NZ Coat of Arms Security in the Government Sector
Protect - Detect - React
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Chapter 2: Security Organisation

Security Structure within Government Organisations

Security Policy Document

1. Management should approve, promulgate and implement a security policy that sets out management's approach and commitment to security.

The policy should:

2. The policy's security framework should:

3. The organisation's security policy should include:

4. The policy may be implemented through the organisation's security instructions. For a suggested outline of security instructions, see Annex A to this Chapter.

5. For additional advice on INFOSEC policy development, see the GCSB publication, NZSIT 101, Information Technology Security Policy Handbook.

Review and Evaluation

6. A nominated owner is responsible for maintaining and reviewing the policy according to a defined process.

7. The policy review process should be triggered by any changes affecting the basis of the original risk assessment. For example, after:

8. Schedule periodic reviews of:

Management Security Forum

9. While all members of the management team share responsibility for the security of official information, consider establishing a management security forum. The forum may operate independently or as part of an existing management body. Its purpose is to ensure clear direction and visible management support for security initiatives.

10. The forum should promote security within the organisation through appropriate commitment and adequate resourcing. The forum may:

Security Co-ordination

11. Make one manager responsible for all security-related activities. In a large organisation, a cross-functional group of management representatives from relevant parts of the organisation may be necessary to co-ordinate security controls.

12. The security manager or management group should:

Allocation of Security Responsibilities

13. The security arrangements of government entities should be designed to ensure that government security policy is translated into effective and uniform practice throughout the organisation.

14. Each organisation is required to have a proper security infrastructure with clear allocation of responsibility for all aspects of security. The form of this will depend upon the size of the organisation and the amount of classified material to be handled and protected.

15. Organisations handling a substantial quantity of classified material should establish a specialist security unit. This unit should work in close association with the personnel and administrative staffs to ensure that security requirements are treated appropriately.

16. Where a specialist security unit is not justified the organisation's personnel and administrative staffs are responsible for personnel and physical security. In all cases there should be a clear allocation of responsibilities for security.

17. Overall responsibility for security rests with a manager, designated as Departmental Security Officer (DSO).

18. The DSO is answerable to, and should have free access to, the Chief Executive or Head on security related matters.

19. The DSO should be known to all staff members.

20. Within government organisations, the DSO's responsibilities include:

21. The DSO should ensure that senior management, IT staff and system users appreciate the importance of applying and monitoring information system security (INFOSEC). While technological measures lessen many risks, an effective protection system requires all staff to consider INFOSEC measures as part of their day-to-day routine.

Duties of the Departmental Security Officer

22. Under the delegated authority of the Chief Executive or head, the DSO's duties include:

23. For specific DSO responsibilities, see Annex B to this Chapter.

Education and Training

24. For good protective security, all staff must accept their individual responsibilities to maintain security alertness and adhere to established rules and procedures. This can be achieved through effective ongoing education and training.

25. Since security is a managerial responsibility at all levels, managers should be involved in identifying education and training needs. In particular:

Security Education

26. Security education should:

Security Training

27. Security training should:

28. For details on preparing and implementing an effective security training and education programme, see the NZSIS Protective Security Manual.

29. The GCSB offers a range of introductory and specialised courses on INFOSEC topics.

Specialist Security Advice

30. Many organisations require specialist advice on security. Ideally, an experienced in-house security adviser, not necessarily the DSO, can provide this advice. Otherwise, a person should be appointed to co-ordinate in-house security knowledge and experience to ensure consistency in security decision-making.

31. Security advisers should be tasked with providing advice on all aspects of security.

32. Security advisers should have access to suitable external advisers for specialist advice outside their own expertise.

33. Security advisers should have direct access to management, since their assessment of security risks and advice on security controls may determine the effectiveness of the organisation's security policy.

34. Consult the security adviser as soon as possible after a suspected security incident or breach. Although most internal security investigations are carried out under management control, the security adviser may advise, lead or conduct the investigation.

Information Systems Security Manager

35. Organisations with significant information system resources should also appoint an Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM).

36. To oversee a range of technically complex security issues, the ISSM must:

37. Those responsible for INFOSEC in an organisation must also have the authority to enforce information system security policy.

Travel Advice

38. For advice to government employees travelling overseas, see the NZSIS Protective Security Manual.

Security Briefings

39. Appropriate security briefings are available for staff visiting or being posted to certain overseas posts. Contact the NZSIS well in advance to allow time for suitable briefing arrangements.

Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CCIP)

40. The Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CCIP) is established within the GCSB to provide advice and support in protecting New Zealand's critical infrastructure from cyber threats. 'Critical infrastructure' is the infrastructure required to provide those services that, if interrupted, would have a serious adverse effect on New Zealand as a whole or on a large proportion of the population and would require immediate reinstatement.

41. The aim of the CCIP is to be a co-ordination point for protection from and reaction to major computer and communications based attacks such as hacking, viruses, and denial-of-service attacks on elements of the critical infrastructure. The CCIP has three main roles:

42. The CCIP has relationships with counterpart organisations overseas, including the National Infrastructure Security Coordination Centre (NISCC) in the UK, the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP) in Canada, and the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) in the United States.

43. Although the CCIP provides advice and support, each organisation is responsible for security of its own systems and services.

Computer Emergency Response Teams

44. There are a number of international Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) that produce advisory notices and alerts detailing vulnerabilities, exploits, and suggested fixes for vendor operating systems and software. It is recommended that organisations subscribe to such a service.

Security Incidents

Reporting Security Incidents

45. Report all personnel, physical, IT and information systems security incidents through appropriate channels as quickly as possible.

46. This may include reporting the circumstances of any contact with people or organisations seeking to obtain information, which they do not have a need to know, through unauthorised means.

47. Establish a formal reporting and incident response procedure.

48. Make all staff aware of their responsibilities and the procedure for reporting security incidents.

49. For advice on actions to be taken following breaches of security, see the NZSIS Protective Security Manual.

Reporting Security Weaknesses

50. Staff should be required to note and report any observed or suspected security weaknesses or threats to procedures, policies, systems or services. They should report these matters to the appropriate authority as quickly as possible.

51. Staff should be aware that they should not, in any circumstances, attempt to prove a suspected weakness before reporting. This is for their own protection, as testing weaknesses might be interpreted as a potential misuse of the system.

Learning from Incidents

52. There should be procedures in place to quantify and monitor the types, volumes and costs of incidents and malfunctions. This information should be used to:

Disciplinary Process

53. There should be a formal disciplinary process for employees who have violated the organisation's security policies and procedures. The disciplinary process can:

54. Staff should be made aware of the disciplinary process as part of a security education programme.

Other Security Organisations and Legislation

New Zealand Security Association Inc (NZSA)

55. The NZSA is an independent organisation established to promote a professional security industry. NZSA:

56. NZSA members provide a wide range of security services, including advice on the protection of information.

57. Advice from NZSA may be followed as long as it does not conflict with the provisions of Chapter 3 in this manual. For advice on protecting national security information which is classified CONFIDENTIAL and above, consult the NZSIS.

National Supervisory Council for Security Systems (NSCSS)

58. The NSCSS Inc is an independent, non-profit organisation established to raise the standards of intrusion-detection systems in New Zealand. NSCSS aims to ensure that equipment has been tested, approved, and installed safely and correctly. See also Chapter 7 paragraph 21.

NZ Computer Society Special Interest Group on Security (NZCS SigSec)

59. The New Zealand Computer Society's Special Interest Group on Security is a forum for networking with others with an interest in IT security from within and outside Government. It is Wellington-based and meets quarterly for a presentation and networking. For more details contact the Computer Society's Wellington office or go to the NZCS web site, www.nzcs.org.nz.

Government Information Systems Manager's Forum (GOVIS) Security Group

60. The GOVIS Security forum has similar objectives to the NZCS SigSec but is restricted to Government employees only. Meetings are approximately quarterly and there is an e-mail group for posting questions or discussing items of interest. For more details see the GOVIS web site, www.govis.org.nz.

Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974

61. The Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974 provides for the licensing of security companies and individuals in the commercial security sector. It also defines private investigators and security guards to include anyone who installs, sells or advises on alarm systems, locks or cameras.

62. The licensing procedure requires a Police vetting check. Annual renewals ensure that checks are up to date. Note, however, that the vetting check does not ensure competence.

63. Government departments and agencies, State Owned Enterprises and Crown Entities employing or contracting commercial security companies should verify that the company and the contracting staff are licensed under the act. This can be done either by contacting the PISG Registrar c/- Auckland District Court or by inspecting the relevant certificates.

Annex A - Suggested Outline for Security Instructions

Introduction

Definition of security

The threat, with particular reference to the work of the department

Aims of protective security

Organisation of Protective Security within the Department

Responsibility for security

Security organisation

Security duties

Security education and training

Classification and Markings

The classification system

Importance of correct grading

The classifications

Interpretation of the definitions

Authority to apply classifications

Methods of applying classifications

General rules of classification

The classification of typewriter or printer ribbons

The classification of magnetic and optical storage media

Arrangements for regrading and declassifying

Other endorsement markings

Control of Classified Documents and Similar Material

Objective

The "need to know" principle

Preparation of classified documents

Reference and copy numbers

Page numbering

Accountable documents

The control of TOP SECRET and SECRET documents and files

Removal of classified documents from the premises (including Homeworking)

Spot checks

The "need to retain"

Transmission of Classified Documents and Similar Material

Approved methods of transmission (boxes, pouches, enveloping)

Sealing

Document and package receipts

Movement:

Electronic transfer

Security of Communications

Rules for passing classified information by telephone, computer, data links, facsimile and any other form of electronic transmission.

Electronic Processing of Classified Information

Rules for the protection and use of:

Storage of Classified Documents

Minimum standards as applied to the department

Destruction

Handling of classified waste

Arrangements for destruction

Records of destruction

Precautions within Buildings

Room security

Precautions against eavesdropping and overview

Dictating machines and tape recorders

Room checks at close of work

Conferences and meetings

Arrangements in secure rooms or areas (if any)

Ancillary staff

Patrol arrangements and duties of patrols

Security of Keys and Combination Lock Settings

Definition of security keys

Compromise - warning

Arrangements for issue and recording of security keys

Safe custody of security keys and duplicates

Replacement of lost keys

Action when security key is lost or compromised

Combination lock settings - security measures

Security of Access Control Devices

Custody of blank cards

Replacement of lost cards

Reprogramming of cards

Changing of combinations

Return of cards

Control of Entry to Departmental Buildings

Control arrangements: staff, visitors, ancillary staff, duties of doorkeepers, receptionists, supervision of cleaners, etc.

Staff responsibility for safeguarding passes

Visitors to secure areas

Identification of staff keeping unusual hours

External Building Security

Site security

Building exterior security

Secure Behaviour

Responsibility of the individual for security

Telephone security

Duty to report known or suspected breaches of security

Disclosure of classified information to persons outside the government service

Social contracts with foreign officials

Personal correspondence

Indiscreet conversations

Overseas travel

Microfilming

Removal of classified documents from the office

Arrangements for taking classified documents to meetings or home

Classified documents in public places

Security Incidents

Management of security incidents

Identification

Reporting

Review and recommendations for improvements

Annex

The security classifications with definitions and examples of the correct use of the classifications based on the work of the department.

Annex B - Specific Responsibilities of the DSO

Personnel Security

1. In consultation with the Chief Executive, determine which posts within the organisation involve access to classified material and what level of security clearance is required for each.

2. Regularly review the list of posts that involve access to classified material.

3. Perform pre-vetting procedures in the organisation.

4. Arrange for the vetting of staff in posts that involve access to classified material.

5. Arrange for the security education of staff doing classified work. Ongoing training should include:

6. Advise on the supervision of staff doing classified work.

7. Advise on measures to ensure that security incidents are immediately reported to the Chief Executive or DSO.

8. Arrange for keeping "out of normal hours" attendance records, as needed.

Education and Training

9. Arrange ongoing security training to ensure that staff with specific security responsibilities:

10. The DSO should:

Protection of Classified Information

11. In consultation with the appropriate staff, prepare and issue internal instructions for safeguarding classified information and equipment, including:

Building Security

Precautions within Buildings

Control of Entry to Buildings

Communications and Electronic Processing of Classified Information

12. Prepare and issue internal guidelines on the use of:

13. Oversee all communications and computer security arrangements. Specifically:

Security Instructions

14. Prepare security instructions for the organisation.

15. Prepare security notes for staff doing classified work.

Security Inspections

16. Inspect personnel, physical and document security. Include checks on entry, pass and document control.

Breaches of Security

17. Arrange to be informed of all breaches of security.

18. Maintain records of all breaches of security.

19. Ensure that breaches of security are brought to the attention of those concerned.

20. Ensure action is taken to investigate, minimise damage done and prevent recurrence.


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Last Updated: 09-Jul-2002 05:17:56 p.m.