A strong Cyber Security Policy is essential for any organisation to protect its data, systems, and people. This guide, developed by our experienced team, provides a structured approach to creating a cyber security policy that addresses both the technical and human aspects of security. By following this guide, you will help align your organisation with best practices, safeguard your assets, and foster a culture of shared responsibility for security.
Recent statistics from the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022 found that 39% of UK businesses identified a cyber attack in the previous 12 months.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Security Posture
Before developing a cyber security policy, it's crucial to understand your organisation's current security posture. This involves conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate existing controls, and determine areas for improvement.
A thorough risk assessment is the foundation of an effective cyber security policy.
Inventory all hardware, software systems, and data assets
Identify critical assets and sensitive data (e.g., PII, PHI, financial records)
Evaluate existing security controls and identify gaps
Consider conducting penetration testing or vulnerability scanning
Define Objectives and Get Stakeholder Buy-in
Articulate specific, measurable security goals
Ensure alignment with business objectives
Engage key stakeholders across departments
Secure executive sponsorship and budget
Step 2: Establish Security Policies and Procedures
With a clear understanding of your current security posture, the next step is to establish policies and procedures that mitigate identified risks and align with best practices. Adopting a Zero Trust security model is increasingly recommended by experts, including the NCSC and NIST.
Zero Trust assumes no implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of digital interaction. Implementing Zero Trust principles across your security policy is crucial in the modern threat landscape.
Implement a Zero Trust Security Model
The core principles of Zero Trust are:
.1Verify explicitly - Always authenticate and authorise based on all available data points, including user identity, location, device health, service or workload, data classification, and anomalies. Never trust by default.
.1Use least privilege access - Limit user access with Just-In-Time and Just-Enough-Access (JIT/JEA), risk-based adaptive policies, and data protection. Minimise access to only what is needed.
.1Assume breach - Minimise blast radius for breaches and prevent lateral movement by segmenting access by network, user, devices, and app awareness. Verify all sessions are encrypted end to end. Use analytics to get visibility, drive threat detection, and improve defences.
Define Roles and Responsibilities
Specify roles for asset owners, admins, users, and third parties
Establish a RACI matrix for security tasks
Require security awareness training for all employees
Consider appointing a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Step 3: Develop Policy Content
With the foundation of your cyber security policy in place, it's time to develop specific content areas. These should cover key aspects of security, from asset management and data protection to incident response and compliance.
The UK government's Cyber Essentials scheme is a great resource for identifying and enacting essential security controls. Find out more here or below.
Enforce strong authentication (MFA) and secure configuration for all devices
Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) for BYOD
Plan for secure asset disposal
Data Handling and Protection
Classify data based on sensitivity
Define data lifecycle management procedures
Enforce encryption for data at rest and in transit
Implement secure backup and recovery processes
Access Control and Network Security
Implement least privilege access
Segment networks and apply strict firewall rules
Require use of VPN for remote access
Monitor for anomalous activities
Secure Software Development and Usage
Establish a Secure SDLC process
Maintain an approved software list
Perform regular patch management
Conduct security code reviews and testing
Third Party Risk Management
Assess and monitor vendor security posture
Establish vendor security requirements
Include right-to-audit clauses in contracts
Develop an off-boarding process for vendors
The SolarWinds breach exemplified how a compromise at a third party can have far-reaching consequences. You must hold vendors to the same security standards.
Step 4: Plan for Incident Response and Resilience
No matter how robust your preventive measures are, incidents will still occur. Having a well-defined incident response plan is critical to minimising the impact of a breach.
Cyber insurance is also an increasingly important aspect of incident response and resilience. According to the Association of British Insurers, 99% of claims made on ABI-member cyber insurance policies in 2021 were paid.
However, insurance should complement, not replace, strong security practices.
Develop an Incident Response Plan
Define roles and responsibilities for incident response
Specify incident classification and escalation procedures
Establish notification and reporting requirements
Conduct regular incident response drills
Ensure Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Perform a business impact analysis
Develop recovery time and recovery point objectives
Implement data backup and recovery capabilities
Test business continuity and disaster recovery plans regularly
Consider Cyber Insurance
Evaluate first-party (e.g., business interruption) and third-party (e.g., privacy liability) coverage needs
Assess policy exclusions and requirements
Ensure alignment between insurance and security practices
Engage legal counsel to review policy language
Step 5: Foster a Culture of Security
While technical controls are essential, the human element is often the weakest link in cyber security. Fostering a culture of security awareness and shared responsibility is critical to the success of your cyber security policy.
Investing in your human firewall can significantly reduce the risk of successful attacks.
Implement a Continuous Security Awareness Program
Provide engaging, role-based training
Conduct regular phishing simulations
Celebrate cybersecurity champions
Weave security into company communications
Step 6: Continuously Monitor and Improve
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so your cyber security policy must be a living document. Regular monitoring and continuous improvement are essential to staying ahead of emerging risks.
The NCSC's Active Cyber Defence program has helped the UK government and critical infrastructure providers improve their security posture through threat intelligence and vulnerability disclosure
Similar principles can be applied in the private sector.
Monitor Security Posture
Implement logging and monitoring tools
Establish key risk indicators (KRIs) and security metrics
Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests
Subscribe to threat intelligence feeds
Review and Update Policies
Review policies annually or upon significant changes
Incorporate lessons learned from incidents and industry trends
Engage stakeholders in policy revisions
Communicate policy changes effectively
Conclusion
Developing a comprehensive Cyber Security Policy that addresses both technical controls and human factors is essential for any modern organisation. By following this guide and embracing a Zero Trust mindset, you can create a policy that protects your critical assets, promotes secure behaviours, and enables your organisation to thrive in the digital age.
"Cybersecurity is a team sport and we all have a part to play" NCSC's CEO Lindy Cameron
. Investing in a strong Cyber Security Policy is not just a best practice - it's a business imperative.
Key Resources on Cyber Liability Insurance
Explore these essential links to understand more about cyber liability insurance and related topics: