Among the many industry standards, frameworks, and certifications, ISO 27001 is a top choice. Businesses and organizations that need infosec compliance for SaaS see it that way. ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It defines the requirements for setting up and maintaining ISMS. The goal is to secure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. The ISO 27001 standard comprises clauses and an Annex A detailing the ISO 27001 controls.
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This page explains the differences between these ISO 27001 clauses and controls.
What Is the ISO 27001 Clause?
As mentioned, ISO 27001 breaks down into Clauses and Security Controls (Annex A). Each organization pursuing certification must follow them. However, it is imperative to know the difference between ISO 27001 clauses and controls:
- The ISO 27001 clauses are the pillars of your ISM. They outline the management framework your organization must follow to achieve compliance. The standard has ten main clauses. They cover: scope, references, terms, the organization’s context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation (Clause 9), and improvement (Clause 10). To get certified, organizations must follow the ten clauses. They establish robust ISMS and show a clear commitment to securing information assets.
- Controls in ISO 27001 are the specific measures that organizations can use. They manage and reduce information security risks. ISO groups 114 controls into 14 areas:
- Info security policies
- Security organization
- HR security
- Asset management
- Access control
- Cryptography
- Physical security
- Environmental security
- Operations security
- Communications security
- System acquisition
- System development
- System maintenance
- Compliance
What Is the Main Clause of ISO 27001?
Clause 5.1: leadership and commitment is regarded as the main clause of the ISO 27001. It mandates an organization’s top management to demonstrate a clear commitment and leadership to robust ISMS. In essence, it details several responsibilities, including a requirement for the management to continuously monitor and evaluate their ISMS to ensure its effectiveness in the changing threat landscape. If you are still wondering, “What are ISO 27001 clauses and controls explained?” here is a brief snippet of all the ISO 27001 clauses:
Scope
This clause defines the boundaries of the ISMS, detailing the specific information assets and processes it covers. It also mandates organizations to document objectives and constraints.
Normative References
ISO 27001 refers to other standards that provide guidance on information security. This clause also lists those standards and their applicability within a specific organization.
Terms and Definitions
This clause provides key terms and definitions regarding ISMS.
Context of the Organization
The clause requires organizations to identify internal and external factors that may affect their information security objectives. It helps organizations gain insights into their operating environment and risks.
Leadership
As mentioned, this clause outlines the key responsibilities of the top management to ensure effective ISMS.
Planning
Organizations have to evaluate risks and opportunities regarding their information security. The clause also mandates each organization to define objectives and create an information security risk management process.
Support
This clause requires organizations to ensure adequate resources, competence, awareness, communication, and documentation for effective information security management.
Operation
The clause focuses on the implementation of controls and processes to identify, manage, and address information security risks. It comprises areas such as risk assessment, access control, and incident management.
Performance Evaluation (Clause 9)
This clause requires organizations to systematically collect and analyze data and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of their ISMS. It also emphasizes the need for performance indicators, audits, and management reviews.
Improvement (Clause 10)
Improvement focuses on the continuous enhancement of the ISMS. This is to ensure its ongoing effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals. It also requires organizations to undertake continual review and adjustment of the ISMS to improve its effectiveness.
What Is the ISO 27001 Competence Clause?
Among the most critical ISO 27001 clauses and controls list is Clause 7.2: ISO 27001 competence clause. This clause focuses on the skills and experiences required for the effective implementation and ongoing management of ISMS that has been certified to ISO 27001.
It mandates an organization to do the following:
- Determine the competence of individuals working on the ISMS that could impact its performance.
- Ensure these individuals are considered competent based on their relevant education, training, or experience.
- Take action to acquire necessary competence where required and evaluate the effectiveness of these actions.
- Maintain records of the above for audit purposes.
What Are the 11 New Controls in ISO 27001?
The 2022 major update to ISO 27001 introduced 11 new ISO 27001 controls designed to keep organizations and their data safer in a rapidly changing threat landscape.
The new controls are:
- Threat intelligence
- Information security for the use of cloud services
- Information and communications technology readiness for business continuity
- Physical security monitoring
- Configuration management
- Information deletion
- Data masking
- Data leakage protection
- Monitoring activities
- Web filtering
- Secure coding
Let Trava Guide You Through Your ISO 27001 Compliance Journey
Following ISO 27001 standards can protect your organization. They are a great way to guard against modern cyberattacks. ISO 27001 also builds customer trust. It shows clients and stakeholders that the organization protects their data. Besides, when your organization is ISO 27001 compliant, it can better meet the legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements. However, achieving ISO 27001 is not easy, nor is it a quick process. There are several steps and processes involved, which can take up most of your productive time and resources.
At Trava Security, we can handle all the heavy work on your behalf so you can focus on what you do best. Our custom compliance and cybersecurity advisory solutions protect your digital assets and help your organization achieve fast compliance with new regulations. Allow us to guide you through your ISO 27001 compliance journey with expertise and a personal touch. Contact us today.