Unit of competency details

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This Unit first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0

Element 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Review organisational security policy and procedures

1.1 Review business environment to identify existing requirements 

1.2 Determine organisational goals for legal and security requirements

1.3 Verify security needs in a policy document

1.4 Determine legislative impact on business domain

1.5 Gather and document objective evidence on current security threats 

1.6 Identify options for using internal and external expertise

1.7 Establish and document a standard methodology for performing security tests

2. Develop security plan

2.1 Investigate theoretical attacks and threats on the business

2.2 Evaluate risks and threats associated with the investigation

2.3 Prioritise assessment results and write security policy 

2.4 Document information related to attacks, threats, risks and controls in a security plan 

2.5 Review the security strategy  with security-approved key stakeholders 

2.6 Integrate approved changes into business plan and ensure compliance with statutory requirements

3. Design controls to be incorporated into system

3.1 Implement controls in a procedurally organised manner to ensure minimum risk of security breach in line with organisational guidelines 

3.2 Monitor each phase of the implementation to determine the impact on the business

3.3 Take corrective action on system implementation breakdown

3.4 Record implementation process

3.5 Evaluate corrective actions for risk

3.6 Plan risk assessment  review process

3.7 Take action to ensure confidentiality throughout all phases of design

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the ability to:

• confirm sufficient knowledge of security products and organisational security policy
• establish realistic ground rules for security product procedures
• design security controls for a system
• incorporate these into a security strategy.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure access to:

• IT security assurance specifications
• probability, frequency and severity of direct and indirect harm, loss or misuse of the IT system
• risk analysis tools and methodologies
• risks to the mission or business resulting from IT-related risks
• security environment, which also includes the threats to security that are, or are held to be, present in the environment
• security environment relating to laws and legislation, existing organisational security policies and organisational expertise
• appropriate learning and assessment support when required
• modified equipment for people with special needs.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of:

• layered security
• risk management
• security issues
• statutory requirements

• review of documented security, including:

• policy
• plan
• strategy.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.

Requirements  may relate to:

• application
• business
• network
• people in the organisation
• system.

Security threats  may include:

• by-pass actions
• data tampering and manipulation
• eavesdropping
• impersonation
• keyboard logging
• local applications or local area network (LAN) connections
• penetration
• weaknesses in internet networks.

Security policy  may relate to:

• audits and alerts
• privacy
• standards, including:

• archival
• backup
• network

• theft
• viruses.

Security plan  may include:

• logical controls
• physical controls
• social controls.

Security strategy: 

• may include:

• authentication
• authorisation and integrity
• privacy

• usually forms part of the overall objectives of the organisation.

Stakeholders  may include:

• development team
• project team
• sponsor
• user.

Organisational guidelines  may include:

• communication methods
• content of emails
• dispute resolution
• document procedures
• downloading information and accessing particular websites
• financial control mechanisms
• opening mail with attachments
• personal use of emails and internet access
• templates
• virus risk.

Risk assessment  may include:

• developing risk plans
• developing scenarios
• evaluating threats
• following up
• gathering information
• identifying counter measures
• identifying threats
• ranking risk
• reporting.