40 Top Cybersecurity Policies Needed By Business Today

Drafting an effective policy, especially cybersecurity policies, for any organization can be nerve-wracking and expensive. It doesn't get any better if your knowledge on the same is shaky.

IT has become such an integral part of operations that we can't separate it from the business aspect of any organization. And so, most of the business policies you formulate have to consider cybersecurity.

Today, Holden Watne, an IT services professional in Los Angeles gives you an insight into the most common cybersecurity policies needed by any modern-day enterprise.

Proactive IT Security Policies

1. Policy On Password Management: Even with the emergence of high-tech security tools, you must agree with me that password-protection is here to stay. For most organizations, passcodes are the first line of defense. Therefore, it's only wise that you have the policy to ensure that your passwords are effective. It should consider aspects such as complexity, expiration, and responsiveness of your passwords to emerging threats.
2. Digital Signature Acceptance Policy: Defines circumstances that allow digital signatures to be used for identity confirmation in electronic documents. Just like when using 'wet' signatures, this policy identifies conditions for acceptability and how to determine genuineness.
3. Policy On User Privileges: Given the criticality of the company's data, you must have control over who accesses them. This policy stipulates who has the privileges to access various parts of your networks. What can they do with the data in your systems, and how can you authenticate this. It is here that you determine who has administrative privileges.
4. Employee Internet Use Monitoring and Filtering Policy: This policy sets forth the requirements for systems that you have deployed to oversee and control online interactions from any host within the organization's network.
5. Dial-In Access Policy: Sets forth the provisions for Dial-in/remote access to the organization's computing resources.
6. Policy on VPN Usage: Using VPN to access company resources enhances security, but it also has its unique threats. This policy speaks to the enforcement of security regulations when using VPN access. It also seeks to ensure the available resources are used equitably.
7. Bluetooth Baseline Requirements Policy: Highlights the minimum baseline standard for connecting Bluetooth enabled devices to the company network or organization-owned gadgets. This serves to safeguard private company data and PII (Personally Identifiable Information).
8. Policy On Identity Theft Protection: It highlights red flags to be on the lookout for, how to avert identity theft, and fast-response protocols if your users suspect that they've been duped.
9. End-User Encryption Key Protection Plan: Besides safeguarding your networks, you also have the moral responsibility to secure the customers interacting with your systems. You need this policy to define the standards for safeguarding encryption keys used by your end-users.
10. Policy On Information Security: As a business administrator, everybody (including your staff) trusts you with their data. You need to have a policy on the safe use of your systems to who has access to which information and what they can do with it. Besides, the information security policy forms the basis for data protection regulations.
11. Risk Assessment Policy: Gives the Information Security team to conduct risk assessment procedures at convenience. It also defines what should be considered during the audit.
12. Policy On Mobile Device Security: Many businesses are now adopting a mobile workforce. Whether your staff is using personal or company-given gadgets, the fact is you are facing higher risks. This policy guides you on protecting these mobile devices so that they aren't used as back doors to your network.
13. Policy On Remote Access: This policy defines procedures and regulations for soliciting, receiving, using, and canceling remote access to company data, systems, and networks.
14. Mobile Employee Endpoint Responsibility Policy: Highlights your staff’s responsibilities to secure devices that they use remotely to connect to your networks.
15. Database Credentials Policy: Defines the protocols for safe storage and retrieval of passwords and usernames for all programs running in your network.
16. Policy On Perimeter Security: Most cybersecurity threats are external. That's why it's essential to have a policy on how you're going to protect your systems’ perimeter from foreign interference.
17. Policy On Antivirus Guidelines: It dictates the measures that will be used to safeguard your computers from viruses. How often will the antivirus software be updated?
18. Policy On Security Awareness And Training: Any security program or policy is only as good as your users identify with and adhere to it. This policy dictates how you will train your users on cybersecurity and the metrics to determine their awareness levels.
19. Analog or ISDN Line Security Policy: This policy clarifies the appropriate use of analog and ISDN lines and their approval.
20. Policy On Accepted Encryption: Highlights the provisions around which encryption algorithms are considered appropriate and accepted for use within the organization.
21. DMZ Lab Security Policy: Defines the security regulations for the networks and tools deployed in labs found on the DMZ (“Demilitarized Zone”) to ensure minimum or no risks at all.
22. Extranet Policy: Outsource institutions seeking access to the company's systems must sign a third-party connection contract. The extranet policy addresses the contents of the agreement and its ramifications.

Emergency response and Security Disaster Recovery Policies

1. Policy On Incident Response: Whether instigated by cyber attackers or not, unauthorized access to organizations' networks is a serious threat. You need to develop a rapid-response plan of action to evaluate and then recover from the scare of any illegal access. Based on this policy, you look at all possible scenarios and establish individualized fast-response protocols.
2. Policy On Resource and Data Recovery: Every member of your staff must be knowledgeable in data recovery processes — whether due to accidental deletions, compromisations, or inaccessibility. This policy stipulates strategies for retrieving any misplaced information from the company's equipment, resources, or services.
3. Clean Desk Policy: Defines the minimum conditions for sustaining a “clean desk” — especially where crucial data about your employees or end-users, and intellectual property is concerned. How will they remain secure and out of sight?

IT Software Security Management Policies

1. Patch Management Policy: Strategic patching is essential to ensure that your systems are up-to-date and secure. However, an unsystematic patch can only result in unplanned network downtime, disgruntled users, and heightened cybersecurity risks. This policy provides approaches for the proper management of patches.
2. Development Lifecycle Policy: Software development is a sophisticated procedure that comprises a sequel of steps called the development lifecycle. The policy sets forth security measures that must be observed at each stage of this process.
3. Planned Network Downtime Policy: As you conduct various security upgrades, or introduce new features, there is bound to be downtime. You need the policy to guide you through communicating this to your users. When should they be informed, and through which channels? Are there any cybersecurity concerns they need to know about?
4. Virtualization Policy: This policy determines the obligations of both end-users, your IT team, and the virtualization platform vendor in safeguarding your data. It also defines responsibilities in compliance with existing regulations.
5. Internet and Email Usage Policy: This policy regulates the use of the internet and internet-supported communication platforms such as email. It also looks into proprietary group messaging platforms like Slack and social networking services like Twitter and Facebook. Which security threats do they bring to your users, and how are you ready to handle those risks?
6. Automatically Forwarded Email Copy Policy: Dictates the provision that no email will be automatically broadcasted to an external entity without preliminary authorization from the relevant administrator.
7. Email Retention Policy: Comprises the protocols to enable your staff to determine the information sent by email that should be retained, and for how long.
8. Machine Automation Policy Guidelines: Several corporations have adopted machine automation to enhance security and simplify operations. However, coming with the windfalls is the crucial necessity to enforce policies to safeguard its proper and secure use.

IT Infrastructure Security Management Policies

1. IT Hardware Procurement Policy: The organization's hardware procurement policy looks into the equipment’s security features before purchase. Which additional security measures does it require you to put in place?
2. Bring Your Device (BYOD) Policy: Defines the security protocols your staff must follow when using personal gadgets to access your networks.
3. Policy On Home Usage Of Company-owned Equipment/Internet DMZ Equipment Policy: The proliferation of the mobile workforce has seen many employees carrying company gadgets to their homes. When these appliances are off the radar of the company's internet firewalls, they're said to be in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Just as you safeguard your in-office equipment, you must have the policy to protect these devices in home environments.
4. Acceptable Use Policy: Your staff interacts with IT almost at every stage of their work. The policy mainly guides your employees on the safe use of enterprise equipment in relation to company guidelines.

It is also critical to have policies for tracking existing and decommissioned infrastructure, such as:

1. IT Hardware Inventory Policy: This policy defines procedures your institution follows in tracing, processing, and decommissioning all of its IT equipment.
2. Asset Control Policy: It focuses explicitly on active electronic gadgets to ensure they are functioning well and have optimum security.
3. Hardware Decommissioning Policy: Even decommissioned gadgets still harbor your data or may be connected to your networks. The step-by-step guides in this policy direct your staff through a safe decommissioning process. This ensures that the equipment and the company data they contain don't end up in the wrong hands.

Regardless of your industry, you will always need responsive cybersecurity policies. They help you make informed and strategic decisions. The best policies address your current situation and any probable incidences in the near future.