Describe the role of security governance committees and their responsibilities.

Security governance committees play a pivotal role in ensuring that an organization's security policies, procedures, and practices align with its business objectives while effectively mitigating risks. These committees typically consist of key stakeholders from various departments within the organization, such as executive leadership, IT, legal, compliance, risk management, and sometimes representatives from external partners or stakeholders.

1. Setting Security Objectives and Strategy: The committee is responsible for defining the organization's security objectives based on its risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and business goals. They develop a comprehensive security strategy that outlines how these objectives will be achieved.
2. Policy Development and Review: Security governance committees oversee the development, review, and approval of security policies, standards, and guidelines. These documents provide the framework for implementing security controls and best practices throughout the organization.
3. Risk Management: They assess and prioritize security risks to the organization's assets, including data, systems, and infrastructure. The committee establishes risk tolerance levels and ensures that appropriate measures are in place to manage and mitigate identified risks.
4. Compliance Oversight: Security governance committees ensure that the organization remains compliant with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards pertaining to information security. They monitor changes in the regulatory landscape and update security policies and practices accordingly.
5. Resource Allocation: The committee allocates resources, including budget, personnel, and technology, to support the implementation of security initiatives and projects. They prioritize investments based on the organization's risk profile and strategic objectives.
6. Incident Response Planning: Security governance committees develop and maintain incident response plans to effectively respond to security incidents and breaches. They define roles and responsibilities, establish communication protocols, and conduct regular drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of the response plan.
7. Performance Monitoring and Reporting: They oversee the monitoring of security controls and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the organization's security program. The committee receives regular reports on security performance and compliance status and takes corrective actions as needed.
8. Education and Awareness: Security governance committees promote security awareness and education initiatives across the organization to ensure that employees understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding information assets. They may organize training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns to promote a security-conscious culture.