Information Assurance: What the heck is that?
If you are like I am, at first glance I had no idea what the term information assurance meant. As it turns out, the meaning is simply what the term says – making sure your information is guaranteed secure.
“Protect valuable information assets and personal data from external and internal threats” is the definition given by The Free Dictionary. www.thefreedictionary.com
Where do you practice information assurance?
Common actions you probably already do to practice information assurance could be using a password to log into your computer. When you enter your pass code for your debit card at the Wal-Mart check out…you are practicing information assurance.
Do you shred your mail before you toss it into the trash can? You should. Identity thieves could use the information contained in your mail to wipe out your bank account and have a holiday with your credit.
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) defines information assurance as “The protection of systems and information in storage, processing, or transit from unauthorized access or modification; denial of service to unauthorized users; or the provision of service to authorized users. It also includes those measures necessary to detect, document, and counter such threats.” www.atis.org
Wow, that’s intimidating. Do you lock your car? How about your house? Both actions are practicing information assurance. The threat of someone being able to access your personal information is less likely if they cannot enter your private vehicle or your home without your knowledge or invitation.
Do you carry your Social Security card in your wallet? You should leave it at home or in a secure place and only carry the card with you when you anticipate needing to use it. Your Social Security number along with your driver’s license could be a field day for an identity theft. Are your Social Security and driver’s license numbers printed on your checks? Remove the numbers and decrease your risk for theft.
Walter L. McKnight, Ph.D., senior information assurance engineer at Shim Enterprise, Inc. uses the definition given by the Industry Advisory Council, Shared Interest Group on Information Assurance in his article defining the term. IACSIC defines information assurance as "Conducting those operations that protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation. This includes providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities." www.iaconline.org
That’s another mouth full. Do you regularly back up your computer hard drive? If your information is important to you, a back up can be a lifesaver when something unexpected happens to your system. This could be a power surge, hardware failure, fire damage or numerous other possibilities. Do you run an antivirus software program to protect your computer from malicious invasions? You are practicing information assurance if you have these practices in place.
Simply stated, information assurance is anything you do to protect your information and guarantee it is secure.
Ten More Things You Can Do to Practice Information Assurance
“Protect valuable information assets and personal data from external and internal threats” is the definition given by The Free Dictionary. www.thefreedictionary.com
Where do you practice information assurance?
Common actions you probably already do to practice information assurance could be using a password to log into your computer. When you enter your pass code for your debit card at the Wal-Mart check out…you are practicing information assurance.
Do you shred your mail before you toss it into the trash can? You should. Identity thieves could use the information contained in your mail to wipe out your bank account and have a holiday with your credit.
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) defines information assurance as “The protection of systems and information in storage, processing, or transit from unauthorized access or modification; denial of service to unauthorized users; or the provision of service to authorized users. It also includes those measures necessary to detect, document, and counter such threats.” www.atis.org
Wow, that’s intimidating. Do you lock your car? How about your house? Both actions are practicing information assurance. The threat of someone being able to access your personal information is less likely if they cannot enter your private vehicle or your home without your knowledge or invitation.
Do you carry your Social Security card in your wallet? You should leave it at home or in a secure place and only carry the card with you when you anticipate needing to use it. Your Social Security number along with your driver’s license could be a field day for an identity theft. Are your Social Security and driver’s license numbers printed on your checks? Remove the numbers and decrease your risk for theft.
Walter L. McKnight, Ph.D., senior information assurance engineer at Shim Enterprise, Inc. uses the definition given by the Industry Advisory Council, Shared Interest Group on Information Assurance in his article defining the term. IACSIC defines information assurance as "Conducting those operations that protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation. This includes providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities." www.iaconline.org
That’s another mouth full. Do you regularly back up your computer hard drive? If your information is important to you, a back up can be a lifesaver when something unexpected happens to your system. This could be a power surge, hardware failure, fire damage or numerous other possibilities. Do you run an antivirus software program to protect your computer from malicious invasions? You are practicing information assurance if you have these practices in place.
Simply stated, information assurance is anything you do to protect your information and guarantee it is secure.
- Remember to turn on the burglar alarm when you leave home.
- Use a password that is at least eight (8) characters in length with a combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols and numbers. If you use Windows, you can simply make your password a phrase (at least 14 characters) that includes spaces and dramatically increase your security. A phrase will also be easier to remember.
- Do not click on everything that pops up on your computer screen. Learn how to determine what you can trust.
- Do not leave mail in your mailbox overnight. If you must, install a locked box.
- Use a surge protector for your computer’s electrical cords.
- When you drop your vehicle off for valet parking or service, give the attendant only your car key, not your whole set of keys. Your house and office keys could be duplicated and that would make entry easy for a thief.
- Install a firewall on your computer system. This is especially important if you have a high speed Internet connection through your cable company.
- If a sales person asks you for personal information when processing your order, do not be afraid to ask why they need that information.
- Never give your personal information over the phone or by email to someone who calls or emails you. Reputable companies do not ask for information over the phone or through email unless you have initiated the contact with them and they need to verify your identity.
- Do not leave an extra house key under your doormat. That is the first place an intruder might look. Give the extra key to a trusted friend or neighbor instead.
Sharon Cawood
Community Relations & Business Development Professional
Sharon@ntown.com
posted by Sharon Cawood at 2:08 PM
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