Maintaining high cybersecurity and data protection standards is a necessary in the corporate world. Forbes reported that 43% of all data breaches are targeted toward small to medium-sized businesses. This is why it’s important to have a robust information security policy.
Business owners need to ensure they are taking the required precautions to reduce any IT security risks they may be exposed to, so their organization continues to thrive.
One of the best ways business owners can achieve IT management, protection, and the prevention of unauthorized access is by creating and implementing a strong information security policy. By creating a robust information security policy, you can reduce the risk of sensitive data losses and, in turn, optimize your business processes.
Let’s take a look at the required elements of an information security policy and how you can remediate information security policy vulnerabilities.
An information security policy is a list of documented rules and regulations that govern the management and protection of a business’s information technology. This set of guidelines focuses on addressing potential threats to digital information and the overall IT infrastructure of your business. An information security policy also outlines potential strategies to reduce these IT threats, so data security is enhanced.
Aside from defining threats and outlining strategies to mitigate them, an information security policy provides guidance for maintaining regulatory requirements — whether this is on a corporate or government level.
A Brief Information Security Policy Template
There are some general elements that are used across most information security policies; however, each policy should be unique. It is essential for each policy to take the individual aspects of the organization in question into consideration. The industry, region of operation, and managerial paradigm of a business will all influence the various elements included in the information security policy.
The directives that make up an information security policy are variable, but there are some general components that must be included.
These components include:
- The roles and restrictions of information security
- Methods to reduce security risks
- Management points to the confidentiality and availability of personal data
- The goals and responsibilities of information security
- Security mechanisms that must be implemented
- Clear statements of security policies to third and fourth parties
- Penalties for violating security policy regulations
- Addressing regulatory compliance
Since information security policies require the understanding of technical and legal matters, it is inadvisable for business owners to try and create one on their own. It is always a good idea to turn to professionals for help.
A managed service provider who specializes in offering professional IT services can assist you in creating a policy that is personalized and catered to the individual needs of your organization.
Information Security Policy Examples
The information security policy template for a small business will differ for each organization based on their personal needs. However, there is a basic structure that can be followed when putting this document together.
Here is a general sample of an information security policy template:
- Purpose and goals
- Scope and timeline
- Information security authority and access control
- Information assets and security objectives
- Regulatory compliance details
- Security requirements and procedures (including everything from antivirus management and acceptable usage policies to wireless and guest user access policies)
- Penalties for violation and enforcement
- Training
- Contact information
Generally, the lengthiest part of the policy will be point 6, the security procedures, as this category serves the main purpose of the document. The security requirements and procedures section will include policies regarding:
- Data classification, retention, support, and usage
- Protection of emails
- Incident response and digital forensics
- Threat protection
- Usage Restrictions
- Network security
- Credential protocols
- Systems updates and virus detection
All of these points have to be discussed in detail, and the best way to do this is with the help of an IT professional. A professional IT MSP can help you manage your security controls and security awareness by creating and updating your information security policy according to modern-day best practices.
Information Security Policy Vulnerabilities
An information security policy reduces security incidents and improves the stability of a business. If the proper elements are not considered when creating this integral policy, your business may end up losing sensitive information due to disorganization and compromised computer systems.
For instance, if your information security policy does not take the industry regulatory expectations and your region of operation into consideration, then your organization is at risk of violating the law. Your organizational model also has to be considered to ensure the correct and personalized security protocols are documented within your policy.
Internal Policy Measures to Remediate Information Security Vulnerabilities
According to a report by Kaspersky, small businesses lost over $212,000 in a year due to cybersecurity attacks that compromised business data. To make matters worse, cybersecurity breaches are only getting worse and increasing exponentially, daily. A Check Point Research report reveals that there are 50% more business-targeted cyberattacks per week than there were just two years ago.
The best way to mitigate risk and prevent any vulnerabilities in your information security policy is by having a professional look over your documentation and make changes according to the current IT standard.
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Another way to reduce vulnerabilities in your information security policy is to remember that it is a living document and that it needs to be reviewed regularly and updated based on any changes to organizational processes and industry or regional regulations. Again, this is best left to a professional who understands your industry’s best practices and is an expert in IT as well.
By taking such measures you prioritize your IT security and reduce the risk of losing productivity and business reputation. In the long run, a robust information security policy can enhance your business performance and increase your revenue over time through the generation of a smoother UX and happier users or clients.
Need Help With Your Information Security Policy? Contact Attentus Technologies — A Trusted Partner in Information Security Policy Creation and Maintenance
A strong information security policy provides your business with direction on what to do in the event of a security breach and also helps protect your intellectual property. You can enhance your information security policy by getting in touch with Attentus Technologies today.
At Attentus technologies we offer MSP services to help you with all your IT needs, and we are skilled in information security policy creation and maintenance. Whether you need help with data, processes, software, or even hardware our skilled technicians can help.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our customizable and personalized services and how they can help improve your organization’s digital security.