Security Goals and Objectives Examples
Implement and maintain a comprehensive security policy for the organization.
Conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Maintain up-to-date antivirus and antimalware software on all devices.
Ensure that all employees receive regular security awareness training.
Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
Implement and enforce strong password policies.
Keep security patches and updates current across all systems.
Monitor user activity and audit logs regularly for signs of unauthorized access.
Use encryption to protect sensitive data in transit and at rest.
Develop an incident response plan for responding to security breaches.
Test the incident response plan regularly.
Conduct regular penetration testing to identify weaknesses in the system.
Ensure that all third-party vendors are vetted for security before engaging them.
Maintain a secure backup of all important data.
Regularly test backups to ensure they can be restored quickly and accurately.
Use two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Implement network segmentation to minimize the impact of security breaches.
Keep inventory of all hardware and software used within the organization.
Ensure that all unused accounts are disabled immediately.
Implement strong access controls to limit access to sensitive data.
Regularly review access permissions to ensure they are still necessary.
Develop and enforce policies around mobile device management.
Use firewalls to prevent unauthorized access to the network.
Regularly review firewall rules to ensure they are still necessary.
Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems to detect and block attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments on cloud infrastructures.
Ensure that remote access is only permitted through secure channels.
Monitor administrative privileges closely to prevent misuse.
Develop guidelines around social engineering attacks and train employees accordingly.
Conduct background checks on all employees with access to sensitive information or systems.
Use web filters to block malicious websites and monitor employee internet usage.
Encrypt all sensitive data transmitted over public networks such as Wi-Fi hotspots.
Develop a disaster recovery plan that includes security measures.
Conduct regular drills of the disaster recovery plan.
Implement secure coding practices for applications developed in-house.
Use virtual private networks (VPN) for remote access to the network.
Implement email filters to block spam and phishing emails.
Train employees on how to recognize phishing emails and what actions to take in response.
Conduct regular security audits on third-party vendors and partners.
Develop and implement a process for handling security incidents.
Establish an emergency response team for responding to security incidents.
Conduct regular physical security assessments of facilities.
Use access control systems to restrict access to sensitive areas.
Install surveillance cameras in high-risk areas.
Use biometric authentication where appropriate, such as for data center access.
Use secure data destruction methods when disposing of old hardware or storage media.
Conduct background checks on all contractors with access to sensitive information or systems.
Implement secure file sharing options for employees who need to share sensitive information externally.
Use threat intelligence feeds to keep up-to-date with emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
Regularly review security policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Develop guidelines around using personal devices for work purposes (BYOD).
Develop guidelines around working remotely and accessing company resources from outside the office.
Restrict outbound traffic from the network to prevent data exfiltration by attackers.
Develop policies around incident reporting, including when, how and whom to report incidents to.
Establish clear ownership of security tasks by different teams or individuals.
Integrate compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR) into the security program.
Regularly perform forensic investigations on past security incidents, aiming at identifying root causes and opportunities for improvement.
Develop policies around handling physical assets such as laptops, smartphones, hard drives, USBs, etc., that contain sensitive information.
Document processes for patch management and vulnerability remediation.
Establish a process for testing new hardware and software products before deploying them in production.
Define metrics and KPIs for monitoring the effectiveness of the security program.
Actively seek feedback from stakeholders (employees, customers, vendors) on their perceptions of security.
Conduct tabletop exercises to simulate various attack scenarios and test readiness.
Develop policies around incident escalation, including under what conditions senior management should be informed.
Develop policies around social media use by employees, especially regarding sharing of company information or opinions.
Perform regular code reviews and application security tests.
Use deception technologies (e.g., honeypots) as a way of detecting attackers early.
Use machine learning algorithms to identify anomalous behavior patterns that could indicate a breach.
Implement data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to prevent sensitive information from leaving the organization.
Develop policies around incident notification to regulatory bodies or law enforcement agencies.
Conduct red team/blue team exercises to test the effectiveness of defense mechanisms.
Establish a bug bounty program for incentivizing external researchers to find vulnerabilities in the system.
Use security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) technologies to improve incident response times.
Develop policies around conducting due diligence on potential mergers or acquisitions from a security standpoint.
Monitor dark web forums for any mentions of the company's name, employees or other relevant information.
Evaluate emerging technologies such as blockchain or zero-trust architectures for their potential impact on the security program.