ISO 27001:2022 Controls Implementation Guide

ISO 27001:2022 Controls Implementation Guide

Implementation guidance for Annex A controls with evidence requirements and audit preparation.

Table of Contents

• Control Categories Overview
• Organizational Controls (A.5)
• People Controls (A.6)
• Physical Controls (A.7)
• Technological Controls (A.8)
• Evidence Requirements
• Statement of Applicability

Control Categories Overview

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A contains 93 controls across 4 categories:

Organizational Controls (A.5)

A.5.1 - Policies for Information Security

Requirement: Define, approve, publish, and communicate information security policies.

Implementation:

1. Draft information security policy covering scope, objectives, principles
2. Obtain management approval signature
3. Communicate to all employees and relevant parties
4. Review annually or after significant changes

Evidence:

• Signed policy document
• Communication records (email, intranet)
• Acknowledgment records
• Review meeting minutes

A.5.2 - Information Security Roles and Responsibilities

Requirement: Define and allocate information security responsibilities.

Implementation:

1. Create RACI matrix for security activities
2. Appoint Information Security Manager
3. Define responsibilities in job descriptions
4. Establish reporting lines

Evidence:

• RACI matrix document
• ISM appointment letter
• Job descriptions with security duties
• Organizational chart

A.5.9 - Inventory of Information and Assets

Requirement: Identify and maintain inventory of information assets.

Implementation:

1. Create asset register with classification
2. Assign owners for each asset
3. Define acceptable use rules
4. Review quarterly

Evidence:

• Asset inventory/register
• Classification scheme
• Owner assignment records
• Review logs

A.5.15 - Access Control

Requirement: Establish and implement rules for controlling access.

Implementation:

1. Document access control policy
2. Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
3. Define access provisioning/deprovisioning process
4. Conduct access reviews quarterly

Evidence:

• Access control policy
• RBAC role definitions
• Access request forms
• Review reports

People Controls (A.6)

A.6.1 - Screening

Requirement: Verify backgrounds of candidates prior to employment.

Implementation:

1. Define screening requirements by role
2. Conduct background checks
3. Verify references and qualifications
4. Document screening results

Evidence:

• Screening policy
• Background check reports
• Verification records
• Consent forms

A.6.3 - Information Security Awareness and Training

Requirement: Ensure personnel receive appropriate awareness and training.

Implementation:

1. Develop annual training program
2. Include role-specific training
3. Conduct phishing simulations
4. Track completion and effectiveness

Evidence:

• Training materials
• Completion records
• Test/quiz results
• Phishing simulation reports

A.6.7 - Remote Working

Requirement: Implement security measures for remote working.

Implementation:

1. Establish remote working policy
2. Require VPN for network access
3. Mandate endpoint protection
4. Secure home network guidance

Evidence:

• Remote working policy
• VPN configuration records
• Endpoint compliance reports
• User acknowledgments

Physical Controls (A.7)

A.7.1 - Physical Security Perimeters

Requirement: Define and use security perimeters to protect information.

Implementation:

1. Define secure areas and boundaries
2. Implement access controls (badges, locks)
3. Monitor entry points
4. Maintain visitor logs

Evidence:

• Site security plan
• Access control system records
• CCTV footage retention
• Visitor logs

A.7.4 - Physical Security Monitoring

Requirement: Monitor premises continuously for unauthorized access.

Implementation:

1. Deploy CCTV coverage
2. Implement intrusion detection
3. Define monitoring procedures
4. Establish incident response

Evidence:

• CCTV deployment records
• Monitoring procedures
• Alert configurations
• Incident logs

Technological Controls (A.8)

A.8.2 - Privileged Access Rights

Requirement: Restrict and manage privileged access.

Implementation:

1. Implement privileged access management (PAM)
2. Enforce separate admin accounts
3. Require MFA for privileged access
4. Monitor and log privileged activities

Evidence:

• PAM solution records
• Admin account inventory
• MFA enforcement reports
• Privileged activity logs

A.8.5 - Secure Authentication

Requirement: Implement secure authentication mechanisms.

Implementation:

1. Enforce strong password policy
2. Implement MFA for all users
3. Use secure authentication protocols
4. Monitor authentication events

Evidence:

• Password policy
• MFA enrollment records
• Authentication configuration
• Failed login reports

A.8.7 - Protection Against Malware

Requirement: Implement detection, prevention, and recovery for malware.

Implementation:

1. Deploy endpoint protection on all devices
2. Configure automatic updates
3. Implement email filtering
4. Define malware incident response

Evidence:

• Endpoint protection deployment
• Update/patch status
• Email filter configuration
• Malware incident records

A.8.8 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities

Requirement: Identify and address technical vulnerabilities.

Implementation:

1. Conduct regular vulnerability scans
2. Define remediation SLAs by severity
3. Track remediation progress
4. Verify patches applied

Evidence:

• Vulnerability scan reports
• Remediation tracking
• Patch deployment records
• Penetration test reports

A.8.13 - Information Backup

Requirement: Maintain and test backup copies of information.

Implementation:

1. Define backup policy (frequency, retention)
2. Implement automated backups
3. Encrypt backup data
4. Test restoration regularly

Evidence:

• Backup policy
• Backup job logs
• Encryption configuration
• Restoration test records

A.8.15 - Logging

Requirement: Produce, retain, and protect logs of activities.

Implementation:

1. Define logging requirements
2. Deploy centralized log management (SIEM)
3. Set retention periods per compliance
4. Protect log integrity

Evidence:

• Logging policy
• SIEM configuration
• Log retention settings
• Access controls on logs

A.8.24 - Use of Cryptography

Requirement: Define and implement cryptographic controls.

Implementation:

1. Document cryptography policy
2. Encrypt data at rest (AES-256)
3. Encrypt data in transit (TLS 1.3)
4. Manage keys securely

Evidence:

• Cryptography policy
• Encryption configuration
• Certificate inventory
• Key management procedures

Evidence Requirements

Document Evidence

Technical Evidence

Retention Requirements

Statement of Applicability

SoA Structure

For each Annex A control, document:

Sample SoA Entry

Control: A.8.5 - Secure Authentication

Applicable: Yes
Justification: Required for all user and system access to protect
information assets from unauthorized access.

Implementation Status: Implemented

Implementation Description:
- MFA enforced for all user accounts via Azure AD
- Admin accounts require hardware token
- Password policy: 12+ chars, complexity, 90-day rotation
- Failed login lockout after 5 attempts

Evidence:
- Azure AD MFA configuration (screenshot)
- Password policy document (DOC-SEC-015)
- Authentication audit logs (SIEM dashboard)

Exclusion Justification Examples