Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.18 – Compliance

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we end the series with ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.18, “Compliance”, which addresses the importance of ensuring that organizations comply with relevant laws, regulations, contractual agreements, and other requirements related to information security. This annex focuses on ensuring that the organization identifies and adheres to all applicable legal, statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements regarding information security and the requirements of the ISMS itself.

Understanding the Importance of Compliance

Annex A.18 is divided into several controls designed to help organizations manage and demonstrate compliance with various information security requirements.

These controls aim to prevent breaches of legal, statutory, regulatory, or contractual obligations related to information security and the security requirements of the organization.

Compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements is essential for organizations to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets and mitigate legal and regulatory risks.

Annex A.18 emphasizes several key aspects:

  • Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Identifying and understanding applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards related to information security.
  • Contractual Obligations: Ensuring compliance with contractual agreements, service level agreements (SLAs), and data protection agreements with customers, partners, and suppliers.
  • Risk Management: Assessing and mitigating legal and regulatory risks associated with non-compliance, including financial penalties, legal liabilities, and damage to reputation.

Key Controls in Annex A.18:

  • A.18.1.1 Identification of Applicable Legislation and Contractual Requirements: Identify all relevant requirements that the organization must comply with.
  • A.18.1.2 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Ensure protection of IPR, covering software, information content, and patents.
  • A.18.1.3 Protection of Records: Securely manage records in accordance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
  • A.18.1.4 Privacy and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information: Ensure the protection of personal information as per privacy laws and other requirements.
  • A.18.1.5 Regulation of Cryptographic Controls: Use cryptographic controls as required by legislation, regulations, and agreements.

Practical Implementation of Annex A.18

Legal and Regulatory Compliance Assessment

Practical Examples

  1. Regulatory Mapping: Identify and map relevant legal and regulatory requirements, such as data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS, HIPAA), and sector-specific regulations (e.g., SOX for financial services).
  2. Compliance Assessment: Conduct compliance assessments to evaluate the organization’s adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, including data protection principles, security controls, and breach notification obligations.

Contractual Compliance Management

Practical Examples

  1. Contract Review: Review contractual agreements, SLAs, and data processing agreements to identify information security requirements, confidentiality obligations, data protection clauses, and compliance obligations.
  2. Compliance Monitoring: Monitor compliance with contractual agreements by tracking performance metrics, service levels, and adherence to contractual terms and conditions.

Risk Management and Compliance Monitoring

Practical Examples

  1. Risk Assessment: Assess legal and regulatory risks associated with non-compliance, including financial penalties, legal liabilities, and reputational damage, and implement measures to mitigate these risks.
  2. Compliance Monitoring: Establish processes for ongoing compliance monitoring, including periodic reviews, audits, and assessments to ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

We know Compliance is hard, so here are some more examples:

More examples

  1. Compliance Framework Development
    • Example: A multinational corporation needs to comply with the GDPR for its operations in Europe and the CCPA for those in California.
    • Implementation: Establish a compliance framework that identifies all applicable legal and regulatory requirements for each region of operation. Maintain a database of these requirements and update it as laws evolve.
  2. Training and Awareness
    • Example: An organization handling sensitive patient data under HIPAA must ensure that all employees are aware of the requirements.
    • Implementation: Develop ongoing training programs and workshops to educate employees about their responsibilities under relevant laws and how these impact their day-to-day operations.
  3. Auditing and Monitoring
    • Example: A financial services firm regularly audits its data handling practices to ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
    • Implementation: Implement a schedule for regular audits, both internal and external, to assess compliance with legal and contractual obligations. Use automated tools to monitor compliance continuously.
  4. Handling Intellectual Property
    • Example: A software development company uses proprietary code that needs to be protected under copyright laws.
    • Implementation: Implement IPR controls, including secure storage, access controls, and regular audits of IPR usage and adherence to licensing agreements.
  5. Privacy Management
    • Example: A retail company collects customer data and needs to comply with privacy laws in multiple jurisdictions.
    • Implementation: Deploy a privacy management solution that helps in classifying, managing, and protecting personal data in compliance with all applicable privacy laws.

Auditing Annex A.18 Implementation

The audit process for ISO 27001:2022’s Annex A.18 involves verifying that the organization has effectively implemented the controls to meet compliance requirements. The audit typically includes:

  1. Document Review: Review policies, procedures, compliance records, training records, audit reports, and any actions taken on previous audit findings.
  2. Interviews: Discuss with management and staff to assess their understanding and implementation of compliance controls.
  3. Observation: Observe processes and controls in operation to verify that they function as intended.
  4. Compliance Verification: Check compliance with specific legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements through evidence collection and analysis.
  5. Report Findings: Provide a detailed report of the audit findings with recommendations for improvement if any non-conformities are found.

Conclusion

Effective implementation of ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.18 ensures that an organization not only meets its legal and contractual obligations but also demonstrates a commitment to comprehensive information security management.

By establishing a structured compliance program and conducting thorough audits, organizations can maintain high standards of information security and build trust with stakeholders.

The post Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.18 – Compliance first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Maping NIS2 requirements to the ISO 27001:2022 framework

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We described here the process needed to perform a gap analysis for NIS2, but we did not add the details on how to approach this.

This article references on the ISO27001:2022 series, especially on the description of the Annex A controls. Make sure you are familiar with the ISO 27oo1:2022 requirements and the with the Annex A.

Introduction

The NIS2 Directive, aimed at strengthening network and information system security across the European Union, necessitates a thorough alignment with the latest iteration of the ISO 27001 standard, which was updated in 2022. This article explores a comprehensive methodology for conducting a gap analysis to ensure compliance with NIS2 using the framework provided by ISO 27001:2022.

Understand NIS2 Requirements

The NIS2 Directive expands upon its predecessor by setting stringent cybersecurity and resilience measures for essential and important entities across various sectors. Its key focus areas include incident response, supply chain security, and the security of network and information systems. These areas are critical in maintaining the integrity and availability of services that are vital to the internal market and public welfare.

 

The NIS2 Directive does not prescribe a specific set of controls for the affected companies.

Rather, it states that they should adopt measures that are appropriate to their specific risk profile, considering factors such as:

  • The state of the art in cybersecurity

  • The potential impact of incidents on their services

  • The costs of implementing the measures

  • The proportionality between the measures and the risks

The directive also refers to existing standards, guidelines, and best practices that can help entities to choose suitable controls.
For example, it mentions:

  • The NIST Cybersecurity Framework

  • The ENISA Good Practices for Security of Internet of Things

  • The ETSI Technical Specification on Critical Security Controls for Effective Cyber Defense

 

Read here our collection of articles about the NIS2 directive.

Overview of ISO 27001:2022

ISO 27001:2022 establishes requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS), providing a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information so that it remains secure.

It includes people, processes, and IT systems by applying a risk management process and clearly defines information security control requirements in its Annex A .

 

Similarities

Despite the differences in scope, objectives, requirements and controls, there are some similarities between the NIS2 Directive and the ISO 27001:2022 standard.

Here are the most evident similarities :

  • Risk management: Both frameworks are based on the concept of risk management, which involves identifying, analyzing, evaluating, and treating the information security risks that affect the organization or the service.

  • Involvement and commitment of top management: Both frameworks require the involvement and commitment of top management, who are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate resources, roles and responsibilities are allocated to support the implementation and maintenance of the measures.

  • Importance of continuous improvement: Both frameworks emphasize the importance of continuous improvement, which involves monitoring, measuring, reviewing, and updating the measures to ensure they remain effective and relevant in a changing environment.

  • Cooperation and information sharing: Both frameworks encourage cooperation and information sharing among relevant stakeholders, such as authorities, regulators, customers, suppliers, and peers, to enhance the overall level of cybersecurity.

Mapping NIS2 to ISO27001:2022 requirements

The mapping begins with identifying the specific NIS2 requirements that are applicable to the organization.

Step 1: Identify NIS2 requirements

1. Scope of Application

  • Expansion of Affected Entities: NIS2 extends its requirements beyond the sectors covered by the original NIS Directive, including essential and important entities across various sectors such as energy, transport, health, and digital services.

2. Risk Management Measures

  • Comprehensive Security Requirements: Entities are required to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of network and information systems, including measures for incident handling, business continuity, and supply chain security.

3. Incident Response and Reporting

  • Incident Reporting Obligations: NIS2 mandates strict incident reporting requirements, where entities must notify relevant national authorities about significant cybersecurity incidents with potentially severe operational impacts, within a short timeframe.

4. Supply Chain Security

  • Security of Supply Chains and Supplier Relationships: Entities need to address cybersecurity risks not only within their own operations but also across their supply chains, ensuring that suppliers meet security requirements to protect against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

5. Interoperability and Cooperation

  • Enhanced Cooperation Among States: NIS2 emphasizes improved information sharing and coordinated response among EU member states, with mechanisms for cross-border collaboration in cybersecurity threat detection, response, and recovery.

6. Security and Network Systems

  • Strengthening of Security Practices: Detailed requirements on securing network and information systems, ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of services, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors.

7. Regulatory Oversight and Compliance

  • Increased Enforcement Powers: Regulatory authorities are granted more significant powers to enforce the Directive, including the ability to conduct audits, review compliance, and impose sanctions on entities failing to meet the cybersecurity requirements.

8. Financial Penalties

  • Penalties for Non-Compliance: NIS2 introduces substantial financial penalties for non-compliance, aimed at ensuring that entities take their cybersecurity obligations seriously.

9. Cybersecurity Measures Specificity

  • Detailed Guidelines and Standards: The Directive encourages the use of established standards and specifications to fulfill the required security measures, promoting best practices in cybersecurity management.

 

This step involves a detailed review of NIS2, focusing on the obligations that directly impact the organizational processes and security measures.

Step 2: Map requirements to the ISO 27001:2022 chapters

The next step is to map relevant chapters and controls in ISO 27001:2022 to these NIS2 requirements:

  • Chapter 4 (Context of the Organization) -> NIS2 1,4,5
    • Understand external and internal issues that affect the ISMS, aligning with NIS2’s broader security requirements.
    • Identify if the company is falling into the two entity categories: Important and Essential.
    • An important step is also to identify and assess all external suppliers.
  • Chapter 5 (Leadership) -> NIS2 1,5,8
    • Ensures management’s commitment to the ISMS, mirroring NIS2’s emphasis on leadership and governance in cybersecurity.
  • Chapter 6 (Planning) -> NIS2 2,3,4,6 
    • Address the assessment and treatment of information security risks, a core component of proactive compliance under NIS2.
    • Conduct a risk assessment to identify threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts on information assets.
    • Develop a risk treatment plans to address identified risks, including mitigation, transfer, or acceptance.
  • Chapter 7 (Support) -> 5,7,9
    • Provide the framework for managing resources and operational planning,
    • Establish communication channels for reporting security incidents and seeking guidance on information security matters.
  • Chapter 8 (Operation) -> NIS2 2,3,4,6
    • Provide the framework for managing resources and operational planning, establishes incident response and business continuity plans to mitigate the impact of security incidents and disruptions, crucial for implementing the technical and organizational measures required by NIS2.
  • Chapter 9 (Performance Evaluation) -> NIS2 8,9
    • Assess the performance of the ISMS, helping to ensure continuous improvement in line with NIS2’s dynamic compliance landscape.

Disclaimer:
This mapping is author’s own interpretation based on his personal opinion and understanding of the requirements. It is not the only possible interpretation and it is most probably not the best one available.

 

Conclusion

By mapping NIS2 requirements to the structured framework provided by ISO 27001:2022, organizations can not only ensure compliance but also strengthen their overall security posture.

It is important to understand that this alignment is not a one-time effort but a continuous process of adaptation and improvement, reflecting the dynamic nature of cybersecurity threats and regulatory requirements.

As such, organizations should focus on regular reviews and updates to their ISMS, ensuring that it remains robust, responsive, and compliant.

The post Maping NIS2 requirements to the ISO 27001:2022 framework first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.17 – Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we address ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.17, “Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management” is crucial for organizations to ensure the resilience of their information security management systems (ISMS) in the face of disruptive events.

This annex provides guidelines for integrating information security into business continuity management processes to minimize the impact of disruptions and ensure the continuity of critical business operations.

Understanding the Importance of Business Continuity Management

Annex A.17 of ISO 27001:2022 outlines the controls necessary to ensure that information security is an integral part of the organization’s business continuity management. The annex emphasizes the need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents that can impact the availability of critical information assets.

Business continuity management (BCM) is essential for organizations to prepare for and respond to disruptions that could affect their ability to deliver products and services.

Annex A.17 emphasizes several key aspects:

  • Risk Assessment: Identifying and assessing risks that could disrupt business operations and impact information security.
  • Business Impact Analysis: Evaluating the potential consequences of disruptions on critical business processes and information assets.
  • Business Continuity Planning: Developing and implementing strategies and procedures to maintain essential functions during and after disruptive events.
  • Testing and Exercise: Conducting regular testing and exercises to validate the effectiveness of business continuity plans and improve response capabilities.

 

Key Controls in Annex A.17:

  • A.17.1 Information Security Continuity: Ensure that information security continuity is embedded within the organization’s overall business continuity management systems.
  • A.17.2 Redundancies: Implement redundancy measures to ensure availability of information processing facilities.

Practical Implementation of Annex A.17

  1. Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis (BIA):
    • Example: An e-commerce company assesses the impact of a server downtime on its operations. The BIA shows significant revenue loss for each hour of downtime.
    • Implementation: Develop and implement continuity strategies based on the results of BIA. This includes identifying critical systems and processes and the extent of their protection.
  2. Establishing Redundancy and Resilience:
    • Example: A financial institution uses multiple data centers in geographically diverse locations to ensure data availability even in the case of a natural disaster.
    • Implementation: Invest in redundant hardware, failover systems, and data mirroring techniques to ensure continuous service and data availability.
  3. Developing and Implementing Business Continuity Plans:
    • Example: A healthcare provider ensures that all critical patient information systems have backups and are capable of being restored quickly in any emergency.
    • Implementation: Prepare detailed business continuity plans that include recovery objectives, strategies, and employee responsibilities. Regularly train staff on their roles during a disruption.
  4. Testing and Exercises:
    • Example: A technology firm conducts bi-annual drills to simulate different scenarios including cyber-attacks and power failures.
    • Implementation: Regular testing and rehearsal of business continuity plans to evaluate their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
  5. Embedding Information Security into Business Continuity:
    • Example: Incorporate cybersecurity measures into the business continuity plans of an online retailer to protect against data breaches during disruptions.
    • Implementation: Ensure that information security practices are maintained during a disruption, including access controls, encryption, and secure communication channels.

Auditing Annex A.17 Implementation

The audit of ISO 27001:2022’s Annex A.17 focuses on verifying that the business continuity plans and controls are in place, effective, and in alignment with the organization’s overall security policies. The audit process typically involves the following steps:

  1. Documentation Review: Auditors review all relevant documentation including the business impact analysis, risk assessments, continuity plans, and previous audit reports.
  2. Interviews: Conduct interviews with key personnel involved in business continuity management to assess their understanding and implementation of the policies.
  3. Observation and Testing: Direct observation of drills and testing processes, and reviewing logs and records to verify that procedures are regularly executed and monitored.
  4. Report Findings and Recommendations: Provide a detailed report of findings with any non-conformities and suggest corrective actions.

Conclusion

Implementing Annex A.17 of ISO 27001:2022 effectively ensures that an organization can protect its critical information assets during disruptions. By following structured implementation and regular audits, organizations can not only comply with ISO 27001 but also enhance their resilience against unforeseen events, thereby safeguarding their operations and reputation in the long term.

The post Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.17 – Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.16 – Information Security Incident Management

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we address ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.16, “Information Security Incident Management” is crucial for organizations to effectively detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. This annex provides guidelines for establishing an incident management process to minimize the impact of security breaches and ensure the continuity of business operations.

Understanding the Importance of Information Security Incident Management

Incident management is a fundamental aspect of information security, helping organizations mitigate the impact of security incidents and protect sensitive information assets. Annex A.16 emphasizes several key aspects:

  • Timely Response: Promptly detecting and responding to security incidents minimizes their impact on operations and prevents further damage.
  • Containment and Recovery: Implementing effective containment and recovery measures helps restore affected systems and data to normal operations.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and updating incident management procedures ensures their effectiveness and alignment with evolving threats and technologies.

Implementing Annex A.16 in Practice

Establishing Incident Management Procedures

Practical Examples:

  1. Incident Identification: Implement mechanisms to detect and identify security incidents, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and user reporting mechanisms.
  2. Incident Classification: Define criteria for classifying incidents based on severity, impact, and urgency to prioritize response efforts effectively.
  3. Incident Response Team: Establish an incident response team comprising key personnel responsible for coordinating and executing incident response activities.

Incident Response and Containment

Practical Examples

  1. Response Plan: Develop incident response plans outlining roles, responsibilities, and actions to be taken during security incidents, including containment, eradication, recovery, and communication procedures.
  2. Containment Measures: Implement measures to contain and mitigate the impact of security incidents, such as isolating affected systems, disabling compromised accounts, or blocking malicious traffic.
  3. Evidence Preservation: Preserve evidence related to security incidents for forensic analysis and investigation purposes, ensuring the integrity and admissibility of evidence.

Incident Analysis and Recovery

Practical Examples

  1. Root Cause Analysis: Conduct root cause analysis to identify the underlying causes of security incidents and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  2. System Restoration: Restore affected systems and data to normal operations following security incidents, using backup and recovery procedures to minimize downtime and data loss.
  3. Communication: Communicate with stakeholders, including senior management, employees, customers, and regulatory authorities, regarding the nature and impact of security incidents and steps taken for resolution.

Audit of Compliance with Annex A.16

Auditing compliance with Annex A.16 involves assessing the effectiveness of incident management procedures and practices. The audit process typically includes:

  • Audit Preparation: Gathering documentation related to incident management procedures, incident response plans, and incident logs.
  • On-site Audit: Assessing implementation of incident management controls through interviews, document reviews, and observations of incident response activities.
  • Audit Findings: Analyzing audit findings and identifying areas of non-compliance or improvement opportunities.
  • Reporting: Documenting audit results and providing recommendations for corrective actions to address identified issues.
  • Follow-up: Monitoring implementation of corrective actions and conducting follow-up audits to verify compliance.

Conclusion

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.16 underscores the importance of establishing robust incident management procedures to effectively respond to security incidents and minimize their impact on business operations. By implementing incident identification, response, containment, and recovery measures, organizations can enhance their resilience to security threats and ensure the continuity of critical business functions. Regular audits help assess compliance with Annex A.16 requirements and drive continuous improvement in incident management practices, enabling organizations to adapt to evolving security challenges effectively. Prioritizing information security incident management is essential for organizations seeking to protect sensitive information assets and maintain trust and confidence in their operations.

The post Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.16 – Information Security Incident Management first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Executive summary: NIS2 Directive for the EU members (updated)

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The NIS 2 Directive is a set of cybersecurity guidelines and requirements established by the European Union (EU) . It replaces and repeals the NIS Directive (Directive 2016/1148/EC) . The full name of the directive is “Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and repealing Directive (EU) 2016/1148 (NIS 2 Directive)” .

The NIS 2 Directive aims to improve cybersecurity risk management and introduce reporting obligations across sectors such as energy, transport, health, and digital infrastructure . It provides legal measures to boost the overall level of cybersecurity in the EU .

The directive covers a larger share of the economy and society by including more sectors, which means that more entities are obliged to take measures to increase their level of cybersecurity .

The management bodies of essential and important entities must approve the cybersecurity risk-management measures taken by those entities, oversee its implementation, and can be held liable for infringements .

 

Who is affected?

The NIS 2 Directive significantly expands the sectors and type of critical entities falling under its scope.

As a ground rule, companies from certain areas that meet these conditions are affected:

Essential Entities (EE):

  • at least 250 employees and
  • 50 Mil € revenue

Important Entities (IE):

  • at least 50 employees and
  • 10 Mil € revenue

 

NIS 2 covers areas such as

  • Essential Entities:
    • energy (electricity, district heating and cooling, oil, gas and hydrogen);
    • transport (air, rail, water and road); banking;
    • financial market infrastructures;
    • health including  manufacture of pharmaceutical products including vaccines;
    • drinking water;
    • waste water;
    • digital infrastructure (internet exchange points; DNS service providers;
    • TLD name registries; cloud computing service providers;
    • data centre service providers;
    • content delivery networks;
    • trust service providers;
    • providers of  public electronic communications networks and publicly available electronic communications services);
    • ICT service management (managed service providers and managed security service providers), public administration and space.

Important Entities:

    • postal and courier services;
    • waste management;
    • chemicals;
    • food;
    • manufacturing of medical devices, computers and electronics, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers and other transport equipment;
    • digital providers (online market places, online search engines, and social networking service platforms) and research organisations.

Note:
An entity may still be considered “essential” or “important” even if it does not meet the size criteria, in specific cases such as when it is the sole provider of a critical service for societal or economic activity in a Member State.

 

Deadlines

The Member States have until October 17, 2024, to adopt and publish the measures necessary to comply with the NIS 2 Directive. They shall apply those measures from October 18, 2024 .

The benefits of the NIS 2 directive include creating the necessary cyber crisis management structure (CyCLONe), increasing the level of harmonization regarding security requirements and reporting obligations, encouraging Members States to introduce new areas of interest such as supply chain, vulnerability management, core internet, and cyber hygiene in their national cybersecurity strategies, bringing novel ideas such as peer reviews for enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst Member States .

In order to comply with the NIS 2 directive, entities will need to take measures to increase their level of cybersecurity. This may include following training for members of management bodies of essential and important entities as well as offering similar training to their employees on a regular basis .

How does the NIS 2 Directive differ from the previous directive?

The NIS 2 Directive replaces the previous Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive, which was the first piece of EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity. Its specific aim was to achieve a high common level of cybersecurity across the Member States .

While the NIS Directive increased the Member States’ cybersecurity capabilities, its implementation proved difficult, resulting in fragmentation at different levels across the internal market. To respond to the growing threats posed by digitalization and the surge in cyber-attacks, the Commission submitted a proposal to replace the NIS Directive and thereby strengthen security requirements, address security of supply chains, streamline reporting obligations, and introduce more stringent supervisory measures and stricter enforcement requirements, including harmonized sanctions across the EU .

 

Consequences

The proposed expansion of the scope covered by NIS 2, by effectively obliging more entities and sectors to take measures, would assist in increasing the level of cybersecurity in Europe in the longer term . The NIS 2 Directive establishes very strict sanctions for breaches of its obligations. In contrast to the previous NIS Directive, which merely required Member States to set forth effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for non-compliance, the NIS 2 Directive introduces a much stricter regime .

NIS 2 will introduce a fining regime for non-compliance. The potential maximum fines for non-compliance could reach either

(i) €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover for “essential” entities or

(ii) €7 million or 1.4% of global annual turnover for “important” entities .

What’s next, if you are in a hurry

Try to identify the following topics in your ISMS and map them to the NIS2 requirements.

1. Scope of Application

  • Expansion of Affected Entities: NIS2 extends its requirements beyond the sectors covered by the original NIS Directive, including essential and important entities across various sectors such as energy, transport, health, and digital services.

2. Risk Management Measures

  • Comprehensive Security Requirements: Entities are required to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of network and information systems, including measures for incident handling, business continuity, and supply chain security.

3. Incident Response and Reporting

  • Incident Reporting Obligations: NIS2 mandates strict incident reporting requirements, where entities must notify relevant national authorities about significant cybersecurity incidents with potentially severe operational impacts, within a short timeframe.

4. Supply Chain Security

  • Security of Supply Chains and Supplier Relationships: Entities need to address cybersecurity risks not only within their own operations but also across their supply chains, ensuring that suppliers meet security requirements to protect against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

5. Interoperability and Cooperation

  • Enhanced Cooperation Among States: NIS2 emphasizes improved information sharing and coordinated response among EU member states, with mechanisms for cross-border collaboration in cybersecurity threat detection, response, and recovery.

6. Security and Network Systems

  • Strengthening of Security Practices: Detailed requirements on securing network and information systems, ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of services, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors.

7. Regulatory Oversight and Compliance

  • Increased Enforcement Powers: Regulatory authorities are granted more significant powers to enforce the Directive, including the ability to conduct audits, review compliance, and impose sanctions on entities failing to meet the cybersecurity requirements.

8. Financial Penalties

  • Penalties for Non-Compliance: NIS2 introduces substantial financial penalties for non-compliance, aimed at ensuring that entities take their cybersecurity obligations seriously.

9. Cybersecurity Measures Specificity

  • Detailed Guidelines and Standards: The Directive encourages the use of established standards and specifications to fulfill the required security measures, promoting best practices in cybersecurity management.

 

By addressing these key topics, NIS2 aims to significantly raise the level of cybersecurity across the EU, ensuring a uniform level of security in critical sectors and enhancing the resilience of the internal market against cyber threats.

Sources:
1. cybertalk.org
2. nis-2-directive.com
3. digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
4. enisa.europa.eu
5. europarl.europa.eu
6. mondaq.com
7. rapid7.com
8. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/faqs/directive-measures-high-common-level-cybersecurity-across-union-nis2-directive-faqs

The post Executive summary: NIS2 Directive for the EU members (updated) first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

NIS-2: 10 common misconceptions about the regulation

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We wrote here about NIS2 and we will continue to add more content about it.

Because we are getting closer to October 17th, many people are getting more and more nervous about NIS2.

Despite its significance, there are numerous misconceptions and misinterpretations circulating about the scope and implications of this regulation.

This article aims to clarify some of the misconceptions,  which I collected mostly from LinkedIn and articles about NIS-2.

 

Note:

“NIS2” and “NIS-2” are exactly the same thing. I am using both in this article only because of SEO.

 

 

1. NIS2 starts being applied in the EU starting 17.10.2024

Truth is that the regulation is already applicable in the EU since it was approved. This deadline applies to the individual countries of the EU to convert and apply the NIS2 requirements in local laws.

If national authorities fail to properly implement EU laws, the Commission may launch a formal infringement procedure against the country in question. If the issue is still not settled, the Commission may eventually refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

 

2. Limited scope of application

Contrary to the belief that NIS-2 only applies to large tech companies, the directive significantly broadens its scope compared to its predecessor, NIS.

NIS-2 extends beyond just critical infrastructure sectors like energy and transport, encompassing a wide array of sectors such as digital services, public administration, and healthcare.

It mandates a security and incident reporting framework that applies to both Essential and Important Entities, significantly expanding the list of sectors and services affected.

3. NIS-2 Is Just About Cybersecurity

While cybersecurity is a core component, NIS-2 is not merely about preventing cyberattacks. The directive emphasizes a comprehensive approach to security, which includes resilience against a wide range of threats.

This includes but it is not limited to:

  • supply chain security,
  • incident response, and
  • crisis management.

It establishes a baseline for security measures and incident notifications that entities must adhere to, ensuring a uniform level of security across member states.

4. NIS-2 compliance is the same across all EU countries

Although NIS-2 sets a framework for cybersecurity across the EU, member states have some flexibility in implementation. This means that there can be variations in how directives are enforced from one country to another, depending on local laws and regulations.

Companies operating across multiple jurisdictions need to be aware of and comply with local variations to ensure full compliance.

5. Heavy penalties are the main compliance driver

While it is true that NIS-2 can impose hefty fines for non-compliance, focusing solely on penalties misses the broader objective of the directive.

NIS-2 is designed to cultivate a culture of security and resilience. It encourages entities to proactively manage their cybersecurity risks and to collaborate with national authorities.

This cooperative approach is fundamental to enhancing the overall cybersecurity posture of the EU.

6. NIS-2 does not affect third-party suppliers

NIS-2 places explicit requirements on the security practices of third-party suppliers. Entities covered under the directive are required to ensure that their supply chains are secure.

This includes mandatory risk assessments and incident reporting requirements that extend to service providers, reflecting an understanding that security is only as strong as the weakest link in the supply chain.

 

7. NIS-2 contains rules for AI, IoT, Industry 4.0.

NIS-2 sets a framework for cybersecurity and it does not address anything in particular. However, the rules described can be very well applied to companies in the fields like those mentioned that fall under the regulation applicability.

The companies active in Digital Infrastructure Services (Internet Nodes, DNS Service Providers, TLD Registries, Cloud Providers, Data Centers, Content Delivery Networks, Trust Services, Communication Networks, Communication Services ) and in

ICT Service Management (B2B only) (Managed Services (IT, Networks/Infrastructure, Applications), Managed Security Services (Risk and Cyber Security) ) are potentially directly affected by the regulation. However, there are clear criteria about which companies are affected.

 

8. Any company with activity in the domains marked as Important and Essential is affected by NIS-2

Although the domains are under the NIS-2 regulation, a company is affected if it meets the criteria:

  • Essential Entities (EE):
    • at least 250 employees and
    • 50 Mil € revenue
  • Important Entities (IE):
    • at least 50 employees and
    • 10 Mil € revenue

If a company doesn’t have these characteristics, then, in general, it is not affected by the regulation directly. It is highly recommended that even in such cases the companies follow the regulation’s requirements, since it will increase their resilience against cyber attacks.

However, an entity may still be considered “essential” or “important” even if it does not meet the size criteria, in specific cases such as when it is the sole provider of a critical service for societal or economic activity in a Member State.

 

9. All affected companies must certify for NIS-2

A the time of writing this post there is no certification for NIS-2. This might change in the future, especially when because we don’t know at this time how the regulation will be implemented in each of the EU member states.

There are consulting companies that sell consulting services and guarantee that a company will get the “NIS-2  certification” if they bus their services. While buying consulting is in general a good thing, the only thing that can be obtained is help in meeting the requirements of the regulation.

I recommend to stay away from offers that promise things that don’t exist.

 

10. Companies can buy software/hardware products to become conform with NIS-2

Although conformity is sometimes made easier by using specialized software and hardware products, there is no requirement or recommendation to purchase anything.

Some security providers and consulting companies are offering On The Shelf  (OTS) products that promise immediate conformity with NIS-2 (or guarantee obtaining a “certification” – see point 9 above).

If you look at the series of articles in the NIS2 area of this website, you will see that actually quite a lot of  steps involve an ISMS, a cybersecurity framework, cybersecurity products and so on.

These can be implemented with commercial or open source products, but there is still need to know where and how to install them in order to become conform.

I can very well imagine that there will be soon commercial offerings with sets of templates for implementing the NIS-2 requirements, just like there are with ISO 27001, TISAX and other certifications.

The post NIS-2: 10 common misconceptions about the regulation first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.15 – Supplier Relationships

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we address ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.15, “Supplier Relationships”, which is crucial for organizations in order to ensure the security of information assets shared with external suppliers. This annex provides guidelines for managing supplier relationships effectively to mitigate risks and maintain information security.

From an IT security perspective, suppliers are external entities or third-party organizations that provide goods, services, or resources to support an organization’s operations.

These suppliers often play a critical role in the organization’s IT infrastructure, providing hardware, software, cloud services, and other technology solutions.

Suppliers may also have access to sensitive information, systems, or networks of the organization, making them potential security risks.

Therefore, managing supplier relationships is essential for ensuring the security of information assets and mitigating risks associated with third-party access.

 

Understanding the Importance of Supplier Relationships

Supplier relationships play a vital role in the overall information security posture of organizations. Annex A.15 emphasizes several key aspects:

  • Risk Management: Assessing and managing risks associated with suppliers who have access to sensitive information.
  • Contractual Agreements: Establishing clear contractual agreements that define security responsibilities and obligations.
  • Monitoring and Review: Continuously monitoring supplier performance and adherence to security requirements.

Implementing Annex A.15 in Practice

Supplier Selection and Evaluation

Practical Examples:

  1. Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough risk assessments of potential suppliers to evaluate their security controls, practices, and potential risks to information assets.
  2. Due Diligence: Perform due diligence checks, such as reviewing security certifications, conducting site visits, and requesting security documentation from suppliers.
  3. Security Requirements: Clearly communicate security requirements to suppliers during the selection process, including data protection measures, access controls, and incident response capabilities.

Contractual Agreements

Practical Examples:

  1. Security Clauses: Include specific security clauses in contracts that outline security requirements, confidentiality obligations, data protection measures, and compliance with relevant regulations.
  2. Data Protection: Address data protection requirements, including data handling procedures, data encryption, and secure transmission methods.
  3. Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Define SLAs for security-related metrics, such as incident response times, availability guarantees, and security incident notification procedures.

Monitoring and Review

Practical Examples:

  1. Ongoing Assessment: Continuously monitor supplier performance and security practices to ensure compliance with contractual agreements and security requirements.
  2. Audits and Reviews: Conduct periodic audits and reviews of supplier security controls, practices, and compliance with contractual obligations.
  3. Incident Response: Establish procedures for managing security incidents involving suppliers, including incident reporting, investigation, and remediation.

Audit of Compliance with Annex A.15

Auditing compliance with Annex A.15 involves assessing the effectiveness of supplier relationship management practices. The audit process typically includes:

  • Audit Preparation: Gather documentation related to supplier relationships, contracts, and security controls.
  • On-site Audit: Assess implementation of supplier management controls through interviews, document reviews, and observations.
  • Audit Findings: Analyze audit findings and identify areas of non-compliance or improvement opportunities.
  • Reporting: Document audit results and provide recommendations for corrective actions to address identified issues.
  • Follow-up: Monitor implementation of corrective actions and conduct follow-up audits to verify compliance.

Conclusion

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.15 emphasizes the importance of effectively managing supplier relationships to protect information assets and mitigate risks. By implementing robust supplier management practices, organizations can ensure compliance with security requirements, maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information, and enhance overall information security posture. Regular audits help assess compliance with Annex A.15 requirements and drive continuous improvement in supplier relationship management processes.

The post Implementing ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.15 – Supplier Relationships first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Understanding ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.14 – System Acquisition, Development, and Maintenance

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we address ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.14, “System Acquisition, Development, and Maintenance”, which addresses the importance of ensuring the security of information systems throughout their lifecycle, from acquisition and development to maintenance and disposal. This annex provides guidelines for implementing controls to manage the security of information systems and software applications.

 

 

Importance of System Acquisition, Development, and Maintenance

System acquisition, development, and maintenance are critical stages in the lifecycle of information systems and software applications. Annex A.14 underscores this importance by:

  1. Security by Design: Integrating security considerations into the acquisition, development, and maintenance processes helps identify and mitigate security risks early in the lifecycle, reducing the likelihood of vulnerabilities and security incidents.
  2. Secure Development Practices: Implementing secure coding practices, testing methodologies, and vulnerability management processes helps ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of software applications and systems.
  3. Change Management: Managing changes to information systems and software in a controlled manner helps prevent unauthorized modifications, configuration errors, and disruptions to services.

Implementing Annex A.14 in Practice

To effectively implement Annex A.14, organizations can follow these practical steps:

  1. Security Requirements Analysis: Conduct a security requirements analysis during the system acquisition phase to identify security requirements and considerations for information systems and software applications.

    Example: Include security requirements such as authentication mechanisms, access controls, encryption, and audit logging in the procurement specifications for new information systems or software applications.

  2. Secure Development Practices: Adopt secure coding guidelines, frameworks, and best practices during the development phase to minimize the risk of security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in software applications.

    Example: Implement input validation, output encoding, and proper error handling to mitigate common vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and buffer overflows in web applications.

  3. Vulnerability Management: Implement vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and code reviews to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in information systems and software applications.

    Example: Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests of network infrastructure, web applications, and databases to identify security vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation efforts.

  4. Change Control: Establish change management procedures to control and document changes to information systems and software applications in a controlled and auditable manner.

    Example: Implement a change management system to track and manage changes to software code, configurations, and configurations, ensuring that changes are reviewed, approved, and tested before deployment.

  5. Patch Management: Implement patch management processes to identify, assess, and apply security patches and updates to information systems and software applications in a timely manner.

    Example: Establish a patch management schedule to regularly assess and apply security patches and updates to operating systems, software applications, and firmware to mitigate security vulnerabilities and risks.

Audit of Compliance with Annex A.14

Auditing compliance with Annex A.14 is essential for evaluating an organization’s adherence to system acquisition, development, and maintenance requirements. Here’s how the audit process typically unfolds:

  1. Audit Preparation: Gather documentation related to system acquisition, development, and maintenance policies, procedures, and controls. Appoint an audit team to facilitate the audit process.
  2. Audit Planning: Define the audit scope, objectives, and criteria. Develop an audit plan outlining activities, timelines, and responsibilities of auditors and auditees.
  3. On-site Audit: Conduct on-site visits to assess implementation of system acquisition, development, and maintenance controls. Review documentation, inspect development environments, and observe change management practices. Use checklists or assessment tools to evaluate compliance.
  4. Audit Findings: Analyze findings and identify areas of non-compliance or improvement opportunities. Document observations, including strengths and weaknesses in system acquisition, development, and maintenance implementation.
  5. Reporting: Prepare an audit report summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective actions. Share with senior management and stakeholders for review and action.
  6. Follow-up: Address audit findings by implementing corrective actions and improvements as recommended. Conduct follow-up audits to verify effectiveness of corrective measures and ensure ongoing compliance.

Conclusion

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.14 emphasizes the importance of ensuring the security of information systems throughout their lifecycle. By implementing controls and best practices for system acquisition, development, and maintenance, organizations can minimize security risks, vulnerabilities, and incidents. Regular audits help assess compliance with Annex A.14 requirements and drive continuous improvement in system security practices.

The post Understanding ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.14 – System Acquisition, Development, and Maintenance first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Understanding ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.13 – Communications Security

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we address ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.13, “Communications Security”, which addresses the importance of securing information during its transmission over communication networks.

This annex provides guidelines for implementing controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information exchanged between parties.

 

 

Importance of Communications Security

Communications security is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information transmitted over communication channels, such as networks, internet connections, and wireless technologies. Annex A.13 underscores this importance by:

  1. Confidentiality: Encrypting communications prevents unauthorized parties from intercepting and eavesdropping on sensitive information transmitted over unsecured networks.
  2. Integrity: Implementing integrity checks and digital signatures ensures that transmitted data remains intact and unaltered during transit, protecting against tampering and unauthorized modifications.
  3. Availability: Securing communication channels helps maintain the availability of information services and prevents disruptions caused by network attacks, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, or transmission errors.

Implementing Annex A.13 in Practice

To effectively implement Annex A.13, organizations can follow these practical steps:

  1. Encryption: Encrypt data transmitted over insecure communication channels using encryption protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), or Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnels.Example: Configure email servers to use TLS encryption for encrypting emails in transit between email clients and servers, preventing eavesdropping on email communications.
  2. Digital Signatures: Use digital signatures to verify the authenticity and integrity of transmitted data and messages. Implement digital signature algorithms and certificate authorities to ensure the validity of signatures.Example: Digitally sign electronic documents, such as contracts or reports, using a digital signature certificate issued by a trusted certificate authority to verify the authenticity and integrity of the documents.
  3. Secure Protocols: Use secure communication protocols and standards, such as Secure Shell (SSH), Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), to protect data transmitted over networks.Example: Configure web servers to use HTTPS protocol for secure transmission of sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial transactions, over the internet.
  4. Access Controls: Implement access controls to restrict access to communication channels and network resources to authorized users only. Use strong authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of users accessing network services.Example: Configure network routers and firewalls to enforce access control lists (ACLs) restricting inbound and outbound traffic based on source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols.
  5. Monitoring and Logging: Deploy monitoring and logging mechanisms to track communication activities, detect anomalies, and identify potential security incidents or unauthorized access attempts.Example: Set up network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to monitor network traffic for suspicious behavior, such as port scans or packet sniffing attempts.

Audit of Compliance with Annex A.13

Auditing compliance with Annex A.13 is essential for evaluating an organization’s adherence to communications security requirements. Here’s how the audit process typically unfolds:

  1. Audit Preparation: Gather documentation related to communications security policies, procedures, and controls. Appoint an audit team to facilitate the audit process.
  2. Audit Planning: Define the audit scope, objectives, and criteria. Develop an audit plan outlining activities, timelines, and responsibilities of auditors and auditees.
  3. On-site Audit: Conduct on-site visits to assess implementation of communications security controls. Review documentation, inspect network configurations, and observe communication practices. Use checklists or assessment tools to evaluate compliance.
  4. Audit Findings: Analyze findings and identify areas of non-compliance or improvement opportunities. Document observations, including strengths and weaknesses in communications security implementation.
  5. Reporting: Prepare an audit report summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective actions. Share with senior management and stakeholders for review and action.
  6. Follow-up: Address audit findings by implementing corrective actions and improvements as recommended. Conduct follow-up audits to verify effectiveness of corrective measures and ensure ongoing compliance.

Conclusion

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.13 emphasizes the importance of communications security in protecting sensitive information transmitted over communication networks. By implementing robust controls and measures to encrypt data, verify authenticity, and enforce access controls, organizations can mitigate risks and safeguard against unauthorized access or interception of communications. Regular audits help assess compliance with Annex A.13 requirements and drive continuous improvement in communications security practices.

The post Understanding ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.13 – Communications Security first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.

Understanding ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.12 – Operations Security

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We started the ISO 27001:2022 series with the promise of explaining how the 14 categories of controls can be implemented.

Today we address ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.12, “Operations Security”, which focuses on ensuring secure operations of information systems and assets. This annex provides guidelines for implementing controls to manage day-to-day operations, protect against security incidents, and maintain the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information assets.

 

Importance of Operations Security

Operations security is critical for maintaining the effectiveness and resilience of information systems and assets. Annex A.12 underscores this importance by:

  1. Risk Management: Implementing operational controls helps identify, assess, and mitigate risks to information assets, ensuring business continuity and protecting against security incidents.
  2. Incident Response: Establishing incident response procedures enables organizations to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents effectively, minimizing the impact on operations and data integrity.
  3. Change Management: Managing changes to information systems and assets in a controlled manner helps prevent unauthorized modifications, configuration errors, and disruptions to services.

Implementing Annex A.12 in Practice

To effectively implement Annex A.12, organizations can follow these practical steps:

  1. Risk Assessment: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risks to information assets. Assess the likelihood and impact of identified risks to prioritize mitigation efforts.Example: Perform a comprehensive risk assessment of IT systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities, such as outdated software or misconfigured settings, that could expose assets to security threats.
  2. Incident Management: Establish incident response procedures to define roles, responsibilities, and actions to be taken in the event of a security incident. Develop incident response plans, escalation procedures, and communication protocols.Example: Develop an incident response playbook outlining steps to be followed in case of a security breach, including incident detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis.
  3. Monitoring and Logging: Implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to track user activities, detect anomalies, and identify potential security incidents. Collect and analyze log data from information systems, networks, and security devices.Example: Deploy security information and event management (SIEM) systems to aggregate and correlate log data from various sources, enabling real-time monitoring, alerting, and analysis of security events.
  4. Change Control: Establish change management procedures to control and document changes to information systems, applications, configurations, and infrastructure. Define change request processes, approval workflows, and testing requirements.Example: Implement a change management system to track and manage changes to IT assets, including software updates, patches, configuration changes, and infrastructure modifications, following a structured change control process.
  5. Backup and Recovery: Implement backup and recovery procedures to protect against data loss, corruption, and unauthorized access. Regularly back up critical data and systems, and test backup restoration procedures.Example: Configure automated backup schedules for critical databases, files, and systems, ensuring that backup copies are stored securely and can be restored in the event of data loss or system failure.
  6. Protection against malware: Implement detection, prevention and recovery controls to protect against malware, combined with appropriate user awareness training.

Audit of Compliance with Annex A.12

Auditing compliance with Annex A.12 is essential for evaluating an organization’s adherence to operational security requirements. Here’s how the audit process typically unfolds:

  1. Audit Preparation: Gather documentation related to operational security policies, procedures, and controls. Appoint an audit team to facilitate the audit process.
  2. Audit Planning: Define the audit scope, objectives, and criteria. Develop an audit plan outlining activities, timelines, and responsibilities of auditors and auditees.
  3. On-site Audit: Conduct on-site visits to assess implementation of operational security controls. Review documentation, interview personnel, and observe operational practices. Use checklists or assessment tools to evaluate compliance.
  4. Audit Findings: Analyze findings and identify areas of non-compliance or improvement opportunities. Document observations, including strengths and weaknesses in operational security implementation.
  5. Reporting: Prepare an audit report summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective actions. Share with senior management and stakeholders for review and action.
  6. Follow-up: Address audit findings by implementing corrective actions and improvements as recommended. Conduct follow-up audits to verify effectiveness of corrective measures and ensure ongoing compliance.

Conclusion

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.12 emphasizes the importance of operational security in maintaining the effectiveness, resilience, and integrity of information systems and assets. By implementing robust controls and procedures for risk management, incident response, change control, and backup and recovery, organizations can mitigate risks, protect against security incidents, and ensure business continuity. Regular audits help assess compliance with Annex A.12 requirements and drive continuous improvement in operational security practices.

The post Understanding ISO 27001:2022 Annex A.12 – Operations Security first appeared on Sorin Mustaca on Cybersecurity.