Template Selection Guide
Overview
This guide helps you select the appropriate blueprint and policy templates based on your specific requirements, compliance needs, and organizational context. The templates are designed to be modular and can be combined to create comprehensive governance solutions.
Template Categories
Infrastructure Blueprints
Multi-Cloud Infrastructure Template
- Use Case: Standard cloud infrastructure deployment across Azure, AWS, or GCP
- Best For:
- New application deployments
- Standardized infrastructure patterns
- Multi-cloud consistency
- Includes:
- Compute resources (VMs, containers, serverless)
- Storage solutions (blob, file, database)
- Networking components (VNet, subnets, NSGs)
- Monitoring and logging infrastructure
- Compliance: ISO 27001, NIST, COBIT 2019
Security Blueprints
Zero Trust Architecture Template
- Use Case: Implementing Zero Trust security model
- Best For:
- High-security environments
- Sensitive data processing
- Regulatory compliance requirements
- Includes:
- Network micro-segmentation
- Identity verification and MFA
- Device compliance enforcement
- Continuous monitoring and threat detection
- Compliance: NIST Zero Trust, ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Identity and Access Management Template
- Use Case: Comprehensive IAM implementation
- Best For:
- Role-based access control
- Privileged access management
- User lifecycle management
- Includes:
- Custom RBAC roles
- Managed identities
- Access review automation
- Audit logging and monitoring
- Compliance: ISO 27001, NIST IAM, SOC 2, GDPR
Compliance Blueprints
GDPR Compliance Template
- Use Case: Personal data protection and GDPR compliance
- Best For:
- Organizations processing EU personal data
- Data privacy requirements
- Data subject rights implementation
- Includes:
- Data encryption and protection
- Data retention policies
- Data subject request automation
- Privacy impact assessment tracking
- Compliance: GDPR, ISO 27001, ISO 27018, SOC 2
ISO 27001 Compliance Template
- Use Case: Information security management system implementation
- Best For:
- ISO 27001 certification preparation
- Comprehensive security controls
- Risk management framework
- Includes:
- Security control implementation
- Risk assessment automation
- Incident management procedures
- Business continuity planning
- Compliance: ISO 27001:2013, ISO 27002:2022, NIST CSF, SOC 2
Policy Templates
Data Privacy Policy
- Use Case: Comprehensive data privacy governance
- Best For:
- GDPR compliance
- Personal data handling procedures
- Privacy rights management
- Covers:
- Data protection principles
- Individual rights procedures
- Data security measures
- International transfer requirements
Technology Selection Policy
- Use Case: Standardized technology evaluation and approval
- Best For:
- Technology governance
- Vendor management
- Architecture standards
- Covers:
- Evaluation criteria and processes
- Approval authority matrix
- Technology standards and restrictions
- Exception handling procedures
Access Control Policy
- Use Case: Comprehensive access management framework
- Best For:
- Identity and access governance
- Privileged access management
- User lifecycle management
- Covers:
- Access control principles
- Authentication and authorization
- Access review procedures
- Incident response for access violations
Incident Response Policy
- Use Case: Security incident management framework
- Best For:
- Security operations
- Incident handling procedures
- Business continuity planning
- Covers:
- Incident classification and response
- Communication procedures
- Evidence preservation
- Post-incident analysis
Selection Matrix
By Industry Sector
| Industry |
Recommended Templates |
Priority Compliance |
| Financial Services |
Zero Trust + GDPR + ISO 27001 + All Policies |
PCI DSS, SOX, GDPR |
| Healthcare |
GDPR + ISO 27001 + Access Control + Incident Response |
HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Government |
Zero Trust + ISO 27001 + All Policies |
NIST, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 |
| Technology |
Multi-Cloud + IAM + Technology Selection |
SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR |
| Manufacturing |
Multi-Cloud + ISO 27001 + Access Control |
ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2 |
| Retail |
GDPR + Multi-Cloud + Data Privacy |
PCI DSS, GDPR, SOC 2 |
By Organization Size
| Size |
Recommended Starting Point |
Expansion Path |
| Small (< 100 employees) |
Multi-Cloud + Data Privacy |
Add Access Control → ISO 27001 |
| Medium (100-1000 employees) |
Multi-Cloud + IAM + GDPR |
Add Zero Trust → ISO 27001 |
| Large (1000+ employees) |
All Security + Compliance Templates |
Full implementation with customization |
| Enterprise (5000+ employees) |
Complete template suite |
Advanced customization and integration |
By Compliance Requirements
| Compliance Framework |
Required Templates |
Optional Enhancements |
| GDPR |
GDPR Compliance + Data Privacy Policy |
Zero Trust + IAM |
| ISO 27001 |
ISO 27001 Compliance + All Policies |
Zero Trust + Multi-Cloud |
| SOC 2 |
IAM + Access Control + Incident Response |
ISO 27001 + GDPR |
| NIST CSF |
Zero Trust + ISO 27001 + Multi-Cloud |
All policy templates |
| HIPAA |
GDPR + Zero Trust + Access Control |
ISO 27001 + Incident Response |
| PCI DSS |
Zero Trust + Access Control + Incident Response |
GDPR + ISO 27001 |
By Use Case
New Cloud Migration
- Start with: Multi-Cloud Infrastructure
- Add: IAM + Access Control Policy
- Enhance: Zero Trust (for sensitive workloads)
- Comply: GDPR/ISO 27001 (as required)
- Start with: Zero Trust Architecture
- Add: IAM + All Security Policies
- Enhance: ISO 27001 Compliance
- Integrate: Multi-Cloud Infrastructure
Compliance Initiative
- Start with: Relevant Compliance Blueprint
- Add: Supporting Policy Templates
- Enhance: Security Blueprints
- Integrate: Infrastructure Templates
- Start with: Multi-Cloud + Technology Selection Policy
- Add: IAM + Access Control
- Enhance: Zero Trust + GDPR
- Complete: ISO 27001 + Incident Response
Implementation Recommendations
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
- Deploy core infrastructure template
- Implement basic access control policy
- Establish incident response procedures
- Set up monitoring and logging
Phase 2: Security Enhancement (Months 4-6)
- Implement IAM template
- Deploy security monitoring
- Enhance access controls
- Conduct security assessments
Phase 3: Compliance Alignment (Months 7-9)
- Deploy compliance templates
- Implement data privacy controls
- Conduct compliance assessments
- Document compliance evidence
Phase 4: Advanced Security (Months 10-12)
- Implement Zero Trust architecture
- Advanced threat detection
- Continuous compliance monitoring
- Regular security reviews
Customization Guidelines
Template Modification
- Review template documentation and requirements
- Identify organization-specific needs
- Customize parameters and configurations
- Validate using provided validation scripts
- Test in development environment
- Deploy to production with monitoring
Parameter Customization
- Organization Code: Update to match naming conventions
- Environment Names: Align with deployment strategy
- Cost Centers: Map to financial tracking requirements
- Compliance Requirements: Select applicable frameworks
- Security Levels: Choose appropriate security controls
Policy Adaptation
- Roles and Responsibilities: Map to organizational structure
- Approval Processes: Align with governance procedures
- Communication Plans: Update contact information
- Compliance Requirements: Add industry-specific regulations
Validation and Testing
Pre-Deployment Validation
- Run template validation scripts
- Review compliance alignment
- Verify parameter configurations
- Check naming conventions
- Validate security controls
Testing Strategy
- Development Environment: Full template deployment
- Security Testing: Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
- Compliance Testing: Audit simulation and gap analysis
- Performance Testing: Load and stress testing
- Disaster Recovery Testing: Backup and recovery procedures
Support and Maintenance
Ongoing Support
- Regular template updates and patches
- Compliance framework updates
- Security best practice updates
- Community feedback integration
Maintenance Schedule
- Monthly: Security updates and patches
- Quarterly: Compliance framework reviews
- Semi-Annually: Template functionality updates
- Annually: Major version releases
Getting Help
Documentation Resources
- Template-specific README files
- Implementation guides and tutorials
- Best practices documentation
- Troubleshooting guides
Support Channels
- ICT Governance Team consultation
- Community forums and discussions
- Professional services engagement
- Training and certification programs
This guide is part of the CBA Consult IT Management Framework and is regularly updated to reflect current best practices and compliance requirements.