Security policy 🟩 Document

A security policy is a strategic and operational document adopted by any organisation (company, association or government institution) that defines a set of rules, guidelines and procedures designed to protect information assets (data, systems, infrastructure, etc.) against all threats. These threats may be internal (human error, technical failures, internal malice) or external (cyber attacksintrusions, malicious software).

This document aims to clearly establish responsibilities, expected behaviour and the measures to be implemented to ensure effective protection. It includes defining rigorous access controls, setting up incident detection and management systems, and organising training and awareness campaigns for all users. The security policy is designed to evolve and must be regularly updated to respond to new threats and changes in the organisation.

🎯 Objectives

• Significantly reduce the risk of cyber security structuring protection efforts and anticipating threats.
• Protecting sensitive data and confidential of the organisation (personal dataThe company can thus protect its reputation and competitiveness.
• Ensuring business continuity minimising the potential impact of security incidents on operations.
• Strengthening the confidence of customers, partners and stakeholders demonstrating a serious commitment to safety.
• Comply with laws, regulations and standardsThis avoids legal and financial penalties.
• Providing a clear and coherent framework for all safety-related decisions and actions within the organisation.

🔑 Key elements of a security policy

• Objectives: clearly define the organisation's safety objectives. For example: preventing sensitive data leaks, ensuring the availability of critical services, maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Scope: explicitly specify the information assets, information systems, users (employees, partners, customers) and locations covered by the policy. Example: All the company's servers, laptops, mobile devices, customer data, head office and subsidiary premises.
• Responsibilities : clearly assign roles and responsibilities for safety at different levels of the organisation. Example: The IT department is responsible for the management of firewallsWhile each employee is responsible for the security of his or her password, the CIO is responsible for the overall supervision of security.
• Rules and procedures : establish clear and precise rules for the use of IT resources (acceptable use policy), robust password management procedures (complexity, renewal), data backup and restoration policies, guidelines for the use of e-mail and the Internet, etc. For example: ban on installing unauthorised software, obligation to use passwords of at least 12 characters, daily back-up of databases.
• Access control : define and implement mechanisms for controlling access to systems and data, based on the principle of least privilege. Example: multi-factor authentication, role-based access rights management, network segmentation.
• Incident management : establish clear and effective procedures to be followed in the event of a security incident (data breach, virus infection, etc.), including detection, notification, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery and feedback. Example: Incident reporting procedure, incident response team, communication plan in the event of a data breach.
• Compliance : ensure compliance not only with the regulations and laws in force (RGPDThe new law will also apply to sector-specific standards, good security practice (ISO 27001NIST), and potentially to partners' contractual requirements.
• Communication and Training : ensure that the security policy is properly communicated to all employees and users concerned, and that it is accompanied by regular training to ensure that it is understood and applied.

👉 Examples of security policies

• IT Charter
  This document sets out the rules for the use of IT resources and defines the behaviour expected of users, thereby helping to raise awareness and provide a framework for the day-to-day use of technology.
• Physical Security Policy
  It aims to protect premises and infrastructures against intrusion, theft or any other risk linked to unauthorised physical access, by specifying access control and surveillance systems.
• Network Security Policy
  This policy describes the technical and organisational measures put in place to secure data exchanges on internal and external networks (firewalls), VPNnetwork segmentation, etc.), guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of information in transit.
• The Access Management
  It defines the rules relating to the allocation, management and revision of access rights to information systems, based in particular on the principle of least privilege to limit the risks of unauthorised access.
• The Business Continuity Plan (PCA)
  Although it is an operational plan, the BCP is closely linked to security, as it sets out the measures to be implemented to ensure the continuation of essential activities in the event of a crisis or major incident.
• The Business Continuity Plan (PRA)
  This plan details the procedures for restoring systems and services after an incident, enabling the organisation to return to a normal state of operation as quickly as possible.
• La PSSI (Information Systems Security Policy)
  The ISSP is a strategic document that formalises the organisation's vision and security objectives for its entire information system. It defines the rules, responsibilities and measures to be put in place to protect IT assets, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and risk management.
• La IA Charter (Charter for the use of artificial intelligence)
  The AI Charter is a formal document that provides a framework for the use of artificial intelligence within the organisation. It sets out the ethical principles, good practice and guidelines for the responsible use of AI, to ensure that these technologies are deployed in a secure, transparent way that complies with current regulations.