Seminar stresses need for raising
awareness of information security
MUSCAT — The Muscat chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control
Association (ISACA) has organised an information security seminar at Al Falaj
Hotel.
This seminar was attended by IT managers, IT administrators, IS auditors and
security consultants in Oman.
Ashok Sardiwal, the CEO of Imtac LLC, was the chief guest who presided over
the seminar and emphasised the relevant significance of information security
awareness in the corporate world in Oman. He hinted that information security
covered everything from basic physical security to securing the data and IT
applications on the IT systems, which are enablers for the successful
business. He applauded the dedicated voluntary services of board members of
ISACA, Muscat chapter under the sponsorship of College of Banking and
Financial Study (CBFS) in organising seminars by bringing latest topics for
the knowledge of IT managers, security specialists and IS auditors in the
corporate and government sectors in Oman.
Aravind Ananthasuri, lead consultant (security and audit) of Satyam Computer
Services Limited, Hyderabad in India, spoke on IT security frameworks. In the
course of the seminar, Aravind elaborated the contents of various models,
standards and frameworks currently practised worldwide namely BS7799, COBIT,
ITIL and CMMI and provided a comparative insight on which model is to be used
in various types of organisations and how to improve the security posture of
the organisation.
Tariq Hilal Al Barwani, an Omani IT expert and regular writer of articles on
IT under the column ‘Tariq Online’ in the Times of Oman, spoke on Internet
security. Tariq explained the potential Internet threats and the related
security measures to combat and protect the computer systems from those
threats, risks and vulnerabilities.
Tariq reiterated strongly the importance of updating the systems with the
latest security patches and antivirus definitions and making use of relevant
tools to protect from Spyware, Adware and Malware programs while surfing the
Internet.
Tariq also provided valuable tips and steps to use in these situations. The
attendees gave their high rating in the feedback form for these presentations
and its quality with the appreciation of the useful contributions of the
speakers to the IT community in Oman.
An introduction to CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) certification
of ISACA was presented by Ramamoorthy, the chapter’s CISM coordinator in Oman,
indicating the prerequisites and job practice contents for CISM exam, and the
details about the study classes being organised by the ISACA Muscat chapter.