Description
Establish a consistent approach to maintaining secure system configurations, performing controlling maintenance activities, and protecting the integrity of organisational systems and information.
This policy provides a framework for configuration management, change control, system maintenance, vulnerability remediation, integrity monitoring, and ongoing protection against unauthorised changes or malicious activity.
Aligned to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and informed by NIST SP 800-53 security controls, it helps organisations implement industry-recognised security governance practices.
Our policy templates are designed by experienced cybersecurity consultants to accelerate policy development and security program maturity.
Rather than starting from a blank page, you can leverage a professionally developed policy and tailor it to suit your organisation’s specific requirements, operating environment, and risk profile.
The policy is provided in Microsoft Word format. ready for customisation and implementation.
Who Should Use This Document:
This policy is suitable for organisations seeking to establish or mature their cybersecurity governance framework and risk management practices, including:
- Small to medium enterprises implementing formal cybersecurity governance
- Organisations preparing for audits, certifications, or regulatory obligations
- Organisations adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NIST SP 800-53 or NIST best practices
- Security, risk, compliance, and governance teams
Topics Covered:
The policy includes guidance on:
- Configuration management governance and responsibilities
- Establishment and maintenance of secure baseline configurations
- Change management and configuration-controlled change processes
- Security and privacy impact assessments for system changes
- Secure configuration settings and system hardening requirements
- Management of authorised software, services, ports, and protocols
- Asset inventory and system component management requirements
- Configuration management planning and documentation requirements
- Software licensing, usage controls, and user-installed software restrictions
- System maintenance, repair, replacement, and servicing requirements
- Remote maintenance and diagnostic activity controls
- Authorisation and oversight of maintenance personnel and service providers
- Vulnerability, patch, and system flaw management processes
- Malware protection, detection, and response requirements
- Security monitoring, threat detection, and identification of indicators of compromise
- Integrity monitoring of software, firmware, and information assets
- Security alert, advisory, and vulnerability notification management
- Spam protection and communications monitoring requirements
- Information retention, disposal, and data lifecycle management controls
- Protection against unauthorised code execution and unauthorised system modifications
Key Benefits:
- Aligned to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
- Mapped to relevant NIST SP 800-53 security controls
- Reduces the time and effort required to develop policies from scratch
- Supports consistent security governance practices across the organisation
- Helps demonstrate due diligence to customers, auditors, regulators, and stakeholders
- Provides a strong foundation for cybersecurity risk management and continuous improvement
- Delivered in an editable Microsoft Word format for easy customisation
How Should I Use This Document
- Replace your organisation’s details, branding, and logo where indicated.
- Update all content contained within [square brackets].
- Review highlighted or guidance text and customise where appropriate.
- Review the policy and tailor the content to your organisation’s structure, risk profile, and objectives.
- Publish the finalised policy and communicate it to relevant stakeholders.