Requirement Details & Guidance
POL-004-R003 · POL-004Why This Requirement Exists
To make users accountable for protecting organizational information and following security requirements during normal work activities.
Implementation Guidance
Define responsibilities for credential protection, data handling, device security, reporting suspicious activity, following policies, and using approved services; tailor responsibilities to user roles; communicate them during onboarding and awareness activities.
Practical Application & Audit Readiness
POL-004-R003 · Field GuidanceBusiness Examples
An enterprise requires users to protect credentials, lock devices, use approved storage, avoid unauthorized software, report suspected phishing, and protect confidential information according to its classification.
Common Audit Findings
User responsibilities are not documented; requirements focus only on technical controls; reporting responsibilities are unclear; users are not trained on their obligations.
Common Mistakes
Assuming users understand security expectations; using technical language without actionable guidance; assigning responsibilities without providing reporting channels or support.
Best Practices & Ownership
POL-004 · Recommended ApproachRecommended Practices
Use clear, role-appropriate responsibilities; integrate them into onboarding and awareness; provide simple reporting mechanisms; reinforce responsibilities through periodic communication.
Typical Owner
Policy Owner, CISO, HR, Security Awareness, Business Unit Managers
Cross-Mapped Regulatory Frameworks
Harmonized Control Mappings| FRAMEWORK CODE | FRAMEWORK NAME & DETAILS | FAMILY / CATEGORY | VERSION | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COBIT2019 | COBIT COBIT is an enterprise governance and management f... Clause: 4.2 – Align, Plan and Organize (APO) > APO13 – Managed Security > APO13.02 – Define and manage an information security and privacy risk treatment plan. 4.2 – Align, Plan and Organize (APO) > APO13 – Managed Security > APO13.03 – Monitor and review the information security management system (ISMS). |
COBIT
Governance Framework
|
v2019 | View → |
| DORA | Digital Operational Resilience Act The EU Digital Operational Resilience Act establis... Clause: Article 9(4)(a) – Information security policy protecting availability, authenticity, integrity and confidentiality |
EU
Regulation
|
vCurrent | View → |
| GDPR | General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The General Data Protection Regulation is a bindin... Clause: Article 29 – Processing under the authority of the controller or processor; Article 32(4) – Personnel processing under authority |
EU
Regulation
|
vCurrent | View → |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA is a U.S. federal law supported by implement... Clause: § 164.316(a)(1) Policies and procedures documentation |
US
Law
|
vCurrent | View → |
| IRDAI | IRDAI Information & Cyber Security Guidelines IRDAI information and cyber-security requirements... Clause: §1.7 – Acceptable Usage |
India
Guideline
|
vLatest | View → |
| ISO22301 | ISO/IEC 22301 ISO 22301 specifies requirements for a Business Co... Clause: 5.2.1 – Establishing the business continuity policy |
ISO
Standard
|
v2019 | View → |
| ISO27001 | ISO/IEC 27001 ISO/IEC 27001 specifies auditable requirements for... Clause: 5.3 – Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities |
ISO
Standard
|
v2022 | View → |
| NIS2 | NIS2 Directive The NIS2 Directive establishes EU-wide cybersecuri... Clause: Article 21(2)(g) – Basic cyber hygiene practices and cybersecurity training |
EU
Directive
|
vCurrent | View → |
| NIST-CSF | NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides high-lev... Clause: GV.PO – Policy | GV.PO-01 – Policy for managing cybersecurity risks is established based on organizational context, cybersecurity strategy, and priorities and is communicated and enforced |
NIST
Framework
|
v2 | View → |
| NIST80053 | NIST SP 800-53 NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 presents control families, i... Clause: 3.12 – PLANNING; PL-4 – RULES OF BEHAVIOR |
NIST
Control Catalog
|
vRev. 5 | View → |
| PCI-DSS | PCI DSS PCI DSS is an industry security standard maintaine... Clause: 12.1.1 – An overall information security policy is: |
PCI
Standard
|
v4 | View → |
| RBI-CSF | RBI Cyber Security Framework / Master Directions RBI cyber-security requirements and directions set... Clause: 23) User / Employee/ Management Awareness – 23.1 Security/acceptable-use policies communicated to users, employees, vendors and partners with cybersecurity education |
India
Regulation
|
vLatest | View → |
| SEBI-CSCRF | SEBI Cyber Security & Cyber Resilience Framework SEBI’s Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framewor... Clause: 1.3 GV.PO: Policy |
India
Regulation
|
vLatest | View → |
| SOC2 | SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria SOC 2 is an independent examination and reporting... Clause: CC5.3 – Control Activities – COSO Principle 12: The entity deploys control activities through policies that establish what is expected and in procedures that put policies into action. CC6.3 – Logical and Physical Access Controls – The entity authorizes, modifies, or removes access to data, software, functions, and other protected information assets based on roles, responsibilities, or the system design and changes, giving consideration to the concepts of least privilege and segregation of duties, to meet the entity’s objectives. CC1.3 – Control Environment – COSO Principle 3: Management establishes, with board oversight, structures, reporting lines, and appropriate authorities and responsibilities in the pursuit of objectives. |
AICPA
Audit Framework
|
vLatest | View → |
Parent Domain Context
Governance Domain BaselineDomain Name:
Policy & Document Management (POL)
Purpose:
To create, maintain, and manage the lifecycle of security and compliance policies, standards, and procedures.
Scope:
Enterprise
Parent Control Context
Control BaselineControl Name:
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) (POL-004)
Summary:
Establishes and enforces an Acceptable Use Policy defining permitted and prohibited uses of organizational technology, data, and resources, with documented user acknowledgment.
Business Description:
Define and enforce an acceptable use policy for technology and data.