Assessing and Managing Security Risk in IT Systems: A Structured Methodology

Assessing and Managing Security Risk in IT Systems: A Structured Methodology builds upon the original McCumber Cube model to offer proven processes that do not change, even as technology evolves. This book enables you to assess the security attributes of any information system and implement vastly improved security environments. Part I delivers an overview of information systems security, providing historical perspectives and explaining how to determine the value of information. This section offers the basic underpinnings of information security and concludes with an overview of the risk management process. Part II describes the McCumber Cube, providing the original paper from 1991 and detailing ways to accurately map information flow in computer and telecom systems. It also explains how to apply the methodology to individual system components and subsystems. Part III serves as a resource for analysts and security practitioners who want access to more detailed information on technical vulnerabilities and risk assessment analytics. McCumber details how information extracted from this resource can be applied to his assessment processes.

Table of Contents:
SECURITY CONCEPTS Using Models Introduction: Understanding, Selecting, and Applying Models Understanding Assets Layered Security Using Models in Security Security Models for Information Systems Shortcomings of Models in Security Security in Context Reference Defining Information Security Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Information Attributes Intrinsic versus Imputed Value Information as an Asset The Elements of Security Security Is Security Only in Context Information as an Asset Introduction Determining Value Managing Information Resources References Understanding Threat and Its Relation to Vulnerabilities Introduction Threat Defined Analyzing Threat Assessing Physical Threats Infrastructure Threat Issues Assessing Risk Variables: The Risk Assessment Process Introduction Learning to Ask the Right Questions about Risk The Basic Elements of Risk in IT Systems Information as an Asset Defining Threat for Risk Management Defining Vulnerabilities for Risk Management Defining Safeguards for Risk Management The Risk Assessment Process THE McCUMBER CUBE METHODOLOGY The McCumber Cube Introduction The Nature of Information Critical Information Characteristics Confidentiality Integrity Availability Security Measures Technology Policy and Practice Education, Training, and Awareness (Human Factors) The Model References Determining Information States and Mapping Information Flow Introduction Information States: A Brief Historical Perspective Automated Processing: Why Cryptography Is Not Sufficient Simple State Analysis Information States in Heterogeneous Systems Boundary Definition Decomposition of Information States Developing an Information State Map Reference Decomposing the Cube for Security Enforcement Introduction A Word about Security Policy Definitions The McCumber Cube Methodology The Transmission State The Storage State The Processing State Recap of the Methodology Information State Analysis for Components and Subsystems Introduction Shortcomings of Criteria Standards for Security Assessments Applying the McCumber Cube Methodology for Product Assessments Steps for Product and Component Assessment Information Flow Mapping Cube Decomposition Based on Information States Develop Security Architecture Recap of the Methodology for Subsystems, Products, and Components References Managing the Security Life Cycle Introduction Safeguard Analysis Introduction Technology Safeguards Procedural Safeguards Human Factors Safeguards Assessing and Managing Security Risk in IT Systems Vulnerability-Safeguard Pairing Hierarchical Dependencies of Safeguards Security Policies and Procedural Safeguards Developing Comprehensive Safeguards: The Lessons of the Shogun Identifying and Applying Appropriate Safeguards Comprehensive Safeguard Management: Applying the McCumber Cube The ROI of Safeguards: Do Security Safeguards Have a Payoff? Practical Applications of McCumber Cube Analysis Introduction Applying the Model to Global and National Security Issues Programming and Software Development Using the McCumber Cube in an Organizational Information Security Program Using the McCumber Cube for Product or Subsystem Assessment Using the McCumber Cube for Safeguard Planning and Deployment Tips and Techniques for Building Your Security Program Establishing the Security Program: Defining You Avoiding the Security Cop Label Obtaining Corporate Approval and Support Creating Pearl Harbor Files Defining Your Security Policy Defining What versus How Security Policy: Development and Implementation Reference SECTION III APPENDICES Vulnerabilities Risk Assessment Metrics Diagrams and Tables Other Resources