Information Security Program (ISP) Checklist

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Service Area: Strategic Leadership

Use this ultra-minimal checklist to validate that your Information Security Program (ISP) is governed, measurable, and defensible.

• Select and document your primary security framework (NIST CSF 2.0, CIS Controls, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA).

• Define governance: executive sponsor, security owner (CISO/vCISO), RACI, and decision cadence.

• Maintain an approved policy set (ISP, AUP, access control, IR, vendor, BC/DR, logging/monitoring).

• Publish data classification and handling standards (labeling, storage, transmission, retention, disposal).

• Maintain a current asset inventory (hardware, software, cloud services, identities, data stores).

• Standardize secure configuration baselines and hardening (servers, endpoints, network, cloud).

• Run credentialed vulnerability scans on a defined cadence; track remediation to closure.

• Perform periodic penetration testing based on risk and change (external, internal, web/app, social as needed).

• Enforce IAM controls: MFA, least privilege, joiner/mover/leaver, privileged access management.

• Implement logging and monitoring (centralized logs/SIEM, alert triage process, retention requirements).

• Establish incident response (IR) playbooks; run tabletop exercises; verify communications and legal workflow.

• Manage third-party risk (critical vendor list, due diligence, contract controls, ongoing monitoring).

• Deliver security awareness training with measurable outcomes (phishing tests, role-based training).

• Maintain evidence for audit/insurance (“defensibility trail” for scans, patches, reviews, exceptions).

• Review the ISP at least annually (or after major changes) and update the roadmap with prioritized risk.

If you want a fast Build vs. Assess plan and an actionable roadmap, contact Red Spider Security to schedule an Information Security Program review.