Clean Desk Policy

A clean desk policy is a set of guidelines requiring employees to keep their workspaces organized and free of clutter, especially when they are absent. The policy aims to protect sensitive information and reduce the risk of security breaches and data theft.

Some guidelines for a clean desk policy include:

Remove sensitive information

When an employee leaves their desk or when it is unattended, they should remove any sensitive or confidential materials and lock them away. This includes eliminating paper with sensitive information, such as account numbers and post-it notes.

Secure computers

Employees should shut down their computers at the end of the day to protect the data on the device and allow it to receive security updates.

Use electronic documents

Encourage employees to use electronic documents whenever possible.

Use shredders

Employees should use the official shredder bins or lockable confidential disposal bins to dispose of restricted or sensitive documents.

Erase whiteboards

Employees should erase a whiteboard when the meeting is over if a whiteboard contains sensitive information.

A clean desk policy can also help employees improve their time management, increasing productivity and a better work-life balance.

To implement a clean desk policy, organizations can:

Provide employees with access to tools like paper shredders and lockable file cabinets

Regularly remind employees about the policy

Ensure senior management is on board and adheres to the policy

Assign someone to enforce the policy