Book excerpt: Best practices for protecting critical data and systems Information Assurance Handbook: Effective Computer Security and Risk Management Strategies discusses the tools and techniques required to prevent, detect, contain, correct, and recover from security breaches and other information assurance failures. This practical resource explains how to integrate information assurance into your enterprise planning in a non-technical manner. It leads you through building an IT strategy and offers an organizational approach to identifying, implementing, and controlling information assurance initiatives for small businesses and global enterprises alike. Common threats and vulnerabilities are described and applicable controls based on risk profiles are provided. Practical information assurance application examples are presented for select industries, including healthcare, retail, and industrial control systems. Chapter-ending critical thinking exercises reinforce the material covered. An extensive list of scholarly works and international government standards is also provided in this detailed guide. Comprehensive coverage includes: Basic information assurance principles and concepts Information assurance management system Current practices, regulations, and plans Impact of organizational structure Asset management Risk management and mitigation Human resource assurance Advantages of certification, accreditation, and assurance Information assurance in system development and acquisition Physical and environmental security controls Information assurance awareness, training, and education Access control Information security monitoring tools and methods Information assurance measurements and metrics Incident handling and computer forensics Business continuity management Backup and restoration Cloud computing and outsourcing strategies Information assurance big data concerns