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Prevent Security Incidents with Information Security Policies

How does your bank, financial institution, or other regulated organization handle information? Is it secure? How do you know? An information security policy documents a set of guidelines, rules, and procedures to ensure that all private information is kept confidential. This governs the management of information security risks and provides direction to your employees and other stakeholders so you can avoid security incidents that may damage or destroy your business.

If You Handle Personal Information, You Need an IT Security Policy

Many institutions are subject to compliance regulations that require them to keep an information security policy on file—and show documentation that it’s been implemented and is being followed.

However, every organization that handles sensitive information needs an information security policy—period. If your employees don’t know how to handle PHI (Protected Health Information) or PII (Personally Identifiable Information) safely, you’re opening your bank or financial institution up to the possibility of a security incident. The answer is an information security policy crafted specifically for you.

What would a security incident mean for your business? Fines, legal trouble, and reputational damage, for starters. Let’s do our best to avoid that with an information security policy designed especially for your organization, with guidelines for every member of your staff to follow. Book a consultation today.

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The Framework You Already Know

The implementation of security policies is typically based on a specific security framework.

The ones we most commonly adhere to at ImageQuest are NIST CSF, HIPAA, and CMMC.

NIST develops comprehensive standards and guidelines for various areas, including cybersecurity.

After Your Security Policy is in Place…

Drafting a security policy is not enough. You must also be able to show how its guidance is being implemented in everyday procedures.

For instance, if you say you have a specific password policy, your systems need to employ that policy. You need to be able to demonstrate how your employees are educated on the security policy’s elements and how its regulations are enforced.

How are you monitoring employees’ behaviors? And what sanctions are put into effect if procedures are not followed? When has that happened, and what were the events that led up to it and that resolved it?

To be SOC-certified, you must have the policy. But more than that, you need to prove the implementation, education, enforcement, and auditing of your security policy’s components. In short, if you have a security policy, you must adhere to every part of it.

But don’t worry—you’re not alone. When ImageQuest is your security partner, we’ll guide you through checking every box. Let’s start the discussion today.

What Are Some Items That Might Be Included in Information Security Policies?

The contents of your security policy will be heavily dependent upon your specific organization’s industry and compliance requirements. Any of these may have a place in your policy:

  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
  • Sanction Policy
  • Secure Awareness Training
  • Clean Desk Policy
  • Technology Equipment Disposal Policy
  • Mobile and Portable Device Management
  • Data Classification Policy
  • Least Privilege Policy
  • Wireless Communication Policy
  • Password Guidelines Policy
  • Access Control Management Policy

Those are just some examples. What other policies will your organization require? Schedule a consultation with ImageQuest to find out.