Risk Management

Risk Management Policy

A risk management policy template based on ISO 31000, NIST RMF, and COSO ERM frameworks for identifying, assessing, and treating organisational risks.

16-20 pages|Updated 2026-02-15|3 frameworks

What's Included

1. Purpose & Scope

Defines the policy objective and the scope of risk management activities across the organisation.

Policy ObjectiveScopeDefinitions

2. Risk Governance

Establishes the governance structure and accountability for risk management.

Board OversightRisk CommitteeRisk OwnersThree Lines Model

3. Risk Appetite & Tolerance

Defines the organisation's risk appetite statement and tolerance thresholds.

Risk Appetite StatementTolerance LevelsEscalation Thresholds

4. Risk Assessment Methodology

Outlines the process for identifying, analysing, and evaluating risks.

Risk IdentificationQualitative AnalysisQuantitative AnalysisRisk Evaluation Criteria

5. Risk Treatment

Defines the options and process for treating identified risks.

Treatment OptionsControl SelectionResidual Risk AssessmentTreatment Plans

6. Risk Monitoring & Reporting

Establishes ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements for the risk management programme.

Key Risk IndicatorsReporting FrequencyDashboard RequirementsBoard Reporting

7. Risk Register Management

Defines requirements for maintaining and updating the risk register.

Register StructureUpdate FrequencyOwner Accountability

8. Review & Continuous Improvement

Sets out the review cycle and continuous improvement mechanisms for risk management.

Annual Policy ReviewFramework Maturity AssessmentLessons Learned Integration

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a risk management policy include?

A comprehensive risk management policy should include purpose & scope, risk governance, risk appetite & tolerance, risk assessment methodology, and more. This template covers 8 key sections aligned to ISO 31000, NIST RMF, COSO ERM requirements.

Which frameworks require a risk management policy?

Major frameworks requiring risk management policies include ISO 31000, NIST RMF, COSO ERM. This template maps directly to their control requirements, making it easier to demonstrate compliance across multiple standards.

How often should a risk management policy be reviewed?

Best practice is to review your risk management policy at least annually, or whenever significant changes occur in your organisation, technology environment, or regulatory landscape. Most frameworks including ISO 27001 and NIST CSF require documented policy review cycles.

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