Talking With The Boss About Security Darlene Quackenbush
Talking With The Boss About Security Darlene Quackenbush, James Madison University Shirley Payne, University of Virginia EDUCAUSE Security Professionals Conference April 4 th, 2005
We must all become much more vigilant in the provision of secure systems, in intrusion detection, in rapid response, and especially in education. We must practice, teach, and infuse all aspects of security into campus lives. Dr. Linwood H. Rose President, James Madison University “Information Security: A Difficult Balance” EDUCAUSE Review, September/October 2004 2
Agenda • • • The Executive Audience Benefits of Effective Communication Obstacles To Effective Communication Leveraging Institutional Culture Communication Strategies & Examples 3
The Executive Audience • • • Boards of Trustees Presidents Vice Presidents & Provosts Deans & Department Heads Chiefs of Staff 4
Perceived Barriers To IT Security Information Technology Security Study EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Sept. 2003 5
Benefit: Appropriate Strategies Information Technology Security Study EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Sept. 2003 6
Privacy and academic freedom are critical components of campus culture; it is vital that decisions on policies and procedures regarding security and related issues be carefully vetted, understood, and authorized by both the highest levels of the campus leadership and the representatives of the campus community. The executive role in all of these matters is crucial if internal dissension and unnecessary strife are to be avoided. “Presidential Leadership for IT” David Ward and Brian L. Hawkins EDUCAUSE Review, May/June 2003 7
Benefit: Effective Policies Information Technology Security Study EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Sept. 2003 8
Benefit: Clear Assignment of Responsibilities Information Technology Security Study EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Sept. 2003 9
Benefit: Executive Role Model Information Technology Security Study EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Sept. 2003 10
If you can get the president to set the right tone, a majority on campus will likely follow her or his lead in supporting the changes and improvements you recommend. “Gaining the President’s Support for IT Initiative at Small Colleges. ” Laurence W. Mazzeno, President, Alvernia College EDUCAUSE Quarterly, Number 1, 2004 11
Benefit: Investment Aligned With Risk Profile Information Technology Security Study EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Sept. 2003 12
Additional Benefits • Opportunity to establish appropriate expectations • Constructive involvement should a security incident occur 13
In a time of crisis, it’s always good to have a boss smarter than you. Joy Hughes, VP/CIO, George Mason University 14
Be Prepared For. . . • Additional Work To: – tailor the information – provide status reports, possibly including development of new metrics – respond to inquiries • Increased accountability 15
Obstacle To Effective Communication: Who are you? Responsibility for security is placed low in the organization 16
Obstacle To Effective Communication: IT security? Significant lack of awareness 17
Obstacle To Effective Communication: Why spend my time on this? Security not an institutional priority 18
Obstacle To Effective Communication: Why can’t you handle it yourself? Executive role not clear 19
Obstacle To Effective Communication: What the heck is an IPS? Techno-speak 20
Obstacle To Effective Communication: Where’s the ROI? Lack of security metrics 21
Obstacle To Effective Communication: You again? Security viewed as one-time fix-it project 22
Obstacle To Effective Communication: That’s not how we do things here? Cultural Factors 23
What Defines Culture? • Strategic Planning and Decision-Making – Examples: • Top-down • Bottom-up • Consensus-based • Institutional Values – Examples: • • Collegial working relationships Emphasis on accountability at all levels of institution Strong faculty influence Student honor code 24
What Defines Culture? • Control of Operational Functions – Examples: • Centralized • Decentralized • Long-term Institutional Priorities – Examples: • Increase research • Increase community outreach • Compliance • Other influences on culture? 25
A Good Blueprint • • A plan A function of environment Express one’s culture/desires Based on examples/knowledge of others • Guide for communicating with others 26
Communication Strategies Silence is NOT golden Communicate early and often Build Awareness Build Trust 27
Communication Strategies Prepare to communicate Know your security goals Be prepared to educate Craft the message Have outcomes in mind 28
Communication Strategies Adjust to change Listen Draw linkages Monitor technical and regulatory changes Consider timing Promote agility 29
Communication Strategies Prepare for the “long haul” Manage expectations Embed security Communication as an investment Accountability 30
Communication Strategies Leverage culture Tools/Tailoring/Timing Compromise/ Consensus Compliance Shared ownership 31
Ideas For Using Culture Consensus-based Decision-Making Gain Mid-level Support First University of Virginia LSP Program http: //www. itc. virginia. edu/dcs/lsp George Mason University SALT Group http: //itu. gmu. edu/security/sysadmin/salt-description. html 32
Ideas For Using Culture Increasing Emphasis on Compliance Spotlight Federal Regulations Related to Security & Privacy IT Security for Higher Education: A Legal Perspective http: //www. educause. edu/ir/library/pdf/csd 2746. pdf Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act http: //www. ed. gov/policy/gen/guid/fpcp/ferpa/index. html Gramm Leach Bliley Act http: //www. ftc. gov/privacy/glbact/index. html Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act http: //www. hhs. gov/ocr. hipaa 33
Communication Strategies Seize “opportunities” Bad things will happen Anxiety is attention So is Contemplation Change culture 34
References ACE Letter to Presidents Regarding Cybersecurity http: //www. acenet. edu/washington/letters/2003/03 march/cyber. cfm Developing Security Education and Awareness Programs http: //www. educause. edu/ir/library/pdf/EQM 0347. pdf Gaining the President’s Support for IT Initiatives at Small Colleges http: //www. educause. edu/apps/eq/eqm 0417. asp EDUCAUSE Information Security Governance Assessment Tool http: //www. educause. edu/Library. Detail. Page/666? ID=SEC 0421 Information Security: A Difficult Balance http: //www. educause. edu/pub/er/erm 0456. asp Information Security Governance: A Call to Action http: //www. cyberpartnership. org/Info. Sec. Gov 4_04. pdf Information Technology Security: Governance, Strategy, and Practice in Higher Education http: //www. educause. edu/Library. Detail. Page/666? ID=ERS 0305 Presidential Leadership for Information Technology http: //www. educause. edu/ir/library/pdf/erm 0332. pdf 35
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