In the present study, natural biopolymer chitosan was modified into its Schiff base derivative with salicylaldehyde by condensation method. The prepared chitosan salicylaldehyde Schiff base was characterized using ultraviolet spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and elemental analysis. Thermal analysis was also carried out to determine the thermal stability of the derivative. To explore the corrosion inhibition performance of the chitosan Schiff base, weight loss, and electrochemical techniques were conducted. The inhibitor reduces the metallic corrosion by adsorbing on to the metal surface. The adsorption of chitosan Schiff base on mild steel surface in 1M HCl follows Temkin isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and corrosion process were calculated, which revealed the chemical nature of adsorption. SEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis confirmed the formation of protective chitosan derivative layer on the mild steel surface.