We all want to secure our data, right? Yet, developing a strong enterprise information security architecture is no easy task. However, you should not ignore its importance as your whole company is at stake. Not devoting appropriate efforts compromises your network data.

An enterprise information security architecture (EISA) is not simply a checklist. It requires careful planning and must help members define system data. Moreover, an EISA must help infosec members protect the network data with robust intelligence.

What Is Enterprise Information Security Architecture?

EISA for short, these are fundamental concepts or properties of a system. It provides useful guidance for IT staff in making secure design decisions. Furthermore, EISA makes your network respond to different scenarios for increased cybersecurity. 

Moreover, EISA aligns the company’s approach to security with the company’s needs. This presents two benefits.

First, implementing EISA forces the IT department to focus on security challenges. Those are security challenges that most likely impact the business. The IT department stops chasing the latest security trends. Instead, the IT department now focuses on the issues that matter most to the business.

Second, the EISA becomes a key part of how the company moves. It is not just deciding which security products to buy. Also, it’s not just deciding which security threats to focus on. Instead, this changes how the business makes decisions.

Enterprise Information Security Architecture Goals

Organizations must implement an EISA that considers both their current and future state. Additionally, organizations must also consider other external factors. Some of those are technology and vendor requirements. Doing so ensures that the framework fully meets the organization’s goals.

The business changes, and so is the positioning data security. Companies must now include the factors listed below:

• Business and technology roadmaps

• Visionaries

• Legal requirements

• Industry risk trends

Doing so leads to process improvements. Furthermore, it enables ‘end-to-end’ integration. These strengths are hard to find in other organizations. Thus, it gives you an edge in the competition.

Framework

An EISA must align with the strategies and objectives of the enterprise. Also, you must consider the importance of information free flow from all levels of the organization. Since an EISA is detailed, it helps organizations make the best decisions on where to invest their resources. Moreover, it helps companies align their goals and processes with core missions.

Companies may use popular frameworks such as SABSA, COBIT, and TOGAF as references. Some companies choose to design their own architecture. Meanwhile, some companies combine two or more frameworks. Always keep in mind the goal of aligning security efforts with key business objectives. That is regardless of how your organization approaches the design of EISA.

Conclusion

We now see that the process of developing an enterprise information security architecture is no easy task. It is extremely complex requiring great leadership. Furthermore, people tasked with designing EISA must be aware of all pieces of technology that exist within the business. They should also see how those pieces interact in achieving business objectives.

Having a thorough understanding enables companies to develop the best security practices.