ICASAS207A
Protect and secure information assets

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to ensure information assets are protected from improper access and appropriate actions are taken to secure assets in the event that they are threatened.

Application

This unit applies to technical support personnel who are required to protect and secure equipment in a small or large office environment. Maintaining asset security and implementing preventive security measures are key components of any information and communications technology (ICT) environment.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify assets and threats

1.1 Identify types of information assets in the organisation

1.2 Identify mechanisms by which information assets are accessed, transmitted and stored

1.3 Establish nature of threats to information assets and determine effect that loss or damage may have to the organisation

2. Secure assets

2.1 Identify actions, mechanisms and strategies to protect information assets

2.2 Secure assets within scope of authority

2.3 Report issues to appropriate person and other issues where they are outside scope of authority

3. Mitigate or prevent damage to assets

3.1 Identify signs and evidence that information assets are threatened or undergoing loss or damage

3.2 Provide first-level response to reduce affects, mitigate damage and protect evidence

3.3 Report incident, effects and actions to appropriate person

Required Skills

Required skills

literacy and communication skills to:

present information

report incidents where assets are threatened

problem-solving skills to:

anticipate and respond to threats to information assets

solve known problems in routine procedures

technical skills to:

install and activate system filtering and security settings

operate a computer and software application

protect and secure information assets

provide first-level response.

Required knowledge

information assets and key sources of information assets

types of security options available to secure assets

assets supported by the organisation

general ICT hardware

organisation’s security procedures.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to:

conduct an audit of information assets, the potential threats and effect on the organisation

identify threats to assets and take appropriate action to overcome them

communicate and discuss details of security threats and issues relating to information assets.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

sites with computer hardware and office environments representing a range of workplaces

a range of appropriate software systems

organisational information assets

technical records, documentation and enterprise procedures

appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified 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:

direct observation of candidate conducting an audit of information assets

review of audit records prepared

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of nature of threats and effectof threats

review of reports, including examples of different threats and associated actions.

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.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Information assets may include:

equipment

files

forms

online or printed data and information

passkeys or passwords

procedures

programs or information channels

reports.

Organisation may include:

departments

entities outside the business

government

individuals inside and outside the business

the whole business.

Affect may include:

confidentiality

financial

personal

privacy issues

reputation.

Loss or damage may include:

alteration

damage or destruction

deletion

misuse

theft

unauthorised publication.

Secure may include:

appropriate modification of procedures or processes

changing of passwords or work habits

physical exclusion or control

protective software installation or operation.

Appropriate person may include:

business owner or authorised business representative

client

government

peers

police as appropriate

supervisor.

First-level response may include:

changing passwords

excluding people from access

locking doors

locking down the workplace

logging off

powering down systems

updating software protection.


Sectors

Systems administration and support


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.