Cybersecurity Policy Templates
Striving to Bolster Small Business Cybersecurity in a Risky World
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Striving to Bolster Small Business Cybersecurity in a Risky World
Last updated
Was this helpful?
This project aims to simplify the complex cybersecurity challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by providing free access to , , and .
Developing policies that align with cybersecurity frameworks can be costly and time-consuming for small businesses. This project provides 36 free and to relieve SMBs from the need to purchase policies, hire consultants, or dedicate significant resources to policy creation. Although not designed to fully meet every compliance requirement, these templates follow the core functions of , , , , , and .
Small business cybersecurity statistics paint a stark picture, underscoring the critical and immediate need for SMBs to fortify their cybersecurity strategies or risk becoming prime targets for increasingly sophisticated and damaging cyberattacks.
While policies define the overall goals and expectations, standards offer clear, actionable criteria to meet those objectives. Policies are strategic and flexible, whereas standards are more technical and prescriptive, focusing on the "how" and "what" of cybersecurity controls. Together, they ensure both high-level direction and practical execution.
This site serves as a comprehensive resource for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to develop and implement effective cybersecurity policies. Users can download 36 policy templates aligned with each NIST CSF 2.0 Core Function. Download specific templates and follow these to complete and modify the documents to meet your organization's needs. Users can also find tips on after completing the templates. Users are also encouraged to by sharing updated policy templates and resources.
Small businesses don’t need to reinvent the wheel to enhance their cybersecurity. Small businesses can enhance their cybersecurity by adopting that provide structured approaches for identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks. These frameworks enable small businesses to implement standardized practices and build resilience, even when IT resources are limited. Prominent framework providers include the , , and the . However, these frameworks can be complex, which is why this project aims to simplify their adoption for small businesses.
The offers voluntary guidance for organizations of all sizes to understand, assess, and communicate their cybersecurity efforts. It is adaptable, allowing organizations to consider their unique risk tolerances and priorities. NIST, a U.S. government agency, develops widely recognized standards that many sectors and governments adopt to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, fostering consistency and trust across industries in the fight against cybercrime.
are the foundation of any effective cybersecurity program, translating broad strategies from frameworks into actionable processes. Well-defined and implemented policies establish accountability, streamline decision-making, and ensure consistent responses to cybersecurity incidents, minimizing the risk of human error. Cybersecurity standards, on the other hand, provide specific, detailed, and measurable requirements for how cybersecurity practices should be implemented.
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SMB Cyberattacks
SMB Cybersecurity Posture
