IT POLICY

What is an IT Policy?

An IT policy is almost like a set of rules that all employees have to sign and follow, it is usually part of the contract that the users have to agree to before been allowed on the systems. Every IT policy is different it depends on the company, an IT policy mainly helps and protects the company, so if a user is up to mischief and the user has signed the policy then it can assist in disciplinary actions. The policy is regularly reviewed to ensure it is kept up to date with modern IT threats. With everything changing in technology and more documents becoming electronic it’s key that the policy is accurate and up to date to protect the users and company. If you don’t have an IT policy then it is very important that you look into getting one drawn up and getting it enforced as soon as possible.

Why should I have one?

It protects the company and it also protects the user, but it’s an important legal document that can assist in disciplinary hearings and potentially court proceedings. It can also protect the company against people bringing in their own devices and potentially infecting the network or stealing information. It will be easier to steal with a personal device as it won’t be monitored and checked and tested so the damage it can do is massive and it can be done maliciously or without the user knowing.

What needs to be on it?

An IT Policy varies from company to company, there is no set rules that need to be on it. It will vary with the data and sensitive information that’s involved with the company, also it depends on the internet restrictions and what users are allowed to access on the web. It can also include things about BYOD which stands for (Bring Your Own Devices) which will prevent users from bringing in personal devices and potentially infecting the network. The best people to create your IT policies are legal qualified personnel.