Which of the following is NOT something security policies can accomplish?

Security policies are framework guidelines that outline an organization’s approach to managing its information security assets. They play a vital role in establishing a secure environment by delineating acceptable behavior, defining responsibilities, and setting procedures for compliance and response.

The statement that security policies can still be effective when added as an afterthought is misleading. For security policies to be effective, they need to be proactively developed and integrated into the organization’s culture and operations. When policies are treated as an afterthought, employees may not take them seriously, and there may be a lack of awareness about their existence and significance. Engaging stakeholders during the development process ensures that the policies are relevant, comprehensive, and tailored to the organization's needs, allowing for proper training and awareness programs to be established around them.

In contrast, the other statements highlight essential roles of security policies. They indeed protect confidential information, can mitigate legal liabilities, and help in optimizing resource use. Each of these functions relies on the policies being adopted in a diligent and intentional manner, further illustrating the importance of their timely and thoughtful implementation.