What is the main objective of a clean desk policy?

The main objective of a clean desk policy is to reduce security incidents by organizing workspaces. This policy promotes the practice of keeping individual workspaces tidy and free of clutter, ensuring that sensitive information is securely stored and reducing the risk of confidential documents being lost or accessed by unauthorized individuals. By encouraging employees to keep their desks organized, the policy helps safeguard not only physical documents but also electronic devices that may contain sensitive data.

In contrast, a clean desk policy is not primarily about encouraging collaboration, as it focuses on individual workspace organization rather than shared spaces. It also does not relate to requiring employees to work overtime, which is unrelated to maintaining a clean desk. While good organization can contribute to improved communication, this is not the primary purpose of such a policy; the emphasis remains firmly on security and data protection.