The Importance of Securing Your Digital Assets
In today’s world, digital assets have become a valuable commodity, and the need to secure them has never been more pressing. With a multitude of online threats, from cyber-attacks to data breaches, it’s crucial to take a systematic approach to protecting your information. Simply installing anti-virus software and a firewall is not enough. Protecting your digital assets requires a comprehensive plan that should be viewed as a business process, similar to accounting and marketing.
Creating an Information Asset Inventory
The first step to securing your digital assets is to identify what they are. An information asset inventory should include a list of all the components that an institution uses to acquire, process, and store information. Here are some of the things that should be included in your inventory:
Name of each asset – Each item that makes up the system should be formally identified and recorded.
Description – A written narrative should be created for each information asset.
Name of the asset’s owner – Each resource should have an assigned “owner” for accountability purposes.
Classification – The criticality level of each item should be determined.
Volume and location – The quantity and location of each information asset should be specified.
Description of equipment – A description of each computer hardware item, including a unique serial number, model number, MAC address, or other identifier, should be recorded.
Name and version of software – The software or in-house programs used by the institution and their version should be noted.
Process names – Every process should be named and linked to other digital assets.
Identification of storage media – The type of media being used for data storage should be specified.
Replacement value – The cost of replacing an information asset should be determined.
Business value – The business value of each information asset should be rated.
With this information in hand, an institution can create security plans and determine how to prioritise expenditures to reduce risk.
Conclusion
An information asset inventory is a critical component of a comprehensive plan to secure digital assets. By identifying all mission-critical assets, their volume, location, and status, institutions can make informed decisions on how best to protect their information. The time and effort invested in creating an inventory will pay off in the long run, ensuring the security and confidentiality of your digital assets.
