Security Basics: Re: IT Manager to CISO

[Ricardo Ferreira <ricardo.ferreira () sotechdatacenter com br>]

On 04/27/2011 05:37 AM, olufemimogaji () gmail com wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm currently the de facto IT manager for a small IT services firm. The nature of our business requires that we follow PCI standards as per 
> logical security. Here's the thing, the CISO is leaving next month, and I've been told I'll be taking his position. I already 
> have a lot of exposure to info sec, I have a CCNP (the former version with ISCW) and a I'm an MCP (Active Directory for WS 2008). What I 
> need to know is what cert I should go out there and get to make me more cemented in this new CISO role, at least to keep the auditors happy, as 
> they sometimes like to question your competence. The outgoing CISO, even though he was trained by some of our partners, had NO certs, and this 
> exposed him to uncomfy questions from hard nosed auditors. Security+ or CISSP exam? Or any others? Any form of guiding light will be highly 
> appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Femi M.
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry® Smartphone
>
>
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry® Smartphone
Hi all,

My 0.0.2 cents....

I am currently running a PCI-DSS certified payment service provider and 
even though I have some certifications on my bag let me tell you about 
my experience ( 5 years running and administering a PCI-DSS certified 
payment service provider)
1. The auditors are not looking for certs. They are always looking for 
answers to their questions and you must backup up these answers with 
evidences. and detailed documentation.
2. The target is to make sure you protect the card-holder data.  This is 
all PCI-DSS about. So what are the controls and processes you put 
together to make sure you are 100% compliant with the requirements. 
Understand them in details. Read them. Check them. Test them. Monitore 
them. ( PDCA is your friend here). Know your environment. Have 
monitoring tools implemented in all key points of your infra-structure. 
Know your traffic profile....
3. How your network firewall policy effectively mitigate possible 
attacks. Is there any kind of active-active network firewall implemented 
just in case you have one of them compromised and you can meet the 
business continuity plan and still offering the same level of security? 
How is your risk analysis plan being deployed over the past months....
4. How you have implemented an web-application based firewall to protect 
the card holder data....
5. The technical staff must be knowledgeable on security, telecom and 
information technology.  Having certs helps but what really matters is 
experience and knowledge.
6.....

So what I mean is OK certification really matters but do not forget the 
major goal of any QSA. To make sure that infrastructure being audited is 
secure enough and meet all security requirements.
So know your environment and put in place controls and processes that 
can really help you to manage the infra-structure. Log everything and 
have a very good documentation process.
I know a couple local companies that failed to meet PCI-DSS requirements 
but has managers with a bunch of security certs... and what I learned 
from these failing companies. Know your environment,have full control of 
it and document everything.  Have a REAL firewall policy and prove that 
such FIREWALL policy does what is supposed to do. I know a couple 
security managers that do not know how to write a more elaborated rule 
that can effectively protect an asset from the P|CI standpoint. And last 
but not least PCI does not certifiy people... only companies.
PS. Bear in mind this is my experience.... Having certs is OK but is not 
mandatory. Knowledge and experience is....
--
Cordialmente,

Ricardo Ferreira
Telecom, Tecnologia e Segurança da Informação
CCDP, CCNP, CCDA, CCNA, MCSE, MCP
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Email:ricardo.ferreira () sotechdatacenter com br
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