What and when are allowed?
Common pitfalls in writing policies (written directives) are:
  • Embedded assumption by the author that is unknown to other readers
  • Failed to provide clarity
  • Most importantly, failed to listen feedback for adjustment

We are hired to make professional judgment. We must not be fraid to challenge if the written directive is clear enough, not just because it has been approved by senior management. We also need to admit policy statement is never 100% perfect as the business environment is changing.

An interesting example is the power energy sector. No doubt the power plant and grid are the Critical Infrastructure (CI) assets to secure from cyber-attack in order to maintain reliable supply to customers or comply with regulatory requirements. But we must not forget there are other sources like renewable energy that the “plant” is just a customer own installation outside the CI. How should the policy statement be precise enough to differentiate the cyber protection requirement will be a tough job. Otherwise, you write something that is good to secure the CI but overkilled in customer installation.

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