What are the steps to designing an IT security policy?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you begin drafting an IT security policy, it's important to understand your current IT environment, risks, and requirements. To do this, you should conduct a comprehensive IT security assessment that covers information assets, threats and vulnerabilities, legal and regulatory obligations, and business goals and priorities. When it comes to information assets, consider the types and locations of data, systems, and devices; their value and sensitivity; who owns them; and who accesses them. Additionally, assess the potential sources and impacts of cyberattacks on your information assets, as well as the weaknesses and gaps in existing IT security controls. Don't forget to examine relevant laws and standards that apply to your industry and location; they will affect your IT security compliance and reporting. Finally, consider the strategic and operational objectives of your organization in relation to IT security performance and resilience.

2 Define your IT security objectives

Your IT security assessment can help you define SMART objectives that reflect your desired outcomes and expectations. For example, you could aim to reduce the number of IT security incidents by 50% within 12 months, achieve ISO 27001 certification by the end of the year, or implement multi-factor authentication for all remote access by the next quarter. All of these objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

3 Develop your IT security policy framework

Your IT security policy framework is the structure and format of your IT security policy document, which should include the scope, principles, roles and responsibilities, and policies. The scope should define the purpose, scope, and applicability of the policy, specifying what information assets are covered, who is responsible for implementing and enforcing it, and how it relates to other policies and standards. The principles should reflect your organization's culture, vision, and mission. Roles and responsibilities should clarify who is accountable, responsible, consulted, and informed for each IT security function and activity. Lastly, policies should address key IT security domains such as access control, data protection, incident management, and awareness and training. By having a well-defined framework in place, you can ensure that your IT security policy is comprehensive and effective.

4 Write your IT security policy document

Your IT security policy document should be clear, concise, and consistent. When writing it, use simple and plain language to avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that may be confusing. Include examples, diagrams, and tables to illustrate your points. Use active and imperative voice with verbs such as "do", "don't", "must", and "should". Avoid passive and conditional voice, such as "may", "might", and "could". Structure the document into sections, subsections, and paragraphs that follow a logical and hierarchical order. Utilize headings, subheadings, and bullet points to highlight main points and details. Ensure a consistent and professional style with a font, size, color, and format that matches your organization's branding. Use a standard template or format for the document.

5 Review and approve your IT security policy document

Before your IT security policy document is complete, you must review and approve it. This can be done by validating it against your IT security objectives, assessment, and framework. Additionally, use tools and checklists to verify its accuracy, completeness, relevance, and up-to-date status. To ensure that the document is comprehensive, solicit feedback from stakeholders such as IT security team members, business units, and senior management. Surveys, interviews, and workshops are useful for collecting and analyzing their feedback. Based on the validation and feedback, revise the document as necessary. Finally, obtain the formal endorsement from an authorized person or body to approve the document. Signatures, stamps, or seals should be used to confirm and document this approval.