template Example 1 Risk Assessment Policy 1.0 Purpose To empower InfoSec to perform periodic information security risk assessments (RAs) for the purpose of determining areas of vulnerability, and to initiate appropriate remediation. 2.0 Scope Risk assessments can be conducted on any entity within <Company Name> or any outside entity that has signed a Third Party Agreement with <Company Name>. RAs can be conducted on any information system, to include applications, servers, and networks, and any process or procedure by which these systems are administered and/or maintained. 3.0 Policy The execution, development and implementation of remediation programs is the joint responsibility of InfoSec and the department responsible for the systems area being assessed. Employees are expected to cooperate fully with any RA being conducted on systems for which they are held accountable. Employees are further expected to work with the InfoSec Risk Assessment Team in the development of a remediation plan. 4.0 Risk Assessment Process For additional information, go to the Risk Assessment Process. 5.0 Enforcement Any employee found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. 6.0 Definitions Terms Definitions Entity Any business unit, department, group, or third party, internal or external to <Company Name>, responsible for maintaining <Company Name> assets. Risk Those factors that could affect confidentiality, availability, and integrity of <Company Name>'s key information assets and systems. InfoSec is responsible for ensuring the Integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical information and computing assets, while minimizing the impact of security procedures and policies upon business productivity. 7.0 Revision History

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 1.0 Purpose The purpose of this policy is to define web application security assessments within <ORGANIZATION>. Web application assessments are performed to identify potential or realized weaknesses as a result of inadvertent misconfiguration, weak authentication, insufficient error handling, sensitive information leakage, etc. Discovery and subsequent mitigation of these issues will limit the attack surface of<ORGANIZATION> services available both internally and externally as well as satisfy compliance with any relevant policies in place. 2.0 Scope This policy covers all web application security assessments requested by any individual, group or department for the purposes of maintaining the security posture, compliance, risk management, and change control of technologies in use at <ORGANIZATION>. All web application security assessments will be performed by delegated security personnel either employed or contracted by <ORGANIZATION>. All findings are considered confidential and are to be distributed to persons on a “need to know” basis. Distribution of any findings outside of<ORGANIZATION> is strictly prohibited unless approved by the Chief Information Officer. Any relationships within multi-tiered applications found during the scoping phase will be included in the assessment unless explicitly limited. Limitations and subsequent justification will be documented prior to the start of the assessment.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy Web applications are subject to security assessments based on the following criteria: New or Major Application Release – will be subject to a full assessment prior to approval of the change control documentation and/or release into the live environment. Third Party or Acquired Web Application – Will be subject to full assessment after which it will be bound to policy requirements. Point Releases – will be subject to an appropriate assessment level based on the risk of the changes in the application functionality and/or architecture. Patch Releases – will be subject to an appropriate assessment level based on the risk of the changes to the application functionality and/or architecture. Emergency Releases – An emergency release will be allowed to forgo security assessments and carry the assumed risk until such time that a proper assessment can be carried out. Emergency releases will be designated as such by the Chief Information Officer or an appropriate manager who has been delegated this authority.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 3.1 Risk Security issues that are discovered during assessments will be mitigated based upon the following risk levels. Risk rating will be based on the OWASP Risk Rating Methodology High Any high risk issue must be fixed immediately or other mitigation strategies must be put in place to limit exposure before deployment. Applications with high risk issues are subject to being taken off-line or denied release into the live environment. Medium Medium risk issues should be reviewed to determine what is required to mitigate and scheduled accordingly. Applications with medium risk issues may be taken off-line or denied release into the live environment based on the number of issues and if multiple issues increase the risk to an unacceptable level. Issues should be fixed in a patch/point release unless other mitigation strategies will limit exposure. Low Issue should be reviewed to determine what is required to correct the issue and scheduled accordingly. Remediation validation testing will be required to validate fix and/or mitigation strategies for any discovered issues of Medium risk level or greater.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 3.2 Tools The current approved web application security assessment tools in use which will be used for testing are: <Tool/Application 1> <Tool/Application 2> … Other tools and/or techniques may be used depending upon what is found in the default assessment and the need to determine validity and risk are subject to the discretion of the Security Engineering team.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 3.3 Security Assessment Level Full A full assessment is comprised of tests for all known web application vulnerabilities using both automated and manual tools based on the OWASP Testing Guide. A full assessment will use manual penetration testing techniques to validate discovered vulnerabilities to determine the overall risk of any and all discovered. Quick A quick assessment will consist of a (typically) automated scan of an application for the OWASP Top Ten web application security risks at a minimum. Targeted A targeted assessment is performed to verify vulnerability remediation changes or new application functionality.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 3.4 Duration The default duration of a web application assessment will be <X> days time for the purpose of project planning and will be modified accordingly based upon the size and scope of the application functionality. 3.5 Exemptions Exemptions to the need for a security assessment will be made by the Chief Information Officer or delegated manager based on risk and criticality of needed application changes/functionality/architecture. Exemptions will assume the associated risk and will be documented as required by the change control policies.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 4.0 Responsibilities Security Engineering will be responsible for web application scoping, assessment, determination of discovered issue risk, and reporting to Project Management and application stakeholders. Project Management and application stakeholders will be responsible for the appropriate assessment scheduling and remediation efforts based upon assessment findings and Security Engineering recommendations. 5.0 Enforcement Web application assessments are a requirement of the change control process and are required to adhere to this policy unless found to be exempt. All application releases must pass through the change control process. Any web applications that do not adhere to this policy may be taken offline until such time that a formal assessment can be performed at the discretion of the Chief Information Officer. 6.0 Definitions Web Application Any service that accepts and processes HTTP/HTTPS protocols. Major Release A significant application software update/code change such as a new interface design programming platform change, etc. Point Release An application software update/code change as part of the application lifecycle. Patch Release An application software update/code change that addresses a bug or flaw.

SANS Template Example 2 Web Application Security Assessment Policy 7.0 References OWASP Top Ten Project: http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Category:OWASP_Top_Ten_Project OWASP Testing Guide: http://www.owasp.org/images/5/56/OWASP_Testing_Guide_v3.pdf OWASP Risk Rating Methodology: http://www.owasp.org/index.php/OWASP_Risk_Rating_Methodology 8.0 Revision History Version 1.0 – John Hally 1/4/11

Security Policies Must be monitored Must be updated Are they being used/enforced? Are they sufficient? Must be updated Every time a gap or lack is found

Security Policies At the least: Ideally: CYA Shows due diligence in protecting assets Gives some legal protections Ideally: Prevent successful attacks Saves $$$ Cost of attack Cost of implementing this same security later

Security Policies Summary Prevent Detect Respond Improve