diff --git a/GOVERNANCE.md b/GOVERNANCE.md
index 45c5486..42b87ec 100644
--- a/GOVERNANCE.md
+++ b/GOVERNANCE.md
@@ -59,6 +59,16 @@ Be respectful.  Be constructive.  Assume good intent.
 This project is maintained by someone learning as they go.  Questions are
 welcome.  Patience is appreciated.  Kindness is non-negotiable.
 
+## Release Checklist
+
+Before signing a release tag, the maintainer verifies:
+
+- [ ] `cargo test --workspace` — all tests pass
+- [ ] `python3 tests/_check.py` — 100% doc coverage
+- [ ] CHANGELOG.md has an entry for the new version
+- [ ] `git status` — no uncommitted changes
+- [ ] `_release.md` What's New section is updated
+
 ## Changes to This Document
 
 This document is versioned with the repository.  Proposed changes should be
diff --git a/SECURITY.md b/SECURITY.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2a8704
--- /dev/null
+++ b/SECURITY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# Security Policy
+
+## Reporting a Vulnerability
+
+If you discover a security issue in NotAlterra, please report it privately:
+
+- **Email**: forkless@proton.me
+- **GPG**: [314BB48A3C72D8EC2830B8BED2B0DF63E2CBEA16](https://github.com/forkless.gpg)
+
+Do not open a public issue.
+
+## Response Timeline
+
+- **Acknowledgment**: Within 48 hours of receipt.
+- **Patch**: Fix committed within 48 hours of triage.
+- **Disclosure**: Public advisory posted after the patch release ships.
+
+## Scope
+
+NotAlterra is an offline desktop application.  Security concerns include
+but are not limited to:
+
+- Unintended file writes outside declared paths.
+- Path traversal in save-folder or backup-folder handling.
+- Silent data corruption during backup or restore.
+- Dependency vulnerabilities (monitored via `cargo-deny`).
+
+## Out of Scope
+
+- Issues requiring physical access to the user's machine.
+- Social engineering attacks.
+- Malicious Subnautica 2 save files deliberately crafted to crash the
+  parser (GVAS parsing errors are handled gracefully — no unsafe code).
+
+## Supported Versions
+
+Only the latest release receives security patches.
+
+| Version | Supported |
+|---|---|
+| Latest (v0.2.x) | Yes |
+| Older | No |