Policy Overview

Summarize the policy in 5-7 sentences and state its purpose for management. This is typically an explanation of why the policy exists. Do not be too technical.

Scope

This is where you define who or what the policy applies to, from all employees to only cashiers that handle cash in the front office. If it applies to equipment, it could be all equipment, all servers, all network connected equipment, or just company issued cell phones. Be specific.

Policy

This is where the policy is actually defined. Do not be too specific, leave that to the procedures and controls that support the policy.

For example, a password policy might state that users cannot share passwords, passwords must be complex, help desk personnel never request passwords, and passwords must rotate periodically. The details of good password construction can be then put in a guideline document, instructions for the help desk on resetting passwords can be a procedure, and that Group Policy is used to force password changes every 60 days is a technical control. None of that should be in the policy, but it all needs to be properly documented and communicated to the people that need it - the guidelines to all staff, the help desk procedure to help desk staff, and the technical controls to the domain admins.

If you are in doubt remember that good policy statements talk about what the policy is trying to accomplish, and are addressed to a wide audience. Procedures and controls talk about how it is to be accomplished and are addressed to the staff that must carry it out.

Compliance Measurement

Typically, this section includes the job title of the person responsible for overseeing its implementation or the department if multiple people are responsible, a reference to audit mechanisms, and the consequences for failure to abide by policy.

Definitions, Related Standards, and Policies

This section usually contains definitions of technical or ambiguous terms, cross-references to applicable regulations, and other policies that relate to this policy. Examples include union contracts, discipline policies, and implementation guidelines. In our password policy example, this where readers would be told to consult the password construction guideline document.

Policy Exceptions

If there any circumstances that might allow temporary exception to the policy, such as during an emergency, define them here. If there is anyone with the authority to temporarily waive the policy, they should be identified by job title. This section is often omitted since many policies do not allow any exceptions.

How can the Policy(s) be Improved

List your recommendations

Policy Recommendations for Security Management Maintenance Model

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