Security Policies

Computer security policy◦ Defines the goals and elements of an organization's

computer systems Definition can be

◦ Highly formal◦ Informal

Security policies are enforced by organizational policies or security mechanisms

Security Policies (Wikipedia)

The technical implementation defines whether a computer system is secure or insecure

The formal policy models can be categorized into the core security principles of: ◦ Confidentiality◦ Integrity◦ Availability

For example:◦ Bell-La Padula model

A confidentiality policy model◦ Biba model

An integrity policy model

Security Policies (Wikipedia)

A document that outlines the rules, laws and practices for computer and network access

Regulates how an organization will manage, protect and distribute its sensitive information◦ Both corporate and client information

Lays the framework for the computer-network-oriented security of the organization

Written Security Policy

From: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/security_policy.html

Confidentiality ◦ Ensures the people who are authorized to have

access to information are able to do so when needed

◦ Keeps valuable information only available to those people who are intended to see it Prevents unauthorized access

Core Security Objectives

Integrity◦ Maintains the value and the state of information

protected from unauthorized modification Information only has value if we know that it's

correct◦ Major objective of information security policies is

to ensure that information is not modified or destroyed or subverted in any way

Core Security Objectives

Availability ◦ Ensuring that information and information

systems are available and operational when they are needed

◦ Major objective of an information security policy must be to ensure that information is always available to support critical business processing

Core Security Objectives

Policies◦ Rules or guidelines to ensure how to do or don't

do something Practices

◦ How the polices are done Policies and practices together:

◦ What should be done◦ How to do it

Policies or Practices?

Management support Structure to support it Money to do it Culture of security

What is needed for good security?

Expand on each here

Military Model Bell-LaPadula Model Your own method

Methods of Support

Levels of classification e.g.:◦ Secret◦ Confidential◦ Restricted◦ Unclassified

Each has its rules of access◦ Who may access◦ How it may be access◦ Are copies permitted?

Military Model

Basically simplified Military Model◦ Relies on an ordering of access

Secret ◦ > Confidential

> Restricted > Unclassified

Bell-Padula

What works for your organization◦ Policies and procedures that match your

organizational needs◦ Identify the needs◦ Develop policies to meet the needs◦ Develop procedures

Implement the policies Enforce the policies

◦ (Monitor and update as needed)

Your Own

Policies and their owners Technical Guides System owners What does the Policy cover

Basic Structures (documentation)

Physical Security Network Security Access Control Authentication Encryption Key Management Compliance Auditing and Review Security Awareness Incident Response & Disaster Contingency Plan Acceptable Use Policy Software Security

Typical Topics (not exhaustive)

Private company◦ Specializes in internet security training◦ http://www.sans.org/security-resources/policies/#template

SANS

SANS Template Example 1Risk Assessment Policy

1.0 Purpose◦ To empower InfoSec to perform periodic information security risk assessments (RAs) for the purpose

of determining areas of vulnerability, and to initiate appropriate remediation. 2.0 Scope

◦ Risk assessments can be conducted on any entity within <Company Name> or any outside entity that has signed a Third Party Agreement with <Company Name>. RAs can be conducted on any information system, to include applications, servers, and networks, and any process or procedure by which these systems are administered and/or maintained.

3.0 Policy◦ The execution, development and implementation of remediation programs is the joint responsibility

of InfoSec and the department responsible for the systems area being assessed. Employees are expected to cooperate fully with any RA being conducted on systems for which they are held accountable. Employees are further expected to work with the InfoSec Risk Assessment Team in the development of a remediation plan.

4.0 Risk Assessment Process◦ For additional information, go to the Risk Assessment Process.

5.0 Enforcement◦ Any employee found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and

including termination of employment. 6.0 Definitions

◦ Terms Definitions◦ Entity Any business unit, department, group, or third party, internal or external to <Company

Name>, responsible for maintaining <Company Name> assets.◦ Risk Those factors that could affect confidentiality, availability, and integrity of <Company

Name>'s key information assets and systems. InfoSec is responsible for ensuring the Integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical information and computing assets, while minimizing the impact of security procedures and policies upon business productivity.

7.0 Revision History

1.0 Purpose◦ The purpose of this policy is to define web application security assessments within <ORGANIZATION>.

Web application assessments are performed to identify potential or realized weaknesses as a result of inadvertent misconfiguration, weak authentication, insufficient error handling, sensitive information leakage, etc. Discovery and subsequent mitigation of these issues will limit the attack surface of<ORGANIZATION> services available both internally and externally as well as satisfy compliance with any relevant policies in place.

2.0 Scope◦ This policy covers all web application security assessments requested by any individual, group or

department for the purposes of maintaining the security posture, compliance, risk management, and change control of technologies in use at <ORGANIZATION>. All web application security assessments will be performed by delegated security personnel either employed or contracted by <ORGANIZATION>. All findings are considered confidential and are to be distributed to persons on a “need to know” basis. Distribution of any findings outside of<ORGANIZATION> is strictly prohibited unless approved by the Chief Information Officer. Any relationships within multi-tiered applications found during the scoping phase will be included in the assessment unless explicitly limited. Limitations and subsequent justification will be documented prior to the start of the assessment.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

3.0 Policy◦ Web applications are subject to security assessments based on the following criteria:

New or Major Application Release – will be subject to a full assessment prior to approval of the change control documentation and/or release into the live environment.

Third Party or Acquired Web Application – Will be subject to full assessment after which it will be bound to policy requirements.

Point Releases – will be subject to an appropriate assessment level based on the risk of the changes in the application functionality and/or architecture.

Patch Releases – will be subject to an appropriate assessment level based on the risk of the changes to the application functionality and/or architecture.

Emergency Releases – An emergency release will be allowed to forgo security assessments and carry the assumed risk until such time that a proper assessment can be carried out. Emergency releases will be designated as such by the Chief Information Officer or an appropriate manager who has been delegated this authority.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

3.1 Risk◦ Security issues that are discovered during assessments will be mitigated based

upon the following risk levels. Risk rating will be based on the OWASP Risk Rating Methodology High

Any high risk issue must be fixed immediately or other mitigation strategies must be put in place to limit exposure before deployment. Applications with high risk issues are subject to being taken off-line or denied release into the

live environment.

Medium Medium risk issues should be reviewed to determine what is required to

mitigate and scheduled accordingly. Applications with medium risk issues may be taken off-line or denied release into the live

environment based on the number of issues and if multiple issues increase the risk to an unacceptable level. Issues should be fixed in a patch/point release unless other mitigation strategies will limit exposure.

Low Issue should be reviewed to determine what is required to correct the issue

and scheduled accordingly. Remediation validation testing will be required to validate fix and/or mitigation strategies for

any discovered issues of Medium risk level or greater.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

3.2 Tools◦ The current approved web application security assessment tools in use which will

be used for testing are: <Tool/Application 1> <Tool/Application 2> …

◦ Other tools and/or techniques may be used depending upon what is found in the default assessment and the need to determine validity and risk are subject to the discretion of the Security Engineering team.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

3.3 Security Assessment Level◦ Full

A full assessment is comprised of tests for all known web application vulnerabilities using both automated and manual tools based on the OWASP Testing Guide. A full assessment will use manual penetration testing techniques to validate discovered

vulnerabilities to determine the overall risk of any and all discovered.

◦ Quick A quick assessment will consist of a (typically) automated scan of an

application for the OWASP Top Ten web application security risks at a minimum.

◦ Targeted A targeted assessment is performed to verify vulnerability

remediation changes or new application functionality.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

3.4 Duration◦ The default duration of a web application assessment will be <X> days

time for the purpose of project planning and will be modified accordingly based upon the size and scope of the application functionality.

3.5 Exemptions◦ Exemptions to the need for a security assessment will be made by the

Chief Information Officer or delegated manager based on risk and criticality of needed application changes/functionality/architecture. Exemptions will assume the associated risk and will be documented as required by the change control policies.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

4.0 Responsibilities◦ Security Engineering will be responsible for web application scoping, assessment,

determination of discovered issue risk, and reporting to Project Management and application stakeholders. Project Management and application stakeholders will be responsible for the appropriate assessment scheduling and remediation efforts based upon assessment findings and Security Engineering recommendations.

5.0 Enforcement◦ Web application assessments are a requirement of the change control process and are

required to adhere to this policy unless found to be exempt. All application releases must pass through the change control process. Any web applications that do not adhere to this policy may be taken offline until such time that a formal assessment can be performed at the discretion of the Chief Information Officer.

6.0 Definitions◦ Web Application

Any service that accepts and processes HTTP/HTTPS protocols.◦ Major Release

A significant application software update/code change such as a new interface design programming platform change, etc.

◦ Point Release An application software update/code change as part of the application lifecycle.

◦ Patch Release An application software update/code change that addresses a bug or flaw.

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

7.0 References◦ OWASP Top Ten Project:

http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Category:OWASP_Top_Ten_Project◦ OWASP Testing Guide:

http://www.owasp.org/images/5/56/OWASP_Testing_Guide_v3.pdf◦ OWASP Risk Rating Methodology:

http://www.owasp.org/index.php/OWASP_Risk_Rating_Methodology 8.0 Revision History

◦ Version 1.0 – John Hally 1/4/11

SANS Template Example 2Web Application Security Assessment Policy

Must be monitored◦ Are they being used/enforced?◦ Are they sufficient?

Must be updated◦ Every time a gap or lack is found

Security Policies

At the least:◦ CYA

Shows due diligence in protecting assets Gives some legal protections

Ideally:◦ Prevent successful attacks◦ Saves $$$

Cost of attack Later cost of same security later

Security Policies

Security Policies Summary

Prevent

RespondImprove

Detect