Question

A medium-sized organization is undergoing an audit for its information security practices. As a security analyst, the auditor seeks to assess the organization's use of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). What crucial aspect of the AUP should the auditor focus on to ensure the organization meets the standards set for information security?

A.The AUP includes clear consequences for noncompliance.
B.The AUP includes guidance for personal use of organizational resources.
C.The AUP includes the number of allowed password attempts before locking an account.
D.The AUP includes a list of approved software for each department.

Answer 1

The auditor should focus on ensuring that the organization's Acceptable Use Policy includes clear consequences for noncompliance, guidance for personal use of resources, policies on password attempts, and a list of approved software, thus safeguarding sensitive data and complying with information security standards.

Step-by-step explanation:

An auditor evaluating an organization's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) should ensure it encompasses regulations that correspond with the standards of information security. Given the impact of data breaches on organizations as seen in incidents involving Target and JP Morgan, the AUP is a critical control mechanism to safeguard sensitive data. The auditor should focus on whether the AUP:

• Includes clear consequences for noncompliance, ensuring that all employees understand the implications of not adhering to the policy.
• Provides guidance for personal use of organizational resources, which helps in minimizing risks associated with misuse.
• Contains regulations about the number of password attempts before an account is locked to safeguard against brute force attacks.
• Specifies a list of approved software for each department, reducing the threat of malware from unauthorized software.

The AUP must be explicit, written down, and standardized, covering new and emerging information security concerns such as cyberbullying and identity theft. In examining the AUP, the auditor assesses its comprehensiveness in guiding behavior and securing the organizational assets against cybersecurity threats.