policy Enterprise

Acceptable Use Policy

Defines and enforces acceptable use of IT resources, safeguarding data and ensuring secure, responsible user behavior across all organizational systems.

Overview

This Acceptable Use Policy defines the rules for proper use of company IT resources, covering user behavior, prohibited actions, technical enforcement, reporting, and compliance in line with top security standards.

Comprehensive User Controls

Covers all user types and devices to minimize misuse, negligence, and abuse of corporate IT resources.

Risk-Based Enforcement

Combines technical safeguards with clear user obligations to reduce behavior-based security risks.

Integrated Awareness & Training

Mandates policy acknowledgment and regular training to reinforce secure, ethical system use.

Legal & Regulatory Alignment

Meets requirements from ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, NIS2, and more for audit-ready compliance.

Read Full Overview
The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) establishes the standards for responsible, secure, and lawful use of an organization's information systems, technology resources, and data assets. The overarching purpose is to define both acceptable and prohibited activities when interacting with the company’s computing infrastructure, including workstations, mobile devices, servers, cloud services, and networks. This policy ensures that all users , from employees and contractors to third-party vendors , are aware of their responsibilities in defending the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of organizational information assets. Per the policy, the scope is comprehensive, touching every individual and entity granted access, as well as all forms of technology and corporate data. It applies equally across corporate offices, remote work setups, and field locations. Not only must traditional IT users comply, but also anyone operating under BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) arrangements or through hybrid work environments. Each user is required to acknowledge the policy as a precondition for system and data access, and such acknowledgment is maintained for audit and compliance. The policy’s objectives stress the importance of setting clear boundaries for permitted and forbidden actions. It mandates the prevention of unauthorized access or data leakage through behavior-driven threats like negligent use, installation of unauthorized software, or evasion of security controls. To safeguard compliance, roles and responsibilities are delineated for executive management (policy approval and oversight), IT/security teams (technical enforcement, monitoring, investigation), managers (local oversight, handling minor violations), HR/legal (disciplinary actions, policy legality), and all users (ethical use, reporting incidents, securing credentials). Governance and enforcement measures are thoughtfully designed. Users must engage with formal acknowledgment and recurring training, reinforcing awareness and ethical behavior. IT and security teams implement web and email filtering, endpoint protection, and monitoring systems to technically enforce rules, while periodic reviews ensure controls remain effective. Prohibited activities are explicitly listed, covering unauthorized access, malware deployment, use for personal profit, excessive resource consumption, and attempts to bypass security mechanisms. There is also strict treatment of BYOD usage, encryption, and remote work practices, with technical and procedural requirements for device and data security. Incident response mechanisms require that users report security events, unauthorized access, or device loss promptly through official channels. Violations are met with proportionate disciplinary action , from retraining and access suspension to termination or legal prosecution , all documented for legal and audit purposes. Importantly, the policy protects whistleblower anonymity and prohibits retaliation, fostering a culture of accountability. Aligned with recognized international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (Clause 5.10 and select Annex A controls), NIST SP 800-53, EU GDPR, NIS2, EU DORA, and COBIT 2019, the AUP is constructed to withstand scrutiny from compliance, legal, and audit perspectives. It is governed by prescribed review cycles, versioning, and document management requirements to ensure its relevance as risks evolve and as the regulatory environment changes. Furthermore, the policy explicitly links to related key policies such as Access Control, Risk Management, and Remote Work, ensuring a holistic, layered approach to organizational cyber risk governance.

Policy Diagram

Acceptable Use Policy diagram illustrating user onboarding acknowledgment, technical controls enforcement, incident reporting, exception governance, and multi-role disciplinary escalation.

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What's Inside

Scope and Rules of Engagement

User Behavior and Access Rules

Prohibited Activities List

BYOD and Remote Use Requirements

Incident Response and Reporting

Policy Exception and Disciplinary Process

Framework Compliance

🛡️ Supported Standards & Frameworks

This product is aligned with the following compliance frameworks, with detailed clause and control mappings.

Framework Covered Clauses / Controls
ISO/IEC 27001:2022
ISO/IEC 27002:2022
NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5
EU GDPR
Article 5(1)(f)Article 32Recital 39
EU NIS2
EU DORA
COBIT 2019

Related Policies

Information Security Policy

Establishes the foundational behavior expectations and senior leadership commitment to acceptable use.

Access Control Policy

Defines permissions and rights associated with users, systems, and data access—directly enforcing acceptable use boundaries.

Risk Management Policy

Addresses behavior-related risks and supports monitoring and treatment activities associated with user-driven threats.

Onboarding And Termination Policy

Ensures acceptable use terms are acknowledged at entry and revoked at departure.

Remote Work Policy

Extends acceptable use provisions to remote and hybrid work environments.

About Clarysec Policies - Acceptable Use Policy

Effective security governance requires more than just words; it demands clarity, accountability, and a structure that scales with your organization. Generic templates often fail, creating ambiguity with long paragraphs and undefined roles. This policy is engineered to be the operational backbone of your security program. We assign responsibilities to the specific roles found in a modern enterprise, including the CISO, IT Security, and relevant committees, ensuring clear accountability. Every requirement is a uniquely numbered clause (e.g., 5.1.1, 5.1.2). This atomic structure makes the policy easy to implement, audit against specific controls, and safely customize without affecting document integrity, transforming it from a static document into a dynamic, actionable framework.

Multilayer Role Accountability

Assigns enforcement, escalation, and compliance review to distinct teams: management, IT, HR, legal, and end users.

Exception Built-In Workflow

Defines granular exception handling steps with approval, controls, audit, and periodic review for safe non-standard use.

Automated Monitoring & Response

Enables real-time policy violation detection, logging, and incident initiation for swift containment and evidence gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Built for Leaders, By Leaders

This policy was authored by a security leader with 25+ years of experience deploying and auditing ISMS frameworks for global enterprises. It's designed not just to be a document, but a defensible framework that stands up to auditor scrutiny.

Authored by an expert holding:

MSc Cyber Security, Royal Holloway UoL CISM CISA ISO 27001:2022 Lead Auditor & Implementer CEH

Coverage & Topics

🏢 Target Departments

IT Security Compliance Legal Human Resources

🏷️ Topic Coverage

Security Awareness and Training Compliance Management Access Control Policy Management Security Communication
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Acceptable Use Policy

Product Details

Type: policy
Category: Enterprise
Standards: 7