Title: Capturing industry experience for an effective information security assessment

Authors: Shu-Chuan Chao, Kuanchin Chen, Chien-Hua Lin

Addresses: Department of Computer Information Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA. ' Department of Business Information Systems, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA. ' The Department of Computer and Information Science, BU344, Cleveland State University, 1860 E, 18th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA

Abstract: An Information System (IS) security programme consists of several essential security controls. In order to verify and maintain the effectiveness of an IS security programme, it is pertinent to identify how security controls are compared to each other in terms of their practical implications. This study reports the results from an experience survey to offer insights of the roles of security controls in IS security programmes. Four clusters of security controls were identified with technical security controls (such as authentication and confidentiality) being high on respondents| perceived importance. An approach to develop SAI with weighted security controls is explained to help security administrators conduct security assessments. The results of this study contribute to IS security budget planning and resource allocation. Managerial implications are also reported.

Keywords: security survey; security programme; security budget planning; security assessment indicators; SAI; security assessment; security controls; security policy; information security; information systems; budget planning; resource allocation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISCM.2006.012048

International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.421 - 438

Published online: 13 Jan 2007 *

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