Policy

1. [General] A definite goal, course, or method of action to guide and determine present and future decisions.

2. [Management]

Policies as a set of rules to administer, manage, and control access to network resources.

This definition reflects the definition in RFC 3198. Policies are implemented or executed within a particular context, such as policies defined within a business unit.

See policy goal and policy rule. See RFC 3060.