Developing and maintaining an effective information security policy is critical to any ISO 27001 compliance program. For startups, small businesses, SaaS companies, and fully remote organisations, having clear policies and procedures around information security is especially important.
In this post, I’ll explore the key steps to develop an information security policy that aligns with ISO 27001:2022 requirements and positions your organisation for certification success.
What is an Information Security Policy?
An information security policy is a high-level document that outlines your organisation’s approach to protecting sensitive information. It is the foundation for your overall information security management system (ISMS).
Some key things your policy should address:
- ✏️ Your organisation’s information security objectives
- 🔐 Applicable laws, regulations, and contractual requirements
- 🗝️ Roles and responsibilities for information security
- 📑 Guidelines for managing assets, access controls, and more
In essence, the policy formally states your commitment to preserving the following:
- 🤐 Confidentiality – Protecting sensitive information from unauthorised access
- ✅ Integrity – Safeguarding accuracy and completeness of data
- ⏱️ Availability – Ensuring information is accessible when needed
And it guides achieving those objectives.
Why You Need One for ISO 27001
Clause 5.2 of ISO 27001:2022 specifically mandates that you establish an information security policy endorsed by management. So, having a comprehensive policy is an essential first step for certification.
Beyond just meeting a requirement, though, the policy development process allows you to assess risks and establish a framework to address them thoroughly. This builds a strong foundation for the rest of your compliance program.
Steps to Develop Your Information Security Policy
Ready to get started creating or updating your information security policy? Here are the key steps:
📝 1. Draft an Outline
Begin by creating an outline highlighting the sections you want to cover in the policy.
Typical topics include:
- 🎯 Purpose and objectives
- 📋 Scope
- ⚖️ Legal/regulatory compliance
- 🔐 Access controls
- 📱 Acceptable use of assets
- 📝 Document controls
- 💻 Cybersecurity
- 🛡️ Breach response
- 👮 Roles and responsibilities
- 📈 Policy maintenance
This gives you a framework to build upon.
💬 2. Seek Input
Next, elicit suggestions from key stakeholders in your organisation:
- 👩💼 Leadership – Ensure alignment with business goals
- 💻 IT team – Get their technical perspective
- 👨🏫 Employees – Understand their needs and concerns
Doing so promotes buy-in and gets valuable insights to refine the policy.
✍️ 3. Draft the Full Policy
With your outline in place, it’s time to start writing!
Aim for clear, concise language that provides practical direction. Avoid overly complex verbiage.
Helpful tips:
- Keep sentences and paragraphs short
- Use bullet points and numbered lists
- Define any technical terminology
- Use consistent formatting
🕵️♀️ 4. Conduct Risk Assessment
Once you have a draft policy, analyse it against key risk areas to identify any gaps.
Some risks to evaluate include:
- 📲 Mobile and remote working
- 🌐 External network connections
- 🖥️ Data center vulnerabilities
- 🗄️ Information asset management
- 💬 Personnel security
Then, refine the policy to address any deficiencies found.
📝 5. Finalise Documentation
Double-check your work and make any final edits needed.
Be sure to include version numbers and dates so it’s apparent when updates occur.
📨 6. Communicate and Train
For the policy to be effective, all relevant parties need to be aware of it. So:
- 📧 Email the policy to employees
- 🗓️ Review it during new hire onboarding
- 📚 Incorporate it into information security training
🕰️ 7. Review Periodically
Treat your information security policy as a living document requiring periodic updates.
Aim to do a formal review annually at a minimum. But also revisit it when:
- 🆕 There are new regulatory or contractual obligations
- ⚠️ New risks emerge
- 💡 Processes can be improved
This ensures the policy evolves along with your business.
Key Takeaways
Developing an effective information security policy is critical for ISO 27001 compliance. Following the steps outlined, you can create a policy tailored to your unique risk environment and business needs.
The key takeaways are:
✔️ Use ISO 27001 requirements as a baseline
✔️ Involve stakeholders early on
✔️ Align with overall business strategy
✔️ Conduct ongoing reviews and updates
✔️ Train employees on requirements
So what are you waiting for? Get started today on creating or updating your information security policy! Doing so will provide the foundation for building a robust ISMS aligned with ISO 27001.