Managing information security through policy definition: organizational implications

Organizations are more dependent than ever on the effective security of their information systems in order to ensure business continuity, efficiency and compliance with regulatory and governance frameworks. However, security breaches surveys reveal a poor effectiveness of security solutions and procedures implemented by the enterprises. In particular, enterprises experience difficulties in assessing and managing their security risks, applying appropriate security controls, as well as preventing security threats. In this paper we explore the nature of a security policy with a specific focus on managerial and strategic implications of the security policy implementation process. Two examples are provided in order to setup the basis of a method for the definition of security policies aligned with both operational and strategic plans of an enterprise.