This policy establishes the rules for protecting every computer and mobile device in your company from malware. It mandates essential security measures like antivirus software, regular scans, and immediate incident response to safeguard your business from costly attacks.
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Defend Against Ransomware & Viruses: Require all devices to run approved, up-to-date antivirus software with real-time protection.
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Secure All Devices (Including BYOD): Apply consistent security standards to company laptops and personally owned devices used for work.
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Rapidly Contain Threats: Define a clear process for disconnecting, quarantining, and cleaning infected devices to stop malware from spreading.
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Meet Key Compliance Mandates: Satisfy critical requirements for ISO 27001:2022, NIS2, and GDPR by demonstrating robust endpoint protection and incident response capabilities.
Read Full Overview
The Endpoint Protection and Malware Policy - SME is a detailed guideline crafted to protect small and medium enterprises from the ever-evolving threats of malware and other endpoint vulnerabilities. This policy is tailored to address the unique needs of SMEs, ensuring robust cybersecurity without the complexity often associated with larger frameworks. It covers all organizational endpoints, including desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and servers, and extends to personally owned devices under BYOD policies, ensuring comprehensive coverage. For SMEs, this policy offers peace of mind, ensuring that all endpoints are consistently monitored and protected, reducing the risk of data breaches and operational disruptions. By adopting this policy, organizations can focus on their core business activities, knowing their cybersecurity measures are in expert hands.
What's Inside
- Antivirus & Malware Protection
- System Hardening & Configuration
- Malware Incident Response
- Removable Media & USB Control
- Mobile Device (BYOD) Security
- User Responsibilities & Training
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Compliance & Enforcement
Built for Leaders, By Leaders
This policy gives you a practical, no-nonsense plan to protect your endpoints—your business's front door—from the most common forms of cyberattack. It was authored by a security leader to be a practical 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 | 8.1 |
| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 | 8.7 |
| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 | SI-3SI-4 |
| EU GDPR | Art. 32(1)(b)Art. 33 |
| EU NIS2 | Art. 21(2)(d)Art. 21(2)(e) |
| EU DORA | Art. 10(1)Art. 15 |
| COBIT 2019 | DSS05.02DSS05.04 |
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 foundational policy is directly linked to the following organizational security policies to ensure comprehensive alignment and traceability across the ISMS.
P9S - Remote Work Policy
Ensures endpoint protection is enforced on devices used off-site.
P12S - Asset Management Policy
Tracks all endpoints to ensure they are protected by this policy.
P17S - Data Protection and Privacy Policy
Reinforces malware prevention as a key control for protecting personal data.
P22S - Logging and Monitoring Policy
Establishes requirements for logging malware events for early response.
P30S - Incident Response Policy
Defines the escalation and containment steps for malware incidents.
About This Policy
An Endpoint Protection and Malware Policy is a critical security document that defines how an organization protects its computers, laptops, and mobile devices from malicious software. For a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME), endpoints are the primary gateway for cyberattacks like ransomware and viruses. This policy establishes mandatory controls, such as requiring approved antivirus software, enforcing regular system scans, and disabling risky features to harden devices against attack.
By implementing this policy, your SME creates a multi-layered defense that not only prevents malware infections but also provides a clear, documented process for detecting and responding to threats. This is a key requirement for compliance with standards like ISO 27001:2022 and regulations such as the GDPR and NIS2. A formal policy ensures that every device—whether company-owned or a personal device used for work (BYOD)—is consistently secured, reducing your overall cybersecurity risk and demonstrating a serious commitment to protecting your business and customer data.
