An introduction to information security

Introduction

This unit is an adapted extract from the course Information security management (M886)

Information security underpins the commercial viability and profitability of enterprises of all sizes and the effectiveness of public sector organisations. This unit begins by explaining why information security and its management are important for any modern organisation. The unit continues by examining the value that can be placed on information as an organisational asset. The protection of information assets is the subject of the BSi standard on information security management, and the unit goes on to explain how an information security management system should be planned, documented, implemented and improved, according to the standard. This unit is based on readings from the book IT Governance: A Manager's Guide to Data Security & BS 7799/ISO 177799 (2nd edition) by Alan Calder and Steve Watkins (Kogan Page, 2003). In order to study this unit you will need to buy this set book. You will also need to pay if you want access to the British Standard (mentioned above) using British Standards Online.

Original Copyright © 2007 The Open University. Now made available within the Creative Commons framework under the CC Attribution – Non-commercial licence (see http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/).