CIS Controls v8.1 Data Management Policy Template

As enterprise data increasingly resides beyond traditional boundaries—across cloud platforms, mobile devices, and third-party service providers—the need for a robust data management policy has never been greater. Sensitive information such as financial records, intellectual property, and personally identifiable information (PII) is vulnerable to theft, espionage, and accidental exposure. The CIS Data Management Policy Template helps organizations establish foundational practices for identifying, classifying, handling, retaining, and disposing of data securely, in alignment with CIS Control 3: Data Protection.

This customizable policy template supports Implementation Group 1 (IG1) safeguards and is designed to help enterprises build a data management framework that integrates with incident response, compliance, and communication plans. It addresses a wide range of data types and provides guidance for tailoring policy statements to meet sector-specific needs. Whether used in whole or in part, the template empowers organizations to reduce risk, meet regulatory obligations, and maintain control over their data lifecycle.