Cybersecurity Policy
A cybersecurity policy sets the security standards and procedures that all staff must follow to protect the organisation's systems and data.
What is a Cybersecurity Policy?
A cybersecurity policy is an internal governance document that defines the security standards, practices, and procedures that an organisation's employees and contractors must follow to protect company systems, data, and infrastructure from cyber threats.
For technology companies, a cybersecurity policy is a due diligence essential — enterprise customers, investors, and insurers increasingly require evidence of documented security practices before engaging. The policy supports ISO 27001 implementation, SOC 2 certification, and compliance with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Essential Eight framework.
When do you need a Cybersecurity Policy?
- ✓When building a security governance framework for a growing technology business
- ✓Before enterprise customers conduct security due diligence
- ✓When pursuing ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification
- ✓When onboarding staff who will have access to sensitive systems or data
Key provisions to include
Access Controls
Who has access to which systems, how access is granted and reviewed, and multi-factor authentication requirements.
Device Management
Rules for company and personal devices used for work, including encryption and remote wipe requirements.
Password Standards
Minimum password complexity, rotation requirements, and the use of password managers.
Email & Phishing
Rules for handling suspicious emails and the process for reporting phishing attempts.
Incident Response
How security incidents are identified, reported, and escalated.
Remote Work Security
VPN requirements, public Wi-Fi restrictions, and home network security standards.
Software & Patch Management
How software updates and security patches are applied and managed.
Common mistakes to avoid
Creating a policy that is so detailed it becomes impractical — policies must be readable and followed by all staff
Not training staff on the policy at induction and annually — a policy that no one knows about provides no protection
Not reviewing the policy when new threats emerge or when the organisation's technology stack changes significantly
Frequently asked questions
What is the ACSC Essential Eight and should my policy align to it?
The Essential Eight is a set of eight cybersecurity mitigation strategies recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. They include application control, patching, multi-factor authentication, and daily backups. Aligning your cybersecurity policy to the Essential Eight provides a recognised Australian framework and demonstrates security maturity to government and enterprise clients.
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