Victorian Protective Data Security Standards V2 Summary

The Victorian Protective Data Security Standards (VPDSS) describe how the Victorian Government aims to protect public sector information and form part of the Victorian Protective Data Security Framework (VPDSF), a scheme for managing data security risks in Victoria’s public sector. V2.0 of the standards were issued in July 2016 in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).

The VPDSS reflect national and international approaches to security such as ISO, ISM and the Essential Eight but are tailored to the Victorian government environment. The VPDSS provides a set of criteria to enable efficient, effective, and economic investment in security measures through a risk-managed approach.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE VPDSS

Within the VPDSS, there are 12 high-level data security standards for Victorian public-sector organisations. Each of these requirements is supported by security measures (or risk-based practices) to aid public sector organisations in assessing their security controls against new and evolving threats. Ultimately, the VPDSS aims to help organisations with the following:

• Managing public sector information throughout its lifecycle from creation to deletion
• Securing public sector information across key areas, including governance, information, personnel, Information Communications Technology (ICT) and physical.
• Managing security risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of public sector information.
• Governing external parties with access to public sector information.
• Distributing public sector information with other organisations with confidence.
• Minimising the risk and frequency of security incidents.

WHAT THE STANDARDS COVER                        

The VPDSS cover the management of public sector information across the following five key areas:

1. Governance - including investing in security management, making use of a risk-based approach, enforcing security policies and procedures, training public sector employees, implementing business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and managing external parties.
2. Information Security - protecting information across the whole information lifecycle from the moment that information is created to when it’s disposed of or destroyed.
3. Personnel Security - managing the people accessing public sector information and ensuring their continued eligibility and suitability.
4. ICT Security - implementing security communications and technology systems to process and store public sector information.
5. Physical Security - securing the physical environment, including facilities, equipment, and services, to ensure information is protected at all times.

WHAT THE STANDARDS ACHIEVE

The Standards support a security governance approach that encourages organisations to identify and manage their risks relevant to its size, resources, and risk posture. While the VPDSS reflects national and international approaches to security, they are tailored to the specific needs of the Victorian government environment. The leads to better decision-making, supports business objectives, and facilitates effective information sharing while protecting sensitive information. In this way, the standards deliver greater:

• Awareness of the policy and operational responsibilities of the Victoria government
• Respect for the role that public sector organisations have in delivering key services
• Focus on the security of public selector information
• Adherence of contracted service providers to the standards

HOW TO IMPLEMENT AND ADHERE TO THE VPDSS

The VPDSS applies to public sector agencies, bodies involved with public administration as well as service providers and third parties. Section 84 of the PDP Act defines all organisations that the VPDSS are relevant to.

If you would like advice on risk management or how to effectively implement and adhere to VPDSS V2.0, reach out to the experts at Infotrust today.

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