Cybersecurity Policy Starter Guide: Where to Begin (Even If You’re Not a Security Expert)

Getting Started with Cybersecurity Policies in the Cyvatar Platform: How to prioritize and customize cybersecurity policy templates in the Cyvatar platform — for the non-expert.

So you’ve just signed up for Cyvatar and unlocked access to our free Policy Library — awesome move! 🎉

But now you’re probably asking:

“There are over 30 policy templates in here… which ones do I actually need to start with?”

You’re not alone. Most small businesses and teams don’t have a CISO or compliance officer on staff. That’s exactly why we built Cyvatar — to help everyone, not just the experts, build cybersecurity the right way.

This guide gives you a clear starting point for your policy journey. As your organization matures or faces regulatory requirements, you may need a more robust cybersecurity program — schedule a chat with Cyvatar to review vCISO options that can help you go even further.

Step 1: Core “Must-Have” Policies – Start Here

These 6 policies will help you reduce risk, support basic compliance, and protect your business from common threats.

Policy Name	Why It’s Important
Information Security Risk Assessment Policy	Your foundational policy for managing risk and protecting information systems.
Acceptable Use Policy	Outlines what employees are allowed to do on company systems (and what not to do).
Data Access and Password Policy	Helps protect access to sensitive data by defining password rules and user access.
Security Incident Response Policy	Tells your team how to detect, respond to, and report cybersecurity incidents.
Privacy Policy – Internal	Sets expectations for how your business handles employee and internal data.
Service Provider Security Policy	Manages risks from third-party vendors and partners.

✅ How to use them:
These are templates — fill in your org’s name, fill in the table sections, adjust to your current processes, and keep them simple. Don’t worry about perfection!

Step 2: Add These Policies Next

Once you’ve got the core six in place and shared internally, start adding more policies that match how your team actually works.

Policy Name	Purpose
Change Management Policy	Helps control how changes are made to systems and software.
Data Back-Up Policy	Defines how your organization backs up and restores data.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy	If employees use personal devices for work, this policy protects company data.
Telecommuting Policy	Important if your team works remotely. Covers device use and remote access.
System Configuration Policy	Helps manage how systems are configured and updated securely.
Asset Management Policy	Tracks and protects devices, software, and IT assets.
Logging and Monitoring Policy	Outlines how activity is monitored for suspicious or risky behavior.

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on what’s most relevant to your team today. Not using personal phones for work? Skip BYOD. Fully in-office? You can delay remote work policies.

Step 3: Industry-Specific Policy Suggestions

Depending on your business type, you may need to tailor your policy roadmap. Here’s what to focus on by industry:

Industry	Additional Policies to Consider
Healthcare / Healthtech	Data Classification Policy Human Resource Security Policy Encryption Policy Data Retention Policy
Legal / Professional Services	Code of Ethics Policy Interconnection Agreement Policy Confidentiality Procedures
Fintech / SaaS / Regulated Industries	Software Development Policy Logging and Monitoring Policy System Configuration Policy Policy or Standard Exception Request Procedure
Remote-First Teams	Telecommuting Policy Telecommuting Assignment Telecommuting Self-Certification Safety Checklist

🧠 Remember: Not every template applies to every business. Start where you are and grow as your needs evolve.

Cyvatar Tips for Success

✅ Start small. Pick one policy at a time. Get it reviewed and communicated.
📄 Use what you already do. Your policy should reflect reality — not wishful thinking.
🧑‍💻 Train your team. A policy isn’t useful if no one knows about it.
🔄 Review quarterly. Policies should evolve as your business grows and tech changes.

Suggested Roadmap (Example)

Month	Milestone
Month 1–2	Finalize the 6 Core Policies and share internally
Month 3–4	Add 2–3 additional policies that match how your team works
Month 5+	Build simple procedures or checklists to go with each policy
Ongoing	Review, refresh, and retrain quarterly or as things change

🙋‍♀️ Feeling Stuck?

No worries — that’s why Cyvatar exists. You don’t have to be a CISO to make smart, secure moves. Chat with us about how a vCISO can help you build a full security and compliance program tailored to your industry.