Overview
This policy establishes mandatory controls to protect sensitive information by requiring the secure handling of physical documents, workstations, and removable media. It supports ISO 27001:2022 by mitigating risks from unattended or visible information in both office and remote work environments.
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Prevent Data Exposure: Mitigate the risk of unauthorized disclosure, theft, or loss of data caused by unattended documents, unlocked screens, or visible credentials.
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Satisfy ISO 27001:2022 Control 7.7: Directly fulfill the requirements for securing physical workspaces, providing clear evidence of compliance to auditors.
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Secure All Workspaces: Apply consistent security rules across corporate offices, shared desks, meeting rooms, and remote home offices.
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Build a Security-Minded Culture: Embed simple yet critical security habits—like locking screens and securing documents—into the daily routines of all personnel.
Read Full Overview
The 'Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy' is a comprehensive guideline designed to safeguard sensitive information by enforcing strict handling protocols for both physical documents and digital displays. This policy is integral for organizations aiming to align with ISO 27001:2022, GDPR, and other regulatory standards, ensuring that confidential data is not left exposed to unauthorized access. By implementing this policy, your organization fosters a culture of security awareness and operational discipline, ensuring data protection is a shared responsibility.
What’s Inside
Purpose and Scope
Roles and Responsibilities
Clean Desk & Clear Screen Rules
Physical & Remote Workspace Controls
Secure Document Disposal
Risk Treatment and Exceptions
Enforcement and Compliance
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:
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 | Clause 6.1.3, Clause 8.1 |
| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 | Control 7.7 |
| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 | PE-2, PS-7 |
| EU GDPR | Articles 5(1)(f), 32; Recital 39 |
| EU NIS2 | Articles 21(2)(d), 21(3) |
| EU DORA | Articles 5, 8, 9 |
| COBIT 2019 | DSS01, DSS05, MEA03 |
Part of a Complete ISMS Toolkit
This policy is one of 37 documents in our complete toolkit. When implemented as a set, our framework helps you achieve comprehensive compliance across major standards.
100%
ISO 27001:2022
95%
NIST
88%
NIS2
75%
DORA
70%
GDPR
Related Policies
This policy establishes an integrated security culture when implemented alongside the following documents.
Information Security Policy (P1)
Establishes the foundational security expectations for all personnel.
Acceptable Use Policy (P3)
Addresses user accountability for protecting data in all environments.
Risk Management Policy (P6)
Incorporates physical workspace risks into enterprise-wide risk analysis.
Asset Management Policy (P12)
Supports tracking and secure handling of devices and media.
Data Classification and Labeling Policy (P13)
Links clean desk enforcement to how physical documents are classified.
About This Policy
The Clarysec Clear Desk and Screen Policy is a fundamental component of a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS). It directly addresses the requirements of ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 7.7 by establishing simple, effective rules to prevent unauthorized access to information in physical workspaces. This policy mandates that all personnel secure sensitive documents and lock their screens when unattended, mitigating common risks like shoulder surfing and casual data exposure.
By implementing these clear desk and screen practices, your organization strengthens its defense against both opportunistic and targeted threats. The policy is crucial for demonstrating due diligence for GDPR and other privacy regulations, as it provides auditable proof of physical and procedural safeguards. It fosters a culture of security awareness that extends from the corporate office to remote work environments, making every employee an active participant in protecting company data.
