Information assurance INAS
(unchanged)
Protecting against and managing risks related to the use, storage and transmission of data and information systems.
SFIA 9 is in development
- SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024.
- The content of this skill may change before publication.
Moving to SFIA 9
- a level 2 definition has been added to support entry-level roles
- An addition to the guidance notes - 'assessing the effectiveness of cryptographic controls'
- SFIA 8 skill descriptions will remain available for you to use
- Previous SFIA assessments are not impacted by this change
Guidance notes
(modified)
Activities include, but are not limited to:
- management of risk in a pragmatic and cost-effective manner to ensure stakeholder confidence
- formal system certification and accreditation
- assessing the effectiveness of cryptographic controls
- technical assessment and evaluation to determine control effectiveness.
Information and data are typically protected by following five principles:
- availability - ensuring authorised users can easily access the information they need
- integrity - protecting information from unauthorised modification, retrieval or deletion
- authenticity - validating the identity of users and devices
- confidentiality - restricting access to authorised users only
- non-repudiation - preventing possible denial that an action occurred by ensuring data is true to its origin.
Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill
Where lower levels are not defined...
- Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
- Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.
Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill
The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.
Where lower levels are not defined...
You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:
- Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
- Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
- Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
- You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.
Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.
Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Levels of responsibility for this skill
Level 1
Information assurance: Level 2
(new)
Assists with information assurance activities under routine supervision.
Helps perform basic risk assessments and supports the implementation of information assurance measures.
Assists in maintaining records and documentation related to information assurance.
Information assurance: Level 3
(modified)
Follows standard approaches for the technical assessment of information systems against information assurance policies and business objectives.
Makes routine accreditation decisions. Recognises decisions that are beyond their scope and responsibility level and escalates according.
Reviews and performs risk assessments and risk treatment plans. Identifies typical risk indicators and explains prevention measures.
Maintains integrity of records to support and justify decisions.
Information assurance: Level 4
(unchanged)
Performs technical assessments and/or accreditation of complex or higher-risk information systems.
Identifies risk mitigation measures required in addition to the standard organisation or domain measures.
Establishes the requirement for accreditation evidence from delivery partners and communicates accreditation requirements to stakeholders.
Contributes to planning and organisation of information assurance and accreditation activities. Contributes to development of and implementation of information assurance processes.
Information assurance: Level 5
(modified)
Interprets information assurance and security policies and applies these to manage risks.
Provides advice and guidance to ensure adoption of and adherence to information assurance architectures, strategies, policies, standards and guidelines.
Plans, organises and conducts information assurance and accreditation of complex domains areas, cross-functional areas and across the supply chain.
Contributes to the development of policies, standards and guidelines.
Information assurance: Level 6
(modified)
Develops information assurance policy, standards and guidelines.
Contributes to the development of organisational strategies that address the evolving business risk and information control requirements.
Drives adoption of and adherence to policies and standards. Ensures architectural principles are followed, requirements are defined and rigorous security testing is applied. Ensures accreditation processes support and enable organisational objectives.
Monitors environmental and market trends and assesses any impact on organisational strategies, benefits and risks.
Information assurance: Level 7
(unchanged)
Directs the creation and review of an enterprise information assurance strategy to support the strategic requirements of the business.
Ensures compliance between business strategies and information assurance by setting strategies, policies, standards and practices.
Leads the provision of information assurance expertise, advice and guidance across all of the organisation's information and information systems.