Unlocking Business Value: Why Your Organization Needs an Information Security (InfoSec) Service Catalogue

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In October 2024, I had the honour of addressing the InCyber Forum in Montreal, sharing my expertise in transforming the role of Information Security within organizations. As a seasoned governance of IT professional, I have dedicated my career to enhancing IT governance and implementing robust service management frameworks, such as the InfoSec Service Catalogue. In this article, I aim to share with a broader audience the valuable insights and practical knowledge surrounding the implementation and benefits of an InfoSec Service Catalogue. This discussion is intended to highlight the importance of structured information security practices and how they can transform organizational approaches to Information Security.

In modern business, where digital threats are becoming more significant and regulatory landscapes grow increasingly complex, Information Security (InfoSec) has never been more critical. However, transforming InfoSec from a perceived cost center into a strategic business asset requires a shift in both strategy and perception. A well-crafted InfoSec service catalogue is pivotal in this transformation, serving as a cornerstone for strategic business planning and risk management.

Information Security as an Umbrella Term

Information Security, commonly known as InfoSec, is an umbrella term that encompasses a comprehensive array of security practices designed to protect information and IT systems. This broad category includes various specific security disciplines such as IT, Cyber, Data, Cloud, Network, Endpoint, Application, Operational (OpSec) security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and others. Each area addresses different aspects and vulnerabilities of information systems, collectively ensuring a robust security posture for organizations.

Furthermore, numerous standards and best practices define and guide the implementation of these security measures, highlighting the diverse aspects of Information Security. Examples of these include:

1. ISO/IEC 27001 addresses?Information Security by providing a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information
2. ITIL addresses?Information Security?as part of overall IT Service Management (ITSM)
3. COBIT 2019 covers Information Security and Cybersecurity aspects by providing controls for IT governance, risk management, and data protection.
4. ISO/IEC 27032 (Cybersecurity Guidelines) provides guidelines for?Cybersecurity (security of cyberspace).
5. NIST Cybersecurity Framework focuses on?Cybersecurity?as a means of protecting digital and networked systems from threats
6. CIS Controls secure IT systems and data against cyber threats and actionable ways to deter, detect, and mitigate potential attacks.

These references are not complete but serve as illustrative examples of the various frameworks and methodologies that contribute to the field of Information Security. Each addresses specific elements to ensure that different aspects of InfoSec are comprehensively covered, providing a structured approach to safeguarding information assets across various environments and technologies.

Aspirations of Information Security Leaders

InfoSec leaders are at the forefront of reshaping how Information Security is perceived and managed within organizations. They advocate for recognizing it as a strategic asset essential to business success. Their goal is to transform their role within organizations, aiming for a fundamental seat at the decision-making table and recognition as strategic partners to business leaders. They strive for Information Security to be integral to business strategy discussions.

?InfoSec leaders advocate for a culture where every business decision is informed by a comprehensive understanding of security risks and their potential impacts. By influencing corporate culture, they aim to embed security awareness across all levels of the organization. They aspire to lead initiatives promoting proactive security behaviours, ensuring security becomes a shared responsibility.

Viewing compliance not as a regulatory burden but as a strategic advantage, InfoSec leaders aim to use compliance requirements to enhance business processes, strengthen customer trust, and differentiate their company in the market. Lastly, these leaders aspire to demonstrate security measures' return on investment (ROI), advocating for sustained or increased investment in Cybersecurity based on its proven business value.

Why Organizations Need an Information Security Service Catalogue

Service management within the context of Information Security (InfoSec) is a set of specialized organizational capabilities designed to enable customers to achieve value through service provision. This framework is focused on facilitating value co-creation, ensuring that customers can achieve their desired outcomes without directly managing the costs and risks associated with security.

The Information Security Service Catalog is more than just a list of available security services; it is an integral structured resource encompassing all an organization's operational InfoSec services. This catalogue details critical information such as service descriptions, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and management protocols. The primary purpose of the InfoSec Service Catalog is to ensure that all stakeholders, from management to operational teams, have access to detailed, actionable information about the security services available to them.

By providing this comprehensive overview, the InfoSec Service Catalog enables informed decision-making and enhances strategic management of Information Security service delivery. It plays a crucial role in aligning InfoSec services with the organization's overall goals and strategies, ensuring that each service is defined and mapped out in terms of its contribution to the broader security and business objectives.

InfoSec Service Catalog is instrumental in fostering a shared understanding and transparency among internal technology teams, essential for promoting ownership, collaboration, and alignment across different facets of the organization.

Overall, the InfoSec Service Catalog is highlighted as a vital component of an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS), particularly in standards such as ISO 27001, which helps organizations systematically manage their security processes in line with international best practices.?

Benefits of Implementing an Information Security Service Catalog

Implementing an InfoSec Service Catalog can standardize security service delivery across an organization, increasing consistency and accountability. It enhances transparency by offering clear visibility into security services, their delivery, and associated costs and risks. Moreover, it promotes shared ownership and responsibility among technical teams and helps set clear targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for performance tracking. Such a catalogue encourages business leaders to engage more deeply with security practices, fostering a security-savvy culture and strengthening the overall security mindset across the organization.

InfoSec Service Record

Each service has to be documented in the Service Catalogue; below is an example of the service record outline. This systematic documentation ensures that every service aspect is understood and managed according to the organization's strategic goals.?

InfoSec Service Catalogue for Business and Technical Audience

As mentioned, the InfoSec Service Catalogue showcases business customers and technical teams, providing different views tailored to each audience. Moreover, if a service is "requestable," it will become part of the Request Catalogue, making it visible to the relevant users within the organization. Below is an example of the business view versus the technical view. This example is provided for illustration only and is not exhaustive.

Where to start

If you decide to start the InfoSec Service Catalogue, your initial steps are critical in setting the foundation for a successful implementation. Where do you begin? Here's a guide to get you started.

??????? Define objectives

??????? Inventory of current Information Security services

??????? Define Information Security, service families

??????? Identify Information Security Service Owners and Service Managers

??????? Develop Information Security service descriptions

??????? Set Information Security service targets (SLAs)

??????? Ensure effective supporting processes and practices.

??????? Ensure effective supporting Information Security tools and platforms

??????? AUTOMATE– choose the Information Security Service Catalogue Tool

Remember, defining a service is not a scientific process—it requires a clear definition of the balance between the number and types of services offered. This strategic balance is crucial in ensuring that the services align with the organization's goals and resource capabilities. Equally important is establishing ownership of each service. Having a dedicated service owner is essential, as this role is responsible for the ongoing management and improvement of the service, ensuring it meets the needs of the business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as businesses navigate the complexities of the digital age, the importance of having a strategic approach to InfoSec cannot be overstated. An Information Security Service Catalog not only helps streamline the management of InfoSec services but also elevates the role of InfoSec from a backend support function to a front-line strategic asset. It's time for organizations to embrace this shift and unlock the true business value of their InfoSec efforts.

Interested to learn more and implement an InfoSec Service Catalogue in your organization? Contact?[email protected]?to schedule a 30-minute discussion for more insights!?

?Svetlana?Sidenko

MSc (Admin), Ph.D. (c), MBRM?, CGEIT?, PMP?, COBIT? 2019,?ITIL? Master, ISO 20000 Practitioner, Change Management Registered Practitioner?, ISO 27001