Division of Information Technology Policy 18.2a

Division of Information Technology Policy 18.
2a
Information Security Reviews
Initially Approved: February 16, 2015
Policy Topic: Information Technology
Administering Office: Office of the CIO
I. Policy Statement
To ensure that information security is implemented and operated in accordance with policies and
procedures WCU’s approach to managing information security and its implementation (i.e. policies,
processes and procedures for information security) shall be reviewed independently at planned
intervals or when significant changes occur.
Managers shall regularly review the compliance of information processing and procedures within
their area of responsibility with the appropriate security policies, standards and any other security
requirements.
Information systems shall be regularly reviewed for compliance with WCU’s information security
policies and standards.
II. Scope and Application

The scope of this policy addresses compliance with information security policies and procedures and
the review of information systems. It applies to the Division of Information Technology, the Office of
Internal Audit and all department managers at WCU.
III. Definitions
Technical compliance reviews - The examination of operational systems to ensure that hardware and
software controls have been correctly implemented. This type of compliance review requires
specialist technical expertise.
Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments - Provide a snapshot of a system in a specific state
at a specific time which can be useful in detecting vulnerabilities in the system and for inspecting
how effective the controls are in preventing unauthorized access due to these vulnerabilities. They
might be carried out by independent experts specifically contracted for this purpose.
IV. Information Security Reviews Policy

a. Independent review of information security
An independent review is necessary to ensure the continuing suitability, adequacy and
effectiveness of WCU’s approach to managing information security. The review should include
assessing opportunities for improvement and the need for changes to the approach to security,
including the policy and control objectives. Such a review should be carried out by individuals
independent of the IT Division, e.g. the Office of Internal Audit or the North Carolina Office of
the State Auditor or an external third-party organization specializing in such reviews.
Individuals carrying out these reviews should have the appropriate skills and experience. The
results of the independent review should be recorded and reported to the management who
initiated the review and the Data Security and Stewardship Committee. These records should
be maintained. If the independent review identifies inadequacies in the approach or
implementation of information security, e.g. documented objectives and requirements are not
met or not compliant with the direction for information security stated in the information
security policies, management should consider corrective actions.
b. Compliance with security policies and standards

Department managers are responsible for all initial and recurring security incident policy
training of workforce members, and for enforcing computer and data security policies.
Managers should identify how to review and assess that information security requirements
defined in policies, standards and other applicable regulations are met. If any non-compliance
is found as a result of the review, managers should:
a) Identify the causes of the non-compliance;
b) Evaluate the need for actions to achieve compliance;
c) Implement appropriate corrective action;
d) Review the corrective action taken to verify its effectiveness and identify any deficiencies or
weaknesses.
Results of reviews and corrective actions carried out by managers should be recorded and
these records should be maintained. Managers should report the results to the persons
carrying out independent reviews when an independent review takes place in the area of their
responsibility.
c. Technical compliance review

Technical compliance should be reviewed, either by IT or as part of an independent review,
preferably with the assistance of automated tools, which generate technical reports for
subsequent interpretation by a technical specialist. Alternatively, manual reviews (supported
by appropriate software tools, if necessary) by an experienced system engineer could be
performed. If penetration tests or vulnerability assessments are used, caution should be
exercised as such activities could lead to a compromise of the security of the system. Such tests
should be planned, documented and repeatable. Any technical compliance review should only
be carried out by competent, authorized persons or under the supervision of such persons.
V. Accountability and Enforcement
The Chancellor has established a Data Security and Stewardship Committee, which reports to the
Chancellor. The charge of this Committee is to oversee the implementation of security policy, ensure
procedures are up to date, coordinate all relevant security policy reviews, and assist offices with risk
assessments, etc.
IT security personnel are responsible for overseeing regular reviews of information system activities
to verify compliance with security policies and procedures and identify risks to information assets.
The Office of Internal Audit or a designated third-party will periodically review policy compliance.
Department managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and that the
appropriate corrective action is taken, which may include the implementation of additional controls,
employee training, and disciplinary action. Employee performance evaluations will include policy
compliance.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in the imposition of fines, or other significant penalties
against WCU, and disciplinary action against employees.
VI. References
International Standards Organization (ISO/IEC 27002, 18.2, Information Security Reviews)
45 CFR Part 164, Subpart C, Security and Privacy

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Division of Information Technology Policy 18.

II. Scope and Application

IV. Information Security Reviews Policy

b. Compliance with security policies and standards

c. Technical compliance review

V. Accountability and Enforcement

45 CFR Part 164, Subpart C, Security and Privacy

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