Compliance requirements have become more complex because of the continual evolution of security threats and vulnerabilities. Many organizations fail to create an extensive security program to cover their challenges. Emails are one of the most susceptible channels for cyber-criminals to operate. This is why every organization must pay keen attention to email security policies in cybersecurity.
Because emails are prone to cyberattacks, enterprises and individuals must take critical measures to secure their email accounts against unauthorized access.
Malicious actors use phishing to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information, either by impersonating trusted contacts or legitimate business owners. Email is still one of the most vulnerable avenues for hackers and cyber crooks. Here are the critical email security concepts that need inclusion into your information security policy.
What’s an Information Security (InfoSec) Policy?
An information security policy ensures compliance with infosec guidelines by all information technology (infotech) users within an organization’s domain. Organizations create infosec policies to safeguard all data stored in their network systems.
There’s a need for your company to create an infosec policy to ensure that employees follow the required security protocols. An infosec policy endeavors to limit the distribution of data to authorized recipients. A data storage facility that stores database records on behalf of a financial institution is an excellent example of using an infosec policy.
Every organization has sensitive records that they cannot share with any unauthorized recipient. Therefore, organizations must seek to understand email security in information security for the protection of all their critical data.
The Significance of an InfoSec Policy
A crucial step towards reducing security violations is by preparing an effective infosec policy. An organization’s infosec policy will only be effective if regular updates align with every change in the organization. Such changes may include:
- New threats
- Conclusions drawn from previous breaches
- Other changes that affect your security’s vulnerabilities
It’s important to make your information security more practical and enforceable. An effective information security policy should accommodate pressing issues that arise from any part of the organization.
Also, information security policies should reflect an organization’s risk appetite and managerial mindset regarding security. This policy provides direction for building a control framework that protects the organization from external and internal threats.
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4 Essential Features Of An Information Security Policy
Since an information security policy regulates information protection, which is a critical asset for every organization, we’ll discuss some of the most important aspects you should consider when developing an information security policy.
1. Purpose
Organizations create information security policies for various reasons. One of the most essential reasons is the security of their critical data. Organizations must have a comprehensive approach to the cybersecurity of their information. Every organization must create an information security policy to maintain the reputation of their organization and respect customer rights, including how to react to inquiries and complaints about non-compliance.
2. Information security objectives
As a team, your organization should agree on clearly defined objectives. The first objective that you should agree on is confidentiality. Although employees should access data when necessary, only a few top-tier persons in your organization should have access to critical data assets. Data should be intact and accurate, and this is where integrity comes in.
3. Data classification
A good information security policy should classify data to ensure that employees with lower clearance levels cannot access sensitive data. Organizing data will help identify and protect critical data and avoid needless security measures for unimportant data.
4. Audience
An information security policy determines the audience to whom the policy applies. You can specify the obligations of employees according to their hierarchies and job descriptions in the scope of the policy.
How Safe is an Email?
An email is one of the most convenient ways to communicate vital information within an organization. However, email has become vulnerable. Hackers now use emails for phishing, malware attacks, and business email compromise. These attacks can cause you problems and the loss of significant amounts of money.
Cyber-attackers now exploit the lack of security in emails for malicious activities. Since most organizations transfer sensitive information via emails without encryption, hackers can take over the emails of unsuspecting users for nefarious activities.
What’s Email Security About?
Organizations keep doing their best to increase email security measures to prevent attackers from getting their hands on sensitive information. Email security describes various techniques for protecting email accounts, content, and communication against unauthorized access.
Cyber-attackers use deceptive messages to lure people into releasing confidential information about themselves or their companies. This is why organizations must ensure they include email security in their information security endeavors.
Organizations should encrypt their emails. Email encryption involves encoding the content of email messages to protect confidential information from being read by anyone other than the intended recipients.
Email Security Policies
Because email is so critical in today’s business world, organizations need to create policies around handling information flow and monitoring the content of emails running through their email servers.
Such policies ensure that they aren’t caught unawares and can quickly take action if there’s a breach. Once an organization effectively monitors email communication, it can implement email encryption policies to prevent confidential information from falling into the wrong hands. The deployment of email encryption is a necessity for all organizations.
Key Email Security Concepts That Need to Be in an Infosec Policy
While creating an infosec policy is essential, it’s even more important to know the vital elements that should be in the policy. This will ensure that your infosec policy adequately tackles your security challenges. Below are three key security concepts that should be in an infosec policy.
1. Strong passwords
Most email users don’t know the importance of choosing strong passwords or protecting their passwords. Creating potential password configurations will make it difficult for cybercriminals to infiltrate an email server or account.
2. Spam filters
Spam filters detect virus-infected emails and reduce advanced threats like phishing and other cyberattacks by scanning all incoming and archived emails.
3. Anti-spam applications
These applications prevent malicious content from being delivered via email. They also scan email messages and attachments for potential threats, ensuring suspicious messages don’t get delivered by blocking them.
Closing Thoughts
Phishing emails sent to employees often contain malware in attachments designed to look like legitimate documents or include hyperlinks that lead to websites that serve malware. Clicking on a link or opening a corrupt email attachment can be all it takes to compromise accounts.
Since emails are prone to cyber-attacks, every organization must prioritize email security. All businesses need information security policies to protect their digital assets. If you’re considering creating or implementing an infosec policy and you don’t know exactly how to do it, have no fears.
RSI Security is the nation’s premier cybersecurity company. Our services include cybersecurity advisory, compliance, remediation, documentation, and more. We’ll work with you to ensure that you have the best infosec policy that meets your business needs.
Contact our experts today, and let’s help you stay miles ahead of hackers!