The most difficult part of creating a Security Policy for your business is determining what, exactly, to include in it. Never heard of a Security Policy before? You're not alone. But whether you are the only employee in your company or you have a small staff working for you, you need to learn what a Security Policy is, and then you need to create one.
In much the same way that a personnel policy informs employees of things like vacation time accrual, performance review schedule and other personnel-related issues, a Security Policy informs your employees of the steps that are necessary to keep your company's network and computers secure. The policy is your company's rules and regulations that are enforceable, under law if necessary, if breached.
A Security Policy will include rules and formal procedures that are clearly written and laid out. But most importantly, the information contained must be easy for employees of all levels to understand.
And just as it is with young children, the content of your Security Policy must be enforceable, and it must be enforced consistently. Saying in writing that something is not allowed, then allowing it to happen during regular work hours sends mixed messages to your employees. They won't know what really is right or wrong, which will defeat the whole point of your Security Policy. Inconsistent implementation also leaves you open to legal liability.
Like any good policy, your Security Policy should be regularly updated to reflect today's rapidly-changing business environment. Most of the time, you will be the person making these changes. However, if your company is growing and adding staff, this may not always be the case. Make sure the person responsible for updating your company's Security Policy has guidelines and boundaries, and most of all, make sure you read and approve any changes made by someone else.
Make presenting your Security Policy part of your new employee orientation procedure. Make sure every employee reads the policy, signs and dates a document certifying that it has been read, and then keep the signed and dated certification in their respective personnel folder. And every time that your Security Policy is updated, make every employee read it again, and sign and date a document stating that they have read the changes.
The types of topics you may want to cover in your company's Security Policy include but are not limited to:
* What can be loaded onto an employee's computer from floppy disk or CD
* What personal business, if any, can be conducted on the company computer
* Which files or company information is allowed to leave the internal network or is allowed to be sent out over the Internet
* Who is allowed to install new software and software upgrades onto the system, and equally important, who is not allowed to do this
* A password management and password change policy which includes the acceptable length of passwords. Provide examples of permissible/non-permissible passwords. Examples of non-permissible passwords might include date of birth, names of pets, nicknames, children's names, etc.
* Who's allowed remote access to your network from off-site
* Policies for locking keyboard or using password protected screensavers when an employee's PC is left unattended
* Who is allowed to attach their laptop or other portable computing device to the network and what information they are allowed to upload/download
* Guidelines for vendors and other visitors who may need access to your network while they are on-site.
Whether you have one PC or several networked together, you have a lot of money invested. Protect this critical business asset with an iron-clad Security Policy.
Copyright © 2004 Cavyl Stewart. For help with creating your security policy or to find security software or other small business programs, visit: http://www.find-small-business-s oftware.com/hr-software.html - Also, be sure to check out my Exclusive, 100% free ecourses.
Do you want to measure your workers' level of satisfaction?... Read More
Goals are critically important for the success of a meeting.... Read More
Employee motivation is probably the most important single manageable factor... Read More
They say that management can be a lonely place. A... Read More
Are you planning your business or are you... Read More
People talk to me about making personal and professional changes... Read More
For many people, the terms "manager" and "leader" are synonymous.... Read More
Are your people consistently following your procedures? Each year, organizations... Read More
Virtually any type of organizational change involves role transitions of... Read More
Whilst the very best coaches have undertaken independently accredited training... Read More
The world has always been mixed with the... Read More
A successful leader told me, "The biggest challenge I've had... Read More
There are wild variances in how much involvement organisations are... Read More
1) Where is the agenda? A meeting without an agenda... Read More
Life has always been full of uncertainties. Over the last... Read More
There's a common phrase used by Organizational Development and Human... Read More
If past behavior is the best way to determine future... Read More
If you have company delivery vehicles at your small or... Read More
In our current world of rapid and amazing technological advances,... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Project heroes. We've all heard of them. Some of us... Read More
Job interviews are easier for the interviewer or the interviewee... Read More
Because of my work as a consultant, trainer and coach... Read More
You've seen it happen many times. An organization that provides... Read More
Do you own or manage a computer consulting company? Are... Read More
Ask most people why they are in business and they... Read More
OK. So you have decided that your organization has to... Read More
The failures we have seen in the quality and integrity... Read More
If you want to find success in various ramifications, be... Read More
THE PURPOSE OF SURVEY FEEDBACK:In globally competitive environments, organizations are... Read More
As we near the end of summer, here is a... Read More
One of the most common complaints that business owners have... Read More
Insanity in the Sign & Graphics IndustryEinstein's DefinitionAlbert Einstein once... Read More
"Experience is not what happens to a man; it is... Read More
Increasing shareholder value is the most important driver for organisations... Read More
Take some bold steps and help your employees and business... Read More
Are you uncomfortable with delivering disciplinary action, even involving employees... Read More
"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump... Read More
In my book "You're In Charge?What Now?" I use a... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Adults are vulnerable to personal and professional embarrassment from poor... Read More
Do you own or manage a computer consulting company? Are... Read More
As waves of organizational change sweep across the business landscape,... Read More
The other day I brought my mother into an appliance... Read More
The use of cultural awareness training has increased rapidly in... Read More
I remember once seeing a cartoon which showed two people... Read More
We know character when we see it, but what exactly... Read More
As an HR professional, you have responsibilities in several broad... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
You've hung out your shingle and are ready for business.... Read More
In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More
Where does the time go? Billable time. As a consultant,... Read More
What do the companies 3M, Polaroid, and Walt Disney have... Read More
Writing an award winning business plan is a great skill,... Read More
Traditionally, in American businesses, the same person occupies the role... Read More
IntroductionThe aim of this document is to provide advice and... Read More
The old saying 'You have to spend money to make... Read More
"He Hate Me" was the nickname of Rod Smart, a... Read More
In management seminars I often compare debt to an infection.... Read More
"Ha!" you say. "For someone to make a statement like... Read More
Another fallacy ingrained in the minds of most marketing managers... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
A year or so ago, I met Allan Kempert. Allan... Read More
Insightful leaders and organizations recognize that training is a valuable... Read More
There's a programme currently running on BBC Television in the... Read More
A core activity in many successful businesses, Succession Planning is... Read More
Business Management |