An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) defines the rules and guidelines for how employees, contractors, and authorized users may use organizational information systems, networks, and data. It establishes boundaries for permitted activities, explicitly prohibits dangerous behaviors, and outlines consequences for violations. The AUP serves as both a security control and a legal instrument, providing the basis for disciplinary action when users engage in activities that put the organization at risk.
An effective AUP covers several core sections: scope and applicability defining who is bound by the policy, permitted use of organizational resources, prohibited activities including unauthorized software installation and data exfiltration, personal use limitations, monitoring and privacy expectations, social media conduct, mobile device usage, and violation consequences. The policy is presented during onboarding with documented acknowledgment. Annual re-acknowledgment ensures continued awareness. The AUP references supporting standards for specific technical requirements and links to the incident response process for reporting violations.
The AUP is often the most widely read security policy in an organization because it directly affects daily work activities. It sets behavioral expectations that reduce insider threat risk, establishes legal grounds for monitoring and enforcement, and satisfies compliance requirements across virtually every regulatory framework. Without an AUP, organizations have limited recourse when users engage in risky behavior, and employees may reasonably claim they were unaware of restrictions.
CDA provides AUP templates through RGA domain missions that balance security requirements with operational practicality. Templates are designed to be customized for organizational context rather than adopted wholesale. The theater model connects AUP requirements to specific technical controls, ensuring policy statements are backed by enforceable mechanisms rather than relying solely on user compliance.