ISO 27001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an information security management framework that provides a systematic approach to managing an organization’s sensitive information.

Standard Structure

Main Clauses

  • 4. Context of the organization: Understanding the context
  • 5. Leadership: Management commitment
  • 6. Planning: Risk management and objectives
  • 7. Support: Resources and competencies
  • 8. Operation: Implementation and control
  • 9. Evaluation: Monitoring and measurement
  • 10. Improvement: Corrective and preventive actions

Annex A - Controls

  • A.5 Security policies: Security policies
  • A.6 Organization of security: Organization and roles
  • A.7 Human resource security: Personnel management
  • A.8 Asset management: Inventory and classification
  • A.9 Access control: Authentication and authorization
  • A.10 Cryptography: Encryption and key management
  • A.11 Physical and environmental security: Physical protection
  • A.12 Security in development: Security in development
  • A.13 Communications management: Network security
  • A.14 Acquisition, development and maintenance: Lifecycle management
  • A.15 Supplier relationships: Third-party management
  • A.16 Incident management: Incident response
  • A.17 Business continuity security aspects: Continuity
  • A.18 Compliance: Regulatory compliance

Implementation

Phase 1: Preparation

  • Management commitment: Obtain executive support
  • Project team: Form implementation team
  • Gap analysis: Assess current state
  • Project plan: Develop implementation plan

Phase 2: Analysis

  • Context analysis: Understanding organizational context
  • Stakeholder identification: Stakeholder mapping
  • Risk analysis: Security risk assessment
  • Scope definition: Establish ISMS scope

Phase 3: Design

  • Security policies: Policy development
  • Procedures: Procedure creation
  • Controls: Control implementation
  • Documentation: Documentation development

Phase 4: Implementation

  • Training: Staff training
  • Deployment: Control implementation
  • Monitoring: Monitoring establishment
  • Continuous improvement: Improvement processes

Security Controls

A.5 Security Policies

  • A.5.1 Security policies: Documented policies
  • A.5.2 Policy review: Regular policy review
  • A.5.3 Policy dissemination: Policy communication

A.6 Organization of Security

  • A.6.1 Roles and responsibilities: Role definition
  • A.6.2 Segregation of duties: Responsibility segregation
  • A.6.3 Contact with authorities: Contact with authorities
  • A.6.4 Contact with special interest groups: Contact with experts
  • A.6.5 Security in project management: Security in projects

A.7 Human Resource Security

  • A.7.1 Prior to employment: Pre-employment checks
  • A.7.2 During employment: Employment management
  • A.7.3 Termination of employment: Termination management

A.8 Asset Management

  • A.8.1 Responsibility for assets: Asset inventory
  • A.8.2 Information classification: Data classification
  • A.8.3 Media handling: Storage media management
  • A.8.4 Media disposal: Secure media disposal

A.9 Access Control

  • A.9.1 Access control policy: Access policies
  • A.9.2 User access management: User management
  • A.9.3 User responsibilities: User responsibilities
  • A.9.4 System access control: System control
  • A.9.5 Privilege management: Privilege management
  • A.9.6 Access information: Access information
  • A.9.7 Application access control: Application control
  • A.9.8 Information and communication technology: ICT control

Risk Management

Risk Management Process

  1. Asset identification: Asset inventory
  2. Threat identification: Threat identification
  3. Vulnerability identification: Vulnerability identification
  4. Risk assessment: Risk calculation
  5. Risk treatment: Control implementation
  6. Monitoring: Risk tracking

Methodologies

  • ISO 27005: Security risk management
  • OCTAVE: Operationally Critical Threat, Asset, and Vulnerability Evaluation
  • FAIR: Factor Analysis of Information Risk
  • NIST SP 800-30: Guide for risk assessment

Audit and Certification

Internal Audit

  • Planning: Internal audit plan
  • Execution: Audit execution
  • Reports: Findings documentation
  • Follow-up: Corrective action follow-up

External Audit

  • Auditor selection: Certification body selection
  • Certification audit: Initial audit
  • Surveillance audits: Annual audits
  • Renewal: Certification renewal

Certification Process

  1. Application: Certification application
  2. Initial audit: Certification audit
  3. Certification: Certificate issuance
  4. Surveillance audits: Annual audits
  5. Renewal: Renewal every 3 years

Certification Benefits

Organizational

  • Security improvement: Better risk management
  • Regulatory compliance: Regulatory compliance
  • Customer trust: Increased customer trust
  • Competitive advantage: Market differentiation

Operational

  • Efficiency: Better process management
  • Risk reduction: Lower risk exposure
  • Continuous improvement: Improvement processes
  • Documentation: Better documentation

Financial

  • Cost reduction: Lower incident costs
  • Insurance savings: Better insurance conditions
  • ROI: Return on investment
  • Brand value: Increased brand value

Best Practices

Implementation

  • Management commitment: Executive support
  • Dedicated team: Implementation team
  • Planning: Detailed plan
  • Communication: Effective communication

Maintenance

  • Regular review: Periodic ISMS review
  • Updates: Updated maintenance
  • Training: Continuous training
  • Continuous improvement: Improvement processes

Monitoring

  • Indicators: Security KPIs
  • Audits: Regular audits
  • Management review: Management review
  • Corrective actions: Non-conformity management
  • CISO - Role that implements ISO 27001
  • ISMS - Management system defined by ISO 27001
  • ISMS - Security management system
  • GAP Analysis - Assessment for ISO 27001
  • Audits - ISO 27001 certification process
  • BIA - Analysis required for ISO 27001
  • C2M2 - Complementary maturity model
  • COBIT 5 - Complementary governance framework
  • CIS Benchmarking - Complementary controls
  • SIEM - Tool to comply with ISO 27001
  • SOAR - Automation for ISO 27001
  • Logs - Evidence for ISO 27001

References