An ISO 27001 Information Security Policy is required as part of any ISO 27001 certification. It is one of the key documents. It forms part of the ISO 27001 information security policy framework and in this article we will look at an ISO 27001 information security policy template that is part of that policy framework. We will also take a look at an ISO 27001 Information Security Policy PDF example and an ISO 27001 Information Security Policy Template you can download and start using straight away.
Table of contents
- What is the ISO 27001 Information Security Policy?
- How does it work?
- Information Security Policy Template Overview
- Why is an information security policy important?
- How does an information security policy work?
- How can I create an information security policy?
- Information Security Policy Framework
- Information Security Policy FAQ
- How to write an information security policy
- ISO 27001 Information Security Policy PDF example
- Read Next
What is the ISO 27001 Information Security Policy?
The information security policy is a high level policy that sets out what the management approach of the organisation is. It includes some key elements such as management and leadership buy in. As a stand alone document it can be shared with staff to explain what they should be doing and with customers and potential customers to assure them you are doing the right thing.
How does it work?
You are going to have a pack of policies that are required by ISO 27001. This makes good, practical sense for a governance framework. It could all be in one document but there are practical benefits to having separate policies. By having separate policy documents, they are:
- easy to communicate and to share with the people they are relevant to
- easy to assign an owner who will keep it up to date and implement it
- easy to review and sign off
Information Security Policy Template
As an ISO 27001 template, the ISO 27001 Information Security Policy Template will fast track your ISO 27001 Information Security Policy implementation.
Information Security Policy Template Overview
Why is an information security policy important?
An information security policy is important because your organisation processes, stores and transmits valuable data and information. To understand the value of an information security policy, let’s break out the data we are protecting into three parts.
Customer Data: what ever your product or service, you are going to be handling customer data of some description. It could be customer personal information, order information, technical information. What is fundamental is that your customer cares deeply about that information. They also care about how you are taking care and protecting it.
Employee Data: you have employees and you have their most private and personal information. It is likely that you have names, address, bank details, social security and tax information, sickness information, performance data, pension information and more. Your employees care deeply about the protection of their most private information.
Company Data: you have financial data relating to your performance, you have customer databases and CRM, you potentially have intellectual property or secrets about the way you conduct business. Your owners care a lot about protecting this to protect their profits.
How does an information security policy work?
An information security policy is a document that is created by the organisation. Usually created in Microsoft Word with the final version saved as a PDF. It will be based on best practice such as the ISO 27001 the international standard for information security. It will have key common elements within it that are standard across every organisation. The information security policy will be approved by senior management and then shared with employees to let them know what is expected of them. It may form part of annual employee training. The policies will be reviewed, updated and reissued at least annually. As part of most customer tenders and bids you will be asked for a copy of your information security policy and it will be shared with them.
How can I create an information security policy?
The easiest way to create and information security policy is to download and information security policy template and tailor it your organisation. By downloading a trusted template most of the hard work has been done for you.
This video on How To Create An Information Security Policy has been viewed over 6,000 times. If you are doing it yourself.
Information Security Policy Framework
The information security management system is built upon an information security policy framework. In conjunction with this policy, the following policies make up the policy framework:
- Data Protection Policy
- Data Retention Policy
- ISO 27001 Information Security Policy ( this policy )
- ISO 27001 Access Control Policy
- ISO 27001 Asset Management Policy
- ISO 27001 Risk Management Policy
- ISO 27001 Information Classification and Handling Policy
- ISO 27001 Information Security Awareness and Training Policy
- ISO 27001 Acceptable Use Policy
- ISO 27001 Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy
- ISO 27001 Mobile and Teleworking Policy
- ISO 27001 Business Continuity Policy
- ISO 27001 Backup Policy
- ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy
- ISO 27001 Change Management Policy
- ISO 27001 Third Party Supplier Security Policy
- ISO 27001 Continual Improvement Policy
- ISO 27001 Logging and Monitoring Policy
- ISO 27001 Network Security Management Policy
- ISO 27001 Information Transfer Policy
- ISO 27001 Secure Development Policy
- ISO 27001 Physical and Environmental Security Policy
- ISO 27001 Cryptographic Key Management Policy
- ISO 27001 Cryptographic Control and Encryption Policy
- ISO 27001 Document and Record Policy
Information Security Policy FAQ
The purpose of the policy is to set out the information security policies that apply to the company to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
The scope of the policy is all employees and third-party users. This includes permanent staff, contractors, consultants and third party supplier employees working for your business.
Information security is managed based on risk, legal and regulatory requirements and business need.
Yes. Having a statement in the policy from the Chief Executive is a good way to record leadership commitment.
An information security policy sets out what you do for information security. It covers the what you do not how you do it. How you do it is covered in process, procedure and operating documents. It sets a clear direction for the organisation.
Yes. An Information Security Policy is a key requirement of ISO 27001 forming part of ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 / Annex A.
A copy of the information security policy template and best practice can be found here: https://hightable.io/product/information-security-policy-template/
Access to information is to those with appropriate authority.
The right people with the right access.
Information is complete and accurate
The right people with the right access to the right data.
Information is available when it is needed
The right people with the right access to the right data at the right time.
CIA is the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of data.
Yes, it is a required element of the ISO 27001 certification.
An information security management policy covers the following as a minimum:
Document Version Control
Document Contents Page
Purpose
Scope
Information Security Policy
Principle
Chief Executives Statement of Commitment
Introduction
Information Security Defined
Information Security Objectives
Information Security Policy Framework
Information Security Roles and Responsibilities
Monitoring
Legal and Regulatory Obligations
Policy Compliance
Compliance Measurement
Exceptions
Non-Compliance
Continual Improvement
How to write an information security policy
Time needed: 4 hours and 30 minutes.
How to write an information security policy
- Create your version control and document mark-up
SO 27001 documents require version control of the author, the change, the date and the version as well as document mark up such as document classification.
- Write the document purpose
Write the purpose of the document. The purpose of this policy is to protect against loss of data.
- Write the scope of the policy
Consider the scope of the information security policy. It should really apply to all employees and third party staff working for your company.
- Write the principle on which the policy is based
The principle of the policy is the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. It is about the security and protection of of confidential data.
- Write a chief executives statement of commitment
Write a statement from the most senior person in the organisation about the organisations commitment to information security. Provide a date for the quote.
- Define information security
Provided a definition for information security and for the terms confidentiality, integrity and availbabilty.
- Describe the policy framework
Provide a description of the policy framework and the policies that are part of it.
- Set out the roles and responsibilities
Create a definition of each of the roles for information security and what their responsibilities are.
- Describe how you will monitor the effectiveness of information security
Layout the measures and monitors that you will use to verify that the information security is effective.
- Document your legal and regulatory obligations
Working with legal counsel set out the laws and regulations that your organisation follows
- Define policy compliance
Provide for how compliance to the policy will be acheived.
ISO 27001 Information Security Policy PDF example
An redacted example of the policy in PDF format.
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