--- title: What Policies a Small Business Should Have. MIGHTY Guide PDF description: The MIGHTY Guide to the 7 essential policies all small businesses and SMBs should have. Available as a free, shareable and downloadable PDF resource. image: https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/Small-Business%20Policy%20Guide%20Workspace.png --- [Skip to content](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#main-content) [![MIGHTY GRC company logo M](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png?width=372&height=420&name=Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png)Homepage](https://mightygrc.com/?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://mightygrc.com?hsLang=en) - Products - [PolicyPilot](https://mightygrc.com/products/policypilot?hsLang=en) - RiskSnap (Coming Soon) - BudgetLens (Coming Soon) - Pricing - [SMB Pricing](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-pricing?hsLang=en) - [Partner Program](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-partner-pricing?hsLang=en) - Resources - [MIGHTY Blog](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog?hsLang=en) - [SMB Policy Guide](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide) - Company - [The MIGHTY Mission](https://mightygrc.com/about-mighty-grc?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://mightygrc.com/contact?hsLang=en) - [Product Demo](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) - [GET A DEMO](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) LOG IN - [Home](https://mightygrc.com?hsLang=en) - Products - [PolicyPilot](https://mightygrc.com/products/policypilot?hsLang=en) - RiskSnap (Coming Soon) - BudgetLens (Coming Soon) - Pricing - [SMB Pricing](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-pricing?hsLang=en) - [Partner Program](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-partner-pricing?hsLang=en) - Resources - [MIGHTY Blog](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog?hsLang=en) - [SMB Policy Guide](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide) - Company - [The MIGHTY Mission](https://mightygrc.com/about-mighty-grc?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://mightygrc.com/contact?hsLang=en) - [Product Demo](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) - [GET A DEMO](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) LOG IN MIGHTY Guide PDF Download # What Policies Should a Small Business Have? ## The MIGHTY Guide to 7 Essential Policies for SMBs - Discover why every small business needs written policies - Explore the 7 policies every SMB should have - Understand which policies you can create yourself - Learn how to keep your policies current and compliant - Create your small business policy action plan - Build your knowledge with our MIGHTY FAQs for SMBs ![Free PDF Download The MIGHTY Guide to Seven Essential Policies for Small Business, Teams, and SMBs.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20MIGHTY%20Guide%20to%20Seven%20Essential%20Policies%20for%20Small%20Business%20and%20Teams.png?width=750&height=585&name=The%20MIGHTY%20Guide%20to%20Seven%20Essential%20Policies%20for%20Small%20Business%20and%20Teams.png "Free PDF Download The MIGHTY Guide to Seven Essential Policies for Small Business, Teams, and SMBs.") --- [Download the free guide now](https://mightygrc.com/download-small-business-policy-guide-pdf?hsLang=en) ### Download. Reference. **Share.** The MIGHTY guide, now available as a free PDF download that's easy to read, refer back to, and share with your team. **Includes three actionable worksheets, only available in the PDF guide, to get you quickly and easily started on your policy creation journey.**  --- ### Table of Contents: Top Small Business Policies #### **How to create simple, actionable policies for your small business or small team. That's MIGHTY.** ***Use the arrows below to jump into any chapter.*** ![The top small business policies that protect SMBs and build resilience.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Small%20business%20policies%20icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=400&height=365&name=Small%20business%20policies%20icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "The top small business policies that protect SMBs and build resilience.") --- #### How policies create resilience SMB policies help your people make good decisions consistently.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-1-Build-Resilience) #### Why written policies are key You already have policies, aka habits. Time to write them down.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-2-Written-Policies-Matter) #### Top policies for every SMB The seven policies every small business should write and actually use.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-3-What-Policies-Should-Have) #### Policy Deep Dives The top SMB policies, and their impact on your small business.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-4-Policy-Deep-Dives) 1. **Information Security Policy   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-InfoSec-Policy-Deep-Dive)** 2. **Acceptable Use Policy   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Acceptable-Use-Policy-Deep-Dive)** 3. **AI Acceptable Use Policy   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-AI-Acceptable-Use-Policy-Deep-Dive)** 4. **Business Continuity Plan   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-BCDR-Plan-Deep-Dive)** 5. **Incident Response Plan   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Incident-Response-Plan-Deep-Dive)** 6. **Vendor Risk Assessment   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Vendor-Risk-Assessment-Policy-Deep-Dive)** 7. **Security Improvement Roadmap   [→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Security-Improvement-Roadmap-Deep-Dive)** #### Which policies are DIY The policies you can write yourself, with a simple but MIGHTY framework.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-5-DIY-Policies) #### Keep your policies effective Policies should be a living document, consistently updated and shared.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-5-DIY-Policies) #### FAQs Frequently asked questions about small business policies.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-5-DIY-Policies) #### Your SMB policy action plan Decide where to begin and how to hit small business policy milestones.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#Part-5-DIY-Policies) #### Let's make you MIGHTY. ![Screenshot 2026-06-16 at 4.56.43 AM](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-16%20at%204.56.43%20AM.png?width=300&height=253&name=Screenshot%202026-06-16%20at%204.56.43%20AM.png "Screenshot 2026-06-16 at 4.56.43 AM") ## PART 1: How SMB Policies Build Resilience ### SMB policies help your people make good decisions consistently. Every resilient small business has something in common. People dedicated to clear goals using consistent processes to get them there. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: People dedicated to clear goals using consistent processes make any business more resilient. ](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   People dedicated to clear goals using consistent processes make any business more resilient.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Simple, actionable policies help those people make good decisions for your business. ### The most common SMB policy question So what policies should a small business have? It's one of the most common questions owners ask as they grow. The good news is that most businesses don't need a complex compliance program. They simply need a core set of written policies that help them operate consistently, reduce risk, and navigate challenges with confidence. In other words, to **TAKE ACTION**. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Policies aren't the goal. #### Resilience is. > Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and keep moving forward with confidence. At MIGHTY, we believe resilient businesses aren't built by avoiding challenges. > > They're built by preparing for them with clear policies, practical processes, and informed decisions that support long-term growth. [Learn more about business resilience](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-resilience-strategies?hsLang=en)   Small business owners are balancing sales, hiring, customer relationships, and day-to-day operations. It's easy for documentation to fall to the bottom of the priority list. But businesses that weather the natural ups and downs of growing an SMB aren't always the ones with the largest teams or even the biggest pockets. They're the ones with clear, practical guidelines that help their people take the right action when it matters most. And who have a history of making good, consistent decisions for their business and their customers. Whether you're a local retailer, a SaaS startup, or a professional services firm, a strong policy foundation reduces risk, strengthens customer and partner trust, supports compliance requirements, and helps you scale with confidence. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: A strong policy foundation reduces risk, strengthens customer and partner trust, supports compliance requirements, and helps you scale with confidence.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   A strong policy foundation reduces risk, strengthens customer and partner trust, supports compliance requirements, and helps you scale with confidence.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) In this guide, we'll walk through the essential policies every small business should consider, why each one matters, what can happen without them, and which ones you can realistically create on your own. ## PART 2: Why Every Small Business Needs Written Policies ### You already have policies, aka habits. Time to write them down. If you're asking what policies a small business should have, you're already asking the right question. The challenge is that many business owners think of policies as something they create later. After they've grown. After a customer asks for them. After they [apply for cyber insurance](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/cyber-security-insurance/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23416083283&accountid=7603118246&utm_content=196560215928&utm_term=kwd-298947728802&network=g&device=c&placement=&location_physical=9189745&device_model=&creative=790506421673&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23416083283&gbraid=0AAAAA9TTOTU8ZNn1UQM_oXBpYEoRdDXxM&gclid=CjwKCAjwtp7VBhBjEiwAJfpV-_rt_PbS-m6aYf6Cp0p4eYX4-4_eXRCNfDRpNeBW6TepDHxJE1805BoC1wgQAvD_BwE). After they need to meet a compliance requirement. ### Why written policies are critical Written policies are one of the simplest ways to build a business that can grow with confidence. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Every business already has policies. Most just aren't documented.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Every business already has policies. Most just aren't documented.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) And the truth is: Every business already has policies. Most just aren't documented. - The unwritten rules that live in the owner's head. - The answers you give every time an employee asks, "How should I handle this?" - The decisions your managers make because "that's how we've always done it." That works when your business is small and everyone sits within earshot of one another. It becomes much harder as your team grows or your business takes on new complexities. ![No written GRC policy results in different actions.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/No%20policy%20results%20in%20different%20actions.-1.png?width=1200&height=800&name=No%20policy%20results%20in%20different%20actions.-1.png) #### Same problem. Different actions. Without written guidance, people tend to solve the same problem in different ways. One person stores customer information in a shared drive. Another saves it locally. One manager approves a new software tool without checking with IT. Another sends in a formal request for approval and documentation. ---   None of the daily decision-making across your team may seem significant on its own. But over time it creates inconsistency. Inconsistency creates confusion. And confusion often leads to unnecessary risk. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Inconsistency creates confusion. And confusion often leads to unnecessary risk.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)    Inconsistency creates confusion.  And confusion often leads to unnecessary risk.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) That's why ***written*** policies are critical. ### How written policies create clarity and trust Good policies aren't about adding bureaucracy or slowing people down. They create clarity so your team can make good decisions without guessing. They help new employees get up to speed faster, reduce repetitive questions, and give managers a consistent framework for handling everyday situations.   Written policies also help your business earn trust. Customers want to know you'll protect their information. Partners want confidence that you operate responsibly. Insurance providers increasingly ask how you manage risk. Written policies demonstrate that your business has established processes instead of relying on memory or good intentions. Perhaps most importantly, they help when something unexpected happens. Common small and midsized business scenarios include: ### Common SMB scenarios where written policies matter #### A phishing email slips through Every business is a potential target for phishing attacks, regardless of size. A documented process helps employees recognize what to do next, who to notify, and how to reduce the impact before a small mistake becomes a larger incident. ### A laptop is lost Whether it's left in a coffee shop or stolen from a vehicle, lost devices happen. Clear policies help your team respond quickly by protecting sensitive information, notifying the right people, and following consistent recovery procedures. ### A vendor experiences an outage Small businesses rely on third-party vendors for everything from payroll to cloud storage. When one of those services goes offline, having documented contingency plans helps your business continue operating while minimizing disruption for your customers. ### A customer requires a security questionnaire Winning new business increasingly depends on demonstrating that you take security seriously. Instead of scrambling to answer questions or create documentation at the last minute, well-maintained policies allow you to respond confidently and professionally.   In these moments, your team shouldn't have to start from scratch. They should already have a pre-approved roadmap for critical, in-the-moment decision-making. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Your team should already have a pre-approved roadmap for critical, in-the-moment decision-making.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Your team should already have a pre-approved roadmap for critical, in-the-moment decision-making.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Written policies help ensure your team can respond consistently and confidently to any situation instead of making decisions under pressure. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Don't try to document everything all at once. #### Prioritize. > Start with the decisions your team makes every day. > > Or the situations that would have the biggest impact if handled inconsistently. > > A handful of simple yet actionable policies will always provide more value than a library of documents no one reads. [Start with an InfoSec Policy. Build from there.](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-information-security-policy?hsLang=en) ### Simple, actionable, useful. That's MIGHTY. At MIGHTY GRC, that's how we think about policies. **Simple. Actionable. Genuinely useful.** They're not documents you create to satisfy an auditor. They're not binders that sit untouched on a shelf. What policies *should be* are practical tools that help your business operate more confidently consistently today while building a stronger growth path for the future. **That's exactly why we built PolicyPilot. It helps you create tailored, easy-to-manage policies that your team can actually understand, follow, and keep up to date. And we've removed unnecessary complexity to make policy and documentation compliance accessible for small.** ![PolicyPilot: Policy Management Software for Small Businesses](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PolicyPilot%20Winged%20Icon%20Logo.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=600&height=200&name=PolicyPilot%20Winged%20Icon%20Logo.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "PolicyPilot: Policy Management Software for Small Businesses") [EXPLORE POLICYPILOT](https://mightygrc.com/products/policypilot?hsLang=en) [GET A PRODUCT DEMO](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) --- ## PART 3: What Policies Your Small Business Should Have ### These key policies will help strengthen your small business. The right policies for your business depend on your industry, the type of information you handle, and how quickly you're growing. A local retail shop won't have the exact same needs as a SaaS startup or a managed service provider. That said, most small businesses benefit from the same core foundational library of written policies. These seven policies help reduce everyday risk, create consistency across your team, and prepare your business for growth.They're also the policies customers, partners, cyber insurers, and compliance frameworks are most likely to ask about. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: These seven policies are the policies customers, partners, cyber insurers, and compliance frameworks are most likely to ask about.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   These seven policies are the policies customers, partners, cyber insurers, and compliance frameworks are most likely to ask about.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)  If you're just getting started, don't feel like you need to tackle everything at once. Start with the policies that address your biggest risks today. You can always build from there. Here's what we recommend for most small and midsized businesses. ### The 7 policies that will strengthen your SMB ![Information Security Policy for small businesses. Protect your company's and your customers' data with an InfoSec Policy.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Information%20Security%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC..png?width=150&height=121&name=Information%20Security%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC..png "Information Security Policy for small businesses. Protect your company's and your customers' data with an InfoSec Policy.") #### Information Security Policy Set a foundation for how you will protect your company's and your customers' information from human error and bad actors. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-information-security-policy?hsLang=en) ![Acceptable Use Policy for small business and SMBs. Set clear expectations for technology use.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=115&height=127&name=Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Acceptable Use Policy for small business and SMBs. Set clear expectations for technology use.") #### Acceptable Use Policy Establish clear expectations for how employees use company devices, software, email, and internet access. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-acceptable-use-policy?hsLang=en) ![AI Acceptable Use Policy Icon. MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI%20Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=120&height=128&name=AI%20Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "AI Acceptable Use Policy Icon. MIGHTY GRC") #### AI Acceptable Use Policy Share practical guidance for adopting and using AI tools effectively but safely to help protect confidential information. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-ai-acceptable-use-policy?hsLang=en) ![Security Improvement Roadmap for small businesses and SMBs to build an actionable plan for cybersecurity improvements over time.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Security%20Improvement%20Roadmap%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=136&name=Security%20Improvement%20Roadmap%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Security Improvement Roadmap for small businesses and SMBs to build an actionable plan for cybersecurity improvements over time.") #### Security Improvement Roadmap Build a practical plan for tracking security improvements, assigning ownership, and making steady progress over time. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-cybersecurity-roadmap?hsLang=en) ![Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) Icon with Border Removed. MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20Continuity%20and%20Disaster%20Recovery%20Plan%20(BCDR)%20Icon%20with%20Border-mighty%20grc.png?width=150&height=124&name=Business%20Continuity%20and%20Disaster%20Recovery%20Plan%20(BCDR)%20Icon%20with%20Border-mighty%20grc.png "Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) Icon with Border Removed. MIGHTY GRC") #### Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan (BDCR) Create an actionable plan for how to recovery quickly and keep your business running should an unexpected disruption occur. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-continuity-plan?hsLang=en) ![Vendor Risk Assessment for Third Parties and Partners to reduce external risk to small and midsized businesses.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vendor%20Risk%20Assessment%20for%20Third%20Parties%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=119&name=Vendor%20Risk%20Assessment%20for%20Third%20Parties%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Vendor Risk Assessment for Third Parties and Partners to reduce external risk to small and midsized businesses.") #### Vendor Risk Assessment and Management Policy Ensure your team follows a consistent process for evaluating third-party vendors before they gain access to your data or systems. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-vendor-risk-assessment?hsLang=en) ![Incident Response Plan Icon. MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Incident%20Response%20Plan%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=120&height=142&name=Incident%20Response%20Plan%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Incident Response Plan Icon. MIGHTY GRC") #### Incident Response Plan Develop a step-by-step guide for responding to cybersecurity incidents to help minimize damage and recover effectively. [Explore this policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-incident-response-plan?hsLang=en) Together, these seven policies create a strong operational foundation. They help your business make consistent decisions, reduce risk, earn customer trust, and support future growth without adding unnecessary complexity or expectations to your team's day-to-day priorities. --- ![Common GRC Mistakes SMBs Make: Only working on policies after you really need them.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Common%20GRC%20Mistakes%20SMBs%20Make%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=200&height=150&name=Common%20GRC%20Mistakes%20SMBs%20Make%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Common GRC Mistakes SMBs Make: Only working on policies after you really need them.") ### Common GRC mistakes made by SMBs Many small businesses wait until a customer, insurance provider, or auditor asks for a policy before creating one. By then, you're working under pressure and reacting to someone else's timeline. **Instead, build your policies early to give your team time to develop good habits before they're urgently needed.** --- ### 7 business outcomes for a resilient small business Every policy in this guide supports a critical business outcome. When they are actionable, and actually used, they create a stronger, more resilient business. Think of these policies as building blocks rather than standalone documents. Each one addresses a different aspect of running a healthy business, from protecting information and responding to incidents to managing vendors and supporting your employees. Individually they are each valuable. Together, they form the operational foundation that helps small businesses reduce risk and grow with confidence. ### Real World Business Outcomes for SMBs --- ![Protect your business and build your customers' trust with an InfoSec Policy from PolicyPilot and MIGHTY GRC.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Protect%20business%20and%20build%20trust%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=150&name=Protect%20business%20and%20build%20trust%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Protect your business and build your customers' trust with an InfoSec Policy from PolicyPilot and MIGHTY GRC.") Protect your business and build customer trust with an Information Security Policy [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/information-security-policy-benefits?hsLang=en) ![Ensure consistency across all of your teams and departments with an Acceptable Use Policy from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Consistency%20across%20teams%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=150&name=Consistency%20across%20teams%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Ensure consistency across all of your teams and departments with an Acceptable Use Policy from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") Ensure consistency across your team or departments with an Acceptable Use Policy [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/acceptable-use-policy-benefits?hsLang=en) ![Securely adopt and launch AI while protecting sensitive data from customers with an AI Acceptable Use Policy from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Securely%20Adopt%20AI%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=157&height=157&name=Securely%20Adopt%20AI%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Securely adopt and launch AI while protecting sensitive data from customers with an AI Acceptable Use Policy from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") Embrace AI while protecting sensitive data with an AI Acceptable Use Policy [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-ai-policy-benefits?hsLang=en) ![Keep your business running despite disruptions with a BCDR plan from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20continuity%20during%20disruptions%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC..png?width=150&height=150&name=Business%20continuity%20during%20disruptions%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC..png "Keep your business running despite disruptions with a BCDR plan from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") Keep your business running despite disruptions with a BCDR Plan [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-disaster-recovery-plan?hsLang=en) ![Respond quickly to events with an Incident Response Plan from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quick%20Incident%20Response%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=150&name=Quick%20Incident%20Response%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Respond quickly to events with an Incident Response Plan from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") Respond to events quickly and recover with confidence with an Incident Response Plan [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/incident-response-plan-benefits?hsLang=en) ![Reduce risk from external vendors, partners, and third parties with a Vendor Risk Assessment from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reduce%20risk%20for%20small%20business%20and%20SMBs%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=150&name=Reduce%20risk%20for%20small%20business%20and%20SMBs%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Reduce risk from external vendors, partners, and third parties with a Vendor Risk Assessment from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") Reduce external risk from partners and vendors with a Vendor Risk Assessment [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/vendor-risk-management-benefits?hsLang=en) ![Strengthen SMB cybersecurity over time with a Security Improvement Roadmap from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Strong%20cybersecurity%20plan%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=140&height=140&name=Strong%20cybersecurity%20plan%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Strengthen SMB cybersecurity over time with a Security Improvement Roadmap from MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") Proactively build stronger cybersecurity over time with a Security Improvement Roadmap [go deeper](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/cybersecurity-roadmap-benefits?hsLang=en) --- ### KEEP GOING! We're getting highly actionable up ahead! #### Throughout the rest of this guide, we'll... **\>**  Walk through each policy listed above, **\>**  Explain why each one matters, **\>**  Help you decide whether you can create it yourself or if it's worth getting expert guidance, **\>**  Offer some next steps if you want to begin your DIY policy journey, and **\>**  Help you prioritize your resources as a small business or SMB. ## PART 4: Policy Deep Dives ### Explore key SMB policies, from definitions to whether they can be DIY. Think of these policy deep dives as your go-to reference guide as you put your SMB Policy Action Plan into action *(download the guide above for these supplemental materials)*. #### **There's no need to read or memorize every policy before moving forward with developing your first policy.** Instead, come back to the sections that are most relevant to you as you begin developing, reviewing, and implementing your policies.  ### Policy Table of Contents ##### Use the arrows to jump directly to a policy. #### Information Security Policy  Protect your small business. Build customer trust.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-InfoSec-Policy-Deep-Dive) #### Acceptable Use Policy Create consistency across teams.   [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Acceptable-Use-Policy-Deep-Dive) #### AI Acceptable Use Policy Embrace AI. Protect sensitive information.  [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-AI-Acceptable-Use-Policy-Deep-Dive) #### Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) Ensure your business can operate despite disruptions.  [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-BCDR-Plan-Deep-Dive) #### Incident Response Plan Respond quickly. Recover with confidence.  [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Incident-Response-Plan-Deep-Dive) #### Vendor Risk Assessment Policy Reduce external risk from vendors and partners.  [**→**](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Vendor-Risk-Assessment-Policy-Deep-Dive) #### Security Improvement Roadmap Proactively strengthen cybersecurity over time.  **[→](https://mightygrc.com/small-business-policy-guide#p-Security-Improvement-Roadmap-Deep-Dive)** --- ![Information Security Policy for small businesses. Protect your company's and your customers' data with an InfoSec Policy.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Information%20Security%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC..png?width=200&height=161&name=Information%20Security%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC..png "Information Security Policy for small businesses. Protect your company's and your customers' data with an InfoSec Policy.") ## 1. Information Security Policy ### Protect your business and build customer trust. #### An Information Security Policy creates clear expectations that help your team protect sensitive information while giving customers, partners, and insurers confidence in how your business operates. What is an InfoSec Policy? Why does it matter for SMBs? What can happen without one? An Information Security Policy, commonly referred to as an InfoSec Policy, defines how your business protects its information, systems, and technology. For most small businesses, that means documenting practical expectations around: - Who can access company systems and information - Password and multi-factor authentication requirements - How sensitive information should be stored and shared - Employee security responsibilities - Onboarding and off boarding access - Reporting suspicious activity or potential security incidents It doesn't need to anticipate every possible situation. Instead, it should provide a clear foundation that helps everyone make consistent decisions about protecting your business and the information entrusted to it. **Think of it as the operating manual for one of your company's most valuable assets: its information.** **Every employee makes security decisions throughout the day, whether they realize it or not.** They decide where to store files. They decide who should have access to a document. They decide whether an email looks legitimate. They decide if it's safe to install a new application. They decide how customer information should be shared. Without clear guidance, those decisions are based on individual experience, assumptions, or convenience. Over time, that creates inconsistent practices across the business. An Information Security Policy gives everyone the same starting point. It helps employees make confident decisions because the expectations are already defined. **It also prepares your business for the conversations that naturally come with growth.** Customers may ask how you protect their information. Partners may include security questions during procurement. Cyber insurance providers often want to understand your security practices before issuing coverage. Having a documented policy shows that your business takes protecting information seriously. More importantly, it demonstrates that you've built repeatable processes instead of relying on tribal knowledge. The biggest risk usually isn't one catastrophic event. It's the accumulation of small, inconsistent decisions. - An employee shares a password because it's easier. - Someone stores customer information in a personal cloud account. - A former employee keeps access to company systems weeks after leaving. - A new software application is adopted without anyone considering its security. None of these situations are typically malicious. They're the natural result of unclear expectations. **Over time, those small inconsistencies can lead to security gaps, operational challenges, lost customer confidence, and unnecessary business risk.** A written Information Security Policy helps replace assumptions with consistency. ### Can I create an InfoSec Policy on my own? #### **Yes, with the right foundation.** Many small businesses can create an effective Information Security Policy by starting with a trusted template and tailoring it to their business. The goal isn't to write the longest policy. The goal is to write one your team can understand, follow, and maintain. **CRITICAL NOTE:** If your business handles sensitive customer information, operates in a regulated industry, is applying for cyber insurance, or is working toward a compliance framework, it's worth having someone with security expertise review your policy. There are also SaaS products available, like PolicyPilot, built by security experts to help ensure compliance.  A good policy should reflect how your business actually operates today while supporting where you want to go tomorrow. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Security isn't about locking everything down. #### It's about creating clarity. > Clarity ensures your team can make good decisions consistently. > > The strongest Information Security Policies don't exist to satisfy an auditor. > > They exist to help people understand what's expected, reduce uncertainty, and protect the trust your business works hard to earn. [Explore why Information Security matters for your SMB](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/information-security-policy-benefits?hsLang=en) ![Small Business GRC Case Study: How to Ensure Institutional Knowledge is Never Lost](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20Study%20Icon%20for%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=150&name=Case%20Study%20Icon%20for%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Small Business GRC Case Study: How to Ensure Institutional Knowledge is Never Lost") ### POLICIES IN ACTION #### Winning customer confidence—and contracts --- A growing marketing firm was preparing to sign a large client. During the final stages of the sales process, the client requested copies of the company's InfoSec policies. The team used good security practices, but they were only documented across various emails. Instead of celebrating a new customer, the team found themselves scrambling to pull together a written policy which slowed the sales process and resulted in a weekend of work and overtime pay for a couple team members. Thankfully, implementing a written Information Security Policy did create clarity moving forward. The business could confidently respond to customer security reviews, clearly communicate expectations to new employees, and demonstrate that protecting customer information was part of how they operated every day. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: What started as a sales requirement became a valuable business asset that helped the company move faster and build trust.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   What started as a sales requirement became a valuable business asset that helped the company move faster and build trust.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) What started as a sales requirement became a valuable business asset that helped the company move faster, build trust, and even lay the groundwork for future cyber insurance and compliance needs. --- ### How to start writing your Information Security Policy Start by documenting the security decisions your team makes every day. Answer those questions first.  Common questions include: 1. How do employees access company systems? 2. Where should customer information be stored? 3. Who approves new software? 4. What happens when someone leaves the company? You'll create a policy that's practical, useful, and far more valuable than a generic document that's never referenced. [LEARN MORE ABOUT INFOSEC POLICY CREATION](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-information-security-policy?hsLang=en) --- ![Acceptable Use Policy for small business and SMBs. Create consistent decision making across teams to reduce risk from technology use.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=180&height=199&name=Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Acceptable Use Policy for small business and SMBs. Create consistent decision making across teams to reduce risk from technology use.") ## 2. Acceptable Use Policy ### Create consistency across your team and reduce unnecessary technology risks. #### An Acceptable Use Policy helps employees understand how to use company technology responsibly, so they can work confidently while protecting your business, your customers, and each other. What is an Acceptable Use Policy? Why do small businesses need this policy? What if my SMB doesn't have one? **An Acceptable Use Policy outlines the expectations for how employees use company technology, devices, systems, and data.** For most small businesses, that includes guidance around: 1. Company laptops, mobile phones, and other devices 2. Email and messaging platforms 3. Internet and web browsing 4. Approved software and cloud applications 5. Remote work and public Wi-Fi 6. Password management and account security 7. Personal use of company devices 8. Protecting confidential information **This policy isn't about creating rules for every situation. It's about giving employees a practical framework for making good decisions whenever they use company technology.** **Every day, employees make dozens of technology decisions without thinking twice.** - They download applications. - They share files. - They connect to random Wi-Fi networks. - They use collaboration tools. - They install browser extensions. - They sign up for new software to solve a problem more quickly. Most of these decisions are made with good intentions. **The challenge is that good intentions don't always lead to good security.** An employee might upload confidential information into an unapproved file-sharing service because it's convenient. Someone else might install software without realizing it introduces unnecessary risk. Another employee may use a personal device for work without understanding how company information should be protected. An Acceptable Use Policy creates consistency before those situations occur. **It gives employees confidence because they already know what's expected. It also helps managers respond consistently when questions arise, instead of making different decisions for different people.** **Without an Acceptable Use Policy, every employee develops their own definition of what's acceptable.** Over time, that can lead to: - Unauthorized software being installed - Sensitive information being shared through unapproved tools - Inconsistent password practices - Personal devices storing company information - Confusion about remote work expectations - Different managers enforcing different standards None of these issues usually begin as major problems. They begin as small shortcuts. **Over time, those shortcuts become habits. Habits become inconsistent ways of working. Eventually, those inconsistencies create unnecessary risk for the business.** **A written policy helps establish good habits before poor ones become part of your company culture.** ### Can I write an Acceptable Use Policy by myself? #### **Yes, you sure can.** For most small businesses, this is one of the easiest and most valuable policies to create internally. ### How to start writing your Acceptable Use Policy Start by documenting how you already expect employees to use company technology. Keep the language practical, easy to understand, and relevant to the way your team actually works. Avoid filling the document with legal language or technical jargon. The best Acceptable Use Policies are the ones employees will actually read. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Keep the language practical, easy to understand, and relevant to the way your team actually works.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Keep the language practical, easy to understand, and relevant to the way your team actually works.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Review the policy regularly as your business adopts new technology, expands remote work, or introduces new tools into everyday operations. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Technology changes constantly. #### So should this technology. > An Acceptable Use Policy isn't designed to control employees. > > It's designed to remove uncertainty so everyone understands what's expected, regardless of which device, application, or technology they're using. > > When expectations are consistently updated and communicated, people spend less time guessing and more time doing great work. [Explore how policies impact productivity](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-policy-productivity?hsLang=en) ### The most common mistake SMBs make Many businesses write an Acceptable Use Policy once and never update it, but... Technology evolves quickly. Five years ago, most organizations weren't thinking about generative AI, browser extensions, dozens of connected SaaS applications, or employees working from almost anywhere. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: These seven policies are the policies customers, partners, cyber insurers, and compliance frameworks are most likely to ask about.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Review the policy regularly as your business adopts new technology, expands remote work, or introduces new tools into everyday operations.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)  Review the policy regularly as your business adopts new technology, expands remote work, or introduces new tools into everyday operations.    Your policy should evolve alongside your business. If your technology has changed, your expectations should be reviewed too. [LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-acceptable-use-policy?hsLang=en) --- ![AI Acceptable Use Policy: Adopt and implement AI while safeguarding critical business and customer data. ](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI%20Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=200&height=214&name=AI%20Acceptable%20Use%20Policy%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "AI Acceptable Use Policy: Adopt and implement AI while safeguarding critical business and customer data. ") ## 3. AI Acceptable Use Policy ### Embrace AI confidently. Protect your business and your customers. #### An AI Acceptable Use Policy gives employees clear guidance for using artificial intelligence responsibly. It encourages innovation while helping your business protect confidential information, maintain quality, and build trust. What is an AI Acceptable Use Policy? Why do small businesses need this policy? What if my SMB doesn't have one? **An AI Acceptable Use Policy defines how employees should use artificial intelligence as part of their daily work.** For most small businesses, it answers questions like: - Which AI tools are approved for business use? - What company or customer information should never be shared with an AI platform? - When should AI-generated content be reviewed by a person? - Who is responsible for verifying the accuracy of AI-assisted work? - What types of work should never rely solely on AI? Just as importantly, it helps employees understand when AI is an appropriate tool and when human judgment is still essential. **The goal isn't to document every possible AI scenario. It’s to establish practical expectations that can evolve as AI technolog evolves.** Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday business. Employees are using AI to write emails, summarize meetings, analyze data, brainstorm ideas, create marketing content, generate code, and solve problems faster than ever before. For small businesses, that's an incredible opportunity.  **Used thoughtfully, AI can improve productivity, reduce repetitive work, and help teams accomplish more with fewer resources.**  **But AI also changes how information moves through your business.** Without clear guidance, employees may not realize that entering customer information, financial data, internal business plans, or other confidential information into an AI platform could create risks your business hasn't considered. Another employee may publish AI-generated content without reviewing it for accuracy. Someone else may assume that because AI produced an answer, it must be correct. An AI Acceptable Use Policy helps establish thoughtful boundaries before those situations occur. **It gives employees the confidence to use AI while reinforcing that good judgment, accountability, and human oversight remain essential.** Without an AI policy, every employee creates their own rules. Some people avoid AI completely because they're unsure what's allowed. Others use it for everything because no one has explained where the boundaries are. Over time, that inconsistency can lead to: - Confidential information being entered into public AI tools - Inaccurate AI-generated content reaching customers - Inconsistent quality across teams - Copyright or intellectual property concerns - Uncertainty about who is responsible for AI-assisted work - Missed opportunities because employees are afraid to use AI **The goal isn't to eliminate risk. The goal is to help your business use AI intentionally instead of accidentally.** ### Can I write an AI Acceptable Use Policy by myself? #### **Yes, with thoughtful planning.** Most small businesses can begin with a practical template and customize it to reflect how their team actually uses AI. Keep the policy focused on real business scenarios rather than hypothetical ones. For example, if your marketing team uses AI to brainstorm content, document the review process before anything is published. If your customer support team uses AI to draft responses, explain what information should never be shared and who is responsible for reviewing the final message. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: AI technology is evolving rapidly. This is one policy you'll want to review more frequently than many of your others.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   AI technology is evolving rapidly. This is one policy you'll want to review more frequently than many of your others.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Because AI technology is evolving rapidly, this is one policy you'll want to review more frequently than many of your others. As your business adopts new tools, your guidance should evolve alongside them. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### AI isn't the risk. #### Unclear expectations are. > When employees understand how AI fits into their work, they can take advantage of its benefits without unintentionally creating unnecessary risk for the business. > > Good AI policies won't block or slow down technology adoption. > > But the *best* ones actually *encourage* responsible innovation. [Explore how an AI AUP can increase innovation](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-ai-policy-benefits?hsLang=en) ### How do I support multiple departments in a single AI policy? Start with a common set of AI guidelines that apply to everyone, then add department-specific sections for teams like HR, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service where additional guidance is needed. This creates one easy-to-manage policy without sacrificing role-specific expectations. #### **Marketing Team** Consider how AI can help create marketing content while protecting brand consistency, accuracy, and confidential data. Define how to review and approve AI-generated content before it’s published. #### **Sales Team** Address how AI may be used to prepare communications, proposals, and meeting summaries while ensuring that employees verify accuracy and protect customer and prospect information. #### **Customer Service Team** Define appropriate uses of AI for drafting responses, summarizing support requests, and improving consistency. Consider what customer information can be shared with AI tools and when human review is required. #### **Human Resources (HR)** Outline acceptable uses of AI for recruiting, training, and policy development while protecting sensitive employee information. Consider how AI can impact bias to support fair employment decisions. ![MIGHTY GRC tips for SMBs: Show your team how to use AI effectively and safely](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MIGHTY%20GRC%20tips%20for%20SMBs%20and%20business%20owners.png?width=150&height=156&name=MIGHTY%20GRC%20tips%20for%20SMBs%20and%20business%20owners.png "MIGHTY GRC tips for SMBs: Show your team how to use AI effectively and safely") ### MIGHTY Tips for Small Teams --- Don't write an AI policy that only tells employees what they *can't* do.  **Show them how they *can* use AI safely and effectively.** The most successful AI policies encourage responsible experimentation while protecting the information, relationships, and reputation your business has worked hard to build. [LEARN HOW TO WRITE AN AI ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-ai-acceptable-use-policy?hsLang=en) --- ![Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) for small businesses. keep your business running when disaster strikes.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20Continuity%20and%20Disaster%20Recovery%20Plan%20(BCDR)%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=225&height=184&name=Business%20Continuity%20and%20Disaster%20Recovery%20Plan%20(BCDR)%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) for small businesses. keep your business running when disaster strikes.") ## 4. Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) ### Keep your business running when the unexpected happens. #### A Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan, or BCDR, helps your team prepare for disruptions before they occur. Whether it's a cyberattack, a power outage, a lost laptop, or a critical vendor outage, a good plan helps your business recover faster and continue serving customers with confidence. What is a BCDR Plan? Why do small businesses need this policy? What if my SMB doesn't have one? Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery are closely related, but they serve two different purposes. **Business Continuity** focuses on keeping your business operating during a disruption. **Disaster Recovery** focuses on restoring the systems, applications, and data needed to return to normal operations. Together, they answer questions like: - What are our most critical business functions? - Which systems do we depend on every day? - How long can we operate without them? - Where are our backups stored? - Who is responsible for recovery? - How will we communicate with employees and customers during an outage? **Your BCDR Plan doesn't need to account for every possible disaster.** Instead, it should provide a practical roadmap that helps your team respond calmly, make informed decisions, and recover as quickly as possible. **Every day, employees make dozens of technology decisions without thinking twice.** - They download applications. - They share files. - They connect to random Wi-Fi networks. - They use collaboration tools. - They install browser extensions. - They sign up for new software to solve a problem more quickly. Most of these decisions are made with good intentions. **The challenge is that good intentions don't always lead to good security.** An employee might upload confidential information into an unapproved file-sharing service because it's convenient. Someone else might install software without realizing it introduces unnecessary risk. Another employee may use a personal device for work without understanding how company information should be protected. An Acceptable Use Policy creates consistency before those situations occur. **It gives employees confidence because they already know what's expected. It also helps managers respond consistently when questions arise, instead of making different decisions for different people.** **Without an Acceptable Use Policy, every employee develops their own definition of what's acceptable.** Over time, that can lead to: - Unauthorized software being installed - Sensitive information being shared through unapproved tools - Inconsistent password practices - Personal devices storing company information - Confusion about remote work expectations - Different managers enforcing different standards None of these issues usually begin as major problems. They begin as small shortcuts. **Over time, those shortcuts become habits. Habits become inconsistent ways of working. Eventually, those inconsistencies create unnecessary risk for the business.** **A written policy helps establish good habits before poor ones become part of your company culture.** ### Can I write a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan by myself? #### **Yes, but expert guidance is almost always worthwhile.** Many small businesses can begin documenting a basic Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan by identifying their most important systems, defining recovery priorities, and assigning responsibilities. As your business grows, your plan should become more detailed. If your organization... - Relies heavily on technology - Stores sensitive information - Has contractual recovery requirements, or - Needs to meet cyber insurance or compliance expectations, then ...working with an experienced advisor or trusted SaaS platform can help ensure your plan reflects how your business actually operates. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: The best plans are the ones your team can confidently follow during a stressful situation.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   The best plans are the ones your team can confidently follow during a stressful situation.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) The best plans aren't the longest.  They're the ones your team can confidently follow during a stressful situation. ![Small Business GRC Case Study: How to Ensure Institutional Knowledge is Never Lost](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Case%20Study%20Icon%20for%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=150&height=150&name=Case%20Study%20Icon%20for%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Small Business GRC Case Study: How to Ensure Institutional Knowledge is Never Lost") ### POLICIES IN ACTION #### How to ensure institutional knowledge is never lost ---   A regional accounting firm had relied entirely on one employee who knew how to restore files after a server outage. However, this knowledge was never documented or passed to this employee’s replacement when they abruptly retired. When ransomware temporarily shut down their systems, no one else knew who to call, where backups were stored, or how to continue serving clients. And they couldn’t reach the former employee for over 24 hours. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: The next time an incident occurred, downtime was minimal and the team was confident. ](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   The next time an incident occurred, downtime was minimal and the team was confident.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) By creating a simple Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) plan with help from a cybersecurity and policy expert, they documented critical systems, recovery procedures, and key contacts. The next time an incident occurred, downtime was minimal and the team was confident in speed and effectiveness of their response. --- ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Disruptions are part of doing business. #### But being unprepared doesn't have to be. > Preparation creates confidence. > > A Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan isn't about expecting the worst. > > It's about knowing your business can keep moving when something unexpected happens. [Explore how preparation builds resilience](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-disaster-recovery-plan?hsLang=en) ### The most common BCDR mistake SMBs make Many small businesses create backups and assume they're prepared. Backups are only one piece of disaster recovery. A complete BCDR Plan also answers questions like: - Who restores the backups? - How long will recovery take? - How will employees continue working during an outage? - Who communicates with customers? - What if the backup itself doesn't work? **REMEMBER:** A plan that's been discussed and tested will always provide more value than one that's never been put into practice. [LEARN MORE ABOUT BCDR PLAN CREATION](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-continuity-plan?hsLang=en) --- ![Incident Response Plan for small business: Respond quickly and confidently while reducing confusion.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Incident%20Response%20Plan%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=170&height=202&name=Incident%20Response%20Plan%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Incident Response Plan for small business: Respond quickly and confidently while reducing confusion.") ## 5. Incident Response Plan ### Respond quickly. Reduce confusion. Recover with confidence. #### An Incident Response Plan gives your team a clear path forward when a cybersecurity incident occurs. Instead of reacting under pressure, everyone understands their role, the immediate priorities, and the steps needed to protect the business. What is an Incident Response Plan? Why do small businesses need one? What can happen if I don't have one? An Incident Response Plan documents how your business prepares for, responds to, and recovers from cybersecurity incidents. While every plan is different, most include guidance for: - Identifying and reporting potential security incidents - Assigning roles and responsibilities - Containing the incident to prevent further damage - Communicating with employees, customers, vendors, or legal counsel when appropriate - Recovering affected systems and data - Documenting lessons learned after the incident For many small businesses, the plan also includes simple end-user procedures that explain what employees should do if they suspect phishing, lose a company device, notice suspicious activity, or believe sensitive information has been exposed. **The goal isn't to predict every possible incident.** **It's to ensure your team knows where to begin when something unexpected happens.** No business is immune to cybersecurity incidents.    An employee clicks a phishing email.    A laptop is stolen.    A cloud account is compromised.    A vendor experiences a data breach.    Sensitive information is accidentally shared with the wrong person.  These situations can happen to organizations of any size.  What often determines the outcome isn't the scope or scale of the incident itself. It's how quickly and consistently the business responds. An Incident Response Plan removes uncertainty during those critical first hours. - Employees know who to notify. - Leadership understands how decisions will be made. - Important evidence is preserved. - Communication is more organized. - Recovery begins sooner. The [National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)](https://www.nist.gov/itl/smallbusinesscyber) has long emphasized that effective incident response depends on planning before an incident occurs. For small businesses, that planning doesn't have to be complicated. It simply needs to be practical, documented, and understood by the people responsible for carrying it out. Without an Incident Response Plan, valuable time is often lost asking questions that should already have answers. - Who is leading the response? - Should affected systems be shut down? - Who needs to be notified? - Has anyone documented what happened? - Should customers be informed? - Can employees continue working? When roles and responsibilities aren't clearly defined, confusion can spread just as quickly as the incident itself. **That confusion can lead to longer outages, inconsistent communication, unnecessary business disruption, and higher recovery costs.** A documented plan helps your team move from uncertainty to action. ### Can I write an Incident Response Plan by myself? #### **Yes, but expert guidance is highly recommended.** Most small businesses can document a basic Incident Response Plan by identifying key contacts, assigning responsibilities, and outlining the first steps to take during common security events. As your business grows, the plan should become more detailed and include communication procedures, recovery priorities, and lessons learned from previous incidents. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Expert guidance can help ensure your plan reflects an actionable, real-world response plan instead of simply listing generic best practices.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Expert guidance can help ensure your plan reflects an actionable, real-world response plan instead of simply listing generic best practices.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Expert guidance from a consultant or an expert-backed SaaS platform can help ensure your plan reflects an actionable, real-world response plan instead of simply listing generic best practices. **CRITICAL NOTE:** If your business handles sensitive customer information, supports other organizations, or has cyber insurance requirements, a well-developed Incident Response Plan is well worth the investment. Just as importantly, review the plan with your team periodically. A plan that people understand is far more valuable than one that sits untouched in a folder. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Don't react. #### Respond. > You shouldn't have to "rise to the occasion" during an incident. > > You should be able to fall back on your preparation. > > An Incident Response Plan is about making sure your first response to an event is thoughtful instead of reactive.  > > A calm, coordinated response almost always leads to a better outcome than trying to figure everything out in the middle of a crisis. [Learn more about SMB business resilience](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-resilience-strategies?hsLang=en) ### The most common mistake SMBs make when creating an Incident Response Plan Many businesses think writing an Incident Response Plan is enough. **It's not.** The first time your team reads the plan shouldn't be during an actual incident. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: The first time your team reads the plan shouldn't be during an actual incident.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   The first time your team reads the plan shouldn't be during an actual incident.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Before an event or incident ever even occurs, you should: Walk through realistic scenarios together. Practice reporting suspicious emails. Review who would make key decisions. Talk through how you would communicate with customers if systems were unavailable. ### How to run a tabletop exercise to build confidence ##### Even a simple tabletop exercise once or twice a year can uncover gaps and help your team respond with far more confidence when a real incident occurs. #### Choose a realistic scenario Select a likely incident, such as a phishing attack, ransomware infection, or lost company laptop. Keep the scenario realistic and relevant to your business. #### Gather the right people Invite the employees who would play a role in responding, such as leadership, IT, HR, and customer service. Everyone should understand their responsibilities before the discussion begins. #### Walk through the incident Present the scenario one step at a time and ask participants how they would respond. Discuss decisions, communication, and actions without worrying about finding the "right" answer. #### Identify gaps and improvements Document any confusion, missing procedures, or unclear responsibilities that arise during the exercise. Focus on opportunities to strengthen your plan. #### Update and practice again Revise your incident response plan based on what you learned and share the changes with your team. Repeat tabletop exercises regularly to build confidence and improve your response over time. [EXPLORE A SIMPLE TABLETOP EXERCISE](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-incident-response-plan?hsLang=en) [LEARN MORE ABOUT INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN CREATION](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-incident-response-plan?hsLang=en) --- ![Vendor Risk Assessment for Third Parties: Make better decisions about small business partners.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vendor%20Risk%20Assessment%20for%20Third%20Parties%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=200&height=159&name=Vendor%20Risk%20Assessment%20for%20Third%20Parties%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Vendor Risk Assessment for Third Parties: Make better decisions about small business partners.") ## 6. Vendor Risk Assessment Policy ### Make smarter decisions about the vendors you trust. #### Every business relies on outside companies. A Vendor or Third-Party Risk Assessment Policy helps you evaluate those relationships consistently so you can protect your data, your customers, and your operations without slowing your business down. What is a Vendor Risk Assessment? Why do small businesses need one? What can happen if I don't have one? A Vendor or Third-Party Risk Assessment Policy establishes a consistent process for evaluating third-party vendors before they receive access to your systems, data, or business operations. For most small businesses, that means asking practical questions like: - What information will this vendor have access to? - How important is this vendor to our day-to-day operations? - What security practices do they have in place? - What would happen if they experienced a security incident or outage? - Do we have a backup plan if this vendor becomes unavailable? **Not every vendor needs the same level of review.** Your office coffee supplier doesn't present the same level of risk as your payroll provider, cloud storage platform, managed service provider, or customer relationship management system. **A good policy helps your business focus its time where it matters most.** Small businesses depend on vendors more than ever before. Many of the tools that make your business more efficient also store your data, connect to your systems, or support critical business processes. When a vendor experiences a security incident, service outage, or operational failure, the effects often extend beyond their business. They affect yours. That doesn't mean you should stop adopting new partnerships. Third parties are often critical for scalable growth. **It does mean you should understand who you're trusting and what role they play in your business.** A Vendor Risk Assessment Policy creates consistency before new vendors are approved. **Instead of making decisions based on price, convenience, or familiarity alone, your business follows a simple, repeatable process that considers both opportunity and risk.** It also makes future conversations with customers, insurers, and compliance assessors much easier by showing that vendor selection isn't left to chance. Without a Vendor or Third-Party Risk Assessment Policy, new vendors are often approved informally. One department signs up for a cloud application. Another shares sensitive customer information with a new service provider. Someone purchases software using a company credit card without understanding what data the vendor collects or where it's stored. Over time, these decisions create an increasingly complex technology environment that few people fully understand. If a vendor experiences an outage, security incident, or data breach, your business may discover too late how dependent it had become on that relationship. **A simple assessment process helps you identify those risks before they become business problems.** ### Can I write a Vendor Risk Assessment Policy by myself? #### **Yes, this policy can be a DIY project.** Most small businesses can create an effective Vendor Risk Assessment Policy internally. Start by identifying the vendors that support critical business functions or have access to sensitive information. Then document the basic questions every new vendor should answer before approval. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: The most critical part is consistency.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   The most critical part is consistency.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) As your business grows, you can make the process more sophisticated by introducing vendor questionnaires, risk ratings, annual reviews, or contractual security requirements.   The most critical part is consistency. Even a simple process is far more effective than making vendor decisions differently every time. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### You're exchanging trust... #### ...not just a business agreement. > Choosing a vendor isn't just buying a product or agreeing to a supportive service. > > **It's extending trust.** > > Every vendor you work with becomes part of your business ecosystem. > > The goal isn't to avoid using third parties. It's to understand the level of risk they introduce so you can make informed decisions. [Explore how trusted vendors support SMBs](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/vendor-risk-management-benefits?hsLang=en) ### Do Vendor Risk Assessments impact cyber insurance policies? **Yes.** Cyber insurance providers increasingly view vendor risk management as part of a mature cybersecurity program. Having a documented process for evaluating third-party vendors can improve your ability to complete insurance applications, support underwriting conversations, and demonstrate that your business is taking reasonable steps to reduce cyber risk. **SOMETHING OF NOTE:** In some cases, these practices may also contribute to more favorable coverage terms or premium pricing, depending on your insurer and overall security posture. Even a simple, consistent approach can make a meaningful difference toward strengthening your organization's resilience. ![MIGHTY GRC tips for SMBs: Show your team how to use AI effectively and safely](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MIGHTY%20GRC%20tips%20for%20SMBs%20and%20business%20owners.png?width=150&height=156&name=MIGHTY%20GRC%20tips%20for%20SMBs%20and%20business%20owners.png "MIGHTY GRC tips for SMBs: Show your team how to use AI effectively and safely") ### MIGHTY Tips for Small Teams --- Not every vendor requires the same level of scrutiny. **Focus your time on the vendors that could have the biggest impact if something went wrong.** Ask yourself: - Would this vendor have access to sensitive information? - Could our business continue operating if this vendor was unavailable tomorrow? - Would a security incident involving this vendor affect our customers? **If the answer is yes, it's worth spending a little extra time evaluating the relationship before moving forward.** [LEARN MORE ABOUT VENDOR RISK ASSESSMENT CREATION](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-vendor-risk-assessment?hsLang=en) --- ![Security Improvement Roadmap for small businesses and SMBs to build an actionable plan for cybersecurity improvements over time.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Security%20Improvement%20Roadmap%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=175&height=158&name=Security%20Improvement%20Roadmap%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Security Improvement Roadmap for small businesses and SMBs to build an actionable plan for cybersecurity improvements over time.") ## 7. Security Improvement Roadmap ### Turn good intentions into measurable progress. #### A Security Improvement Roadmap helps your business prioritize what to improve, assign ownership, and track progress over time. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, your team can focus on the next right step. What is a Security Improvement Roadmap? Why do small businesses need one? What can happen if I don't have one? Every business has opportunities to improve. Maybe you've identified a policy that needs to be written. Perhaps you're planning to implement multi-factor authentication, improve your employee security training, or review your vendor management process. A Security Improvement Roadmap is a simple, organized way to document those improvements, assign responsibility, and establish realistic timelines. You might hear this called a **[Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)](https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/POAM)**, particularly in cybersecurity, government, and compliance frameworks. While the name sounds technical, the concept is straightforward. A Security Improvement Roadmap is simply a documented plan that answers three questions: 1. What needs to be improved? 2. Who is responsible for ensuring it is completed? 3. When should it be completed? Whether you call it a roadmap or a POA&M, the goal is the same: help your business make steady, measurable progress. **Because the challenge isn't usually knowing what needs to be done.** **It's keeping track of everything while running a business.** One of the biggest challenges for small businesses isn't identifying improvements. It's remembering them six months later. Security recommendations often come from many different places. - A customer security questionnaire. - A cyber insurance application. - A vulnerability assessment. - An IT consultant. - A compliance framework. - An internal meeting where someone says, "We really should fix that." Without a system for tracking those recommendations, they're easy to lose. A Security Improvement Roadmap keeps those ideas from becoming forgotten notes or unfinished projects. **It also helps leadership make informed decisions about priorities.** Not every improvement is equally urgent. **Some tasks reduce significant business risk. Others can wait until the business has more time or resources.** A roadmap helps your team focus on what matters most while making steady progress over time. As your business grows, it also creates a valuable record of the improvements you've made. That history can be helpful during customer security reviews, cyber insurance renewals, audits, and future planning discussions. Without a roadmap, improvements often happen reactively. A customer asks a security question. You rush to update a policy. An insurance renewal highlights a gap. You fix that issue to maintain your policy. Then everyone moves on to the next priority. **Security becomes a series of disconnected projects instead of a coordinated improvement effort.** - Critical recommendations are forgotten. - Ownership becomes unclear. - Deadlines slip. The same issues appear again and again because there isn't a process for tracking progress. A Security Improvement Roadmap helps your business move from reacting to planning. ### Can I create a Security Improvement Plan by myself? #### **Absolutely.** In fact, this is one of the easiest and most valuable tools a small business can create. You don't need specialized software or a complicated framework to get started. A simple spreadsheet, project management board, or dedicated tracking tool can work well, provided it includes: - The improvement that needs to be made - Why it matters - Who owns it - The target completion date - The current status - The date it should be reviewed again The important part isn't the format. It's creating a habit of reviewing the roadmap regularly and celebrating progress as improvements are completed. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Progress beats perfection. #### The strongest cybersecurity programs aren't built all at once. > A culture of embedded cybersecurity, or security by design, is built one thoughtful improvement at a time.  > > You don't need to solve every problem this quarter.  > > You just need to know what you're working on next. [Explore the benefits of Security Improvement Roadmapping](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/cybersecurity-roadmap-benefits?hsLang=en) ### How do I know what needs to be improved? Building the roadmap is the easy part. The challenge is identifying the improvements that will have the biggest impact on reducing risk. A great place to start is by reviewing your policies, conducting a basic risk assessment, evaluating the recommendations from your cyber insurance application, or documenting lessons learned after incidents or tabletop exercises. Even small observations, like inconsistent password practices or missing employee training, can become meaningful roadmap items. For many small businesses, partnering with a cybersecurity consultant or other trusted expert can uncover risks that aren't immediately obvious and help prioritize identified recommendations. ### Common cybersecurity mistakes small businesses make Many businesses create a roadmap after a customer questionnaire, assessment, or audit, then never look at it again. A roadmap only creates value if it's reviewed consistently. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Small improvements completed consistently will have a far greater impact than a long list of improvements that never move forward.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Small improvements completed consistently will have a far greater impact than a long list of improvements that never move forward.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Schedule time each month or quarter to review outstanding items, update priorities, and assign new actions. Small improvements completed consistently will have a far greater impact than a long list of improvements that never move forward. [LEARN MORE ABOUT SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ROADMAPPING](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-cybersecurity-roadmap?hsLang=en) ## PART 5: Which Policies Can Be DIY ### These key policies will help strengthen your small business. One of the biggest questions small business owners ask is whether they need to hire an expert to create their policies. The answer is... it depends. Some policies are straightforward and can often be created using a high-quality template that's tailored to your business. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: A policy doesn't need to be perfect on day one. It does need to be accurate, practical, and something your team will actually use.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   A policy doesn't need to be perfect on day one. It *does* need to be accurate, practical, and something your team will actually use.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Others benefit from professional guidance because they support incident response, regulatory requirements, or critical business operations. A policy doesn't need to be perfect on day one. It *does* need to be accurate, practical, and something your team will actually use. Below is a general guide to help you decide where to start. ### The policies that make great DIY projects These policies are often good candidates for creating in-house, especially if you're a small business with straightforward operations. #### 1. Acceptable Use Policy Yes, most small businesses can create a strong Acceptable Use Policy with a well-designed template or solid research skills. Your business already has expectations for how employees should use company technology. The challenge is documenting those expectations clearly and consistently. ![Clock Icon. Time required to DIY a small business policy. MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=100&height=100&name=Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Clock Icon. Time required to DIY a small business policy. MIGHTY GRC") ##### Time required to write a Acceptable Use Policy **\>** Customizing an AI-generated template: **3-6 hours**  **\>** Researching what an AUP should include and writing one yourself from scratch: **8–20 hours**  **\>** Writing a comprehensive policy for a business with multiple systems, accounting for legal review and revisions: **1–3 days** #### 2. Security Improvement Roadmap This is your internal action plan. No one understands your priorities better than your own team. Start by documenting the improvements you've already identified, assign ownership, and review your progress regularly The format matters much less than building the habit. So, yes, you can DIY a Security Improvement Roadmap. ![Time required to write a Security Improvement Roadmap for a Small or Midsized Business](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=100&height=100&name=Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Time required to write a Security Improvement Roadmap for a Small or Midsized Business") ##### Time required to write a Security Improvement Roadmap **\>** Using a roadmap template pulled from an AI chat and customizing it for your organization: **3–8 hours**  **\>** Researching how to create a roadmap and building one out on your own: **12–30 hours**  **\>** Creating a comprehensive roadmap with stakeholder input, risk assessment, and management review: **2–5 days** ### Policies best tackled with a template in hand These policies can often be created internally, if someone has the time and skills to both write and research how to make each actionable and effective. They are most helpful when they're customized to both reflect how your business actually operates while also meeting compliance requirements. #### 1. Information Security Policy A template provides an excellent starting point, but avoid simply changing the company name and calling it complete. Your policy should reflect your organization’s actual systems, your real world team, your customers and their data, and the information you actually manage and have access to. ![Time required to write an InfoSec Policy for a Small or Midsized business or SMB](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=100&height=100&name=Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Time required to write an InfoSec Policy for a Small or Midsized business or SMB") ##### Time required to write an Information Security Policy **\>** Using an AI-generated template and research:**6-10 hours**  **\> Using PolicyPilot: 20-30 mins** #### 2. AI Acceptable Use Policy Every business uses AI differently. Your policy should address the tools your employees use in their daily work, the information they work with, and the level of human review your organization expects. And remember, AI is evolving quickly. Plan to review this policy quarterly or semiannually. ![How long it takes to write an AI Acceptable Use Policy as a Small Business or SMB](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=100&height=100&name=Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "How long it takes to write an AI Acceptable Use Policy as a Small Business or SMB") ##### Time required to write an AI Acceptable Use Policy **\>** Using an AI-generated template and research: **7-8 hours, but up to 3 business days**if you plan to thoroughly research all AI tools your team is currently using or has requested to use. **\> Using PolicyPilot: 20-30 mins** #### 3. Vendor or Third-Party Risk Assessment Most small businesses don't need an enterprise vendor risk program. They do need a consistent process for evaluating the vendors that support critical business functions or have access to sensitive information. A good template provides structure while still allowing you to scale the process as your business grows, and so does it’s use and storage of data. ![How long it will take a small business or SMB to DIY a Vendor Risk Assessment](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=100&height=100&name=Clock%20Icon.%20Time%20required%20to%20DIY%20a%20small%20business%20policy.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "How long it will take a small business or SMB to DIY a Vendor Risk Assessment") ##### Time required to write a Vendor Risk Assessment Document **\>** Using a generic, AI-generated template: **4-8 hours** **\> Using PolicyPilot: 10-15 mins** ### Policies that are worth bringing on professional guidance Some policies have a greater impact on your ability to respond during high-pressure situations. These are the policies where experienced guidance can be especially valuable and is highly recommended. #### 1. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDR) An effective BCDR Plan reflects your specific technology, operations, vendors, recovery priorities, and business goals. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: A static template simply won't be actionable.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   A static template simply won't be actionable.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) An experienced advisor or purpose-built platform, like MIGHTY, can help identify dependencies and recovery considerations that are easy to overlook. A static template simply won’t be actionable. And decisive, proactive action is what will be needed in the case of a business emergency. #### 2. Incident Response Plan When a cybersecurity incident occurs, every minute matters. An Incident Response Plan should be practical, realistic, and aligned with how your business would actually respond. Professional guidance from a consultant or expert-backed GRC software can help ensure your plan reflects proven response practices while avoiding common mistakes. You simply won’t be able to achieve this level of effectiveness with an AI-generated template. ### How to bridge the gap between time-intensive templates and cost-prohibitive consultants Most small and mid-sized organizations don't have the time to build actionable security and HR policies from generic templates. They also don’t have the budget to hire consultants for every compliance project. That leaves teams stuck between slow, manual work and expensive professional services, often delaying critical security initiatives. **PolicyPilot bridges the gap.**  By combining automated policy generation with expert-approved guidance, PolicyPilot helps you create white label, audit-ready policies in a fraction of the time and cost. Whether you're building your first security program, hiring your first employee, or preparing to buy your first cyber insurance policy, PolicyPilot offers actionable, customizable, and effective policies your team will actually use. ### A final overview: The four approaches to policy creation #### 1. AI-Generated Templates - Appear to be cost-effective, until you calculate your team’s time. - Typically not actionable or particularly useful. #### 2. AI Templates Backed by Research - Less expensive than hiring a consultant, but results will vary - Your testing ground will be your first crisis. #### 3. Compliance Consultants - Extremely high recurring costs, as policies require quarterly or annual reviews. - May still require extensive team time to work with consultants. - Will be actionable, but may be too heavy handed for a small or mid-sized organization. #### 4. Software Solutions, like PolicyPilot - Cost-effective and built for ongoing use. - Combines guided policy creation with continual reviews, improvements, and team learning. - Will help ensure policies stay accurate, actionable, and useful as your business evolves. #### Comparison Chart: Effective Small Business Policy Creation ![Comparison chart of the options available for SMBs to write and update policies, from GRC SaaS solutions to AI-generated templates.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20four%20approaches%20to%20small%20business%20policy%20creation.png?width=1000&height=603&name=The%20four%20approaches%20to%20small%20business%20policy%20creation.png "Comparison chart of the options available for SMBs to write and update policies, from GRC SaaS solutions to AI-generated templates.") ![PolicyPilot FAQ sheet for small business policy compliance and GRC needs](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PolicyPilot%20Overview%20Guide%20Compliance%20in%20a%20few%20clicks%20for%20SMBs.png?width=750&height=1094&name=PolicyPilot%20Overview%20Guide%20Compliance%20in%20a%20few%20clicks%20for%20SMBs.png "PolicyPilot FAQ sheet for small business policy compliance and GRC needs") ![PolicyPilot SaaS product icon by MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-03%20at%2010.46.29%20AM.png?width=500&height=96&name=Screenshot%202026-06-03%20at%2010.46.29%20AM.png "PolicyPilot SaaS product icon by MIGHTY GRC") [EXPLORE POLICYPILOT](https://mightygrc.com/products/policypilot?hsLang=en) [GET A PRODUCT DEMO](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) --- ## PART 6: How to Keep Policies Effective ### Why creating your policies is only the first step. Creating your policies is an important first step. But, it’s only the first step. Keeping your policies current is what makes them valuable and ensures they are actionable. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Policy management shouldn't be treated as a one-time project.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Policy management shouldn't be treated as a one-time project.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) As your business grows... Your team expands New technology is introduced Customer expectations evolve Regulations continue to shift. Policies that accurately reflected your business a year ago may no longer match how your organization operates today. That's why policy management shouldn't be treated as a one-time project. It should become embedded in your business and your operations. ### Review your policies regularly Most small businesses should review their policies at least once a year. However, there are times when you shouldn’t wait for your annual review. It's also a good idea to revisit your policies whenever your business experiences a significant change. This can include: - Hiring your first employees - Expanding into a new market - Adopting new software or AI tools - Changing IT providers - Moving to a new office - Experiencing a cybersecurity incident - Renewing cyber insurance - Preparing for a customer security review or audit Each of these events is an opportunity to make sure your policies still reflect how your business actually operates. ### Include policy review in your SOPs and calendars The easiest policies to maintain are the ones that become part of your regular business processes. Instead of asking, "When was the last time we looked at our policies?" build policy reviews into your existing calendar or your standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Small consistent reviews are far easier and more impactful than rewriting each policy every few years.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Small consistent reviews are far easier and more impactful than rewriting each policy every few years.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) For example, review your Information Security Policy before renewing your cyber insurance policy. You may also want to: Review your AI Acceptable Use Policy whenever your team adopts new AI tools. Update your Incident Response Plan after completing your semiannual tabletop exercise with lessons learned. Review your Vendor Risk Assessment documentation whenever you are considering onboarding a new critical vendor. Track progress on your Security Improvement Roadmap every quarter, making updates as needed. Small, consistent reviews are far easier and more impactful than rewriting each policy every few years. ### Always communicate new and updated expectations to your team Updating a policy is only part of the process. Your team also needs to know what changed or what has been updated. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business:All effective policies have one thing in common: people know they exist.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   All effective policies have one thing in common: **people know they exist.**  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) When expectations evolve, take time to communicate those updates both verbally and in writing, answer any and all questions with as much transparency as possible, and confirm employees understand how the changes affect their work. All effective policies have one thing in common: people know they exist. ![MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ](https://mightygrc.com/hubfs/MIGHTY%20Mindset%20Letter%20Icon%20from%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "MIGHTY Mindset: Policies aren't the end goal. Small business resilience is. ") --- ### Communicated policies are effective policies. #### The most effective policies aren't just written. They're shared. > Policies shouldn't collect dust.  > > They need to be shared, understood, and put into practice. > > They should evolve alongside your business.  > > Every review is an opportunity to strengthen your operations, reinforce expectations, and make your business a little more resilient than it was before. [Explore small business resiliency strategies](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-resilience-strategies?hsLang=en) ![MIGHTY GRC tips for SMBs: Show your team how to use AI effectively and safely](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MIGHTY%20GRC%20tips%20for%20SMBs%20and%20business%20owners.png?width=150&height=156&name=MIGHTY%20GRC%20tips%20for%20SMBs%20and%20business%20owners.png "MIGHTY GRC tips for SMBs: Show your team how to use AI effectively and safely") ### MIGHTY Tips for Small Teams --- Policies are far more likely to be adopted when the people who use them every day have a voice in creating them. Inviting cross-functional stakeholders and subject matter experts—not just executives—to review and contribute to policies helps ensure they're practical, easy to follow, and aligned with real-world workflows. **The result is stronger employee buy-in, fewer implementation challenges, and a culture built on compliance.** ### READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? #### Download the Mighty Guide to 7 Essential Policies for Small Business --- ![Free PDF Download The MIGHTY Guide to Seven Essential Policies for Small Business, Teams, and SMBs.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20MIGHTY%20Guide%20to%20Seven%20Essential%20Policies%20for%20Small%20Business%20and%20Teams.png?width=955&height=745&name=The%20MIGHTY%20Guide%20to%20Seven%20Essential%20Policies%20for%20Small%20Business%20and%20Teams.png) Then, head to the **Quick Start Guide on page 53** to begin building your MIGHTY Action Plan or complete your SMB Policy Checklist. Both are designed to help you quickly assess where you are today, identify your priorities, and take the first steps toward stronger, more effective policies. [Download the free MIGHTY Guide PDF](https://mightygrc.com/download-small-business-policy-guide-pdf?hsLang=en) #### **Looking for an even faster way to get resilient?** **Explore how PolicyPilot can automate policy creation, management, and documentation for your small business.** ![PolicyPilot SaaS product icon by MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-03%20at%2010.46.29%20AM.png?width=500&height=96&name=Screenshot%202026-06-03%20at%2010.46.29%20AM.png "PolicyPilot SaaS product icon by MIGHTY GRC") [EXPLORE POLICYPILOT FOR YOUR TEAM](https://mightygrc.com/products/policypilot?hsLang=en) [Work with SMBs? Become a MIGHTY partner.](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-partner-pricing?hsLang=en) --- ## PART 7: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### The burning questions SMBs want to know about GRC.   What policies should a small business have first? If you're just getting started, begin with the policies that address your biggest risks and the decisions your team makes every day. **For most small businesses, we recommend starting with an [Information Security Policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-information-security-policy?hsLang=en) and an [Acceptable Use Policy](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-acceptable-use-policy?hsLang=en).** Those two documents establish the foundation for protecting your business and creating consistent expectations across your team. From there, you can build your AI Acceptable Use Policy, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan, Incident Response Plan, Vendor Risk Assessment Policy, and Security Improvement Roadmap. Are written policies legally required for small businesses? **It depends on your industry, location, and the type of business you operate.** While many small businesses aren't legally required to have every policy covered in this guide, some industries have specific regulatory requirements. Even when policies aren't required by law, customers, cyber insurance providers, business partners, and compliance frameworks often expect them. More importantly, written policies help your business operate more consistently and reduce unnecessary risk. Do I need written policies if I only have a few employees? **Yes.** In fact, smaller businesses often benefit the most from written policies because so much knowledge tends to live with one or two people. Documenting how your business operates creates consistency, makes onboarding easier, and reduces confusion as your team grows. Good policies don't become valuable once you reach a certain size. They become valuable as soon as more than one person is making decisions. What's the difference between a policy and a procedure? **A policy explains what your business expects.** **A procedure explains how those expectations are carried out.** For example, your Information Security Policy might state that all employees must use multi-factor authentication. The supporting procedure would explain how to enable multi-factor authentication on your systems. Together, policies and procedures create clear expectations and practical guidance. How often should business policies be reviewed? **Most small businesses should review their policies at least once a year.** You should also review them whenever your business experiences a significant change, such as adopting new technology, hiring employees, changing IT providers, renewing cyber insurance, or responding to a security incident. The goal is to make sure your policies continue to reflect how your business actually operates. Can I use policy templates? **Yes.** Templates are an excellent starting point, especially for small businesses creating policies for the first time. The important part is customizing them to reflect your business. A generic template that doesn't match your technology, processes, or team can create confusion instead of clarity. **Think of templates as a foundation, not a finished product.** What policies are commonly requested for cyber insurance? Cyber insurance requirements vary by provider. **Many insurers ask about areas such as information security, acceptable use, multi-factor authentication, incident response, backup and recovery, employee security awareness, and vendor management.** Having documented policies won't guarantee coverage, but they can help demonstrate that your business has established security practices and may simplify the application process or even lower your premiums. What's the difference between Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR) and an Incident Response Plan? A [**Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan**](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-continuity-plan?hsLang=en) focuses on keeping your business operating and restoring systems after a disruption. An [**Incident Response Plan**](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-incident-response-plan?hsLang=en) focuses specifically on how your business detects, responds to, and recovers from cybersecurity incidents. They work together, but they solve different problems. **One helps your business continue operating. The other helps your team respond effectively when a security incident occurs.** What is a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)? **A Plan of Action and Milestones, often called a POA&M, is simply a prioritized list of security improvements your business plans to complete over time.** It identifies what needs to be improved, who is responsible, and when the work should be completed. Many government and compliance frameworks use the term POA&M, but for most small businesses, especially those without complex compliance needs, **it's easier to think of it as a [Security Improvement Roadmap](https://mightygrc.com/mighty-blog/small-business-cybersecurity-roadmap?hsLang=en).** How long should a business policy be? Long enough to provide clear guidance, but short enough that people will actually read it. Most small business policies don't need to be dozens of pages. **Clear, practical language is almost always more valuable than lengthy documentation.** If employees can't quickly understand what's expected, the policy probably needs to be simplified. Do I need a lawyer to write my business policies? **Not necessarily.** Many operational and security policies can be created using quality templates and customized to reflect your business. However, if your policies include legal obligations, employment requirements, industry-specific regulations, or contractual commitments, it's a good idea to have the appropriate professional review them before implementation. The right level of expertise depends on the policy and your business, not simply the size of your company. What's the biggest mistake small businesses make with policies? **Treating policies like a one-time project.** The most effective businesses don't create policies and forget about them. They review them regularly, update them as the business changes, and use them as practical tools for making everyday decisions. A policy that's reviewed, understood, and followed will always provide more value than one that's written once and never opened again. ![Small businesses and SMBs are mighty with MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Small%20Business%20is%20MIGHTY%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=400&height=400&name=Small%20Business%20is%20MIGHTY%20icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png "Small businesses and SMBs are mighty with MIGHTY GRC and PolicyPilot.") ## PART 8: Quick Start Guide for SMBs #### This is *your* SMB policy action plan By now, you have a solid understanding of the core policies every small business should consider and why each one plays an important role in protecting your organization. Now it's time to turn that knowledge into action. The good news? You don't need to create every policy today, or even this month. Effective policy programs aren't built overnight. They're built one policy at a time, with each new policy strengthening your security posture, supporting compliance efforts, and creating a stronger foundation for your business. #### ![MIGHTY GRC Quote for Small Business: Effective policy programs aren't built overnight. They're built one policy at a time.](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=42&height=32&name=Quote%20Left%20Icon.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png)   Effective policy programs aren't built overnight.  They're built one policy at a time.  ![MIGHTY GRC Quote Icon](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png?width=25&height=19&name=Quote%20Icon%20Right.%20MIGHTY%20GRC.png) Use the roadmap on the following pages to identify your highest priorities, focus on what matters most, and build momentum. Whether you're just getting started or filling gaps in your existing documentation, every policy you complete is a meaningful step toward a more secure, resilient, and MIGHTY business. ### Build your foundation Start with the policies that protect your business and establish clear expectations for your team. **Start by prioritizing your:** - Information Security Policy - Acceptable Use Policy These two policies create the foundation for protecting sensitive information and helping employees make consistent decisions every day. ### Prepare for your future Once your foundation is in place, document how your business will safely adopt new technology and work with trusted partners. **Next, create your:** - AI Acceptable Use Policy - Vendor Risk Assessment Policy These policies help your business embrace innovation, evaluate third-party vendors thoughtfully, and continue growing with confidence. ### Prepare for the unexpected Every business experiences disruptions. The goal isn't to prevent every challenge. It's to make sure your team knows what to do when one occurs. **Focus on your:** - Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Plan - Incident Response Plan Together, these plans help your business maintain operations, recover more quickly, and respond with confidence when unexpected events occur. ### Keep improving Good policies aren't finished once they're written. As your business grows, your policies should grow with it. **Finally, create your:** - Security Improvement Roadmap, also known as a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) The Security Improvement Roadmap will help you prioritize improvements, assign ownership, and track progress over time. Then, schedule regular policy reviews to make sure your documentation continues to reflect how your business operates today, not last year. #### You're ready. ## LET'S MAKE YOU MIGHTY ### Turn knowledge into action with PolicyPilot. Whether you read every word or just skimmed this guide, you've already taken an important step toward building a stronger, more resilient business. Resilience isn't built overnight. It's built one thoughtful decision at a time. Whether you're just getting started or strengthening what you've already built, remember this: **progress beats perfection.**    ### **Ready to build *your* MIGHTY business?** Creating and maintaining policies doesn't have to be complicated. **PolicyPilot**, MIGHTY GRC's policy management platform, transforms complex governance, risk, and compliance into guidance that's simple, actionable, and genuinely useful. In just a few clicks, you can generate tailored, white-labeled policies, manage approvals and reviews, and keep your policies current with automated reminders, so your business stays resilient as it grows. The MIGHTY team believes every small business deserves the confidence to build, grow, and thrive. ![PolicyPilot SaaS product icon by MIGHTY GRC](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-03%20at%2010.46.29%20AM.png?width=500&height=96&name=Screenshot%202026-06-03%20at%2010.46.29%20AM.png "PolicyPilot SaaS product icon by MIGHTY GRC")   ##### Stay compliant with just a few clicks.   **Build resilience. Reduce compliance complexity. Strengthen the team helping you grow.**   [Explore PolicyPilot](https://mightygrc.com/products/policypilot?hsLang=en) [GET A PRODUCT DEMO](https://mightygrc.com/policypilot-demo?hsLang=en) #### **Thank you from the MIGHTY team. We are dedicated to offering learning resources for small and midsized businesses that are supportive, actionable, and will actually get used.** **Share your thoughts HERE.** > **This guide is provided for educational and informational purposes only.** It is intended to help small businesses better understand governance, risk, compliance, and policy management, but it is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, insurance, or other professional advice. > > Every business is unique, and the policies, procedures, and recommendations discussed in this guide may not be appropriate for your specific circumstances, industry, contractual obligations, or regulatory requirements. Before implementing any policy or making decisions that could affect your business, you should conduct your own research and, when appropriate, consult with qualified legal, cybersecurity, insurance, human resources, or other professional advisors. > > While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, laws, regulations, industry standards, and best practices evolve over time. MIGHTY GRC makes no warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of the information contained in this guide, and readers are responsible for evaluating how the information applies to their own organizations. > > **Use this guide as a starting point for building a stronger, more resilient business—not as a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific needs.** [Learn more about MIGHTY GRC's values and mission.](https://mightygrc.com/about-mighty-grc?hsLang=en) [![MIGHTY GRC company logo M](https://mightygrc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png?width=372&height=420&name=Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png "MIGHTY GRC company logo M")](https://www.mightygrc.com?hsLang=en) © 2026. All rights reserved.