1. Data Protection & Classification Policy
- Classify data into levels (e.g., public, internal, confidential, highly confidential).
- Implement access controls based on data sensitivity.
- Require encryption for confidential and highly confidential data.
- Define data retention and disposal procedures.
2. Access Control & Least Privilege Policy
- Follow the principle of least privilege (PoLP)—only provide employees access to the data they need.
- Use role-based access control (RBAC) to manage permissions.
- Require strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access to sensitive data.
- Regularly review and update user access rights.
3. Incident Response & Data Breach Policy
- Establish a clear Incident Response Plan (IRP) with roles and responsibilities.
- Define steps for identifying, containing, eradicating, and recovering from a breach.
- Require mandatory reporting of security incidents within a set timeframe.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory breach notification laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA).
4. Employee Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Policy
- Conduct regular cybersecurity training for all employees.
- Include phishing simulations to educate employees on common attack methods.
- Establish a culture of security awareness by encouraging employees to report suspicious activity.
- Require annual security policy acknowledgment and testing.
5. Third-Party Vendor Security Policy
- Assess third-party vendors’ security posture before granting them access to company systems.
- Require vendors to adhere to company security policies and comply with data protection laws.
- Include data protection clauses in vendor contracts (e.g., data processing agreements).
- Limit vendor access to only necessary data and services.
6. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) & Remote Work Security Policy
- Require company-approved security software on personal devices used for work.
- Mandate VPN usage when accessing corporate networks remotely.
- Prohibit storage of confidential company data on unsecured personal devices.
- Implement remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices.
7. Encryption & Secure Communication Policy
- Enforce end-to-end encryption for emails, cloud storage, and sensitive data transfers.
- Use secure file-sharing platforms instead of email attachments.
- Prohibit public Wi-Fi usage for accessing confidential data without a VPN.
- Mandate secure password managers for storing credentials.
8. Password & Authentication Policy
- Require strong passwords (e.g., at least 12+ characters, mix of letters, numbers, and symbols).
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all critical accounts.
- Enforce password expiration and rotation policies.
- Ban password reuse across multiple accounts.
9. Data Retention & Secure Disposal Policy
- Define retention periods for different types of data (e.g., HR records, financial data).
- Regularly review and delete unnecessary data to minimize breach risk.
- Use secure deletion methods (e.g., data shredding, secure wipe tools).
- Require physical destruction of hard drives when decommissioning hardware.
10. Physical Security & Workspace Clean Desk Policy
- Restrict physical access to data centers and sensitive workspaces.
- Implement visitor access logs and escort requirements.
- Require employees to lock their computers when stepping away.
- Prohibit writing passwords on sticky notes or storing sensitive documents openly.