How Do You Write a Strong Information Security Policy in 2025?
Information security policy 2025 frameworks are internal documentation and foundational risk management assets. As organizations continue to expand vendor networks, adopt AI in workflows, and operate in hybrid environments, policies must evolve to address supply chain risk and evolving attack vectors.
An information security policy is a set of rules and processes for organizations that outline acceptable use guidelines for a workforce and how it leverages IT, networks, applications, and more. Information security policies are built on the core principle that the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data is paramount.
But what should be in a security policy today is different than it was even two years ago. In 2025, the stakes for information security policies (ISPs) have never been higher. The traditional distinction between internal and external threats has eroded, with more than 35% of breaches now originating from third parties, according to SecurityScorecard research.
An information security policy integrates role-based controls, defines acceptable use policies (AUPs), and includes policy enforcement mechanisms that work across systems, teams, and geographies.
Why Security Policies Still Matter
Threat actors exploit ambiguity. If your policies are outdated, fragmented, or unenforced, they can become liabilities. An effective policy can help:
- Align expectations across users, systems, and vendors
- Protect sensitive data
- Decrease the risk of a data breach
- Provide a reference for audits or compliance reviews
- Support for security governance and decision-making
- Enforce and educate on standards
- Give customers confidence in your organization’s security
- Mapped responsibilities across the workforce
Essential Security Policy Sections You Should Include
While an information security policy can span a variety of categories and sections, from social media to physical assets. Here are some general sections and categories that can help produce a policy tailored to your organization:
1. Purpose, Scope, and Audience
Clearly state the purpose of the policy. Define systems, subsidiaries, and third-party integrations in scope. Include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms, cloud services, and AI workflows.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
Assign clear ownership for key areas such as:
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- Incident response and escalation
- Incident response in case of third-party breaches
- Vendor security standards enforcement
- Endpoint security
- AI security policy oversight
Include contractors, vendors, and partner organizations.
3. Define Objectives
The policy should touch on maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, other organizational goals, and how the organization plans to reach its goals. This can include compliance objectives and requirements.
4. Access Control
A discussion of access control, or what users or roles can access what systems or make decisions about sharing data. Define how access is granted, reviewed, and revoked.
5. Acceptable Use Guidelines
Outline what users can and cannot do with corporate devices, platforms, and data. Examples of issues to address include, but are not limited to:
- Email, messaging, and cloud tools
- AI platform use
- Personal device restrictions in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments
6. Data Classification and Handling
Data classification is central to protecting regulated information such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), or financial records. Break data into tiers, such as public, private, or restricted, and define:
- Storage and encryption standards
- Transfer protocols
- Retention and deletion guidelines
7. Clear Security Policies and Third-Party Security
Promoting a detailed set of security policy procedures can help an organization avoid security lapses or unclear expectations. Vendors should meet your set standards as well. Consider implementing:
- Security attestation and onboarding reviews
- Ongoing monitoring using platforms like SecurityScorecard
8. Security Awareness and Training
Deliver ongoing training that covers:
- Strong OPSEC, or operational security
- Phishing detection
- Deepfake awareness
- Privacy and data handling expectations
Policy Mistakes to Avoid
- Using outdated standards and compliance to inform language
- Ignoring real-world integration with onboarding or vendor access
- Ignoring common attacker behavior and threat intelligence
- Failing to tailor security policy sections to your environment
- Omitting coverage for third-party platforms, AI, or mobile devices
Final Thoughts
A strong Information Security Policy can help organizations mitigate risk. If your policy doesn’t reflect your AI use, vendor sprawl, or remote teams, however, it’s outdated in 2025. Worse, it may give your organization a false sense of security.
SecurityScorecard can support efforts to align vendors with security policies by continuously monitoring risks across ten categories of risk, including IP reputation, network security, web application security, DNS health, patching cadence, and endpoint security.
Transform Third-Party Risk into a Supply Chain Resilience
With SecurityScorecard’s Supply Chain Detection and Response (SCDR), gain actionable insights into your vendors’ security postures. Our solution empowers you to make informed decisions, ensuring compliance and strengthening your supply chain’s cybersecurity.
