Most cybersecurity policies fail for one simple reason. They’re written for auditors, not for people. Employees skip them, leadership ignores them, and security teams end up frustrated when rules aren’t followed. A good policy doesn’t just enforce compliance. It builds understanding. When policies are written clearly and align with company culture, they become a living part of how the organization operates.
Why Most Policies Don’t Work
Many security teams write policies to check boxes or meet compliance standards. The result is a document filled with technical jargon and legal language that no one outside IT can understand. A policy that’s unreadable is a policy that’s unenforceable.
Employees shouldn’t need a dictionary to do the right thing. Policies that fail to connect with the people who follow them are destined to be ignored. The goal isn’t to impress auditors. It’s to influence behavior.
Start with Clarity, Not Complexity
Before writing any policy, define its purpose in one sentence. For example, the purpose of a password policy is to ensure all accounts are protected by strong, unique credentials. That clarity sets the tone for everything else.
Write in plain language. Avoid acronyms unless they’re necessary, and explain them when they are. Use short paragraphs and direct instructions. A well-written policy should sound like a conversation, not a contract.
Keep it actionable. Don’t just say “employees must use strong passwords.” Explain what that means. Specify password length, complexity, and renewal frequency. The clearer the rule, the easier it is to follow.
Align Policies with Company Culture
Policies don’t exist in isolation. They have to fit the way the organization already operates. A company that values flexibility and remote work will need different policies than one that prioritizes strict in-office procedures.
Security should never feel like punishment. Frame policies as a way to protect both the business and its people. When employees understand how policies support their work instead of restricting it, compliance becomes natural.
Include leadership in the process. When executives follow the same rules as everyone else, it sends a message that security is part of the culture, not a task handed down from IT.
Make Policies Usable and Accessible
A policy only works if people can find and reference it easily. Store all security policies in a shared, well-organized location like a company intranet or documentation hub. Review them regularly and keep them updated with relevant examples.
Consider using short training videos or infographics to summarize key points. The goal is to make policies part of daily operations, not just on boarding paperwork.
Practical Takeaway
Write for people, not just compliance.
Make every policy clear, concise, and actionable.
Align rules with company values and workflows.
Keep documents accessible and easy to understand.
When people know why policies exist and how they benefit them, compliance becomes a habit instead of an obligation.
Common Pitfalls
The most common mistake is copying generic templates without customizing them for your organization. Policies that don’t reflect your company’s reality will never stick.
Another mistake is focusing only on enforcement. Security culture is built through communication and consistency, not fear of punishment.
Final Word
Cybersecurity policies are more than rules. They’re the framework that shapes how people protect information, communicate, and build trust across the organization.
When written clearly and reinforced by leadership, policies become the foundation of a secure culture. The stronger that culture, the fewer reminders people need to do the right thing.
Joe Duren