
Iyanifa
Mitigation in InfoSec
Mitigation in information security refers to the actions taken to reduce the risk and impact of security threats to sensitive data and information, whether in digital or physical formats. Information security mitigation focuses on preserving the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data through a range of strategies.​​​
Examples of information Security Mitigation:
​​
1 - Access Control: Limiting access to sensitive data ensures that only authorised personnel can view or modify it. This is often achieved through role-based access control (RBAC), where users are assigned specific permissions based on their role within the organisation. For example, an HR manager may have access to employee records, while a general employee may not.
​
2 - Data Encryption: Encrypting sensitive data both in transit and at rest is a key mitigation strategy. This ensures that even if the data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorised parties, it remains unreadable without the decryption key. An example is encrypting customer financial details in a database, ensuring only authorised users with the decryption key can view this information.
​​
3 - Physical Security: Mitigation in information security also involves securing physical assets, such as servers or data centres, by implementing security measures like CCTV, access badges, and biometric access controls. For example, data centres are often guarded with restricted access to prevent unauthorised personnel from physically interacting with critical systems.
4 - Data Backup: Regularly backing up important data ensures that information can be recovered in case of a security incident, such as a ransomware attack or natural disaster. By maintaining multiple copies of critical data, organisations can minimise the impact of data loss. For example, a company may store backups both locally and in the cloud to ensure redundancy.
5 - Audit and Logging: Monitoring systems and maintaining audit logs is essential for identifying potential security breaches. By tracking access and modifications to sensitive data, organisations can detect suspicious activity and take immediate action. For instance, logging access to a financial database allows security teams to identify if an unauthorised user attempts to gain entry.
6 - Information Security Policies: Implementing and enforcing strong information security policies helps mitigate risks associated with human error and insider threats. Policies might include guidelines for password complexity, data handling procedures, or the reporting of security incidents. For example, requiring employees to use strong passwords and change them regularly can help prevent unauthorised access.
​​​​​​
Mitigation in information security ensures that an organisation's data remains secure by applying both technical and procedural measures to address various risks and vulnerabilities.
InfoSec
