In today's digital era, network security has become an important task for enterprises to protect information assets and business operations. Threats such as malicious attacks, data leaks, and network viruses continue to evolve, posing huge risks to businesses and individuals. In order to cope with this challenge, many enterprises have adopted a series of network security measures, such as formulating network security policies and systems, deploying technical tools such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, and establishing security incident response mechanisms. However, these measures often only deal with specific problems piecemeal and fail to form an organic and overall network security system. Therefore, enterprises may face problems and challenges such as insufficient department coordination and cooperation, lack of overall planning and consistency of security measures, lack of talent, and insufficient security awareness, making it difficult for enterprises to comprehensively and effectively protect information assets and businesses.
In order to solve these problems, enterprises need to establish an overall network security system framework that organically combines security work in governance, management, organization, system, technology and operations to form synergy to achieve comprehensive security protection and risk management. manage. Such a network security system framework can not only improve the network security capabilities of enterprises, but also promote the reliable operation and sustainable development of business.
In this article, we will introduce the components of a cybersecurity system framework that is universal for most organizations in our country and the key steps in system construction, discuss the difficulties and challenges in building a cybersecurity system, and provide some practical suggestions and methods. By in-depth understanding and implementation of network security system construction, enterprises can better protect their information assets and network security, respond to complex and ever-changing network threats, and ensure the security and reliability of their businesses.
1. Driving factors for the construction of network security system
The driving force for the construction of network security system mainly comes from the following aspects:
Requirements of laws and regulations: As network security laws and regulations continue to improve, enterprises are facing increasingly stringent compliance requirements. Laws and regulations require enterprises to take necessary security measures to protect users' personal information and sensitive data and prevent cyber attacks and data leaks. The requirements of these laws and regulations have become an important driving force for enterprises to build network security systems.
Business needs and risk awareness: With the acceleration of digital transformation and the popularity of Internet-dependent business models, enterprises have increasingly urgent needs for network security. The normal operation of business requires reliable network security guarantee, and the growing network threats also remind enterprises to pay attention to network security risks. Business needs and risk awareness drive enterprises to incorporate the construction of network security systems into the important agenda of strategic planning and business operations.
Market competition and reputation protection: Cyber security incidents and data breaches will not only cause direct economic losses to enterprises, but also seriously affect the enterprise's reputation and customer trust. In a highly competitive market environment, protecting customer data and maintaining a good reputation are key to the sustainable development of enterprises. In order to gain competitive advantages and maintain a good reputation in the market, enterprises actively promote the construction of network security systems and improve network security capabilities.
International standards and partner requirements: With the development of globalization, enterprises need to share information and cooperate with multinational companies, supply chain partners and partners. In order to meet the requirements of international cooperation, many enterprises need to follow international standards, such as ISO 27001, etc., to prove their network security capabilities. International standards and partner requirements prompt enterprises to build network security systems to meet international standards and partner requirements and enhance partner trust.
Enterprises should be aware of the importance of these driving factors and incorporate them into strategic planning and decision-making processes, comprehensively promote the construction of network security systems, effectively respond to network threats, protect information assets and maintain the sustainable development of business.
2. Components of the network security system framework
Based on the realization of enterprise digital transformation and the current status of China's network security compliance requirements, combined with our long-term network security consulting experience in state-owned enterprises, central enterprises and financial institutions, we propose a network security system framework as shown in the following figure: (1) Network security
construction Vision
The network security system is an important cornerstone for enterprises to protect information assets and network security, and the purpose of building a complete network security system framework is to better promote the realization of the network security vision. The vision of network security construction is reflected in the following five aspects:
Management integration: Form a centralized and unified network security management standard for the entire organization, and combine the network security requirements of various regulatory specifications to create network security that integrates risk identification, early warning, detection, monitoring, protection, and emergency response. Management platform.
Defense proactiveness: Comprehensively improve network security protection capabilities, apply independent controllable technologies such as cloud-native security, trusted computing, and domestic encryption, carry out network security construction and rectification and reinforcement, and form an active system of active immunity, active defense, and overall prevention and control. Risk defense system.
Intelligent operations: Use cloud computing, big data and threat intelligence technology to build a network security smart brain, with security analysis as the core, combined with cloud threat intelligence, using security operation services and security orchestration automation through various network security scenarios and visualization methods Responsive technologies provide organizations with efficient cybersecurity services.
Practical operations: From a passive threat response and standards compliance model to a model that is continuously improved through normalized attack and defense drills, and has strong resistance capabilities when suffering cyber attacks.
Recovery elasticity: The ability to quickly recover when cyber attacks, business interruptions, security incidents, or even disasters occur.
(2) Key elements of network security
Two pillars: legal compliance pillar and best practices pillar. The legal compliance pillar includes laws and regulations, industry regulations and national standards, which provide enterprises with a compliance framework and reference standards. The best practices pillar includes methodologies, international practices, and domestic practices, providing proven methods and standards that can be applied in an enterprise's cybersecurity management process.
Two major needs: business security needs and network security needs. Business security requirements comprehensively consider the company's business characteristics, business scenarios, business processes, and business requirements to ensure the security and stability of the business; network security requirements cover network security management systems, data security governance, personal information protection, and key information Infrastructure protection, supply chain security and other needs.
One base: informatization, digitalization and intelligent base. This base is the foundation for the construction of the network security system. It integrates informatization, digitalization and intelligence into the network security system to meet the needs of business security and network security. This includes applying advanced technologies and solutions to build secure network infrastructure and ensure network reliability and security.
(3) Six major systems of network security
This network security framework consists of six security systems: governance system, management system, organization system, system system, technology system, and operation system.
The security governance system is responsible for establishing governance mechanisms and resource guarantees to ensure the effective operation of the network security system and the reasonable allocation of resources;
The security management system includes management measures, assessment and assessment, and security training to improve the level of network security management;
The security organization system involves the organizational structure and responsibility distribution of network security to ensure the coordination and advancement of network security work;
The security system includes network security systems and policy provisions to ensure network security specifications and compliance;
The security technology system involves the selection, implementation and management of network security technologies and tools;
The security operation system involves network security services and operation and maintenance management.
Enterprises should comprehensively grasp the important components of network security system construction, ensure the reasonable planning and effective operation of each element, establish a complete network security system, protect information assets and network security, and respond to ever-changing network threats and security challenges.
3. Methods and steps for building a network security system
(1) Two pillars of building a network security system
01
Legal Compliance Pillar
Legal compliance is one of the important pillars supporting the network security system. When establishing and maintaining a network security system, enterprises must ensure that their actions comply with applicable laws, regulations, industry regulations and national standards to ensure legal compliance.
Laws and regulations are regulations formulated by the state in the field of network security. These laws and regulations stipulate the legal responsibilities and obligations of enterprises in network security. In addition, the information innovation industry has been promoted to a strategic level for national security. The State Council, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other ministries and local government departments have successively introduced policies related to information innovation, especially for state-owned enterprises and central enterprises, which should be gradually and comprehensively implemented. The Xinchuang localization transformation of the information system avoids security risks.
Industry regulations refer to the regulations and guidelines formulated by specific industries in the field of cybersecurity, aiming to guide and standardize the cybersecurity practices of this industry. Different industries have different industry regulations, which provide enterprises with industry-specific cybersecurity requirements and standards.
National standards are cybersecurity-related standards formulated by the state to standardize and guide enterprises' practices in the field of cybersecurity. Enterprises should pay attention to and comply with national standards related to network security. These standards provide enterprises with basic requirements and guidance for network security level protection and critical information infrastructure security protection. They help enterprises ensure network security level protection and protect critical information foundations. safe operation of facilities.
By adhering to the pillar of legal compliance, enterprises can ensure that their cybersecurity systems comply with legal requirements and industry standards, reduce the risk of breaches, protect the security of personal privacy and sensitive information, enhance trust with stakeholders, and avoid legal liability and adverse impacts. .
02
Best Practice Pillars
Cybersecurity best practices are another important pillar underpinning the cybersecurity framework. Best practices include methodologies, international practices and domestic practices, providing proven methods and standards for enterprises’ cybersecurity management processes.
In terms of methodology, there are some well-known practice models, such as Gartner digital security model, network security sliding scale model, NIST network security framework, etc., which provide frameworks and methods for evaluating and improving enterprise network security.
In terms of international practice, the ISO International Standardization Organization has developed a series of standards related to information security, including ISO 27001 information security management system, ISO 27701 privacy information management system, ISO 20000 information technology service management system, ISO 22301 business continuity management system, etc. . These international standards provide businesses with globally recognized best practices for developing and implementing cybersecurity management measures.
In terms of domestic practice, the National Standardization Administration Committee has formulated a series of recommended national standards related to information security, including the "Information Security Technology Network Security Incident Classification and Grading Guidelines (GB/T 20986-2023)" and "Information Security Technology Network Data Processing Security Requirements (GB/T 41479-2022)" "Information Security Technology Personal Information Security Specifications (GB/T 35273-2020)" "Information Security Technology Information Security Risk Assessment Method (GB/T 20984-2022)" "Information Security Technology Data Security Capability Maturity Model (GB/T 37988-2019)" etc. These domestic standards combine the domestic environment and needs to provide enterprises with best practices applicable to China.
By following these best practices, enterprises can draw on proven methods and standards to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of cybersecurity management. At the same time, these practices also help enterprises align with international standards and industry best practices, improving trust and compliance on a global scale.
(2) Determine business security needs
In order to ensure that the network security system is closely integrated with business needs, enterprises should comprehensively analyze the key elements of the business, such as its functions, features, technology implementation methods, market development trends, user scale, business processes and rules, data flow methods, and personal information processing methods. , as well as the protection of the rights and interests of personal information subjects, etc. Such analysis helps assess potential security threats and impacts. Business security assessment covers all security aspects of business applications, business platforms, business operations, and business data.
Business application security assessment: Pay attention to the size, type, relevance and authentication methods of users to identify whether there are security risks such as leakage of user account information. At the same time, the subject matter, generation, dissemination, reception and storage methods of the information also need to be reviewed to identify and confirm whether there is illegal information or other security risks.
Business platform security assessment: Evaluate the physical location distribution of servers, data centers or nodes that host services to determine whether there are security risks in cross-border data transmission; at the same time, assess the compliance of cooperation with other enterprises to ensure the security of business information .
Business operation security assessment: Evaluate the compliance of business rules, the rationality of business processes, and the completeness of corresponding technical safeguards to identify whether there are security loopholes in business operations; in addition, evaluate the communication process to confirm which Whether there are risks such as fraud and illegal communication.
Business data security assessment: Assess data collection, storage, transmission, processing and other links as well as personal information security risks to confirm whether there are security risks such as data leakage.
Conduct in-depth analysis and assessment of identified business security risks, comprehensively consider the enterprise's network security management measures and technical support capabilities, and ensure that these business security risks have feasible control and management strategies. These tasks will help enterprises determine comprehensive business security requirements, thereby providing clear goals and directions for establishing a network security system.
(3) Determine network security needs
In terms of ensuring the security of networks and information assets, enterprises need to consider multiple network security requirements in order to establish a comprehensive network security system. These needs include but are not limited to network security management system construction, data security governance, personal information protection, critical information infrastructure protection, information technology application innovation (Xinchuang), domestic encryption, supply chain security, Internet attack surface management and security operation center Construction etc.
Network security management system - refers to a series of policies, procedures and measures formulated within the organization to ensure the effective management and monitoring of network security. It covers security policy development, risk management, security incident response and management reviews to protect an organization's network and information assets from threats and attacks. Commonly used cyber security management system reference standards are ISO 27001 and Leveled Protection 2.0.
Data security governance - involves the organization's full life cycle management of data, including data classification and classification, data security risk assessment, data security system construction, etc., to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and prevent data leakage and abuse. The "Data Security Law", Gartner's DSG framework, Microsoft's DGPC framework, GB/T 37988, and GB/T 41479 are commonly used data security governance methodologies.
Personal information protection - means that enterprises should follow relevant laws, regulations and privacy protection guidelines, conduct impact assessments on personal information and take protective measures to protect the security and rights of personal information and reduce potential security risks and legal risks. "Personal Information Protection Law", GB\T 35273, GB\T 39335, ISO 27701 are important reference materials when carrying out personal information protection.
Critical information infrastructure - involves the security protection of national critical information infrastructure to ensure its normal operation and resist various threats and attacks. The "Critical Information Infrastructure Security Protection Regulations" and GB/T 39204 are regulations and standards that guide the construction of critical information infrastructure security protection.
Xinchuang industry is an important guarantee for maintaining national security and the sustainable and healthy development of the digital economy. Enterprises should carry out localization transformation of Xinchuang in accordance with relevant policies and requirements, improve the research and development and application of core technologies and products with independent intellectual property rights, and enhance information Autonomous control capabilities of technology industries. Xinchuang Security focuses on the localization and safety of network security products themselves, as well as the scope of adaptation of Xinchuang Security products.
Domestic cryptography—refers to the use of cryptography technologies and products independently developed and produced by the country to ensure the security of information transmission and storage. "Secret evaluation" is a new requirement for the use of passwords added on the basis of equal protection evaluation.
Supply chain security - is to protect information and assets throughout the supply chain from threats and attacks, including measures such as supplier risk assessment, contract management, supplier security requirements, etc. The supply chain safety list includes a supply chain product list, a supply chain enterprise list, a supply chain product safety hazard list, a supply chain enterprise safety hazard list, and a supply chain safety hazard rectification and clearance list, which is the basis for supply chain safety construction.
Internet attack surface - refers to the various attacks and threats faced by an organization's Internet assets, including phishing, malware, denial of service, application vulnerabilities, data leaks, etc. Corresponding protection and corresponding measures need to be taken. The theoretical basis of Internet attack surface comes from Gartner's analysis report.
Security Operations Center - is a center responsible for network security monitoring, incident response and threat intelligence analysis. It monitors and analyzes network traffic and security events in real time to quickly identify and respond to potential security threats.
These network security requirements are formulated to protect the security of the organization's network and information assets, prevent various threats and attacks, and ensure the continued operation of the business and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. By establishing corresponding security policies, procedures and measures, organizations can effectively respond to various network security challenges, improve overall security protection capabilities, and obtain reliable network and information asset security protection.
(4) Create security requirements for informatization, digitization and intelligence
In order to ensure that the network security system is closely integrated with business needs, enterprises should establish a solid information, digital and intelligent base, use advanced information technology and intelligent technology to build a comprehensive, efficient and flexible infrastructure to provide network security The system provides all-round support and support to deal with increasingly complex threats and risks, and improve business security, efficiency and innovation capabilities.
Informatization, digitization, and intelligence are the prominent features of the new round of technological revolution and are also the core of the new generation of enterprise information technology; informatization is the foundation, and digitization is the inevitable product of informatization reaching a certain stage, and it will continue to develop toward intelligence in the future. . The three stages have different characteristics and security management requirements.
Information security - its core connotation is the information processing of traditional business, with structured business information systems, data warehouses, etc. as the main carriers. Risk management and control requirements include boundary protection security, application development security, system operation and maintenance security, and business continuity security. wait;
Digital security - This stage is to regard data as a strategic asset and use digital means to reconstruct enterprise development and operating models, using microservice business information systems, data pools, data lakes, middle platforms, etc. as the main carriers. Risk management and control requirements include cloud security , mobile Internet security, data security, situational awareness and early warning, Internet of Things security, industrial Internet security, digital business security, digital transformation risk control, etc.;
Intelligent security - This stage is based on computing power, with data as the core, allowing machines to assist people in decision-making, and using mobile, intelligent information systems, data seas, etc. as carriers. Risk management and control requirements include the security of the Internet of Everything and edge computing security. , blockchain security, digital currency security, artificial intelligence security, new digital ethics, etc.
(5) Building a network security system
On the basis of determining business security needs and network security needs, enterprises can build a complete network security system. The network security system includes several major components: governance system, management system, organizational system, institutional system, technical system and operational system.
01
governance system
The governance system is the core of the network security system. It involves establishing governance mechanisms and resource guarantees to ensure the effective operation of the network security system and the reasonable allocation of resources.
02
Management system
The management system involves the development and implementation of a series of management tools and methods to ensure the effective management and control of network security. Enterprises should establish corresponding security policies, procedures and processes to standardize the implementation and execution of various security measures.
03
organizational system
The organizational system involves the organizational structure and distribution of responsibilities for network security. Enterprises should establish a top-down cybersecurity organizational structure covering the four levels of decision-making, management, execution and supervision, clarify the responsibilities and authorities of the cybersecurity department and related positions, and ensure the effective implementation of cybersecurity work.
04
system
The institutional system involves the systems and policy provisions of network security. To ensure that network security requirements are effectively implemented, enterprises should designate or authorize specialized departments or personnel to be responsible for the formulation of security management systems. Establish an institutional framework that adapts to network security requirements and form a comprehensive security management system including security policies, management systems, operating procedures, record forms, etc. Regularly demonstrate and review the rationality and applicability of the safety management system, and revise the safety management system that has deficiencies or needs improvement.
05
Technology System
The technical system involves the selection, implementation and management of network security technologies and tools to ensure the security and reliability of the network. When establishing a technology system, enterprises should select appropriate technologies and tools based on specific needs and risk assessments, such as network security, terminal security, data security, cloud security, industrial control security, etc., and conduct appropriate configuration, implementation and management to provide Comprehensive network security protection. At the same time, the technical system is continuously monitored and updated to respond to new threats and vulnerabilities in a timely manner to ensure the continued effectiveness of network security.
06
Operation system
The operation system is an important part of network security management. Enterprises should provide comprehensive network security services and operation and maintenance management to ensure the security and stability of the network. Security services include the definition and management of security service catalogs, service orchestration, and service interfaces. Security operation and maintenance is an important part of ensuring network security, including analysis and identification, monitoring and early warning, security protection, active defense, detection and evaluation, incident handling, etc.
4. Difficulties and challenges in building a network security system
The construction of a network security system is a long-lasting process. During the construction process, enterprises will face some important difficulties and challenges, such as:
Compliance and legal requirements: The construction of network security systems needs to comply with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards. Enterprises need to understand and comply with these regulations to ensure the compliance of the network security system.
Resource investment and management: The construction of a network security system requires a large amount of resources, including technology, personnel and funds. Enterprises need to ensure reasonable resource investment and effectively manage these resources to support the continued operation of the network security system.
Rapidly changing threat environment: Cybersecurity threats are changing at a rapid pace, and attackers’ techniques and methods are constantly evolving. Therefore, the network security system needs to continuously adapt and respond to the changing threat environment.
Complex technical requirements: The construction of a network security system requires the comprehensive application of various technologies and tools, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption technologies, etc. The complexity of these technologies requires companies to have specialized technical personnel and a high degree of technical capabilities.
Corporate culture and awareness changes: Cybersecurity is a matter in which all employees participate, and it is necessary to establish security awareness and culture among all employees. However, changing corporate culture and habits is a complex process that requires time and careful management.
Faced with these challenges, companies should formulate appropriate strategies and plans, establish professional teams and partnerships, strengthen talent training and employee awareness education and training, and conduct regular evaluations and continuous improvements. Only through continuous efforts and innovation can we effectively deal with the difficulties and challenges of network security system construction, establish a solid network security system, protect corporate interests and customer trust, and promote sustainable business development and innovation.