Overview
This policy establishes mandatory rules and responsibilities governing the use of social media and all forms of external communication by personnel affiliated with the organization.
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Protect Brand Reputation: Prevent reputational damage by ensuring all public statements are accurate, authorized, and brand-consistent.
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Prevent Confidential Data Leaks: Stop the accidental or intentional disclosure of confidential, sensitive, or regulated information.
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Ensure Consistent Brand Messaging: Enforce consistency in messaging across all departments and external platforms to maintain a unified brand voice.
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Govern All External Channels: Apply rules to social media, blogs, forums, email, and press interactions, whether on personal or corporate accounts.
Read Full Overview
The Social Media and External Communications Policy is a comprehensive framework designed to guide organizations in managing their public-facing interactions across various digital platforms. This policy is crucial for safeguarding against the potential risks associated with external communications, such as reputational damage, intellectual property leakage, and unauthorized disclosures. It applies to all personnel, including employees, contractors, interns, and third-party representatives, who communicate on behalf of the organization, whether officially or informally. The policy encompasses a wide range of communication channels including social media platforms, blogs, forums, emails, and even press interactions. It is designed to ensure that all public communications are accurate, authorized, and consistent with the organization's brand and strategic messaging. By implementing this policy, organizations can prevent accidental or intentional disclosures of sensitive information and ensure compliance with applicable legal obligations, including GDPR, NIS2, and DORA. Key objectives include defining clear responsibilities, establishing acceptable use standards, and enforcing pre-authorization for official statements. The policy also mandates the use of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for corporate accounts and requires regular monitoring and review of communications to detect potential breaches or unauthorized activity. Roles are clearly delineated, with the Chief Marketing or Communications Officer overseeing messaging, while the CISO ensures digital platforms are secure and free from data leakage threats. Legal and compliance teams review communications to ensure they adhere to laws governing confidentiality and intellectual property. This policy not only aligns with recognized standards such as ISO 27001:2022 and NIST but also provides a structured approach to managing communication risks effectively. The sense of security and clarity it offers ensures that organizations can confidently engage in public communications, knowing they are protected against potential risks and compliant with global standards.
What’s Inside
Governance Requirements: Rules for pre-authorization of official statements and a detailed list of prohibited activities.
Official Account Management: Mandates for using MFA, unique passwords, and centralized logging for all corporate accounts.
Content Review Protocol: A formal workflow for drafting, reviewing, and approving all official company statements.
Brand Monitoring & Threat Intelligence: Requirements for monitoring brand mentions, impersonating accounts, and reputational crises.
Incident Response & Escalation: A clear process for containing violations, notifying the DPO, and handling breach notifications.
Roles and Responsibilities: Clear duties for Marketing/PR, CISO, Legal, department heads, and all employees.
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 5.105.115.355.36 |
| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 | AC-8AU-12PL-4 |
| EU GDPR | Articles 5253233 |
| EU NIS2 | Article 21 |
| EU DORA | Articles 916 |
| COBIT 2019 | APO09DSS05 |
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
Related Policies
P3 - Acceptable Use Policy
Defines acceptable behaviors for digital platforms, which govern personal and professional use of social channels.
P6 - Risk Management Policy
Provides the framework for assessing threats related to public communication and reputational exposure.
P8 - Information Security Awareness and Training Policy
Mandates awareness programs that educate staff on secure communication practices.
P30 - Incident Response Policy
Defines how to handle communication-related incidents, including data leaks and impersonation.
About This Policy
The Clarysec Social Media and External Communications Policy establishes mandatory rules and responsibilities for all public-facing messaging. Its purpose is to ensure all communications are accurate, secure, and brand-consistent, while minimizing risks like reputational damage, IP leakage, and regulatory breaches. This framework provides structured governance over digital communications in alignment with ISO 27001:2022, GDPR, and other key standards.
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third-party representatives who communicate on behalf of the organization. It covers all external channels, including social media platforms, blogs, forums, and press interviews. By defining clear roles, acceptable use standards, and prohibited activities, the policy ensures every external interaction, whether on a personal or corporate account, upholds the organization's legal, ethical, and security obligations.
