Scope
Define covered assets, locations, systems, and in-scope dates. Specify whether the checklist applies to a full audit, focused review, or recurring operational check. Include environment classification (production, staging, test).
Purpose: The Security Check Checklist ensures consistent assessment of security controls, creates a defensible audit trail, and helps prioritize remediation. By standardizing collection of evidence and responsibilities, it reduces oversight gaps, supports regulatory compliance under ESIGN and UETA where applicable, and clarifies accountability.
Typical users include internal security teams, compliance officers, facilities managers, and third-party auditors responsible for assessing and documenting security posture.
Use the checklist to assign owners, capture timestamps, and integrate findings into incident management or compliance tracking systems.
Define covered assets, locations, systems, and in-scope dates. Specify whether the checklist applies to a full audit, focused review, or recurring operational check. Include environment classification (production, staging, test).
List step-by-step verification tasks, expected evidence, and pass/fail criteria. Use measurable checks to avoid subjective assessments and ensure consistent scoring across reviewers and reference supporting documentation.
Provide fields to record screenshots, log excerpts, firmware versions, patch IDs, serial numbers, or inspector notes. Require file references or embedded attachments when possible and include hash or checksum for file integrity.
Include a standardized severity scale (e.g., Low/Medium/High/Critical), criteria for each level, and automated scoring fields to prioritize remediation and reporting, with links to compensating controls or mitigation guidance.
Capture recommended fixes, responsible owner, target completion date, and verification steps. Track status changes and link to ticketing systems for workflow continuity and include risk acceptance fields if remediation is deferred.
Require initials and signature blocks for the inspector, team lead, and compliance reviewer with date fields. Include space for exemption notes and final approval status.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Assignment | Auto-assign to reviewer and owner roles. |
| Authentication | Email link, SMS code, or SAML SSO |
| Attachments | Allow PDF, DOCX, image uploads and links. |
| Retention | Automatic archive to secure storage |
| Audit Trail | Store IP, timestamp, and action logs. |
Electronic distribution requires compatible platforms that support PDF, DOCX, role-based access, secure storage, and retention policies to meet compliance objectives.
Complete within 30 days of program start.
High/Critical issues due within 14 days.
Review past findings, update controls, and report.
Full checklist replay and third-party audit annually.
Run immediate checklist after any significant security incident.
| Document Type | Security Checklist | Incident Report |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose and typical use | verification | event record |
| Timing and trigger conditions for use | periodic | reactive |
| Evidence captured and retention expectations | checklist items | logs, timelines |
| Audit utility and typical audience | high | high |
| Authorization and signatory requirements for document completion | assigned reviewer | incident commander |
| 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 | Yes, 7-day trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |