IT Policy

IT Policy refers to a set of formal guidelines, rules, and procedures established by an organization to govern the use, management, and security of information technology resources. It defines acceptable practices for employees, contractors, and other stakeholders regarding hardware, software, data, networks, and digital services. These policies aim to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, protect assets, and align IT operations with business objectives.

Also known as: Information Technology Policy, IT Governance Policy, Tech Policy, IT Security Policy, Corporate IT Policy

Why learn IT Policy?

Developers should learn and adhere to IT policies to ensure their work complies with legal, regulatory, and organizational standards, such as data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR) or security frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001). This is crucial in industries like finance, healthcare, or government, where non-compliance can lead to fines, data breaches, or operational disruptions. Understanding IT policies helps developers design secure, auditable systems and collaborate effectively with IT and compliance teams.

Learning Resources

• docs: NIST Computer Security Resource Center - Policies
• docs: SANS Institute - Information Security Policy Templates
• course: Coursera - IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts
• docs: ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management