Security Assessment Checklist

A comprehensive security controls checklist to assess your organization's security posture. Select your organization size to get tailored recommendations.

Important Disclaimer

This security assessment tool is designed to help organizations build a good security posture based on industry best practices. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every business has unique requirements, risks, and operational contexts. You must customize this checklist to match your specific business needs, regulatory requirements, and risk environment.

We are not responsible for any security incidents, data breaches, compliance failures, or other consequences that may arise from the use or misuse of this tool. This checklist should be used as a starting point and supplemented with professional security assessments and expert guidance tailored to your organization.

Select Your Organization Profile

Choose the profile that best matches your organization to see prioritized security controls

Implementation Progress

0 of 159 controls completed

Est. 3-6 months

0% Complete

Endpoint & Device Security (ES)

0/16 controls completed

Anti-malware software deployed on all endpoints

basic

Anti-malware signatures updated automatically

basic

Regular scheduled anti-malware scans configured

basic

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution deployed

basic

EDR actively monitoring for suspicious activity 24/7

basic

EDR automated response actions configured (isolate, kill process)

basic

Operating system patches applied monthly minimum

basic

Critical security patches applied within 30 days

basic

Patch testing process before production deployment

basic

Full-disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault) enabled

basic

Mobile device encryption enforced

basic

Removable media encryption required for sensitive data storage

basic

Local administrator privileges removed from standard users

basic

Admin rights require approval and justification

basic

Temporary admin access granted only when needed

basic

Host-based firewalls enabled on all endpoints

basic

Access Control (AC)

0/17 controls completed

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforced for all users

basic

MFA required for accessing sensitive data and systems

basic

MFA mandatory for remote access and VPN connections

basic

Password complexity requirements enforced (length, special chars)

basic

Password expiry policy configured (90-180 days)

basic

Password history maintained to prevent reuse (minimum 5 previous)

basic

Account lockout policy after failed login attempts

basic

User access rights reviewed every six months minimum

basic

Privileged account access reviewed quarterly

basic

Access review results documented and approved

basic

User accounts deactivated immediately upon termination

basic

Access adjusted promptly for role changes and transfers

basic

Formal deprovisioning process documented and followed

basic

Role-based access control (RBAC) with defined roles

basic

Least privilege principle enforced for all user accounts

basic

Separation of duties implemented for critical functions

basic

Default deny access policy for new resources

basic

Data Privacy & Protection (DP)

0/16 controls completed

Database encryption at rest for all sensitive databases

basic

File system encryption for sensitive data storage

basic

Backup media encrypted using strong algorithms (AES-256)

basic

Sensitive data encrypted in transit using TLS 1.2 or higher

basic

Secure email encryption for sensitive data transmission

basic

Secure file transfer protocols (SFTP, FTPS) used for sensitive data

basic

Daily incremental backups of critical business data

basic

Weekly full backups of all critical information systems

basic

Backups stored in offsite or geographically separate location

basic

Backup restoration tested quarterly for critical systems

basic

Backup test results documented and reviewed

basic

Backup retention periods comply with legal requirements

basic

Secure digital media disposal (data wiping, degaussing)

basic

Physical document shredding for sensitive hardcopy disposal

basic

Certificates of destruction obtained for sensitive data disposal

basic

End-of-life device sanitization before disposal or reuse

basic

Information Security Governance (SG)

0/16 controls completed

Information security policy documented and board-approved

basic

Acceptable use policy for IT resources

basic

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy documented

basic

Remote work security policy established

basic

Security policies communicated to all staff

basic

Security policies reviewed and updated annually

basic

Security awareness training provided during onboarding

basic

Annual security awareness training for all staff

basic

Phishing awareness and simulation campaigns conducted

basic

Training completion tracked and reported to management

basic

Information security risk register maintained

basic

Annual information security risk assessment conducted

basic

Risk assessment methodology and results documented

basic

Applicable legal and regulatory requirements identified

basic

Compliance monitoring process established

basic

Compliance status reported to senior management quarterly

basic

Incident Response & Service Continuity (IR)

0/16 controls completed

Incident response plan documented and approved

basic

Incident response team roles and responsibilities defined

basic

Emergency contact list maintained and current

basic

Incident response plan reviewed and updated annually

basic

Security event logging enabled on critical systems

basic

Security logs reviewed regularly for suspicious activity

basic

Automated alerts configured for security events

basic

Incident reporting process communicated to all staff

basic

Security incidents tracked and documented

basic

Lessons learned documented after incident resolution

basic

Business continuity plan (BCP) documented

basic

Critical business functions and recovery priorities identified

basic

BCP reviewed and updated annually

basic

Disaster recovery plan (DRP) for IT systems documented

basic

Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) defined for critical systems

basic

Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) defined for critical data

basic

Vulnerability & Patch Management (VM)

0/12 controls completed

Vulnerability scanning performed monthly minimum

basic

Authenticated scans for comprehensive vulnerability detection

basic

Vulnerability scans cover all internet-facing systems

basic

Critical vulnerabilities remediated within 30 days

basic

High vulnerabilities remediated within 60 days

basic

Vulnerability remediation tracking and reporting

basic

Operating system patches applied monthly minimum

basic

Critical security patches applied within 30 days

basic

Patch testing process before production deployment

basic

Complete hardware asset inventory maintained

basic

Software inventory including versions tracked

basic

Network device inventory maintained

basic

Network Security (NS)

0/13 controls completed

Network firewall deployed at perimeter

basic

Firewall rules reviewed and optimized annually

basic

Default-deny firewall policy enforced

basic

Firewall logging enabled and logs retained

basic

Internal network segmentation implemented

basic

Guest/visitor network isolated from corporate network

basic

Sensitive data systems in separate network zone

basic

WPA3 or WPA2-Enterprise encryption for corporate Wi-Fi

basic

Separate wireless network for corporate and guest access

basic

SSID broadcasting disabled for corporate networks (optional)

basic

VPN required for all remote access to corporate network

basic

MFA enforced for VPN authentication

basic

Strong VPN encryption protocols used (IKEv2, OpenVPN)

basic

Cloud Security (CS)

0/12 controls completed

API authentication enforced for all cloud services

basic

API authorization controls implemented based on roles

basic

API rate limiting configured to prevent abuse

basic

MFA enforced for cloud infrastructure admin accounts

basic

Least privilege access policies in cloud IAM

basic

Regular review of cloud access permissions

basic

Cloud storage encryption at rest enabled

basic

Cloud storage access controls properly configured

basic

Public access to cloud storage buckets restricted

basic

Cloud service logging and monitoring enabled

basic

Cloud logs forwarded to centralized SIEM

basic

Cloud log retention meets compliance requirements

basic

Security Monitoring (SM)

0/13 controls completed

Security logging enabled on all critical systems

basic

Logs forwarded to centralized logging system

basic

Log retention policy meets compliance requirements (minimum 1 year)

basic

Log files protected from unauthorized modification

basic

Authentication events monitored and reviewed

basic

Sensitive data access monitored and logged

basic

System configuration changes logged and reviewed

basic

Alerts configured for repeated failed login attempts

basic

Alerts for privileged account activity

basic

Alerts for critical system changes

basic

Security logs reviewed weekly by IT staff

basic

Log review results documented

basic

Process for escalating suspicious findings

basic

Third-Party & Supply Chain Security (TP)

0/12 controls completed

Vendor security assessment questionnaire used

basic

Vendor security assessments reviewed before contract

basic

Periodic vendor security reassessments conducted

basic

Security requirements included in vendor contracts

basic

Confidentiality agreements signed by vendors

basic

Liability clauses for security breaches in contracts

basic

Vendors granted least privilege access to systems

basic

Vendor access time-limited and reviewed

basic

Vendor access activities monitored and logged

basic

Critical vendors identified and risk assessed

basic

Third-party risk register maintained

basic

Third-party risk reviews conducted annually

basic

Physical & Environmental Security (PS)

0/16 controls completed

Physical and environmental security policy developed and maintained

basic

Policy addresses internal and external physical threats

basic

Procedures for secure storage of hazardous/combustible materials

basic

Secure areas and security perimeters defined and documented

basic

List of authorized personnel for secure areas maintained

basic

All persons accessing secure areas authenticated

basic

Physical access records and logs maintained

basic

Visitor access logs maintained for secure areas

basic

Employees, contractors and visitors wear visible identification

basic

Fire suppression systems (sprinklers, extinguishers) installed

basic

Fire detectors (smoke/heat activated) installed in ceilings and floors

basic

Equipment and medical devices positioned to minimize environmental risks

basic

Operating procedures for equipment commissioning, maintenance, decommissioning

basic

Up-to-date equipment maintenance records maintained

basic

Clear desk and clear screen policy implemented

basic

Controls ensure health information not left unattended

basic

Priority Levels

Understanding control priorities for your organization

Basic Controls

Essential security controls required for all organizations, regardless of size

Transitional Controls

Additional controls for organizations with dedicated IT teams and growing security needs

Advanced Controls

Sophisticated controls for mature security programs with dedicated security staff

Security Assessment Checklist

Important Disclaimer

Select Your Organization Profile

Small Organization

Medium Organization

Large Organization

Implementation Progress

Endpoint & Device Security (ES)

Access Control (AC)

Data Privacy & Protection (DP)

Information Security Governance (SG)

Incident Response & Service Continuity (IR)

Vulnerability & Patch Management (VM)

Network Security (NS)

Cloud Security (CS)

Security Monitoring (SM)

Third-Party & Supply Chain Security (TP)

Physical & Environmental Security (PS)

Priority Levels

Basic Controls

Transitional Controls

Advanced Controls