When implementing security policies, organizations should focus on policies that are relevant to their specific needs. The key policies will vary depending on the organization, but some common priorities include access, network, endpoint, and password policies. However, these priorities may not be as important for organizations with unique needs, such as a small virtual office of five stock brokers using Google Workspace. In this case, it may be more important to focus on policies for data security, data backup, and remote access, in order to comply with SEC and FINRA requirements. It's important to select the policies that best fit your needs.
Here are 10 of the most commonly needed issue-specific policies:
1. Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
This policy outlines the acceptable use of IT systems and services for end users within the organization. It covers the use of computers, networks, data, the internet, and email. The policy also identifies related policies, such as the security awareness training policy and the executive and administrative access policy.
2. Access policy
This policy outlines how an organization should classify, enforce, and manage access, authentication, and accounting of users across various system and data classifications. It covers the following topics.
Classification: This policy defines how different types of systems and data should be classified, based on their sensitivity and importance.
Enforcement: This policy describes how access to different systems and data should be enforced, based on the user's role and need-to-know.
Management: This policy describes how access, authentication, and accounting should be managed across the organization, including how to revoke access when it is no longer needed.
3. Application security policy
This policy outlines how an organization should secure the development of code and the connections to other corporate resources. It covers the following topics.
Code development: This policy defines how code should be developed and managed to ensure security. This includes requirements for code reviews, unit testing, and penetration testing.
Connections to corporate resources: This policy defines how connections to other corporate resources, such as databases and APIs, should be secured. This includes requirements for authentication, authorization, and encryption.
4. Cloud security policy
This policy outlines how an organization should secure access, data, networks, and applications on cloud-based resources. It covers the following topics.
Access control: This policy defines how access to cloud-based resources should be controlled, based on the user's role and need-to-know.
Data security: This policy defines how data stored in the cloud should be protected, including requirements for encryption and access control.
Network security: This policy defines how cloud-based networks should be secured, including requirements for firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Application security: This policy defines how cloud-based applications should be secured, including requirements for code reviews and vulnerability remediation.
5. Data management policy
This policy outlines how an organization should retain, manage, and secure different classifications of data. It covers the following topics.
Data classification: This policy defines how different types of data should be classified, based on their sensitivity and importance.
Data retention: This policy defines how long different types of data should be retained, based on their legal and regulatory requirements.
Data management: This policy defines how different types of data should be managed, including how it should be stored, accessed, and disposed of.
Data security: This policy defines how different types of data should be protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or destruction.
6. Disaster recovery plan
This policy outlines how an organization should recover its business operations in the event of an emergency. It covers the following topics.
Business impact analysis: This process identifies the organization's critical business functions and the resources that support them.
Recovery plan: This document describes how the organization will recover its critical business functions in the event of an emergency.
Test and exercise plan: This document describes how the organization will test and exercise its recovery plan.
7. Endpoint security policy
This policy outlines how an organization should secure user-accessed endpoints, such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. It covers the following topics.
Access control: This policy defines how access to user-accessed endpoints should be controlled, based on the user's role and need-to-know.
Data security: This policy defines how data stored on user-accessed endpoints should be protected, including requirements for encryption and access control.
Application security: This policy defines how applications running on user-accessed endpoints should be secured, including requirements for code reviews and vulnerability remediation.
8. Incident response policy
This policy outlines how an organization should detect, identify, validate, track, mitigate, remediate, and manage potential security incidents. It covers the following topics.
Detection: This process identifies potential security incidents by monitoring for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized login attempts or data exfiltration.
Identification: This process confirms that a potential security incident is actually happening.
Validation: This process determines the scope of the security incident and the impact on the organization.
Tracking: This process monitors the security incident to see how it is developing.
Mitigation: This process takes steps to minimize the impact of the security incident.
Remediation: This process takes steps to fix the security vulnerability that caused the security incident.
Management: This process ensures that the security incident is properly documented and communicated to the appropriate stakeholders.
9. Network security policy
This policy outlines how an organization should secure access, data flows, and monitor connections between users and data. It covers the following topics.
Access control: This policy defines how access to data and systems should be controlled, based on the user's role and need-to-know.
Data flow security: This policy defines how data should be protected as it flows through the organization's systems and networks.
Connection monitoring: This policy defines how connections between users and data should be monitored for suspicious activity.
10. Vulnerability management policy
This policy outlines how an organization should locate, validate, prioritize, mitigate, and track vulnerabilities. It covers the following topics.
Vulnerability identification: This process identifies vulnerabilities in the organization's systems and software.
Vulnerability validation: This process confirms that a vulnerability is actually present and that it is exploitable.
Vulnerability prioritization: This process prioritizes vulnerabilities based on their severity and impact.
Vulnerability mitigation: This process takes steps to fix vulnerabilities, such as patching software or applying security controls.
Vulnerability tracking: This process tracks the status of vulnerabilities to ensure that they are properly mitigated.
Here are some reasons why readers should contact Webcheck Security today to discuss their needs:
Webcheck Security is a leading provider of cybersecurity services. They have a team of experienced security experts who can help organizations of all sizes to protect their data and systems from cyber threats.
Webcheck Security offers a wide range of cybersecurity services. They can help organizations with everything from vulnerability assessment and penetration testing to incident response and disaster recovery.
Webcheck Security is committed to providing personalized service. They will work with each organization to understand their specific needs and develop a customized cybersecurity solution.
Webcheck Security is affordable. They offer a variety of pricing options to fit any budget.