Security Basics mailing list archives

Re: protecting web apps for governaments


From: CATHRYN OLDS <catholds () hotmail com>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:07:15 -0700

You may have 200 websites but you might not need to control and secure some as strong as others.  You need to do a risk 
assessment on each to determine the level of security needed so that you aren't doing too much or too little.  

Also what governance are they required to follow?  This will also drive your needs. I. E ISO27001

Just remember that the most expensive thing that will be lost with a breach is their reputation and it is hard to put 
$$$$ on that.

What you stated as your annual audit list would be considered minimum controls on a government website that may hold 
classified or confidential data.

Also keep in mind that if these are in a virtual environment you have other controls to consider too.



Cathryn Olds. Msisa
IT Security Administrator
 

Sent from my iPad

On Jun 19, 2012, at 2:39 PM, "Shane Anglin" <shane.anglin () gmail com> wrote:

And, ask yourself who is projecting the costs associated with data loss?  If it's your personal data the 
govt/business is protecting and they attribute the cost of loss as one year of free credit reporting, their cost 
assessment isn't the best measure in my book.


Regards,
Shane Anglin



On Jun 19, 2012, at 12:59 PM, Dan Lynch <DLynch () placer ca gov> wrote:

From: Miguel Gracia
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 9:58 AM
To: marco cohen; security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: protecting web apps for governaments

There is no such thing as too much protection. If the company 
feels comfortable with this and thus requests nothing less, 
then it is worth having. From a technical standpoint, it may 
be overkill but it may be a requirement depending on audits 
done on the company and/or web apps.


Protecting $100 worth of data with $101 worth of mitigation is too much protection. Any security measures you 
implement MUST be justified by the value of the data, and the cost of loss and recovery. 

Granted, this is difficult in a government environment, where you can't calculate losses in terms of sales and 
revenue. You end up with management and elected officals calculating the cost against the near-infinite value of 
their careers, reputations, and egos.

Good luck.


Dan Lynch, CISSP
Information Technology Analyst
County of Placer
Auburn, CA

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Securing Apache Web Server with thawte Digital Certificate
In this guide we examine the importance of Apache-SSL and who needs an SSL certificate.  We look at how SSL works, 
how it benefits your company and how your customers can tell if a site is secure. You will find out how to test, 
purchase, install and use a thawte Digital Certificate on your Apache web server. Throughout, best practices for 
set-up are highlighted to help you ensure efficient ongoing management of your encryption keys and digital 
certificates.

http://www.dinclinx.com/Redirect.aspx?36;4175;25;1371;0;5;946;e13b6be442f727d1
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securing Apache Web Server with thawte Digital Certificate
In this guide we examine the importance of Apache-SSL and who needs an SSL certificate.  We look at how SSL works, how 
it benefits your company and how your customers can tell if a site is secure. You will find out how to test, purchase, 
install and use a thawte Digital Certificate on your Apache web server. Throughout, best practices for set-up are 
highlighted to help you ensure efficient ongoing management of your encryption keys and digital certificates.

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