National Information Assurance (NIA) Audit

National Information Assurance (NIA) Audit

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NIAP Desktop
NIAP Desktop
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National Information Security Compliance (NISCF) Framework - Accreditation and Certification

The National Information Assurance Policy gives organizations the necessary foundation and suitable tools to implement a full-fledged Information Security Management System.

The NIA policy guides organizations in classifying the impact of information security threats (and risk) and the selection of appropriate mitigating controls, which allow to:

  • Protect information assets,
  • Effectively manage information security risks,
  • Achieve regulatory compliance

What's included?

NIA manual applies to all Agencies and their corresponding information assets in State of Qatar. Where the Agency has outsourced or subcontracted any processes or activities, they should ensure they comply with this manual and associated controls.

In summary, the information security programme must cover such elements as:

  • Assignment of roles and responsibilities
  • Assignment of ownership of information assets
  • Classification of information assets
  • Periodic assessments of threats and vulnerabilities
  • Adequate, effective and tested controls
  • Integration of security in all organizational processes
  • Processes to monitor security elements
  • Effective identity and access management processes for users and suppliers of information
  • Education on information security requirements for all users, managers, and board members
  • Training, as appropriate, in the operation of security processes
  • Development and testing of plans for continuing the business in case of interruption or disaster
  • Perpetual maintenance of the information security programme and change management processes

Compliance Journey

Designating a management system to process information securely is challenging, specifically for established organizations. It requires inducting a security-aware culture, possible changes to existing processes, or introducing new procedures or security essentials.

To simplify efforts, the compliance journey can be broken down into smaller, more manageable, practical milestones by prioritizing the most critical information-processing activities of the business. These milestones must be recorded, tracked through the implementation, and considered as part of a more comprehensive compliance roadmap to ensure coverage of the entire business.

The benefits of NIA Certification

  • It's an independent assurance about the organization's security posture.
  • Ensures that the company, assets, shareholders and staff are sufficiently aware of and protected from cyber threats
  • Gives customers and stakeholders confidence in managing cyber and technology risks
  • Helps to compose and minimize risk exposure by building a culture of security in the organization
  • Supporting compliance with other connected international, national and sectoral regulations and standards