Cybersecurity Policy Template

DORA Compliant Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Template

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose and Scope: This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) outlines the acceptable use of all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources and systems provided by [Organization Name] to its employees, contractors, and other authorized users. This includes, but is not limited to, computers, laptops, mobile devices, networks, software, email, internet access, and cloud services. This policy ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA triad) of organizational data and systems, aligning with the principles of the DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) framework to foster a high-performing, secure, and reliable IT environment.

1.2 Relevance to DORA: This AUP directly supports DORA's four key metrics: Deployment Frequency, Lead Time for Changes, Change Failure Rate, and Time to Restore Service. By defining clear acceptable use guidelines and security expectations, this policy minimizes security incidents, reduces deployment failures, streamlines change management processes, and enables faster recovery times in case of outages. A strong AUP contributes to a culture of responsibility and accountability, essential for achieving high DORA performance.

2. Key Components

The key components of this AUP include:

  • Acceptable Use of ICT Resources: Defines permitted and prohibited uses of company ICT resources.

  • Data Security and Confidentiality: Outlines responsibilities for protecting sensitive data.

  • Password and Account Security: Establishes strong password policies and account management procedures.

  • Acceptable Internet Usage: Defines acceptable browsing habits and restrictions on access to certain websites.

  • Software Usage: Governs the use of licensed software and prohibits unauthorized software installations.

  • Social Media Usage: Addresses the use of social media platforms while representing the organization.

  • Remote Access and Mobile Device Usage: Details policies for accessing company systems remotely and using mobile devices.

  • Incident Reporting: Specifies procedures for reporting security incidents and breaches.

  • Disciplinary Actions: Outlines consequences for violating the AUP.

3. Detailed Content

3.1 Acceptable Use of ICT Resources:

  • In-depth explanation: This section clarifies permitted uses (e.g., conducting business activities, accessing work-related information) and prohibited uses (e.g., illegal activities, accessing unauthorized systems, installing unauthorized software).

  • Best practices: Clearly define "business use" and provide specific examples. Regularly review and update this section to reflect changes in technology and organizational needs.

  • Detailed example: "Employees may use company ICT resources for work-related communication, project management, and data analysis. Prohibited uses include accessing websites with adult content, engaging in online gambling, or downloading and installing unauthorized software."

  • Common pitfalls: Vague language, lack of specific examples, failure to address emerging technologies (e.g., AI tools, generative models).

3.2 Data Security and Confidentiality:

  • In-depth explanation: This section emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive data, including customer information, financial records, and intellectual property. It outlines data handling procedures, encryption requirements, and data loss prevention measures.

  • Best practices: Implement data encryption both in transit and at rest. Regularly conduct data security awareness training for all employees. Establish clear data classification and access control policies.

  • Detailed example: "Employees must protect all sensitive data by using strong passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and reporting any suspected security breaches immediately. All sensitive data must be encrypted when stored on laptops or mobile devices."

  • Common pitfalls: Insufficient emphasis on data encryption, lack of employee training, inadequate access controls.

3.3 Password and Account Security:

  • In-depth explanation: This section outlines requirements for strong passwords, including length, complexity, and regular changes. It also covers procedures for securing accounts, reporting lost or stolen credentials, and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

  • Best practices: Enforce MFA for all accounts accessing sensitive data. Regularly audit user accounts to identify and remove inactive or compromised accounts. Implement password managers to help employees manage complex passwords securely.

  • Detailed example: "All passwords must be at least 12 characters long, containing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords must be changed every 90 days. Employees must immediately report any suspected compromise of their accounts."

  • Common pitfalls: Weak password policies, lack of MFA, failure to regularly audit accounts.

(Similar detailed content should be provided for sections 3.4 through 3.8, following the same structure as above.)

3.9 Incident Reporting:

  • In-depth explanation: This section outlines the procedure for reporting security incidents, such as malware infections, data breaches, and phishing attempts. It specifies who to contact and the information to provide.

  • Best practices: Establish a clear incident response plan. Provide training to employees on how to identify and report security incidents. Regularly test the incident response plan to ensure its effectiveness.

  • Detailed example: "All security incidents must be reported immediately to the IT Security team via email at [email protected] or by phone at 555-123-4567. The report should include a description of the incident, the date and time it occurred, and any relevant evidence."

  • Common pitfalls: Lack of a clear reporting procedure, inadequate employee training, failure to document incidents.

3.10 Disciplinary Actions:

  • In-depth explanation: This section outlines the consequences for violating the AUP, ranging from warnings to termination of employment.

  • Best practices: Ensure disciplinary actions are consistent and fair. Clearly communicate the consequences of violating the policy.

  • Detailed example: "Violation of this AUP may result in disciplinary action, including warnings, suspension, and termination of employment, depending on the severity of the violation."

  • Common pitfalls: Lack of clarity on consequences, inconsistent enforcement.

4. Implementation Guidelines

4.1 Step-by-step process:

1. Draft the AUP: Create the AUP based on this template, tailoring it to the specific needs of your organization.

2. Legal Review: Have the AUP reviewed by legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

3. Management Approval: Obtain approval from senior management.

4. Employee Communication: Communicate the AUP to all employees through various channels (email, intranet, training sessions).

5. Training: Provide comprehensive training to all employees on the AUP.

6. Acknowledgement: Require employees to acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of the AUP by signing and returning a confirmation form.

7. Regular Review and Updates: Review and update the AUP annually or as needed to reflect changes in technology and organizational needs.

4.2 Roles and Responsibilities:

  • IT Security Team: Responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing the AUP.

  • Human Resources: Responsible for communicating the AUP to employees and handling disciplinary actions.

  • Management: Responsible for ensuring compliance with the AUP within their teams.

  • Employees: Responsible for adhering to the AUP and reporting any security incidents.

5. Monitoring and Review

  • Monitoring: Monitor employee activity through system logs, security audits, and incident reports. Regularly review security alerts and threat intelligence.

  • Review and Update Frequency: The AUP should be reviewed and updated at least annually or whenever significant changes occur in technology, legislation, or organizational policy.

6. Related Documents

  • Data Security Policy

  • Incident Response Plan

  • Privacy Policy

  • Remote Access Policy

  • Mobile Device Policy

  • Information Classification Policy

7. Compliance Considerations

This AUP addresses several DORA principles by promoting a secure and reliable IT environment. It also helps meet compliance requirements related to data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS), and other relevant legal frameworks. Specific clauses and controls addressed include:

  • Confidentiality: Protects sensitive organizational and customer data.

  • Integrity: Maintains the accuracy and reliability of data and systems.

  • Availability: Ensures access to ICT resources and systems.

  • Data Protection: Complies with relevant data protection regulations.

  • Security: Mitigates security risks and prevents unauthorized access.

By adhering to this DORA-compliant AUP, organizations can foster a culture of security awareness, improve the reliability of their IT infrastructure, and ultimately achieve higher levels of performance as measured by the DORA metrics. Regular review and adaptation of this policy are crucial to maintaining its effectiveness in a constantly evolving technological landscape.

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