In today's digital age, protecting information systems is a priority for all organizations, regardless of their size (SMEs, mid-cap companies, large corporations) and their sector of activity (banking, insurance, manufacturing, automotive, aviation, logistics, agri-food, etc.). The information system security policy (ISSP) is one of the tools used by the CISO to implement their cybersecurity strategy.

In concrete terms, the ISSP reflects management's security guidelines, which go well beyond IT security. It also includes organizational and human aspects, defining objectives, rules, and measures to be adopted. It specifies the responsibilities of the various players: business units, CISO, senior management, and committee structure.

The ISSP is therefore a key document for organizing the protection of business processes against cyber threats. In this article, find out why it is essential, how to design it effectively, the recommendations of the ANSSI, and how a cybersecurity expert can help you.

What is an ISS policy?

An information system security policy is an essential document that establishes the objectives, principles, and rules necessary to protect an organization's information systems.

Its purpose is linked to the missions of the CISO. The ISS policy must define the security objectives as well as the organization and responsibilities of each department to achieve them. It contains the security rules for protecting an organization from external threats and influences. Like the CISO, it defines security constraints that must be respected and that may be subject to exceptions so as not to hinder the development of the business.

The ISSP serves as a guide for all security-related decisions and actions. It is essential to distinguish the ISSP from other security documents, such as:

• The management commitment letter: this defines the security issues and the mission of the CISO
• The IT charter: this document defines the rules of good conduct for the use of information systems, digital equipment, and IT resources made available to employees.
• The business continuity plan (BCP): designed to ensure business continuity in the event of a major disruption.

All organizations, whether small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), local authorities, or large companies, are concerned by the implementation of an ISSP. There are many risks to information system security, and they can affect any company, regardless of its size or sector of activity.

Organizations adopt an ISSP for several reasons:

• to define benchmarks for business lines,
• to define safeguards against the deployment of rapid, uncontrolled solutions that can lead to data leaks,
• to support the CISO's message,
• to show partners and suppliers that the issue is being taken seriously, The absence of an information system security policy is no longer an option today. This document is expected at all levels and by:
• customers to obtain security guarantees
• HR to define clear rules (teleworking/security measures/responsibilities)
• auditors to analyze an organization's maturity

In the absence of an ISSP, customers often refuse to move forward with the contracting process, and insurers will not offer cyber insurance coverage.

From a regulatory standpoint, having an ISSP is often a requirement in almost all situations: to obtain ISO 27001, HDS, or SOC2 certification, to comply with NIS2, DORA, CRA, and GDPR.

The stakes of an ISSP are high for various players within the organization, including:

• Information system security managers – CISOs, an ISSP provides a clear framework for managing risks and deploying appropriate security measures.
• Information system directors (CIOs) benefit from this policy by aligning their technology strategies with the organization's security objectives.
• Executives and members of the Executive Committee (Comex) rely on the ISSP to ensure that security risks are managed proactively and that the organization complies with applicable regulations.

In addition, an ISSP, accompanied by an IT charter, encourages the establishment of a security culture within the organization. It defines best security practices for all employees, as well as each person's responsibilities and roles in protecting information systems. This strengthens the organization's resilience to cyber threats and improves overall information security risk management.

7 key steps to developing an effective ISSP

Developing an information security policy is a structured and methodical process. Discover the 7 key steps to designing an ISSP tailored to your organization's needs.

1. Assess the organization's security needs: The first step is to analyze the organization's critical assets, identify potential threats, and determine the necessary security levels. This includes an ISS risk analysis, as recommended by the EBIOS method, to better understand vulnerabilities and potential impacts on information systems.

2. Identify stakeholders: It is important to list all internal and external teams and service providers involved in defining and implementing the ISSP. This includes information system security managers, information system directors, technical teams, as well as external partners and suppliers with access to the organization's information systems.

3. Define the objectives and scope of the ISSP: It is essential to clarify the scope of the ISSP to avoid any ambiguity and ensure that all critical aspects of security are taken into account, including the services, processes, and resources concerned.

4. Select applicable standards and guidelines: ISO 27001, ANSSI, NIS2, DORA, etc. It is recommended to use recognized standards to structure this policy. The reference frameworks of the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) – often cited in the context of the PSSI – and the ISO 27001 standard provide solid frameworks for developing a robust PSSI that complies with international best practices in information system security policy.

5. Write the security rules: When drafting security rules, be concise and set realistic and measurable objectives. There is no such thing as “perfect” security, even with the best systems on the market. Not only would the cost be exponential, but the resulting processes would be cumbersome to implement and would quickly be circumvented by users and business units, to the detriment of overall efficiency. Establishing concrete security rules tailored to the specific risks and uses of he organization is an essential step. These rules should cover various aspects, including system access, data backup, mobility, and other key areas of information system security.

6. Involve employees and communicate: Involving employees through effective internal communication is essential to the success of the ISSP. It is important to regularly raise awareness and train employees in good security practices. In addition, it is important to clearly communicate everyone's responsibilities and roles in implementing the policy.

7. Implement a monitoring and update plan: To ensure the sustainability of the ISSP, it is essential to put in place regular audit and review mechanisms. This includes developing a monitoring and update plan to ensure that the policy remains relevant to evolving threats, technologies, and internal changes within the organization.

Bonus Writing an ISSP is a difficult and time-consuming exercise. What may seem intuitive and simple in writing can take a long time to implement. Consider involving other departments and the IT department in your approach to understand how they work and what their security challenges are. Write fewer rules, but make sure they are accepted, measurable, and enforceable. You can evolve them as you progress through the maturity and security stages.

ANSSI recommendations for your ISSP

The French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) has published several official recommendations for developing and implementing an effective information system security policy (ISSP). These recommendations are intended to assist CISOs in creating and maintaining a robust policy tailored to the specific needs of their organization.

ANSSI provides free and comprehensive resources to guide organizations in designing their ISSP. Among these resources, the guide to developing information system security policies is a valuable tool. It provides detailed support for ISS managers, covering all essential aspects of security policy, from needs assessment to implementation and regular review of the ISS policy.

In addition, ANSSI emphasizes the importance of involving business units in the ISS policy development process. This means that technical teams, operational staff, and senior management and executive committee members must be actively involved in defining and implementing this policy.

This approach ensures that the ISSP is fully aligned with the business objectives and specific needs of the organization. It also enables effective implementation by all stakeholders.

In addition, ANSSI recommends using recognized standards and guidelines, such as ISO 27001, to structure the ISSP. These standards provide solid frameworks and best practices for information security management. This helps ensure compliance with applicable regulations while strengthening the overall security of information systems.

Finally, ANSSI emphasizes the importance of awareness and ongoing training for employees. Good security practices, such as password management, regular data backups, and virus protection, must be integrated into the ISSP and clearly communicated to all employees. This promotes the establishment of a culture of security within the organization.

How Board of Cyber can support you in your security policy project

Board of Cyber offers a range of innovative solutions to support organizations in their information system security strategy. Here's how their tools and services can help you strengthen and optimize your security.

Document and publish your ISSP and cybersecurity risks

The TrustHQ solution offers a module dedicated to publishing your security policy and aligning it with security standards. This ISSP can also be broken down into security procedures that you can share with all employees or select groups.

Managing changes to the ISSP and communicating the latest version is simplified, enabling changes to be traced.

Trigger cybersecurity maturity assessments

Security compliance (NIS2, DORA, CRA, ISO, etc.) is a reality for all organizations. To optimize the process and reduce the associated workload, the best method is to:

• define a single control plan for all compliance requirements
• document the controls
• map your ISSP controls and reference frameworks
• trigger compliance assessments.

TrustHQ's compliance module allows you to manage all controls and delegate reporting tasks to your teams and subsidiaries.

The TrustHQ solution consolidates all this information into simple and intuitive dashboards.

Manage security audits

All security regulations require independent security checks (internal audits or service providers).

These audits result in action plans for which the CISO must delegate tasks, monitor progress, and consolidate dashboards. This is a particularly burdensome task, often handled using Excel spreadsheets, which are difficult to maintain.

The TrustHQ solution's management module allows you to customize, delegate, and track all action plans. Data is automatically consolidated into dashboards.

Manage supplier security

All standards and, above all, all recent regulations emphasize the importance of controlling your supply chain. Whether you have IT suppliers or business suppliers, how can you ensure that hundreds or even thousands of suppliers have an adequate level of security in relation to your dependence on their business?

Board of Cyber helps you implement a supplier management strategy (critical/important/standard) and roll out this strategy via:

• TrustHQ for security questionnaires with evidence submission
• Security Rating for automated attack surface analysis.

This approach ensures complete control over your supply chain and compliance with NIS2 and DORA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing an information system security policy is essential for defining how to protect your organization's assets. It is a strategic document that defines the issues, regulatory context, objectives, responsibilities, principles, and security rules to be applied.

The involvement of stakeholders (business units, IT departments, senior management) and effective internal communication are fundamental to ensuring its adoption.

Cybersecurity requires ongoing maintenance, with regular reviews of policies and procedures to realign their content with the reality on the ground: applicability and new threats. Management tools and specialized services, such as those offered by Board of Cyber, can play a key role in strengthening your ISS strategy.

Don't waste any time: develop your ISSP, mobilize your teams, and ensure that your information systems remain secure in the face of growing threats.

FAQ

What are the key organizational principles for developing an information system security policy?

The key organizational principles for developing an information system security policy include:

• Defining a clear and consistent security policy.
• Organizing security effectively.
• Proactively managing ISS risks.
• Integrating security into the system lifecycle.
• Assuring and certifying systems.

These principles provide a solid framework for managing and monitoring information system security.

How can critical digital assets be identified and protected as part of an ISSP?

To identify and protect critical digital assets as part of an ISSP, it is essential to follow several key steps:

• Identify critical IT assets, such as customer databases, financial data, and trade secrets.
• Define appropriate protective measures, such as installing firewalls, using strong authentication systems, and managing access rights.
• Ensure continuous monitoring of systems to detect anomalies. Perform regular data backups.
• Raise staff awareness of good IT security practices.

How important is monitoring and anomaly detection in an ISSP?

Monitoring and anomaly detection in an information system security policy are essential for identifying and preventing cyber threats. They enable you to:

• Detect abnormal behavior or suspicious patterns in real time. Respond quickly to incidents to minimize impact.
• Improve data quality and overall system security.

These actions protect systems and data from breaches and zero-day attacks.

Why are staff awareness and training essential to complement the ISSP?

Staff awareness and training are essential in an ISSP because they:

• Educate employees on security best practices,
• Raise awareness of common threats, such as phishing,
• Promote a culture of security within the organization,
• Maintain a high level of vigilance and competence,
• Strengthen trust in the organization while protecting its reputation.

These regular programs help prevent security incidents and ensure optimal security.