Policy & Governance: Creating Your Security Foundation

What This Means for Your Business

Business security policies are like employee handbooks for cybersecurity. They establish clear rules about how your team handles sensitive information, uses company technology, and responds to security incidents. Without these policies, you’re hoping everyone makes good decisions—and hope isn’t a business strategy.

Why This Protects Your Business

Clear policies protect you legally and operationally. When an employee accidentally shares customer data or clicks on a malicious link, having documented policies helps you respond appropriately and demonstrates due diligence to regulators, insurance companies, and customers.

More importantly, good policies prevent problems before they happen. When employees know they shouldn’t use personal email for business communications or understand how to identify suspicious emails, they become your first line of defense rather than your biggest vulnerability.

Business Impact and Costs

Companies without clear security policies face higher insurance premiums, regulatory fines, and legal liability. During security incidents, the lack of documented procedures leads to confusion, delayed responses, and higher recovery costs. Conversely, businesses with well-documented policies resolve incidents 30% faster and with 25% lower costs.

What You Need to Implement

Your policy framework should cover these essential areas:

Acceptable Use Policy defines how employees can use company computers, internet access, and mobile devices. This includes restrictions on personal use, prohibited websites, and software installation rules.

Data Handling Policy specifies how different types of information should be stored, shared, and protected. Customer data requires different handling than marketing materials, and your policy should make these distinctions clear.

Incident Response Policy outlines exactly what happens when something goes wrong. Who gets notified? What systems get shut down? How do you communicate with customers? Having these decisions made in advance saves precious time during actual incidents.

Remote Work Policy has become essential as more businesses embrace flexible work arrangements. This should cover VPN usage, home network security, and physical security of devices and documents.

Getting Started Checklist

  • Draft basic acceptable use and data handling policies within 60 days
  • Review policies with your legal advisor or HR consultant
  • Train all employees on new policies and get signed acknowledgments
  • Schedule annual policy reviews and updates
  • Create simple reference guides employees can easily access

Why Granite?

Every business needs clear cybersecurity policies, but creating and maintaining them can feel overwhelming when you’re wearing multiple hats. Granite Technology Solutions understands the challenges of establishing proper security governance while running your daily operations. Our managed IT services include options for projects to help you develop and implement security policies that actually work for your business. We guide you through creating practical frameworks that protect your data without slowing down your team. Let’s get started with the security foundation your business deserves, backed by our Montana-based experts who understand your unique challenges.

Learn more: https://granite.tech

Need personalized advice?

Our consultants are ready to answer your specific questions.

Connect With Team Granite

Flexible solutions and caring
support are one click away.

Contact Us

Bozeman Office
201 Evergreen Dr., Suite A
Bozeman, MT 59715
406.585.0550

Missoula Office
1600 North Ave W. Suite 108
Missoula, MT 59801
406.532.1640

Kalispell Office
555 Corporate Dr. Suite 206
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.309.6950

Helena Office
Brick and Mortor coming soon
406.558.3500