A Security Awareness Policy formally defines your organization's commitment to educating its workforce. It provides the "teeth" for your program.
Why You Need a Policy
Governance
Without a policy, training is just a suggestion. A formal policy ensures audit compliance (HIPAA, SOC 2), codifies leadership support, and sets clear expectations for every employee.
Key Policy Elements
Purpose & Scope: Goal is to protect data. Applies to everyone.
Requirements: New Hire (30 days), Annual, Monthly Micro-learning
Phishing Sims: Explicitly state that unannounced tests will occur
Remediation: Failed test = Remedial training within 48 hours
Consequences: Repeated refusal to train escalates to HR/Manager
Key Takeaway
"A well-written policy removes ambiguity and ensures that security awareness is treated with the same importance as any other business process."
