Security Procedures

In any organization, security is not just about having a set of guidelines or rules to follow; it’s about creating a structured framework that is clear, actionable, and flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances. One of the most important components of a robust security framework is the Security Procedure — often referred to as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These documents form the detailed, step-by-step guides that outline exactly how specific security measures, mechanisms, or controls should be implemented.

What Are Security Procedures?

A security procedure is a specific, well-defined set of actions that provide a roadmap for implementing security protocols. Whether you’re dealing with access controls, data protection measures, or incident response, these procedures describe exactly what needs to be done, who is responsible, and how it should be executed.

For example, imagine an organization needs to ensure that sensitive data is securely deleted when no longer required. The security procedure would detail every step — how to identify the data to be deleted, which software or tools to use, who has the authority to delete it, and how to verify that the deletion was successful.

Security procedures are the final element of a formalized security policy structure. A security policy may define broad goals and principles (e.g., “protect confidential information”), security standards provide measurable criteria (e.g., “use encryption for all data at rest”), and security…