Security Policy Generator

Yes, we strongly recommend having legal counsel review any security policies before implementation. While these templates cover common requirements for SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks, a lawyer can ensure the language is appropriate for your specific situation and jurisdiction, and that the policies align with your employment agreements and other legal documents.

Security policies should be reviewed at least annually, and updated whenever there are significant changes to your technology environment, business operations, regulatory requirements, or after security incidents. Many compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 require documented annual policy reviews.

A policy defines what should be done and why (the rules), while a procedure describes how to do it (the steps). For example, a Password Policy states that passwords must be 12 characters minimum, while a Password Change Procedure provides step-by-step instructions for changing your password. This tool generates policies; you will need to develop supporting procedures.

SOC 2 does not prescribe specific policy names, but requires documented policies covering access control, password management, incident response, risk assessment, change management, and vendor management. The policies generated by this tool—particularly Access Control, Password, and Incident Response—directly support SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria.

Yes, these are templates meant to be customized. After generating, download the policies and modify them to match your organization's specific practices, technologies, and requirements. Remove sections that do not apply and add organization-specific details like team names, specific tools, and internal processes.

These policies are designed to support ISO 27001 compliance by covering key control areas like access control (A.9), cryptography (A.10), operations security (A.12), and incident management (A.16). However, ISO 27001 certification requires a complete Information Security Management System (ISMS) including risk assessment, statement of applicability, and ongoing management review.

Best practices for policy acknowledgment include: using an electronic signature system or HR platform to track acknowledgments, including policy acknowledgment in new hire onboarding, requiring annual re-acknowledgment, keeping records of all acknowledgments for audit purposes, and making policies easily accessible on an intranet or policy portal.

At minimum, every organization should have an Acceptable Use Policy, Password/Authentication Policy, and Incident Response Policy. Organizations with remote workers need a Remote Work Security Policy. Those handling sensitive data should add Data Classification and Access Control policies. The specific requirements depend on your industry, size, and compliance obligations.

Documented security policies are a fundamental requirement for most compliance frameworks. Auditors will request policies as evidence of your security program. These templates include language aligned with SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001 requirements. Having well-documented policies demonstrates management commitment to security and provides the foundation for security controls.