Survey of Information Security Management System in the Central Library of the Universities in Tehran

The main objective of this study is to investigate information security management system, including physical and communications security, information access control, incident security management and operational continuity management, as implemented at the central libraries of Tehran's state universities.
Analytical survey method was applied for this study. The statistical population included all the 25 central library administrators of state universities in Tehran who were in charge in 2012. Self-made questionnaires were used in this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, one sample T test, and Chi-square test. To compare components of information security management as to see how much they are being observed, Friedman test was used.
FINDINGS: The results show the above-mentioned factors are being exercised at the central libraries of the state universities in Tehran. In case the administrators, staff and library users follow the guidelines related to information security to be exercised partially at the libraries.
The results show that the guidelines are followed to a great extent at the central library of the state universities. Of course, for physical security reasons, personal belongings of the users should be delivered to the library. There should be supplied security appliances for doorways, closed circuit camera systems, etc. To ensure communication security, updated information systems should be used at the librariesWeb based systems could be used as well. To ensure access control security, level of access by different users to the library materials should be precisely determined. Appropriate security facilities to prevent fires, to handle power failures or control damages by earthquakes, floods, etc. should be supplied, and security measures should be taken. In order to manage operational continuity, library processes should be examined at regular and irregular intervals.