ASD IRAP

An IRAP assessment is an independent assessment of the security controls implemented in a system. The assessment is conducted to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of the system’s security controls.

IRAP assessments are typically conducted by an independent third-party organization that specializes in security assessments. The assessment is conducted in accordance with the Information Security Manual (ISM), which is a set of security standards and guidelines issued by the Australian Government Information Security Committee (AGISC).

The purpose of an IRAP assessment is to provide assurance that the security controls implemented in a system are appropriate and effective. The assessment is conducted using a risk-based approach, which involves evaluating the system’s security controls against the security requirements of the system.

The assessment is conducted by an independent third-party assessor who is not affiliated with the system owner. The assessment process typically involves the assessor conducting interviews with key personnel, assessing the system’s security policies, procedures, and architecture, and conducting a vulnerability assessment. The assessor will also review the system’s security incidents and security logs.

The assessor will then produce a security assessment report, which is used by consumers to assess the system’s suitability for their security needs and risk appetite. The assessment report will include a summary of the assessment findings, including any areas of non-compliance with the ISM. The report will also provide recommendations for improving the system’s security controls if necessary. The report will also provide an overall assessment of the system’s security posture, which can be used by the system owner to make informed decisions about their system’s security.

In summary, an IRAP assessment is an independent assessment of the security controls implemented in a system. The assessment is conducted to provide assurance that the security controls implemented in the system are appropriate and effective. The assessment is conducted by an independent third-party assessor who is not affiliated with the system owner. The assessor will produce a security assessment report, which is used by consumers to assess the system’s suitability for their security needs and risk appetite.

An Information Security Risk Assessment Process (IRAP) is a structured approach to assessing the security of an organisation’s systems, networks, and data. It is an important tool for organisations to identify, evaluate, and mitigate security risks and ensure the security of their systems and data. The IRAP assessment process consists of four key stages.

1. Plan and Prepare

The first stage of the IRAP assessment process is to plan and prepare for the assessment. This involves identifying the scope of the assessment, the objectives of the assessment, and the resources required to complete the assessment. It is important to ensure that the scope of the assessment is clearly defined and that all resources required for the assessment are available.

2. Define the Scope of the Assessment

The second stage of the IRAP assessment process is to define the scope of the assessment. This involves identifying the systems, networks, and data that will be assessed and defining the security requirements for these systems, networks, and data. This stage also involves identifying the threats and vulnerabilities associated with the systems, networks, and data that will be assessed.

3. Assess the Security Controls

The third stage of the IRAP assessment process is to assess the security controls in place to protect the systems, networks, and data that are in scope. This involves assessing the effectiveness of the security controls and identifying any weaknesses or gaps in the security controls.

4. Produce the Security Assessment Report

The fourth and final stage of the IRAP assessment process is to produce the security assessment report. This report should include an assessment of the security controls in place, any weaknesses or gaps identified, and recommendations for improving the security of the systems, networks, and data.

In summary, the stages of an IRAP assessment are: plan and prepare, define the scope of the assessment, assess the security controls, and produce the security assessment report. By following these steps, organisations can ensure that their systems, networks, and data are secure and that any potential security risks are identified and mitigated.

Yes, Australian government entities are required to undertake security assessments themselves. This is due to the shared responsibility model, which states that while cloud service providers (CSPs) are responsible for the security of the cloud services they provide, the agency itself is responsible for the security of its own systems and data when using cloud services.

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has developed the Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) to provide assurance to government agencies that CSPs and their cloud services are suitable for handling government data. However, this assessment is only a starting point, and government agencies must still undertake their own security assessments.

Government agencies must assess the security of their own systems and data when using cloud services. This includes assessing the security controls of the CSP, such as authentication, access control, encryption, logging, and monitoring. It also includes assessing the security of the systems and data deployed to the cloud, such as the configuration of the systems, the security of the data, and the security of the network.

In addition to assessing the security of their own systems and data, government agencies must also assess the security of the CSP’s cloud services. This includes assessing the CSP’s security policies, procedures, and controls, as well as assessing the security of the cloud services themselves. This assessment should be performed on a regular basis to ensure that the CSP’s security controls remain up-to-date and effective.

The ASD has developed the Cloud Security Assessment Report Template (CSART) to help government agencies assess the security of CSPs and their cloud services. This template is used by an IRAP assessor to assess the security of a CSP’s cloud services and is then used by the agency to conduct a risk-based review to determine if the CSP and its cloud services are suitable for handling its data.

Government agencies are also able to conduct their own supplementary assessments when they want to use a CSP’s cloud services that have not been previously assessed. This removes the need to wait for full reassessments before agencies can adopt new cloud services.

In summary, Australian government entities are required to undertake security assessments themselves to ensure the security of their systems and data when using cloud services. The ASD’s IRAP and CSART provide a starting point for assessing the security of CSPs and their cloud services, but it is the responsibility of the government agency to assess the security of their own systems and data and to conduct supplementary assessments when necessary.

The Information Security Manual (ISM) of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) outlines four levels of data classification requirements: UNCLASSIFIED, PROTECTED, SECRET, and TOP SECRET. In addition to these, the ASD also provides four levels of Information Security Risk Assessment and Authorization (IRAP) assessment, which is used to determine the security controls needed to protect information assets.

The four levels of IRAP assessment are:

1. Basic: This is the most basic level of assessment, which is suitable for low-risk information assets. This level of assessment is typically used for assets with a low level of sensitivity and can be conducted without the need for a formal risk assessment.

2. Standard: This level of assessment is suitable for medium-risk information assets, such as those with a moderate level of sensitivity. It includes a more detailed risk assessment and the determination of appropriate security controls.

3. Enhanced: This level of assessment is suitable for high-risk information assets, such as those with a high level of sensitivity. It includes a comprehensive risk assessment and the determination of appropriate security controls.

4. Comprehensive: This is the highest level of assessment, which is suitable for very high-risk information assets, such as those with a very high level of sensitivity. It includes a comprehensive risk assessment and the determination of appropriate security controls.

In order to determine which level of assessment is appropriate for a given information asset, the ASD recommends the use of the Information Security Risk Assessment and Authorization (IRAP) framework. This framework is based on the ASD’s Risk Management Framework and requires the assessment of the risk associated with the information asset, the sensitivity of the information, and the impact of a security breach.

The IRAP assessment process includes the identification of threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts, as well as the determination of appropriate security controls. The security controls should be tailored to the specific needs of the information asset and should be based on the risk assessment. Once the appropriate security controls have been determined, the ASD recommends that the security controls be tested and monitored to ensure that they are effective at protecting the information asset. The ASD also recommends that the security controls be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.

In summary, the ASD provides four levels of Information Security Risk Assessment and Authorization (IRAP) assessment, which are used to determine the security controls needed to protect information assets. The four levels of assessment are Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Comprehensive, and they are based on the ASD’s Risk Management Framework. The security controls should be tailored to the specific needs of the information asset and should be tested and monitored to ensure that they are effective.