Overview
This policy establishes the organization's mandatory requirements for secure, compliant, and responsible use of cloud computing services across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models.
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Govern IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS Usage: Apply consistent security and compliance standards across all cloud service models and deployments.
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Enforce Secure Configurations: Mandate documented security baselines for all cloud environments, with automated detection of configuration drift.
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Eliminate Unauthorized "Shadow IT": Prohibit the use of personal or unapproved cloud services for business data and detect violations.
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Ensure Provider Compliance: Verify vendor security posture through contractual clauses, due diligence assessments, and audit rights.
Read Full Overview
The Cloud Usage Policy is a comprehensive framework designed to guide organizations in the secure, compliant, and responsible use of cloud computing services. Covering Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models, this policy ensures that cloud services are adopted with a focus on protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets. The policy is essential for organizations looking to harness the power of cloud computing while adhering to regulatory, legal, and contractual obligations. By defining robust controls, it manages cloud risks, protects sensitive data, monitors provider compliance, and prevents unauthorized cloud usage. It supports business innovation through cloud platforms by aligning security measures with operational reliability and cost-efficiency. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third-party service providers who interact with cloud services on behalf of the organization, ensuring a secure environment for processing data across public, private, hybrid, and community cloud deployments. The policy's objectives include minimizing risks such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and service disruptions, while enforcing security and privacy requirements for all cloud vendors. By integrating cloud governance within the organization’s ISMS framework and aligning with standards like ISO 27001:2022, GDPR, and NIST, this policy provides a robust foundation for secure cloud adoption. Embrace secure cloud usage with confidence, knowing that your organization's data is protected and regulatory requirements are met.
What’s Inside
Governance Requirements: Defines a central Cloud Services Register, due diligence processes, and Shadow IT detection.
Access Control & Identity Management: Mandates for MFA, SSO, and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for all cloud services.
Configuration & Security Baselines: Documented, mandatory baselines with automated CSPM to detect configuration drift.
Encryption & Key Management: Requirements for data-in-transit and data-at-rest encryption, including use of CMK/BYOK.
Data Residency & Classification: Rules for classifying data before cloud migration and enforcing geographic storage limitations.
Roles and Responsibilities: Clear duties for Executive Management, CISO, Cloud Architects, and Legal teams.
Built for Leaders, By Leaders
This policy isn't just a template; it's an audit-defensible document crafted by seasoned cybersecurity leaders. Every clause is designed for practical implementation within complex enterprise environments, ensuring you can meet auditor requirements without disrupting operational workflows.
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 8.1 |
| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 | Controls 5.23-5.25 |
| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 | AC-20SA-9(5)SC-12-SC-28SR-5 |
| EU GDPR | Articles 2832Chapter V |
| EU NIS2 | Article 21(2)(f, i) |
| EU DORA | Articles 5(2)28 |
| COBIT 2019 | BAI04DSS01DSS05 |
Part of a Complete ISMS Toolkit
This policy is one of 37 documents in our complete toolkit, designed for comprehensive compliance.
100%
ISO 27001:2022
95%
NIST
88%
NIS2
75%
DORA
70%
GDPR
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About This Policy
The Clarysec Cloud Usage Policy establishes mandatory requirements for the secure and compliant use of all cloud computing services, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. It ensures cloud adoption is governed in a way that protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational data. This policy is essential for managing cloud risk and aligning with key regulations like GDPR, DORA, and NIS2, while supporting the operational controls required by ISO 27001:2022.
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third-party providers who use cloud services on behalf of the organization. The scope covers all deployment models (public, private, hybrid) and addresses the risks of 'Shadow IT' by prohibiting the use of personal cloud accounts for business data. By enforcing clear governance, secure baselines, and data protection controls, the policy provides a robust framework for leveraging cloud innovation securely and responsibly.
