Secure Software Development, Access Control, and System Maintenance Policy

1. Overview

This policy will outline several security policies that need to be created to ensure confidentiality integrity and availability of the High-Class Healthcare systems and data. This policy is an Enterprise Information Security Policy (EISP) outlining what should be included in the developed policies. This policy will help set the direction, scope, and tone for access control, software development, and system maintenance.

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline what needs to be included in each of these defined policies. This policy aims to protect sensitive data ensure the integrity and availability of software systems and comply with applicable privacy regulations and industry best practices.

1.2 Scope

The scope of this policy will include access controls, software development, and system maintenance.

2. Policy

This policy will be reviewed once a year to ensure it remains current. At the time of review changes or updates may be implemented and a change log will be created and updated for any new changes to this policy. These policies will be tailored to the unique characteristics of High-Class Healthcare environment specific to their systems and technologies. They will ensure regulations such as HIPAA and PHI are followed. EISP will align with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices. It will be supported by related policies and processes, including but not limited to data privacy, incident response, and risk management.

Training will be provided to all employees, contractors, vendors, and volunteers ensuring full understanding and compliance is maintained.

2.1 Access Control

Access Control measures will be implemented to safeguard physical and logical access to the hospital’s systems, data, and resources according to HIPAA 164.308(a)(4) standard. This includes, but is not limited to, the following factors.

1. User authentication and authorization processes

2. Assignment of access rights based on the principle of least privilege.

3. Regular review and revocation of access privileges

4. Physical security controls, such as badge systems and surveillance, and entry.

5. Logging and monitoring of employee access of systems and devices.

6. Periodic reviews of authorized access removing any authorization creep.

7. What information is encryption or hashed and how it is stored.

Access controls are a set of rules that allow a specific group or individual authorized access to a set of actions on a particular set of resources. Access control measures must be added to control access to both physical and logical mechanisms to ensure integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and systems owned and operated by the hospital system.

Controlling access to the hospital system can use a combination of Mandatory Access Controls (MAC) that are based on a need-to-know authorization. The hospital system can also use Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC) that helps to enforce MAC controls. Identity management implementation will help in securing and defining usernames, passwords, and the use of biometrics.

2.2 Software Development

Software development policy activities will adhere to secure coding practices and industry-accepted standards. Factors within the scope of software development security policies will include:

1. Secure software development life cycle (SDLC) practices using NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)

2. Regular code reviews and vulnerability assessments will be conducted.

3. Implementation of secure coding guidelines and frameworks.

4. Testing and quality assurance procedures to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

5. Regular updates and patch maintenance

6. Logging of any changes, deletions, or updates to software

7. Regular security training and awareness exercises HIPAA 164.308(a)(5)

For software provided by outside sources, the Service Level Agreement (SLA) should be created to ensure proper security safeguards are in place. The SLA should include security requirements and expectations. There needs to be regular software updates and patching. Logs must be created and maintained to show what has been changed.

Software development security is important in ensuring vendor software and applications are secure and follow High Class HealthCare’s mission statement to ensure safety confidentiality for all patients, employees, individuals, and groups that use their systems. Pentesting must be defined and used to test for known and unknown vulnerabilities of the software.

2.3 System Maintenance

System maintenance activities will be conducted to ensure the ongoing security and optimal performance of High-Class Healthcare’s systems. This will include:

1. Regular patch management and updates for operating systems and software

2. Monitoring and logging of system activities including repairs, replacements, or modifications. HIPAA 164.310(a)(2)(iv)

3. Incident response and vulnerability management processes

4. System backups and disaster recovery planning

5. Backup of system data in regular intervals.

6. Disaster recovery will be developed and tested to minimize downtime and ensure quick recovery of hardware, software, and data.

System maintenance policy will cover both physical and logical aspects of High-Class HealthCare’s network and systems.

3. Policy Compliance

All employees, contractors, vendors, and volunteers must comply with this Operational Management Security Policy, Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, services, or contracts.

If any violation of this policy is seen it must be reported to either the IT security department or to the department manager of your assigned department for further investigation or escalation.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities are assigned to current positions within High Class Healthcare.

Roles	Responsibility
CEO	Oversee and authorize final approval of any changes made to this policy. Provide leadership and guidance to team members and other stakeholders. Ensure the development, implementation, and maintenance of the policy.
CIO	Oversees the implementation and maintenance of the policies. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations and standards. Review and update policy every year
Network Administrator	Manages the hospital network infrastructure and enforces access controls
IT Administrator	Oversees software development processes, including secure coding practices and adherence to software development guidelines
Help Desk Supervisor	Provides support and guidance to users, ensuring adherence to access control and security procedures
All employees, contractors, vendors, and volunteers	Will comply with all procedures and complete yearly training on policies and procedures.

5. Related Standards, Policies, and Processes

OWASP Top 10

NIST SP800-218 SSDF Secure Software Development Framework Version 1.1

NIST SP800-37

NIST.IR.7874

6. Definitions and Terms

CEO – Chief Executive Officer

CIO – Chief Information Officer

C-I-A – Confidential, Integrity, and availability. Refers to ensuring sensitive information is safe, secure, and available to authorized entities only.

7. Revision History

Version	Revision Date	Summary of Changes	Approval
1.0	05/20/2023	Creation of new policy	Mark Moneybags, CEO

8. Resources

Forsbak, Ø. (2021, November 29). 10 Best Practices for Software Development Security. Orient

Software. https://www.orientsoftware.com/blog/software-development-security/

OWASP Top 10:2021. (n.d.). https://owasp.org/Top10/