Why your business needs a security policy

A security policy is a formal set of rules that defines how your organisation protects its information assets and systems. It outlines the necessary actions to prevent unauthorised access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction of data and infrastructure.

If your business handles sensitive data - such as customer information, financial records, intellectual property, or confidential communications - a security policy is essential.

Why a Security Policy Matters

A security policy helps manage security risks and incidents in a consistent, structured manner. It clearly sets expectations for employees, customers, and partners, establishing accountability and trust. In regulated industries, a formal policy is often mandatory to demonstrate compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

A well-defined, regularly updated policy signals that your organisation is prepared to handle the potential impact of a data breach or cyber incident. It also helps build credibility and demonstrates that you take security seriously.

However, developing a strong policy isn’t a one-off task, it must evolve alongside your business and the threat landscape.

How to Get Started

Define Objectives and Scope
Clarify the goals of your security policy: what assets and systems it covers, who is affected, and how the policy supports your broader business strategy and values.

Conduct a Risk Assessment
Identify the key threats and vulnerabilities facing your organisation. Where are the gaps? What risks are most severe? This assessment helps define the right controls and priorities.

Set Security Requirements
Use the insights from your risk assessment to define specific rules, standards, and minimum expectations. These should apply to staff, partners, contractors, and any other third parties with access to your systems.

Communicate Clearly
Use plain, accessible language to explain the policy. Avoid jargon. Many staff members won’t be security experts. Everyone needs to understand and accept their responsibilities.

Implement and Enforce
Define clear steps for compliance. Provide training, tools, and ongoing support. Establish processes for reporting incidents, conducting audits, and updating the policy.

Evaluate and Improve
Regularly assess how well your policy is working. Gather feedback, track effectiveness, and adjust as needed to reflect changes in your business or the threat environment.

Key Areas to Cover in Your Policy

Your security policy should address multiple aspects of information security. Core areas include:

Password Management
Require strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Access Control
Follow least privilege or zero-trust principles. Give users only the access they need.

Data Encryption
Encrypt data both at rest and in transit using current best practices.

Employee Training
Educate staff on password hygiene, phishing, and incident response.

Third-Party Access
Ensure vendors and partners follow the same security standards as your internal team.

Network Security
Implement and maintain firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and VPNs for secure remote access.

Mobile Device Management
Apply security controls to work devices - such as strong passcodes, remote wipe capabilities, and device encryption.

A comprehensive, realistic, and regularly maintained policy fosters a culture of awareness and helps the entire organisation remain resilient against evolving threats.

How BMIT Can Help

BMIT provides a number of related services to help businesses with audits and compliance if they don't have the necessary expertise or resources. Want to create a robust security policy that protects your business? Contact us today to get started.