Which of the following is a common method for assessing security policies?

Security audits serve as a comprehensive method for assessing security policies within an organization. They involve a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of security measures, compliance with established policies, and adherence to relevant laws and regulations. During a security audit, various aspects, including technological controls, physical security measures, and personnel practices, are examined to determine if the security policies in place are sufficient and appropriately implemented.

This process typically includes reviewing documentation, interviewing personnel, examining physical locations, and testing security controls. The findings from these audits can reveal gaps between established policies and actual practices, helping organizations improve their security posture by identifying weaknesses and areas requiring enhancement.

While information gathering, benchmarking, and cost-benefit analysis can contribute to the overall understanding of an organization's security environment, they do not provide the comprehensive and systematic evaluation that security audits do. Information gathering focuses on collecting data that may not evaluate the efficacy of policies; benchmarking compares practices against industry standards or peers without assessing internal compliance; and cost-benefit analysis looks at financial implications rather than specific policy effectiveness. Therefore, security audits stand out as the most appropriate method for assessing security policies.