Information Security Policy Template

Copy and tailor this information security policy template to your organisation's actual risk, systems, people and obligations. Replace every bracketed field, connect each rule to a responsible process and evidence source, approve it through management, and test implementation. A generic template does not establish ISO/IEC 27001 conformity, NIS2 compliance or SOC 2 readiness.

1. Document control

2. Policy statement

[ORGANISATION] will manage information-security risk to support its objectives, obligations and stakeholder commitments. It will protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information through risk-based organisational, people, physical and technological measures. Management will provide authority and resources, assign accountability, review performance and support continual improvement.

3. Scope

This policy applies to [WORKFORCE AND THIRD PARTIES] and to information processed through [SYSTEMS, DEVICES, PAPER, CLOUD SERVICES, FACILITIES AND SUPPLIERS]. Contract terms or local rules that impose stricter requirements take precedence for the affected activity.

4. Roles and accountability

• The [MANAGEMENT BODY] approves policy direction, reviews material risk and oversees implementation.
• The [CISO / SECURITY LEAD] maintains the security programme, reports performance and coordinates incidents.
• Information and system owners classify assets, approve access and accept or escalate risk within authority.
• Managers implement applicable rules and confirm personnel understand them.
• Users protect credentials, follow handling rules and report suspected events promptly.
• [RISK / AUDIT / COMPLIANCE] provides defined oversight without taking ownership from operators.

Delegation does not remove the accountable role's duty to verify performance.

5. Risk management

[ORGANISATION] will maintain a repeatable method to identify assets, threats, vulnerabilities, impacts, likelihood and existing controls. Risk owners will select treatment, record residual risk, obtain approval within defined authority and track actions. The assessment will be reviewed [SCHEDULE] and after material change or incident.

6. Information and asset management

• Maintain accountable inventories of information, systems, services, devices and critical suppliers.
• Assign owners and classification based on sensitivity, integrity, availability and legal needs.
• Apply handling, storage, transmission, retention and disposal rules defined in [STANDARD].
• Return or revoke organisational assets and access when roles or relationships end.

7. Identity and access

Access must be authorised, least-privilege, role-appropriate and traceable to an individual or controlled service identity. [JOINER-MOVER-LEAVER PROCESS] will provision, change and remove access. Privileged access, authentication, service accounts, remote access and periodic reviews follow [ACCESS STANDARD]. Exceptions require documented risk approval and expiry.

8. Secure operation and change

Systems must follow approved configuration, patching, vulnerability, logging, backup, malware-protection and change processes proportionate to risk. Security requirements will be included in acquisition and development. Material vulnerabilities and unsupported technology require an owner, treatment and approved deadline.

9. Supplier security

Before and during relevant supplier relationships, [ORGANISATION] will assess risk, define security and incident terms, control access, monitor material change and plan exit. Review depth will reflect data, access, concentration, substitutability and service impact. Supplier assurances support, but do not replace, the organisation's assessment.

10. Incident response and continuity

All personnel must report suspected events through [CHANNEL]. [INCIDENT PLAN] defines triage, authority, evidence, containment, legal assessments, communications, recovery and improvement. [CONTINUITY PLAN] defines priority services, recovery objectives, workarounds and exercises. Legal or contractual notification decisions are made by [ACCOUNTABLE ROLES] using verified facts.

11. People and physical security

Security responsibilities will be addressed before, during and after engagement. Training will be role- and risk-based. Facilities and equipment will use entry, visitor, environmental and disposal controls defined by [PHYSICAL SECURITY STANDARD].

12. Monitoring, compliance and evidence

[ORGANISATION] will define measures for control operation and effectiveness, retain proportionate evidence, investigate deviations and track corrective actions. Monitoring must respect applicable employment, privacy and communications law. Internal review does not remove management or control-owner accountability.

13. Exceptions and enforcement

An exception request must identify the affected rule and scope, risk, compensating controls, owner, approver and expiry date. Expired exceptions are invalid. Suspected breaches will be investigated fairly under applicable law and policy; consequences depend on facts, role and severity.

14. Review and approval record

After approval, link each section to the operational standard, procedure, control owner, evidence and exception register. For implementation support, see our cybersecurity services.

Sources and review

This template was substantively reviewed on 8 August 2026. It paraphrases public descriptions and does not reproduce copyrighted standard text or promise compliance from adoption alone.

• ISO — ISO/IEC 27001:2022 information security management systems
• EUR-Lex — Directive (EU) 2022/2555, Article 21
• NIST — Cybersecurity Framework 2.0