Cybersecurity Services for the Public Sector

Within the public sector, information security and data protection are crucial. Organizations in this sector manage large amounts of privacy-sensitive and fraud-sensitive data. These data need to be well-protected from a confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) perspective.

To protect public data is not an easy task. The attack surface is wide. Hackers might attack public information systems from various angles, with all kinds of objectives. Cybercriminals force victims to pay ransom or use data to blackmail people. Others may want to simply expose confidential data to the public. Also nation states are active: to influence elections or to frustrate the society in another country or continent. There are many serious threats that public organizations need to defend themselves against.

Secura has the knowledge and experience to tackle these challenges together with you. We conduct investigations into the backbone of Dutch government IT and help to keep the Netherlands cyber-safe.

HOW TO SECURE THE PUBLIC SECTOR?

PEOPLE

Security is a matter of People, Process and Technology. Recent large cases of phishing and social engineering are proof that even established organizations are still vulnerable to a weak human factor. Organizations with Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in charge of security, must face the reality that the human factor needs continuous attention. Employees have access to important data, exchange important files, and they might even have the knowledge and be aware of security aspects. However, to get them to behave accordingly requires a comprehensive security awareness & behavioral program.

PROCESS

From a process perspective, an Information Security Management System (ISMS) is required by regulation. Most of these are based on processes and controls as defined in ISO 27001. The Dutch government uses the ‘Baseline Informatiebeveiliging Overheid’ (BIO), schools and universities rely on SURF guidelines and Dutch healthcare providers use NEN 7510 as a baseline for information security. It is important to have these systems in place and act accordingly. Especially when it comes to dealing with sensitive public data, annual assurance assessments are required for DigiD / ENSIA / Suwinet / VIPP / NVZ / NEN 7510. As well as up-to-date privacy/GDPR/DPIA agreements.

TECHNOLOGY

When it comes to technology, public organizations use a wide variety of systems and technologies. Ranging from old legacy systems, applications and infrastructure to software hosted by a cloud service provider and mobile apps, each of these can contain undiscovered vulnerabilities that require to be (pen)tested. Our Red Team thoroughly assesses security in both information technology and operational technology (to manage buildings, bridges and traffic) environments. Even with SIEM/SOCs in place, these systems can’t be blindly trusted. For public welfare, it is important that these systems are continually tested and monitored.