This policy establishes mandatory guidelines for all public-facing communications—including social media, press engagement, and online content—to protect your company’s reputation, data, and legal standing.
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Protect Your Reputation
Prevent damage to your company's image by setting clear rules for acceptable and prohibited content, for both official and personal accounts.
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Prevent Data Leaks
Avoid the unintentional exposure of sensitive client or company information, such as internal screenshots, project details, or confidential documents.
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Control the Narrative
Ensure all public engagements, from blog posts to conference talks, are approved and aligned with your company's official messaging.
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Ensure Compliance
Align all external communications with legal and regulatory requirements, including GDPR, NIS2, and ISO 27001:2022.
Read Full Overview
The Social Media and External Communications Policy for SMEs is designed to establish robust guidelines for managing all forms of public communications, including social media interactions, press statements, and digital content dissemination. By implementing this policy, SMEs can safeguard their reputation and prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The policy is applicable to all employees, contractors, and third-party vendors who engage in public communications on behalf of the organization or reference it in any capacity. Covered channels include social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Facebook, as well as blogs, online forums, and public speaking engagements. This policy is structured to enhance data security by minimizing the risk of accidental or intentional exposure of confidential information. It also ensures compliance with relevant legal frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR, and NIS2, addressing issues like data protection and business communication laws. The policy outlines clear roles and responsibilities, with the General Manager overseeing policy enforcement and incident response coordination, while designated employees or communications leads support content review and risk monitoring. The policy's objectives are to protect the company's image, secure sensitive data, and ensure that all public statements align with corporate branding and ethical standards. It includes protocols for incident preparedness, offering actionable steps in case of policy violations or accidental disclosures. By promoting professional conduct and responsible online participation, the policy enhances organizational resilience against reputational and security risks. For SMEs, this policy is invaluable in maintaining a coherent and compliant public presence, fostering trust among clients and stakeholders. It provides clarity and confidence, ensuring that all external communications are managed strategically and securely, allowing businesses to focus on growth without the looming threat of communication mishaps.
What’s Inside
- Purpose, Scope, and Objectives
- Roles and Responsibilities (GM, Comms Lead, Staff)
- Acceptable and Prohibited Content Rules
- Guidelines for Public Engagements & Media Requests
- Rules for Official Company Channels
- Incident Handling for Content Breaches
- Enforcement, Risk Treatment, and Compliance
Built for Leaders, By Leaders
This isn't just a document; it's a defensible business tool. Written by certified cybersecurity experts, this policy is designed to be practical for small and medium enterprises. It provides clear, actionable steps that you can implement without a large security team, giving you the confidence that your public communications are professional, secure, and compliant under audit.
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 |
Clauses 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 8.1
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| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 |
Controls 5.10, 5.11
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| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 |
PL-4
AU-7
IR-6
AC-22
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| EU GDPR |
Articles 5, 32, 33
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| EU NIS2 |
Article 21(2)(e), 21(2)(f)
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| EU DORA |
Article 14(4)
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| COBIT 2019 |
APO09
DSS05
EDM03
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Part of a Complete ISMS Toolkit
This policy is one of 37 documents in our complete ISMS for SME Toolkit, designed for comprehensive compliance.
100%
ISO 27001:2022
95%
EU NIS2
90%
EU GDPR
85%
EU DORA
Related Policies
This policy operates in coordination with the following SME policies to maintain a secure, respectful, and legally compliant external presence.
Acceptable Use Policy (P3S)
Defines acceptable behavior when using communication platforms.
Information Security Policy (P8S)
Ensures staff are trained to identify the risks of oversharing and phishing.
Data Protection and Privacy Policy (P17S)
Ensures personal and customer data is not shared in external communications.
Incident Response Policy (P30S)
Governs the response to accidental public disclosures or online threats.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance Policy (P37S)
Establishes broader legal obligations when sharing content publicly.
About This Policy
The Social Media and External Communications Policy for SMEs provides a robust framework for managing all public-facing statements and content. It establishes mandatory guidelines for social media use, press interactions, and other digital communications to protect your company’s reputation, prevent data leaks, and ensure legal compliance. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third parties representing your organization.
Covering all communication channels from LinkedIn and Twitter to blogs and public speaking events, this policy defines acceptable and prohibited content to avoid accidental disclosure of confidential information. It outlines a clear approval process for all external communications, ensuring alignment with your brand and security requirements. By implementing these rules, your SME can confidently engage with the public while meeting its obligations under ISO 27001:2022, GDPR, and other key regulations.
