ISO 27001:2022 Is Here and It Will Shock You! (Especially the Annex A Controls)

ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It helps organizations of all sizes and sectors to protect their information assets and comply with various laws and regulations. It also helps them to gain trust and confidence from their customers, partners, and stakeholders. But did you know that ISO 27001 has been updated recently? Yes, you heard that right. The new version of ISO 27001, called ISO 27001:2022, was published in October 2022 and it brings some significant changes and improvements to the standard. In this blog post, we will focus on one of the most important parts of ISO 27001: the Annex A controls. We will explain what they are, how they have changed, and why you should care about them. Ready to be shocked? Let’s go!

What are the Annex A controls and why are they important?

Annex A is a part of ISO 27001 that contains a list of security controls that organizations can use to improve their ISMS. Think of Annex A as a menu of security measures that you can choose from, depending on your specific risks and needs. Annex A covers various aspects of information security, such as:

• Information security policies
• Organization of information security
• Human resource security
• Asset management
• Access control
• Cryptography
• Physical and environmental security
• Operations security
• Communications security
• System acquisition, development, and maintenance
• Supplier relationships
• Information security incident management
• Information security aspects of business continuity management
• Compliance

The Annex A controls are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended. They provide guidance and best practices for implementing effective security measures in your organization. They also help you to demonstrate compliance with ISO 27001 requirements and other laws and regulations, such as GDPR.

How have the Annex A controls changed in ISO 27001:2022?

The Annex A controls have undergone some major changes in ISO 27001:2022. The number of controls has been reduced from 114 to 93, and the structure of Annex A has been reorganized into four groups: organizational, people, physical, and technological. The new structure reflects the current trends and challenges in information security, such as cloud computing, remote work, data privacy, and cyber threats. The new structure also makes it easier to understand and apply the controls in your organization.

Here are some of the main changes in the Annex A controls:

• Some controls have been merged or deleted to avoid duplication or redundancy.
• Some controls have been renamed or reworded to clarify their meaning or scope.
• Some controls have been added or updated to address new or emerging issues or technologies.
• Some controls have been moved or regrouped to align with the new structure or logic.

Here are some examples of the changes in the Annex A controls:

• A new control on threat intelligence has been added to help organizations identify and respond to current and potential threats.
• A new control on information security for the use of cloud services has been added to help organizations manage the risks and opportunities of cloud computing.
• A new control on physical security monitoring has been added to help organizations detect and prevent unauthorized physical access or damage.
• A new control on data masking has been added to help organizations protect sensitive data from unauthorized disclosure or misuse.
• A new control on web filtering has been added to help organizations prevent access to malicious or inappropriate websites.
• A new control on secure coding has been added to help organizations develop secure applications and systems.

Why should you care about the Annex A controls in ISO 27001:2022?

The Annex A controls in ISO 27001:2022 are important for several reasons:

• They help you improve your information security posture and performance by providing practical and proven solutions for common security issues.
• They help you comply with ISO 27001 requirements and other laws and regulations by providing evidence and assurance of your security practices.
• They help you gain competitive advantage and customer loyalty by demonstrating your commitment and capability to protect your information assets.

However, implementing the Annex A controls is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You need to tailor them to your specific context and needs, based on your risk assessment and risk treatment plan. You also need to monitor and review them regularly to ensure their effectiveness and suitability.

Conclusion

ISO 27001:2022 is here and it will shock you! Especially the Annex A controls. The Annex A controls are a list of security measures that you can use to improve your ISMS. They have changed significantly in ISO 27001:2022, reflecting the current and future challenges and opportunities in information security. They have been reduced, restructured, renamed, updated, and added to make them more relevant, clear, and useful for your organization. However, you need to customize them to your specific situation and needs, and keep them up to date and effective.

If you are already certified to ISO 27001:2013, don’t panic. You have three years to transition to ISO 27001:2022, and you can still use the old Annex A controls until then. However, we recommend that you start preparing for the transition as soon as possible, and take advantage of the new Annex A controls to enhance your security and compliance.

If you are not yet certified to ISO 27001, don’t miss this opportunity. ISO 27001:2022 is a great way to improve your information security management system and gain recognition and trust from your customers, partners, and stakeholders. And with the new Annex A controls, you have a powerful and flexible tool to help you achieve your security goals.

References

(1) ISO 27001 controls | What are the security controls in Annex A?. https://advisera.com/27001academy/iso-27001-controls/

(2) ISO 27001 Annex A Controls – Overview – ISMS.online. https://www.isms.online/iso-27001/annex-a-controls/

(3) A Breakdown of ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls. https://www.barradvisory.com/blog/annex-a-controls/

(4) Everything You Need To Know About The ISO 27001:2022 Update. https://www.standardfusion.com/blog/iso-27001-changes-2022/

(5) ISO 27001 controls | What are the security controls in Annex A?. https://advisera.com/27001academy/iso-27001-controls/