Implementing information security policies is critical for any organization that wants to protect its assets and data. Recently, some changes in the IT landscape have increased the awareness and importance of a well-established information security policy. Some of these drivers are 

• Compliance pressure
• Cloud migration
• Business growth
• BYOD
• Zero trust NA

Not only are these drivers motivating information security departments across the spectrum to work and mature their infosec policy implementation, but I am also witnessing a very encouraging intent of support from the senior management and board of directors. A very coordinated effort is being made, and everyone is seriously working towards securing the assets and mitigating the risks ( btw, the intent was always there).

While it is a good trend, it would be criminal to assume that it didn’t happen in the past. A sizeable set of focused professionals kept us secure through thick and thin, and we got to learn from some of their experiences.

I have compiled a few past reasons that have impacted such efforts.

1. Lack of senior management support: Top of the list and most important. Information security policies require the active support of senior management to be effective. If senior management does not prioritize information security, employees may not take the policies seriously, and compliance may suffer.
2. Over-reliance on technology: This is a classic case of forgetting people and processes and remembering technology. Technology can be essential to information security, but it is not a silver bullet. Companies must also consider the human element, including employee education and awareness, to ensure effective policies.
3. Failure to align policies with business objectives: In the least amount of words, your business objectives inspire your information security strategy, and the strategy, in turn, guides the policy. Information security policies must align with the organization’s broader goals. Failure to do so can lead to too strict or too lax policies, harming productivity or failing to adequately protect the organization’s assets.
4. Inadequate training and awareness: This is something that is being worked upon across the globe. With the meteoric increase in phishing and other such attacks, employees must understand the policies and their role in complying with them. Failure to provide adequate training and awareness can lead to confusion and non-compliance.
5. One-size-fits-all policies: Information security risks can vary depending on the business function or job role. Companies implementing one-size-fits-all policies may need to adequately address the unique risks of different roles or functions.
6. Failure to measure policy effectiveness: Companies must measure the effectiveness of their policies to ensure they are achieving the desired outcomes. The inability to measure policy effectiveness can lead to a false sense of security and missed opportunities for improvement. Governance needs to be performed “old school”.
7. Poor communication: Companies must communicate the policies effectively to employees to ensure understanding and compliance. Failure to communicate the policies adequately can lead to confusion and non-compliance.

Companies must take a comprehensive approach to information security policy implementation, including senior management support, alignment with business objectives, adequate training and awareness, role-specific policies, effectiveness measurement, and effective communication. By doing so, companies can better protect their assets and data and reduce the risk of information security breaches.