Can the plan be signed electronically?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are legally valid for most commercial agreements provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention criteria are met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is seldom required for a security plan itself but may be required for associated affidavits or sworn statements in certain states or contractual contexts; check state rules and counterpart requirements.

Do I need a Business Associate Agreement for healthcare?

Yes. If the plan entails sharing protected health information with vendors, execute a HIPAA-compliant BAA and ensure the vendor can meet HIPAA safeguards.

How do I prove who signed the plan?

Use an audit trail capturing signer identity, timestamps, IP or authentication method, and a copy of the signed document. Maintain records to satisfy evidentiary requirements.

Can I revoke an approved plan version?

You can supersede or revoke a plan by issuing a new signed version and maintaining version history; retain revoked versions per retention policy for auditability.

What happens if a field is filled incorrectly?

Incorrect critical fields (names, dates, scope) can create enforceability or compliance issues. Correct via an amended signed version and maintain both versions in the record.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Security Plan

Business Security Plan

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS SECURITY PLAN

This Business Security Plan (the "Plan") is entered into by and between:

Client Name: Client Address: Security Provider Name: Provider Address:

Effective Date:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client Name: operates the business identified above and requires physical and procedural security measures to protect employees, property, customers, confidential information and business operations; and

WHEREAS, Security Provider Name: represents that it is duly licensed, trained and insured to provide security services and has the expertise to develop, implement and monitor the security measures set forth in this Plan; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to reduce risk and set forth responsibilities, response protocols, payment terms and confidentiality obligations governing the security services to be provided under this Plan.

SCOPE OF WORK

Provider shall provide the services described below. The description shall specify locations, hours of coverage, number and roles of personnel, and operational procedures. Services include the creation of written post orders, incident reporting, and cooperation with law enforcement when required.

Detailed Scope of Work (attach additional pages if necessary):

SECURITY MEASURES

The Plan will include implementation and maintenance of the following measures as selected below. Selections indicate minimum required measures; Provider shall propose technical specifications and placement.

Select required measures:

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems with retained recordings

Electronic access control (keycards, biometric readers)

Intrusion and panic alarm systems

On-site security patrols and stationed guards

Background checks and training for personnel

Other measures / specifications:

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Provider for services performed in accordance with the following fee schedule and invoicing provisions.

Total Monthly Fee or Contract Fee: Billing Schedule and Invoicing: Late Payment Fee / Interest:

All fees are due within the payment period specified in invoices. Failure to pay amounts when due constitutes a material breach and permits Provider to suspend services after providing the notice and cure period set forth in Term and Termination.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Plan commences on Start Date: and continues until End Date: unless earlier terminated as provided below.

Either party may terminate this Plan for convenience upon written notice of Notice Period (days): . Either party may terminate immediately for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach, except termination for nonpayment may occur after the notice period specified in Payment Terms. Termination shall not relieve Client of its obligation to pay for services performed through the effective date of termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Provider acknowledges that in the course of performance it may receive or have access to proprietary, confidential or sensitive information of Client ("Confidential Information"). Provider shall (a) maintain Confidential Information in strict confidence, (b) use Confidential Information solely for the performance of this Plan, and (c) not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except to authorized personnel who have a need to know and are bound by confidentiality obligations no less restrictive than those contained herein. Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination of this Plan for a period of five (5) years.

Exceptions: Confidential Information does not include information that is: (i) publicly available through no breach by Provider, (ii) lawfully received from a third party without restriction, or (iii) required to be disclosed by law or a valid governmental order, provided Provider gives Client prompt written notice of such requirement and cooperates to seek protective treatment.

May Provider subcontract any portion of services? (check if yes)

Yes, Provider may subcontract subject to Client's prior written approval

GOVERNING LAW

This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , exclusive of its conflicts of law rules.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Plan, together with any attached exhibits, schedules and the Scope of Work, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and representations, whether written or oral. No amendment or modification of this Plan shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Indemnification: Provider shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Client and its officers, directors and employees from and against any claims, liabilities, damages and expenses arising out of Provider's negligent acts, omissions or willful misconduct in performing services under this Plan. The indemnity obligations shall be subject to applicable limits of insurance and law.

Client Contact for Notices: Provider Contact for Notices:

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Provider Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Business Security Plan Is and Who It Serves

A Business Security Plan is a formal, written document that describes an organization’s approach to protecting information, systems, facilities, and personnel. It typically covers governance, risk assessment, technical and physical safeguards, incident response, roles and responsibilities, vendor oversight, and employee training. The plan aligns security controls to business objectives, legal requirements, and industry standards and serves as the primary reference for day-to-day operations, audits, and regulatory reporting.

Why maintaining a clear Business Security Plan matters

A documented plan reduces operational risk, helps meet legal and contractual obligations, and creates a repeatable basis for incident response and audit readiness. It clarifies who does what, when, and why, improving decision-making during events and supporting regulatory compliance in U.S. frameworks.

Typical teams and stakeholders who rely on this plan

The Business Security Plan is used across functions: security, IT, legal, compliance, and senior management need the document for oversight and accountability.

IT and security operations teams for daily control implementation and monitoring.
Legal and compliance teams for regulatory alignment and contractual obligations.
Senior leadership and board members for risk governance and strategic decisions.

External stakeholders such as insurers, auditors, partners, and certain regulators may request the plan or attestations derived from it.

Essential components of a professional Business Security Plan

A complete plan combines governance, technical and physical controls, and people-based processes so the business can prevent, detect, and respond to incidents.

Executive summary

Concise program overview and scope. Summarize objectives, risk posture, affected business units, and executive sponsors to orient readers quickly.

Risk assessment

Documented asset inventory, threat analysis, and risk-rating methodology. Link risks to business impact and prioritized mitigation actions.

Access controls

Account and privilege management policies, multi-factor authentication, least-privilege principles, and third-party access rules for systems and data.

Incident response

Playbooks, notification templates, escalation paths, evidence handling, and lessons-learned processes for timely containment and recovery.

Physical security

Site controls, visitor procedures, badge and key management, and environmental protections to reduce theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry.

Training & awareness

Scheduled security training, phishing simulations, and role-based onboarding to maintain staff readiness and compliance awareness over time.

Required information to include in the plan

Legal entity: Full registered name

Tax ID: EIN or TIN

Primary contact: Name, title, email

Locations: Addresses by site

Systems inventory: Critical applications list

Insurance: Policy types and limits

Step-by-step: prepare, approve, and publish your plan

Follow these sequential actions to complete a baseline Business Security Plan and make it available to stakeholders.

01

Gather inputs: Collect asset lists, policies, and vendor contracts.
02

Draft plan: Populate template sections and risk assessments.
03

Review: Legal, HR, and IT validate content and controls.
04

Approve: Executive signs and records version details.

Configure the online workflow for plan completion

Set up a repeatable digital workflow to route drafts, collect approvals, and retain signed versions.

Field	Configuration
Template name	Security Plan v1.0 template
Signer order	Legal → CISO → CEO
Authentication	Email link + SMS code option
Retention policy	Keep signed PDF in records vault

Where to keep and where to send the completed plan

A signed plan should be retained centrally and shared on a need-to-know basis with internal and external parties.

Internal records: Primary PDF stored in records management system.
Regulators: Provide redacted summaries when requested.
Insurers and auditors: Share signed copies on request for underwriting or review.
Business partners: Distribute statements of compliance as required.

Digital delivery and file-format considerations

Use platforms that support secure PDFs, audit trails, and controlled access when storing or sharing the plan.

File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage links
Authentication: Email, SMS, SSO options

Choose systems with exportable audit logs and strong encryption to preserve evidentiary value and demonstrate compliance during reviews.

Recommended review and reporting cadences

Establish fixed timelines for review, testing, and external reporting to keep the plan current and actionable.

Annual review:

Full plan review at least every 12 months by owner and executive sponsor.

Quarterly audits:

Quarterly checks for control effectiveness and remediation status.

Incident reporting:

Internal notification within 72 hours of discovery; regulatory timelines may differ.

Tabletop exercises:

Conduct at least one simulated incident per year to test playbooks.

Policy updates:

Publish updates within 30 days after major legal or operational changes.

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Overly generic language that omits specific controls and responsible parties, which increases ambiguity during incidents and audits.
Failing to align scope with actual systems and third parties, leaving gaps in coverage for critical assets and vendors.
Relying on outdated inventories and contact lists, causing delayed response and ineffective escalation when incidents occur.
Skipping executive sign-off or version control, which weakens governance and complicates tracking of accepted obligations.

Short summary of legal and operational risks

Regulatory fines: Possible civil penalties

Breach costs: Notification and remediation expenses

Contract breaches: Loss of partner trust

Insurance gaps: Coverage denial risk

Operational downtime: Revenue and reputation loss

Litigation exposure: Potential legal claims

Representative eSignature vendor comparison for plan signing and retention

Basic pricing and feature availability vary by provider; signNow appears first and pricing below reflects annual-billed starting tiers where available.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no credit card	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Free trial available	Free trial available
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Practical examples of plan use in real organizations

Concrete customer scenarios show how the plan supports operations, compliance, and remote signing during critical workflows.

Optica Ventures

Optica centralized its plan and digital approvals to reduce confusion during deals

Quick rollouts ensured consistent controls across units
Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, noted the interface is simple for teams and customers while enabling consistent execution and compliance.

Martin Properties

A single cloud-stored plan allowed on-site agents to finalize controls during closings

Mobile signing reduced delays in lease approvals
Tim Martin, Founder, said processing and executing documents online kept operations compliant and efficient in mobile environments.

Who can formally sign and approve the plan

CISO

The Chief Information Security Officer typically owns technical controls and attests that controls are implemented, maintained, and tested. They coordinate incident response and provide subject-matter details during reviews and audits.

General Counsel

The General Counsel or designated legal officer confirms legal adequacy, reviews vendor clauses, and signs for regulatory compliance commitments and contractual obligations on behalf of the organization.

Frequently asked questions about the Business Security Plan

Answers to common questions on electronic completion, signatures, and authentication for Business Security Plans.

Need help? Contact support

Can the plan be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are legally valid for most commercial agreements provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention criteria are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is seldom required for a security plan itself but may be required for associated affidavits or sworn statements in certain states or contractual contexts; check state rules and counterpart requirements.
Do I need a Business Associate Agreement for healthcare?
Yes. If the plan entails sharing protected health information with vendors, execute a HIPAA-compliant BAA and ensure the vendor can meet HIPAA safeguards.
How do I prove who signed the plan?
Use an audit trail capturing signer identity, timestamps, IP or authentication method, and a copy of the signed document. Maintain records to satisfy evidentiary requirements.
Can I revoke an approved plan version?
You can supersede or revoke a plan by issuing a new signed version and maintaining version history; retain revoked versions per retention policy for auditability.
What happens if a field is filled incorrectly?
Incorrect critical fields (names, dates, scope) can create enforceability or compliance issues. Correct via an amended signed version and maintain both versions in the record.

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