Security Planning – Atriade

Proactive Steps to Safeguard Your Digital Infrastructure

admin_atriade — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 17:45:43 +0000

Proactive Steps to Safeguard Your Digital Infrastructure

Administration and Device Mitigation

This article focuses on administration and device remediation, highlighting security’s role in digital transformation.

The Need to Be Up to Date

It’s no secret that technology evolves at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, hackers do, too. What this means for organizations intent on protecting their facilities, people and data is that they must regularly update to the latest versions of whatever software they are using to keep their network-attached devices from intrusion.

Mitigation is defining proactive steps to defending network-attached physical security applications and platforms from malicious attacks. Devices may include:

Surveillance cameras
Access control panels
Application and database servers
Application workstations
Other network-attached devices that support physical security

The Process

It is important to engage all affected manufacturers that have products deployed to obtain their best practices as part of the overall effort. Many vulnerabilities may be the result of inconsistent operating system (OS) patching, expired SSL certificates, and dated firmware; most security networks do not have direct access to the internet, so an operational gap may exist that leaves devices and applications without current software and firmware.

How can organizations make sure that does not happen them? It is critical for IT to come up with an updating process, perhaps deploying an update server solely for this issue. When best practices are used, meaning the most current software versions are running, this provides the greatest level of protection against hacks—and if an intrusion does occur, the liability shifts to the software/firmware manufacturer.

The Nuts and Bolts

To ensure there are no vulnerabilities in an organization’s ability to protect itself from cyberattacks, project teams must address each item of the following issues:

Implementation of new SSL certificates
OS patched based on manufacturer recommendations
Migrate OS to a currently supported product
Firmware upgraded to a currently supported version
Default passwords updated and removed
Simplified Network Management Protocol (SNMP) disabled
Device flagged as the end of life (EOL)

Once the correct firmware and software are updated, new processes should be developed to ensure existing and new hardware/software follow a consistent patching schedule. The only way to have a fighting chance against hackers is to try to stay one step ahead of them; once they determine an organization’s security system is difficult to penetrate, they will likely move on to find one that is easier to pierce.

The Takeaways

To effectively integrate security into digital transformation, organizations need a comprehensive approach that transcends mere technological upgrades and encompasses organizational change. Key strategies include:

Digital transformation is more than a technological change, but is an organizational one.
Physical security and IT must work together, rather than be siloed, to address threats as a team.
A robust IoT strategy should include device support, lifecycle management, work order/ticketing, and centralized reporting to streamline security infrastructure maintenance.
Current IT tools must be leveraged to help organizations achieve better compliance.
All security software and firmware must be up to date since it will be more challenging for hackers to penetrate current versions.

Delve into the strategic management of IoT in the realm of digital transformation, exploring how it enhances overall safety and security also Uncover the integral role of physical security in the digital transformation landscape and process of Departmental Collaboration,

About Atriade

Atriade Atriade has worked on over 500+ projects, in 60+ industries, in 30+ countries. If you are ready to get expert assistance in creating your governance plan that will set you apart from your competitors, we are here to help. Our management team carries a lifetime of experience in all areas of Physical Security and Electronic Security that we are ready to put to work for your unique business and team.

Our expert team at Atriade has helped countless organizations address security’s role in digital transformation at their facilities. Contact Us if you would like to discuss your situation.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

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Physical Key Vulnerabilities in Security Planning

admin_atriade — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:30:59 +0000

Physical Key Vulnerabilities in Security Planning

Security planning affects every area of business management, and building access is no exception.

Transitioning from physical keys to digital keys has many advantages to security that extend beyond the key itself. Likewise, physical keys open up many unique vulnerabilities. Whether you ultimately do or do not incorporate physical keys in your security planning, you should consider each of these vulnerabilities. You can then determine whether to eliminate physical keys or combine them with additional layers of auditable security controls.

While there is a place for physical keys, this should be evaluated against the entire security plan. Some of the best places for physical keys are where ownership costs are lower, in low-vulnerability areas, or when there is little risk if security is breached. Every plan should be risk-based in context.

Physical Key Vulnerabilities

Physical keys have been used for centuries, so why are they often replaced with new technology? This is because physical keys also can create new vulnerabilities in security planning. Here are just a few of the considerations you should include in your planning process.

Insider Threat and Accountability

At any business, the most valuable asset is its employees. This is because of the key role that each individual has in maintaining, growing, and protecting the organization. Physical keys can provide some unique challenges for malicious and accidental actions.

Manual keys, particularly master keys or keys to susceptible spaces, increase the risk of insider threat incidents to a business. Lost, stolen, shared, or misplaced keys are not easily tracked and can be utilized by unauthorized persons to access physical assets and sensitive information. Impacts may include loss of assets and sanctions by regulatory bodies.

If an incident involves a physical key, it is more challenging to investigate and hold an individual accountable, particularly in the case of a duplicated key.

Safety and Chain of Custody

Atriade has conducted several surveys and studies and run focus groups. An overwhelming response from employees has been using a modern access control system, which allows them to use their credentials, which they own, to access the facility. Having a digital, reviewable system, even in smaller retail locations, adds a significant layer to the security of the place. It also decreases the overhead during incident management.

Physical keys can only be easily tracked by creating extensive policies, procedures, and documentation that must be enforced and updated. Keys that leave the business location are not considered ‘controlled.’ The overhead administration of key management can be extensive and lead to inefficient controls and gaps in the long term.

Making Changes – Duplication, Role-based Access, and Re-Keying

When keys are lost, personnel changes happen, or other changes, physical keys provide the greatest challenges to making quick updates.

If a key is taken offsite, it can be duplicated without knowledge of the business. A standard physical key can be easily reproduced with a key mold or impression kit, even if kept onsite. These materials are widely available and easy to use.

Access to a facility should be provided based on the employee’s role and business needs. This is more difficult to manage with physical keys vs. electronic access control systems. With physical keys, changes in roles may require changes in keys issued.

A lost key, particularly a master key, would require changing all locks accessible by that key. This is expensive and an operational challenge for most organizations.

Security Planning Implications for Physical Keys

Increased Overhead Cost

Operational and overhead costs invested in managing physical keys properly can be expensive due to all the additional mitigation elements that must be implemented. Implementation of electronic security controls is much more cost-effective.

This includes not only physical costs but also costs in employee time and planning.

Compliance and Financial Risk

The inability to run adequate security and access audits can open the organization to non-compliance concerns.

The increased overhead cost and compliance vulnerabilities can lead to a higher overall financial risk for the organization. This can have a ripple effect through all areas of the business. This risk impacts the day-to-day administrative functions and the long-term compliance and financial controls.

Safety, Loss, and Theft

One of the most important advantages of digital technology is the ability to create access and control measures that can be audited easily. Using reviewable and documented access control measures significantly increases the level of overall safety and security for employees. This provides them with a safer work experience and creates a healthier workplace culture of safety and security.

A person using a physical key may allow them to access confidential or sensitive information or gain access to network resources and physical assets. This is not only a safety risk but a reputational risk.

Relevant Standards for Security Planning

When making the decision to include or eliminate physical keys from your system, it is important to keep in mind the relevant security standards that apply to your organizational needs. Some of the important compliance standards to keep in mind include:

HIPAA – applies to all electronic health information, both digital and physical
PCI DSS – which includes any business that manages cardholder or payment data
NIST – should be considered for any organization that works with federal government contracts
ISO/IEX 27001 – needs to be considered for international contracts or if you have locations in multiple countries

If your company falls under any of these areas, you should strongly consider expert support in compliance, including a review of your digital and physical key use.

Recommendations

Develop a physical security standard that defines security controls based on location type. This standard should define the use cases for physical security technologies. In creating this standard, you can create manageable and auditable controls.

Technology to Replace Physical Keys

Digital keys allow you to leverage more advanced technologies. In many cases, they may be the best response to the liabilities and limitations of using physical keys.

For example, using physical security technologies such as card readers provides frictionless, auditable, and easily manageable forms of access. Using card readers or other similar technology can streamline your security process and allow for easy changes as needed in the normal course of business operations. You can integrate locations with centrally managed access through a control platform.

Planning around access and succession should all be included in your master planning.

Physical Key Use When Needed

If keys must be issued, create a controlled use environment. You can do this in a variety of ways. For example, limit physical keys to management or employees in trusted positions.

You can also maximize the security of the physical keys by utilizing more complex keys and locking mechanisms.

It is also vital to add supportive technology, such as tools that can track when a physical key is used. Add a sensor to a lock that triggers an alarm and/or video analytics.

Accountability mechanisms, including a sign-in/out process and on-site key storage, are recommended. There are numerous key lockers that can be used standalone or integrated with access control systems to help manage keys.

Physical keys can still be used safely in some cases as long as additional protections are implemented.

Conclusion

In most cases, using digital technology for key access will provide a safer and more secure environment. When physical keys are needed, it is important to include additional safety and security mitigation practices.

About Atriade

Atriade has worked on over 500+ projects in 60+ industries in 30+ countries. If you are looking for support in crafting your full spectrum security plans that will set you apart in a competitive marketplace, we are here to help. Our management team carries a lifetime of experience in all areas of Physical Security and Electronic Security that we are ready to put to work for your unique business and team.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

Employee Protection in Security Planning

admin_atriade — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 18:52:55 +0000

Employee Protection in Security Planning

How does a meticulously planned security strategy go beyond just guarding those at the top?

While the image of black-suited security details shadowing executives might be the first thing that comes to mind, today’s security landscape calls for a broader perspective. It must not only prioritize executive protection but also extend to employee protection across the entire organization.

With technology’s rapid advancement, where digital and physical domains are intricately linked, the emphasis on employee safety and well-being has become paramount. Comprehensive protection programs integrating these aspects are no longer optional; they are essential, underpinning an organization’s ongoing success and resilience.

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, where digital and physical elements both play a pivotal role in business success, ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees has become a top consideration.

Employee protection is not only a financial consideration, it can have positive impacts on employee retention and productivity, company culture, and how you are perceived by current and potential clients. A successful employee protection plan can yield a strong ROI if it is managed and promoted effectively.

Why Employee Protection Matters

Both employee and executive protection programs have a direct impact on the bottom line of businesses and organizations. But not only in the direct sense of protecting valuable assets.

Creating a culture of trust and loyalty has an effect on every area of your business. When your employees know they are valued and safe, they are able to do their best work, and you will see higher employee retention and satisfaction. Implementing employee protection programs sends a strong message to your workforce that their safety is a priority. When employees feel valued and protected, they are more likely to be invested in the company’s success and demonstrate greater dedication to their work.

Without employee protection, you are susceptible to a variety of threats from many different sources, both internal and external.

Determining Levels of Protection

Executive and employee protection are both very broad subjects. The first step is to determine what levels of protection are important for your specific use case. Each business or organization will have very different needs.

The appropriate level and types of protection will vary depending on factors such as:

Number of employees
Exposure of employees
Mitigating factors affecting individual safety
Type and perception of the industry
Location of physical offices
Value of informational assets
Social media usage and following

In some cases, protection programs are more aligned with protecting business assets. Who has access to sensitive information or resources that may be valuable to people attempting to get those assets? Who may be compromised in their role?

But in other cases, even someone who is not at an executive level may need protection in order to provide an employee to be effective in their job. This may be the case if an employee has a personal protection order against an abusive former partner, is involved politically, or has a large social media following.

When you overlook the bigger picture of vulnerability, you will miss meaningful security considerations.

Best Practices for Employee and Executive Protection Implementation

Step One: Determine who needs protection

A detailed security analysis should include employee protection as a consideration. Missing this element can bring additional liability for your business, as well as reduce employee attraction and retention.

Security plans should always consider people, process, and technology. Employee protection is involved in all three of these critical areas.

In an era of increasing data privacy regulations and standards, ensuring your employee protection programs align with legal requirements is essential. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and reputational damage. Robust protection programs help ensure your organization follows industry-specific regulations and safeguards sensitive employee and customer data.

Step Two: Establish Types of Protection

One area of protection is in the handling of digital information, clearances, and identity protection. As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital platforms, data breaches, cyberattacks, and identity theft have emerged as significant threats. Employees often handle sensitive information, making them potential targets for cybercriminals. Robust employee protection programs encompass cybersecurity training, regular updates on evolving threats, and secure communication practices.

While digital threats are a concern, physical security remains just as crucial. Employee protection programs should extend to safeguarding physical spaces, from the office premises to remote work environments. Measures such as access control systems, surveillance cameras, and emergency response protocols contribute to a safe working environment, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential incidents. You also need to address considerations for remote workers, travel protocols, and the differing requirements in different countries.

Step Three: Develop Robust Protocols

After you have established who needs protection and what types of protection need to be put in place, you need systems that will maintain consistency and allow for adjustment as needs change over time.

Each area of employee protection should be developed into a policy that can be easily implemented by every department. Each department lead should understand their role in employee protection and how it ties into the bigger picture security plan.

Conclusion

A company that prioritizes employee safety is more likely to attract top talent and retain valuable employees. Prospective candidates are increasingly evaluating potential employers based on their commitment to employee well-being. By offering comprehensive protection programs, you set yourself apart as an employer that values its workforce’s security and growth.

Investing in employee protection programs isn’t just a security measure; it’s a strategic decision that impacts every facet of your organization. By fostering a culture of safety, trust, and preparedness, you create a resilient workforce that can adapt to challenges and thrive in a secure environment. Whether in the digital realm or physical space, employee protection programs are an essential investment that pays dividends in the form of productivity, loyalty, and long-term success.

As you navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape, remember that safeguarding your most valuable asset—your employees—will always be a wise and essential endeavor.

About Atriade

Atriade Atriade has worked on over 500+ projects, in 60+ industries, in 30+ countries.If you are ready to get expert assistance in your Executive and Employee Protection planning and integration that will set you apart from your competitors, we are here to help. Our management team carries a lifetime of experience in all areas of security implementation and data analysis that we are ready to put to work for your unique business and team.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

The 7-Step Process for Successful POC Execution

admin_atriade — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:27:20 +0000

The 7-Step Process for Successful Proof of Concept Execution

Proof of Concept (PoC) is a crucial step in the development of new products, services, or solutions. It can be used to validate an idea, design, or technology before investing significant time and resources into its implementation.

There are 7 steps that are important to successfully creating a PoC. In this article, we will dive into each one individually.

Step 1: Identify the Parameters

An effective PoC starts with identifying the parameters of the operational business case. Your entire PoC will be measured against these parameters.

To find the parameters that are appropriate for your case:

Identify the business need. What is the problem that the PoC is intended to address? Be as specific as possible about all the elements of the problem.
Define the goals of a solution. What do you want the outcome to be? How will this be different from your current situation?
Determine the success criteria. Will you have increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, reduced costs, or increased revenue?
Identify the stakeholders: Who will be impacted by the PoC? Remember to include both internal and external stakeholders.
Determine the scope. What is the timeframe, budget, and resources required?

With this information, you will be able to establish all of your parameters and proceed with the next steps of the process.

Step 2: Establish What Data is Needed

What data do you need to make the correct business case? It is important to capture both technical and operational data. This will allow you to measure not only the technology’s effectiveness but also the user experience.

The types of data can vary based on the specific project or initiative being tested. Here are some data types to consider:

Business Data

This includes data related to the business need or opportunity that the PoC is intended to address. It might include sales data, customer data, or financial data.

Technical Data

What technology is being tested during the process of the PoC? Consider data related to hardware or software components, data storage and retrieval, network performance, or system integration.

Performance Data

This includes data related to the performance of the PoC, such as data related to response time, throughput, or scalability.

Operational Data

This includes data related to the operational aspects of the PoC. This could include data related to maintenance and support requirements, training needs, or resource utilization.

User Data

This includes data related to user behavior and preferences. This could include data related to user interactions with the PoC, user feedback, or user satisfaction.

Refer to the initial information you created when establishing the parameters for the PoC. By doing so, you can determine which elements are important to track and measure for the most accurate results.

Step 3: Create Your POC Environment

Creating a PoC environment is your next step in developing and testing a PoC. You want the environment to mimic the production environment as closely as possible. This enables you to test in a controlled and secure environment.

Define the Requirements

Determine the hardware, software, and network requirements needed to support the PoC such as identifying the necessary hardware components, such as servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.

Configure the Environment

Install and configure the required software and hardware components in the PoC environment.

Test the Environment

Test the PoC environment to ensure that it is functioning correctly and meets the requirements. Be sure to include connectivity between different components, testing the performance of the environment, and ensuring that the environment is secure.

Test the Proof of Concept

Test the PoC in the PoC environment to ensure that it is functioning as expected. Be sure to test the functionality, performance, and security of the PoC.

Refine the Proof of Concept

Refine the PoC based on the results of the testing. This could involve tweaking the code or configuration, adding, or removing components, or adjusting the environment settings.

Document the Environment

Document the PoC environment, including the hardware, software, and network components, configurations, and settings. This documentation will be useful in replicating the PoC environment in the production environment.

Step 4: Observe Everything

When you are running your PoC, it is vital to not only monitor the core technology, but all the aspects that the PoC impacts. Answers to these observation questions will provide the core of your PoC results:

Infrastructure

How does this impact the larger ecosystem outside the components directly impacted by the PoC?

Administration

How will business functionality be impacted?

Staffing

Whose job functions and roles are impacted and in what ways? Will you need additional people or different roles filled to reach your objectives?

Architecture

Do you have the right technological components in place?

Aesthetics

How is user experience changed in your PoC?

Branding

Do the results align with your big-picture business goals and positioning? Are they in line with your mission and vision?

Maintenance and Support

Are all the processes, people, and technology in place to ensure that you continue to see the positive results you want over time?

Step 5: Document the POC from Beginning to End

The best PoC test in the world will only be as good as the documentation attached to it. Every part of the evaluation, process, and observation should be included in a clear and organized format. This will be essential for making your case to leadership based on the PoC testing.

Be aware of the following:

Determine who is responsible for each part of the documentation. How will they measure and record that information?
What is the structure of the documentation? For example, what should be included in the table of contents, what sections and subsections are important, and how will those relate to the goals of the test?
How will you determine what the key information is, and how will that be documented?
Describe the environment, including the hardware, software, and network components used in the PoC, as well as the configuration and settings of these components.
Capture the process, including the methodology used, the steps taken, and any challenges encountered.
Include the results. This should include the success criteria, the performance, and the functionality of the PoC. It also must address any issues and how they were resolved.
Add screenshots and diagrams to make it easier to understand.

Not only will this documentation give you the resources to present your results, but also to replicate the testing and adjust as needed to get to your desired result.

Step 6: Create a Plan That Includes Immediate, Midterm, and Long-term Deployment

Once a PoC has been completed and the results analyzed, the next step is to create a plan based on the PoC that outlines how to move forward with implementing the solution in the production environment.

Analyze the Results

Analyze the results and determine whether the solution met the objectives and goals outlined in the PoC plan. Identify any issues or challenges that were encountered during the PoC and determine how they can be addressed.

Develop a Roadmap

Develop a roadmap for implementing the solution based on the results of the PoC. This should include a high-level plan that outlines the major milestones, deliverables, and timelines for the implementation.

Define the Architecture

Define the architecture of the solution based on the results of the PoC. This includes determining the hardware, software, and network components required, as well as the configuration and settings of these components.

Develop a Detailed Plan

Include immediate, midterm, and long-term deployment.

Identify Resources

How does this impact the larger ecosystem outside the components directly impacted by the PoC?

Develop a Budget

This should include costs for hardware, software, personnel, training, and any other expenses related to the implementation.

Once you have a detailed plan, you will be able to present the solution to leadership and create a process for implementation.

Step 7: Establish Risk Tolerance and Acceptance

The final step in your PoC process is to establish a risk tolerance and acceptance model for a fully informed business case to leadership.

Define risk tolerance based on the organization’s objectives, goals, and mission, as well as legal and regulatory requirements.
Evaluate the risks involved in the plan, including the likelihood and impact of each risk.
Develop risk management strategies to minimize the risk to the organization.
Establish criteria for determining what is an acceptable risk.
Include a process for ongoing risk management and evaluation.

Risk can change significantly over time, so developing this section of the plan will ensure that leadership is able to make informed decisions based on the PoC testing, results, and plan.

Conclusion

High-quality PoC modeling has the capacity to set a business or organization apart from the competition by enabling the best possible decision-making. Following these best practices can help your organization take advantage of opportunities and avoid pitfalls. Many businesses may not know how to effectively run a PoC. This is one area where additional support from an outside consultant can be helpful.

About Atriade

Atriade has worked on over 500+ projects, in 60+ industries, in 30+ countries. If you are ready to get expert assistance in creating your security masterplan that will set you apart from your competitors, we are here to help. Our management team carries a lifetime of experience in all areas of Physical Security and Electronic Security that we are ready to put to work for your unique business and team.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

What is Security Master Planning & Why is it Critical for Success?

admin_atriade — Thu, 25 May 2023 18:12:43 +0000

What is Security Master Planning and Why is it Critical for Your Success?

Security is a critical aspect of any business or organization, as ensuring the safety of employees, assets, and data is essential. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through security master planning. This process involves assessing an organization’s unique needs and developing a comprehensive plan to address each one.

For some industries, this can become even more critical. For example, those in the financial industry face compliance issues that can make or break their business. Master planning is the tool that unlocks the highest potential in a business. It simultaneously protects them, their stakeholders, directors, and leadership from liability and risk.

Master Planning vs. Assessment – What’s the Difference?

Assessment and master planning are two distinct processes – and both have their place.

An assessment is a one-time evaluation of an organization’s current security posture to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and risks. It involves analyzing the organization’s existing security systems, policies, procedures, and practices to determine their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

In contrast, master planning involves the development of a comprehensive and long-term security plan. It creates an ongoing relationship that addresses an organization’s unique security needs. It begins with an assessment but goes further to develop a long-term security strategy and plan that aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives. Master planning takes a more holistic approach to security.

The primary goal of master planning is to create a roadmap for achieving an organization’s security objectives and ensuring that the security measures put in place are integrated, effective, and sustainable over time.

Master planning gives an organization the opportunity to dream big and visualize a perfect world. When you have an outside organization supporting your master planning, you now have a partner that can help you identify and prioritize your biggest opportunities and keep you on track in future decision-making.

Emergency vs. Preventative Master Planning

Master planning is usually a corrective or preventive measure. Depending on your immediate reason for creating a master plan, it may change the process.

Emergency Master Planning

Maybe you are exploring master planning because something has already gone wrong. You find your business in a crisis that is causing immediate and painful consequences. The top priority is to stop the source of the problem, but then you want to take it a step further and make sure you never end up here again.

Preventative Master Planning

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to start the process of master planning. In fact, doing master planning proactively can be a key to set your company apart as a leader. By evaluating upcoming technology, the changing environment in your industry, and expected changes, you can be a step ahead of your competition and develop a reputation with your clients and prospective clients.

Three Myths Why Everyone Isn’t Making a Security Plan

There are a lot of reasons that leadership may put off a security plan, and a lot of those have to do with not understanding what a master plan can accomplish for your business.

Myth: The only risks are to physical resources

It is important to remember that the consequences of not having a security master plan are broader than just the physical ramifications like lock security. A master plan can also address environmental and situational threats that can impact the business in a variety of ways.

Myth: Master planning is cost with no clear ROI

One way that master planning generates ROI is by providing leadership with key decision-making information. Your plan gives you a space to imagine the pros and cons of every possibility and create a vision for the future. You will no longer feel like you are making decisions in the dark. There is a cost directly related to each decision along with the economic benefit that it can provide.

Myth: The process will take too long and lack buy-in

One of the benefits of working with a trusted partner for your security master planning is that they can use their extensive experience to make the process as efficient as possible.

By the same token, partners with experience, but without attachment to a specific strategy, can provide a perspective to help build your plan.

The Process of Master Planning

Like any governance plan, master planning involves people, process, and technology. Approaching each of these parts in a coordinated way means that you will be able to account for every area of the business.

As you go through the steps, consider the following:

Identify Your Stakeholders

Remember that not all your stakeholders will be internal. They may also include clients, technology and software providers, external partners, and resources such as local government and emergency services.

Dream and Think Big

During the master planning process is not the time to hold anything back. Dream and think big, invite ideas and brainstorming, and put all your ideas on the table. Then you will be able to effectively categorize and prioritize so you can decide what will have the biggest long-term impact on your business.

Create a Roadmap

Your roadmap needs to assign tasks to specific people and have a process for review and improvement built in from day one. It should also include evaluation along the way.

Conclusion: What Are the Results of the Master Plan?

Your exact end-product will depend on your individual business and goals. The best master plans are highly individualized based on your needs and assessment. However, there are some things that every good plan will include:

As you go through the steps, consider the following:

A Detailed Assessment

Where are you and your business at right now? And where do you hope to go using your master plan?

Lifecycle Management

When and how will the plan be reviewed? When does technology need to be reassessed?

Trail of Progress

How can you connect your ongoing master plan to meaningful change in your organization? How will you track and measure this success so that you can continuously improve your results?

Over the long term, you will be able to see your master plan revised, updated, and utilized to bring the best results for your business. This is one area where additional support from an outside consultant can be helpful.

About Atriade

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

How to Utilize Governance for Security Decision-Making

admin_atriade — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:55:14 +0000

How to Utilize Governance for Security Decision-Making

Decision-making is a vital process that organizations must engage in on a daily basis. Executives in particular face pressure to make the right decisions that will move the company forward, best utilize resources, improve efficiency, and grow the performance of the company.

A key component to making informed decisions well is proper governance.

In a recent LinkedIn poll, we asked our audience if their security organization has a documented governance plan in place that addresses incident management, communication, and escalation.

75% said yes. If you are in the 25% of organizations that don’t, then keep reading to learn more about why this is critical. And even if you are in the 75%, you might want to see if it is time to update your governance plan.

Mission, Strategy, and Key Objectives

There are several steps to successful governance. The first step is to attach it to your mission, strategy, and key objectives as an organization.

Mission – Why does your organization exist and who does it serve?

Strategy – What steps does your organization take to achieve its goals, and who are the people important to that success?

Key Objectives – What are the benchmarks along the way, and how will you know whether you are succeeding or failing?

All three must work together to ensure that operations stay on track with expected outcomes. By establishing a strong governance system with an effective mission, strategy, and key objectives, organizations can increase their chances of long-term success.

Governance is a team sport! Every person in the organization plays a role in connecting governance to these three things, from the top of the organization all the way down to the bottom. Without this broad-based thinking, the governance plan won’t work.

Risk Factors

Often, governance is seen as a cost-incurring activity rather than a revenue-generating one. And this is true from a strictly accounting standpoint. However, it only tells part of the story.

What are we losing by not making the right decisions?

Are you able to quantify how a lack of governance is costing your business?
Examples could include:

Loss of reputation
Security risks
Safety risks
Financial losses
Missed growth opportunities

What can we gain through effective governance?

How would your bottom line benefit if governance was a consideration in every part of your business?

Examples could include:

Ability to attract talent
Successful partnerships and opportunities
Improved efficiency and use of resources
Financial growth
A high level of security and safety for both employees and clients

What is the value of these items?

Are you able to assign a measurable dollar value to these items? How could this change your business for the better?

Answering these questions will help get buy-in from all the relevant stakeholders and create a vision for your business where governance works.

Strategic Implementation

Step 1: Form a Governance Leadership Team

It is critical that your security team has a seat at this table. Otherwise, you may end up with systems or processes that are either ineffective at reaching your goals, or so onerous to implement on a practical basis that they are never enforced.

This team will establish the authority and scope, the approved standards, and the process to make corrections along the way.

Step 2: Engage All Levels of People, Process, and Technology

Governance must include all these areas of a business in order to be successful.

If you miss one area, the rest of the governance planning can break down.

Step 3: Build Your Governance Framework

Be aware of your organizational structure and how to build your governance accordingly. Too many organizations have a flat governance structure that is overly reliant on one segment of your team.

This can end up in a security director being called every time an incident occurs, rather than being able to attend to the important strategic analysis of the security department as a whole.

Operational Level – Makes day-to-day operational decisions that have been previously defined in the governance plan and escalate non-standard items
Working Team – Applies leadership guidance on a local and regional level to resolve non-standard operations and escalates high-impact or strategic items
Core Team – Executes strategy to achieve the vision and provides strategic-level problem resolution
Executive Team – Defines vision, direction, and the strategic plan

Utilizing this structure and making sure that every individual knows where they fit will ensure appropriate application.

Step 4: Expect and Design for Change

Your governance plan must include a plan for the inevitable and constant changes that come with business functioning.

Create a robust decision-making process that includes assessment and impact analysis and know how and when to escalate.

Is there a framework for how and when to ask for upgrades?
Does each person know how and where to report breakdowns in the systems?
Are team members empowered to take responsibility and know how and when to escalate issues?

You should approach governance as a multi-year plan that you update every year. This allows you to work in a big-picture way, while still responding to a changing environment.

Keys to Successful Governance Planning for Decision-Making

Building relationships throughout your organization matters. Sometimes in the details and technical work of governance planning this is missed. Open communication, combined with strategic decision-making, are powerful tools.

Utilize steering committees and small work teams when possible so that you can streamline your efforts.

Summary

Governance can be a powerful tool in your toolbox for effective decision-making. It can help position your business as a leader in their field. However, it takes a commitment by the entire organization in order to be successful.

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