Free Security Awareness Training Policy Template for ISO 27001 (Word)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that every person who works for or on behalf of [Organization Name] receives information security awareness, education, and training appropriate to their role, refreshed at a defined interval and recorded. It supports [Organization Name]'s information security management system and addresses ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A control 6.3 (Information security awareness, education and training), together with Clause 7.2 (Competence) and Clause 7.3 (Awareness).

2. Scope

This policy applies to everyone granted access to [Organization Name] information, systems, or facilities: full-time and part-time employees, temporary staff, interns, volunteers, contractors, consultants, and personnel of [Third-Party Suppliers] who hold individual user accounts. It covers awareness and training delivered online through [Training Platform], in person, or by team briefing. Supplier staff who do not hold individual accounts are addressed through [Supplier Security Agreement].

3. Roles and Responsibilities

[Information Security Manager] owns this policy, defines the curriculum, and approves course content. [Human Resources] notifies the policy owner of joiners, role changes, and leavers, and triggers the assignments in Section 4. [IT Manager] administers [Training Platform] and applies the access consequences in Section 9. Line managers are accountable for completion within their teams and for requiring their people to apply information security in accordance with this policy and its supporting procedures, consistent with Annex A control A.5.4 (Management responsibilities). Each individual is responsible for completing assigned training by its due date and applying it in daily work.

4. Onboarding Training

Every individual in scope must complete initial security awareness training before access to [Organization Name] systems is granted, or no later than [10 business days] after their start date where earlier access is required for the role. The onboarding course covers the Information Security Policy, acceptable use, authentication and password requirements, data classification and handling, clear desk and physical security, remote and mobile working, and how to report a suspected security event under [Incident Reporting Procedure].

5. Annual Refresher and Ongoing Awareness

All individuals in scope must complete refresher training at least once every [12 months], measured from their last recorded completion. [Information Security Manager] reviews the curriculum before each cycle and updates it to reflect changes in the threat landscape, technology, regulatory and contractual obligations, and lessons learned from events in [Incident Register]. Between cycles, awareness is maintained through [awareness channel, for example an internal newsletter or team briefing] issued at least [quarterly].

6. Role-Specific Training

Individuals holding privileged or elevated access, including [System Administrators], [Database Administrators], and holders of [Break-Glass Accounts], must complete additional training on privileged account use, change control, and logging before those privileges are granted and at least every [12 months] afterwards. Personnel who write, review, or deploy code must complete secure development training covering [Secure Coding Standard] and common application vulnerabilities at least every [12 months]. Further role-specific training applies to [Roles handling personal or payment card data]. Each role in scope of this section, the course assigned to it, and its frequency are recorded in [Curriculum Matrix], which is maintained by [Information Security Manager] and reviewed whenever roles or systems change.

7. Phishing Simulation

[Organization Name] runs simulated phishing exercises at least [quarterly], covering [all in-scope users or a rotating sample], administered by [Information Security Manager] using [Simulation Platform]. Exercises are used to direct further awareness activity and to measure training effectiveness, not as a standalone performance rating. An individual who submits credentials or opens an attachment in a simulation is assigned targeted follow-up training within [10 business days]. Reporting a simulated message through [Reporting Channel] is recorded as a correct response.

8. Training Records and Evidence

[Training Platform] is the system of record for training completion. For each individual and course, [Organization Name] records the person's name and role, the course title and version, the completion date, and the assessment score where an assessment is used. Awareness communications, phishing simulation summaries, and curriculum versions are retained alongside them. Records are kept for [three years] or the period required by [Data Retention Policy], whichever is longer, are controlled in line with Clause 7.5 (Documented information), and are made available to internal and external auditors as evidence of competence and awareness under Clauses 7.2 and 7.3 and Annex A control A.6.3.

9. Non-Completion, Exceptions, and Review

Training assigned under this policy is mandatory. [Training Platform] issues reminders [7 days] before the due date and on the due date. Where training remains incomplete [10 business days] after the due date, the line manager is notified; continued non-completion is escalated to [Department Head] and may result in suspension of system access by [IT Manager] and action under [Disciplinary Policy], consistent with Annex A control A.6.4 (Disciplinary process).

Exceptions must be requested in writing, risk-assessed, approved by [Information Security Manager], given an expiry date, and tracked to closure. Completion rates, overdue assignments, and open exceptions are reported to [Management Forum] at least [quarterly] and form an input to management review. This policy is reviewed at least [annually] and after any significant change to [Organization Name], its systems, or its legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.

Version history is maintained in the table below, recording [Version], [Date], [Author], [Summary of Changes], and [Approved By] for each revision.