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What Security Policies Do I Need?

February 5, 2024|CMMC, Compliance, NIST, Policies

Companies doing business with the U.S. government, especially those involved in defense or handling sensitive information, are required to adhere to a variety of security policies. These policies ensure the protection of classified, sensitive, and proprietary information. While specific requirements can vary depending on the contract, agency, or type of information being handled, here is a general list of the types of security policies such companies are typically required to have:

1. Information Security Policy (ISP): Governs the protection of digital and non-digital information assets, detailing measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
2. Physical Security Policy: Ensures the protection of physical assets, including facilities and equipment, from unauthorized access and physical threats.
3. Network Security Policy: Focuses on protecting the company's network infrastructure and data transmitted across it from unauthorized access, misuse, malfunction, modification, destruction, or improper disclosure.
4. Access Control Policy: Defines who has access to which resources and information, under what conditions, and how access rights are granted, reviewed, and revoked.
5. Incident Response Policy (IRP): Outlines the procedures for managing and responding to security incidents to minimize damage and recover from breaches.
6. Data Classification Policy: Establishes categories for classifying company and government data based on sensitivity and the impact of unauthorized disclosure, ensuring appropriate protection measures are applied.
7. User Awareness and Training Policy: Requires regular training and awareness programs for employees to understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining security.
8. Risk Management Policy: Identifies, assesses, and prioritizes risks to organizational operations (including mission, functions, image, reputation), organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation, followed by coordinated application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events.
9. Cybersecurity Policy: Specifically addresses protection against cyber threats and incidents, including malware, ransomware, and cyber espionage.
10. Data Handling and Storage Policy: Defines how different types of data should be handled, stored, transmitted, and destroyed, including encryption requirements.
11. Compliance and Ethics Policy: Ensures the company adheres to legal and regulatory requirements, including those specific to government contracts, such as the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.
12. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR): Ensures the organization can continue operating in the event of major disruptions or disasters and can recover critical operations within a specified timeframe.
13. Privacy Policy: Addresses the collection, use, and protection of personal information, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and regulations.
14. Configuration Management Policy: Governs how changes to software and hardware configurations are managed to maintain system security and integrity.
15. Supply Chain Security Policy: Ensures the security of the supply chain and the integrity of the products and components being used, including preventing counterfeit components.

These policies are often required to be in alignment with specific government standards and frameworks, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800 series guidelines, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework for Department of Defense contractors. Companies should regularly review and update these policies to comply with evolving regulations and threats.