Free Cyber Security Policy Template & Factors To Consider

Introduction

What Is a Cyber Security Policy?

Why a Cyber Security Policy is More Important Than Ever

What Is Typically Included When Creating a Cyber Security Policy?

1. Risk assessment

The first factor that organisations commonly consider in cyber security policies is risk assessment. This process typically involves evaluating the organisation’s security posture. Understanding each aspect of this process could be relevant when an organisation is developing its cyber security policy.

Conducting a security risk assessment

Organisations often review their susceptibility to various cyber security threats through systematic assessment. This evaluation typically considers internal and external risks. Three widely recognised risk assessment frameworks/approaches include:

ISO/IEC 27001:2022: Part of the ISO 27000 family of standards.
NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF): Developed by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, this framework helps organisations assess their cyber security posture and resilience against cyber threats.
FAIR (Factor Analysis of Information Risk): This is a quantitative risk assessment methodology that helps organisations understand, analyse, and quantify information risk in financial terms.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between them:

	Origin	Approach	Primary Focus	Best Suited For
NCSC CAF	UK National Cyber Security Centre	Qualitative assessment	Cyber resilience and organisational maturity	UK organisations, government sectors, comprehensive cyber resilience
ISO 27001	International Organization for Standardization	Management system standard	Information Security Management System (ISMS)	Organisations seeking formal certification and systematic security management
FAIR	Factor Analysis of Information Risk consortium	Quantitative analysis	Financial impact of cyber risks	Organisations needing financial risk quantification, board reporting

Asset identification

A common component of risk assessment involves identifying assets that need protection. Assets typically include physical devices like computers and servers, as well as software, data, and intellectual property.

Data classification could be relevant, since not all data carries the same level of importance. Organisations often classify data based on the potential impact that could be experienced if the data is lost or compromised. Many organisations also use tools to label documents and emails according to their sensitivity.

Asset mapping

Asset mapping typically details where each asset is located, both physically and in the network, access permissions, and current protection measures. This could be relevant for understanding potential vulnerabilities and information flow within organisations.

Download our Asset Register template.

Identifying the threat landscape

This commonly involves staying informed about current cyber security trends and threat intelligence. Different industries may face varying types of threats, so organisations often tailor this analysis to their specific context.

Download our Threat Intelligence Policy template.

AI-driven attacks, supply chain compromises, and ransomware-as-a-service are among the top threats – this could be reflected in a cyber security policy.

Risk prioritisation

After identifying risks, organisations typically prioritise them based on potential impact and the likelihood of occurrence. This approach could help to focus cyber security efforts and resources on critical areas.

Different frameworks approach risk prioritisation in various ways. For example, ISO 27001 promotes risk assessment methodologies considering both impact and likelihood, while FAIR quantifies risks in financial terms.

These examples show how an organisation could categorise risks to allocate appropriate resources and attention to the most critical security concerns.

High priority risk: Ransomware attacks on critical business systems

A high likelihood of this occurring, due to the current threat landscape.
Severe impact, including potential operational shutdown, data loss, and/or significant financial costs.

Medium priority risk: Phishing attacks targeting employees

A moderate likelihood due to ongoing social engineering attempts.
Moderate impact, potentially leading to unauthorised system access.

Low priority risk: Physical theft of employee laptops

A lower likelihood in secure office environments.
Limited impact as long as devices have proper encryption and remote wipe capabilities.

Read about the latest cyber security trends that could affect your organisation.

Attack surface considerations

An organisation’s attack surface is any point where unauthorised users could attempt to enter data environments or extract data. Minimising attack surfaces typically involves measures such as securing endpoints, ensuring proper firewall configurations, and limiting user access to essential apps and data.

Consider your computer or network like a house: minimising the attack surface could mean securing as many entry points as possible. This might involve keeping devices and software updated, running properly configured firewalls, using antivirus or endpoint protection on devices, and implementing appropriate access permissions.

These approaches could potentially reduce the number of ways an attacker might attempt to breach systems.

2. Considerations for information security goals

Following risk assessment, organisations commonly consider how findings could inform security objectives. This typically involves factors such as information security maturity levels, organisational risk appetite, and realistic expectations.

This process could be compared to planning a journey: organisations might assess their current “vehicle” condition (security maturity), determine acceptable route conditions (risk appetite), and identify realistic improvements they could maintain (achievable goals).

These components commonly influence cyber security strategy development.

Examples of goals organisations might consider include:

Strengthening network security
Improving data protection
Improving incident response
Maintaining regulatory compliance

3. Technology evaluation factors

A common factor in cyber security policies involves evaluating an organisation’s existing technology infrastructure. This could help them understand current security effectiveness.

Existing technology inventory

Organisations might typically compile lists of hardware and software in use. For each technology solution, assessment commonly covers security features and update status.

Download our Back-Up Policy template.

Resource assessment

Evaluation might include whether adequate resources exist, both personnel and budget, for effective platform management and maintenance. Assessment could cover IT staff training and expertise levels for technology management.

Redundant technology

Redundant tools with similar functions could create complexity, increase costs, and potentially create security risks. Organisations might consider consolidating tools and platforms to reduce complexity.

Data flow mapping

Organisations commonly map how data flows through systems – how data enters, gets processed, stored, and leaves networks. This mapping could help identify potential vulnerability points where data might be susceptible to interception or leakage.

4. Security policy review considerations

Policy review commonly involves examining existing organisational security policies. This factor could be relevant for ensuring policies remain current and effectively implemented.

Organisations might explore information security frameworks and control libraries such as:

NCSC recommends aligning with certifications such as Cyber Essentials.

Current policy assessment

Organisations typically compile lists of current security policies and evaluate each policy’s relevance to current technologies and threats, identifying potential gaps.

Organisations without existing policies might consider fundamental areas such as acceptable use, password requirements, data handling, and incident reporting procedures.

They could evaluate gaps by comparing policies against recognised frameworks, reviewing recent incidents, or assessing new technologies not covered by existing policies.

As an example, a company might have network security policies but lack mobile device guidelines. They might consider adding a Mobile Device Management policy covering device registration, security applications, and data separation requirements.

Policy enforcement evaluation

Investigation commonly covers how policies are implemented, including systems and procedures for compliance assurance. Assessment might include employee awareness levels and review of past security incidents or compliance issues.

Businesses might use approaches such as employee surveys, spot checks of actual practices, system log reviews, incident report analysis, and simulated testing scenarios to understand whether policies are actively followed in practice.

5. Planning factors for risk management

Risk management planning commonly involves outlining approaches to address identified risks and support established security objectives. Plans typically aim to be clear, actionable, and aligned with operational requirements.

Common planning factors include:

Risk assessment summary

Organisations typically refer back to risk assessments and update risk profiles with environmental changes. A risk profile is a summary document that outlines an organisation’s identified risks, their likelihood and potential impact, and current risk levels.

It typically includes prioritised lists of threats, vulnerabilities, and the organisation’s overall risk tolerance levels across different business areas.

Download our Threat Intelligence Policy template.

Risk management objectives

This might include alignment with security goals, and with clear, measurable, and achievable objectives. Clear objectives help organisations track progress and allocate resources effectively.

For example, instead of ‘improve ransomware protection’, a measurable objective might be ‘achieve complete system recovery within 4 hours of any ransomware incident by implementing automated back-ups and monthly testing’.

Risk mitigation approaches

This could include prioritising risks and selecting practical management methods based on their severity and likelihood. High-priority risks like ransomware might require comprehensive approaches (back-ups, training, response plans), while medium-priority phishing could involve email filtering and awareness training.

Low-priority laptop theft might need encryption and remote wipe capabilities. This approach could help organisations allocate security budgets effectively.

Risk control implementation

These are specific technical and administrative measures organisations put in place to reduce, eliminate, or manage identified risks. They could potentially include network security enhancement and policy updates.

Employee education is commonly included because human error remains one of the most significant cyber security vulnerabilities, with many breaches resulting from staff accidentally clicking malicious links, sharing credentials, or mishandling sensitive data.

Monitoring and review processes

Organisations might continually monitor processes for risks and control effectiveness, including feedback mechanisms for people to report issues.

Incident response and recovery planning

This could include development or updates to incident response plans, including business continuity and data recovery strategies.

For example, a company might develop procedures for isolating infected systems within 30 minutes of detecting ransomware, notifying stakeholders within 2 hours, and restoring critical operations from clean back-ups within 24 hours to minimise business disruption.

Read about when to report a breach to the ICO.

Documentation and communication

Clear documentation could be made accessible to relevant stakeholders, with organisational communication about roles.

Organisations might use approaches such as staff training sessions, intranet portals, email briefings, team meetings, and role-specific guidance documents.

This step could be crucial because effective cyber security requires organisation-wide participation.

Regular review and updates

Risk management plans commonly require regular review to maintain relevance and currency.

6. Considerations for password requirements

Password strength and management could be relevant for ensuring team members maintain security standards against frequent and evolving cyber threats. Read NCSC’s guidance on passwords.

Organisations might consider:

Strong password policies across the organisation, potentially including complex passwords combining letters, numbers, and symbols.
Password managers to maintain strong, unique passwords for different services. Examples include LastPass, Nordpass, and 1Password.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) incorporated, particularly for cloud-based software tools.

7. Technology handling guidelines

Creating secure digital environments commonly involves establishing guidelines for employee technology interactions. Employee interactions with company technology could have a significant impact on an organisation’s cyber security.

Common considerations include:

Clear policies for company technology use, including acceptable use, prohibited activities, and software installation guidelines
Security measures for company devices, potentially including antivirus software, firewalls, and regular security updates

Download our Remote Working Policy template.

8. Social media and internet access standards

The way in which an organisational engages with the internet and social media platforms could have cyber security implications. Internet Usage Policies commonly define acceptable and safe online behaviour boundaries.

Considerations might include:

Internet Usage Policies outlining acceptable internet use, highlighting potentially risky or inappropriate sites and activities.
Guidelines for responsible social media use, particularly when representing the company or discussing company matters. These guidelines could be important for minimising social engineering opportunities, as oversharing personal information (such as birthdays, school names or family details) could provide attackers with data commonly used in security questions and targeted phishing attempts.

Organisations sometimes develop these as separate standalone policies for detailed coverage, or alternatively, incorporate them as sections within a broader cyber security policy depending on their requirements.

9. Email security measures

Email security commonly represents a critical cyber security component, as email systems could be targets for cyber attacks such as phishing.

Common factors include:

Employee education about phishing attack dangers and suspicious email recognition. According to the GOV.UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, phishing is the most prevalent and disruptive type of breach or attack and was experienced by 85% of businesses and 86% of charities reporting an attack during the previous 12 months.
Guidelines and policies for safe email communication handling, potentially including avoiding unknown attachments and using encryption for sensitive emails

Discover our phishing awareness training.

10. Security policy implementation factors

Following cyber security policy development, implementation commonly involves putting strategies and policies into action.

Typical implementation factors include:

Strong management support
Top-down communication about cyber security policy importance
Ongoing training sessions for employee understanding of policies and roles
Fostering a culture where cyber security could be everyone’s responsibility. This might be achieved by empowering employees to report threats, follow security procedures, and participate in regular cybersecurity awareness activities.
Integration into daily operations and policy enforcement. For example, an organisation might require employees to use multi-factor authentication and regularly verify compliance during routine system logins.
Appropriate technology use, supporting cyber security policies
Regular system and security software updates

Many organisations include provisions for disciplinary measures within their cyber security policy, which could help to reinforce the importance of compliance and the appropriate use of company systems.

11. Incident preparation and testing considerations

Being prepared for an incident is not just a precaution; it could be a necessity. However, only 53% of small and medium sized UK businesses have cyber incident response and documented procedures in place.

Organisations could not only prepare but conduct a test run to evaluate the effectiveness of their response plan. This step may be essential in ensuring that an organisation could quickly and effectively respond to and recover from cyber incidents.

Preparation factors:

Incident response plan development: This could be achieved by creating, documenting, and regularly testing a step-by-step procedure for detecting, reporting, and responding to security incidents.
Incident response team establishment: For example, an incident response team – which might comprise of IT, security, legal, and communications staff – could need clear roles, access to resources, strong management support, and regular training with annual exercises to effectively detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.
Communication protocol definition: This might involve setting out clear guidelines on how incident information is reported and shared internally and externally.
Key asset identification and protection prioritisation: Identifying essential systems and data, and prioritising their protection (see more about asset identification and mapping in point 1)
Detection tool implementation: This means identifying potential security incidents and could include the use of antivirus, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), security information and event management (SIEM), and regular log monitoring.

Testing considerations:

Realistic cyber incident scenario simulation: Organisations might develop straightforward, written scenarios – such as a phishing email or ransomware incident – to help the incident response team practice each stage of their response.
Incident response team engagement: Relevant team members might be assigned clear roles during simulations, and participation might be encouraged or required to promote familiarity with procedures.
Process documentation: A dedicated team member typically records actions, decisions and lessons learned during exercises, using a structured template stored securely in a central location.
Evaluation and debriefing: The incident response lead could collate outcomes, facilitate a team review meeting and identify areas for improvement after each exercise.
Revision plans based on findings: The incident response manager could be responsible for updating the Incident Response Plan, applying feedback from exercises and checking that all changes are version-controlled and formally approved.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides desktop exercises that organisations could use to test resilience, with options reflecting specific organisational risks or threats. Discover the NCSC online tool: Exercise in a Box.