Take it Word for Word

The Policies and standards

In the cybersecurity world, policies and standards are meant to be strictly followed and their implementation is regularly reviewed to make sure that all the associated controls are existing and functional! This high level of scrutiny by multiple regulators and auditors is done to ensure that the institution keeps at all time a very high level of security.

The institution has them to:

-          Review and clearly understand the policies and standards in other to avoid any discrepancy.

-          Translate the policy and standards into practical & effective controls

-          Implement the controls

-          Constantly review and optimize the controls in order to improve the security posture.

In our lives, we also have to do the same. We do not need to define the policies and standards because it has already been done by our God in His Word – the Bible! The key point to pay attention to is to take the Bible word for word and avoid any personal or earthly interpretation just as we do with our cybersecurity policies and standards.

Take the Bible Word for Word

The Bible is God’s Word. All what is written in it is true and cannot be changed. All the events that are found in the Bible took place as stated. All the promises and guidance are all genuine. If we can implement the cybersecurity policies and standards without any change, we should likewise implement the controls deriving from the Bible without making any changes to what is written!

Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV): "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you." This verse clearly states to avoid making any changes to the Lord’s Word. This is command from God that we all have to respect in our daily lives.

Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV): "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar." This verse is another clear illustration of God’s prescription of non-alteration of His Word. Also, it gives us a warning of what will happen if we endeavor to change His Word.

God is the Auditor

If you are in the cybersecurity world, you will be familiar with the details that are put in preparing for an audit, be it internal of external. You review all the policy and standards, you make sure that the corresponding controls are in place and effectively cover the prescriptions of the policy and standards and finally, you make sure that you can demonstrate the effectiveness of all the controls.

Well, the same applies in our lives with the auditor being God. We all need to give our full attention in passing God’s audit. We need to review the Bible, make sure that we practice all the prescribed laws and guidance. One advantage we have with God is that He gives us the outcome of failing to respect His prescriptions. He goes further to illustrate what may happen to us with events that took place in the past and warns us that the same may happen to us if we fail to respect His Word as a person or as a nation! Let us respect our Supreme auditor, our ultimate judge!

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV) reminds us that God reviews all our actions: "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." This reminds us that God reviews all our actions.

Jesus highlights accountability even for spoken words in Matthew 12:36 (ESV): "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak." This tells us how important it is to make sure we fully respect the Word of our ultimate Judge.

Call for action

In your life, make sure you are working with the correct and only set of policy and standard: The Word of God – The Bible. Read the Bible and put into practice all it’s prescriptions and remember that God wants the best for you: Romans 8:28 (ESV): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

God bless you! 

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