What is Security Governance?
Security governance refers to the collection of practices that support, evaluate, define, and direct the security efforts of an organization. It is an essential aspect of organizational management, ensuring that security processes align with the overall goals of the business.
In larger organizations, security governance is typically handled by a board of directors, while in smaller organizations, it may be managed by the CEO or CISO. The key function of security governance is to compare the organization’s security infrastructure and processes with external knowledge, leveraging insights to drive continuous improvement.
Relationship with Corporate and IT Governance
Security governance is often intertwined with corporate and IT governance. The overarching goals of these governance structures are typically aligned, focusing on business continuity, growth, and resiliency. Security governance ensures that security processes not only protect the organization but also enable it to achieve its strategic objectives.
Legislative, Regulatory, and Industry Compliance
Security governance must also address legislative and regulatory compliance. This can include adhering to government regulations, industry guidelines, or licensing requirements. In many cases, security governance frameworks must undergo auditing and validation to ensure compliance, especially when dealing with international regulations that may conflict.
The organization must be given proper direction and oversight to manage threats and risks effectively. The goal is to reduce downtime, minimize potential losses, and maintain overall security resilience.
The Importance of Security Governance
Security governance goes beyond being an IT issue; it is a critical business function that affects all aspects of an organization. It emphasizes that security must be managed at every level of the business, not just within the IT department. Security is an organizational process that plays a central role in business operations.
Implementing effective security governance is about more than just technical measures. It requires an organizational mindset that places security at the forefront of decision-making and operational procedures.
Security Frameworks and Guidelines
There are various security frameworks and governance guidelines that organizations can follow to ensure effective governance. Examples include:
- NIST SP 800-53
- NIST SP 800-100
While these frameworks are designed with government and military use in mind, they are also highly adaptable for other industries. Many organizations adopt these frameworks to standardize and organize their security governance practices.
