Oct 27 2025

How ISO 42001 & ISO 27001 Overlap for AI: Lessons from a Security Breach

Category: AI,AI Governance,AI Guardrails,ISO 27k,ISO 42001 — disc7 @ 9:39 am

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming business processes, but it also introduces unique security and governance challenges. Organizations are increasingly relying on standards like ISO 42001 (AI Management System) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System) to ensure AI systems are secure, ethical, and compliant. Understanding the overlap between these standards is key to mitigating AI-related risks.

Understanding ISO 42001 and ISO 27001

ISO 42001 is an emerging standard focused on AI governance, risk management, and ethical use. It guides organizations on:

  • Responsible AI design and deployment
  • Continuous risk assessment for AI systems
  • Lifecycle management of AI models

ISO 27001, on the other hand, is a mature standard for information security management, covering:

  • Risk-based security controls
  • Asset protection (data, systems, processes)
  • Policies, procedures, and incident response

Where ISO 42001 and ISO 27001 Overlap

AI systems rely on sensitive data and complex algorithms. Here’s how the standards complement each other:

AreaISO 42001 FocusISO 27001 FocusOverlap Benefit
Risk ManagementAI-specific risk identification & mitigationInformation security risk assessmentHolistic view of AI and IT security risks
Data GovernanceEnsures data quality, bias reductionData confidentiality, integrity, availabilitySecure and ethical AI outcomes
Policies & ControlsAI lifecycle policies, ethical guidelinesSecurity policies, access controls, audit trailsUnified governance framework
Monitoring & ReportingModel performance, bias, misuseSecurity monitoring, anomaly detectionContinuous oversight of AI systems and data

In practice, aligning ISO 42001 with ISO 27001 reduces duplication and ensures AI deployments are both secure and responsible.

Case Study: Lessons from an AI Security Breach

Scenario:
A fintech company deployed an AI-powered loan approval system. Within months, they faced unauthorized access and biased decision-making, resulting in financial loss and regulatory scrutiny.

What Went Wrong:

  1. Incomplete Risk Assessment: Only traditional IT risks were considered; AI-specific threats like model inversion attacks were ignored.
  2. Poor Data Governance: Training data contained biased historical lending patterns, creating systemic discrimination.
  3. Weak Monitoring: No anomaly detection for AI decision patterns.

How ISO 42001 + ISO 27001 Could Have Helped:

  • ISO 42001 would have mandated AI-specific risk modeling and ethical impact assessments.
  • ISO 27001 would have ensured strong access controls and incident response plans.
  • Combined, the organization would have implemented continuous monitoring to detect misuse or bias early.

Lesson Learned: Aligning both standards creates a proactive AI security and governance framework, rather than reactive patchwork solutions.

Key Takeaways for Organizations

  1. Integrate Standards: Treat ISO 42001 as an AI-specific layer on top of ISO 27001’s security foundation.
  2. Perform Joint Risk Assessments: Evaluate both traditional IT risks and AI-specific threats.
  3. Implement Monitoring and Reporting: Track AI model performance, bias, and security anomalies.
  4. Educate Teams: Ensure both AI engineers and security teams understand ethical and security obligations.
  5. Document Everything: Policies, procedures, risk registers, and incident responses should align across standards.

Conclusion

As AI adoption grows, organizations cannot afford to treat security and governance as separate silos. ISO 42001 and ISO 27001 complement each other, creating a holistic framework for secure, ethical, and compliant AI deployment. Learning from real-world breaches highlights the importance of integrated risk management, continuous monitoring, and strong data governance.

AI Risk & Security Alignment Checklist that integrates ISO 42001 an ISO 27001

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“AI is already the single largest uncontrolled channel for corporate data exfiltration—bigger than shadow SaaS or unmanaged file sharing.”

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Sep 18 2025

Managing AI Risk: Building a Risk-Aware Strategy with ISO 42001, ISO 27001, and NIST

Category: AI,AI Governance,CISO,ISO 27k,ISO 42001,vCISO — disc7 @ 7:59 am

Managing AI Risk: A Practical Approach to Responsibly Managing AI with ISO 42001 treats building a risk-aware strategy, relevant standards (ISO 42001, ISO 27001, NIST, etc.), the role of an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS), and what the future of AI risk management might look like.

1. Framing a Risk-Aware AI Strategy
The book begins by laying out the need for organizations to approach AI not just as a source of opportunity (innovation, efficiency, etc.) but also as a domain rife with risk: ethical risks (bias, fairness), safety, transparency, privacy, regulatory exposure, reputational risk, and so on. It argues that a risk-aware strategy must be integrated into the whole AI lifecycle—from design to deployment and maintenance. Key in its framing is that risk management shouldn’t be an afterthought or a compliance exercise; it should be embedded in strategy, culture, governance structures. The idea is to shift from reactive to proactive: anticipating what could go wrong, and building in mitigations early.

2. How the book leverages ISO 42001 and related standards
A core feature of the book is that it aligns its framework heavily with ISO IEC 42001:2023, which is the first international standard to define requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). The book draws connections between 42001 and adjacent or overlapping standards—such as ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 31000 (risk management in general), as well as NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0). The treatment helps the reader see how these standards can interoperate—where one handles confidentiality, security, access controls (ISO 27001), another handles overall risk governance, etc.—and how 42001 fills gaps specific to AI: lifecycle governance, transparency, ethics, stakeholder traceability.

3. The Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) as central tool
The concept of an AI Management System (AIMS) is at the heart of the book. An AIMS per ISO 42001 is a set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization (policies, controls, processes, roles, tools) intended to ensure responsible development and use of AI systems. The author Andrew Pattison walks through what components are essential: leadership commitment; roles and responsibilities; risk identification, impact assessment; operational controls; monitoring, performance evaluation; continual improvement. One strength is the practical guidance: not just “you should do these”, but how to embed them in organizations that don’t have deep AI maturity yet. The book emphasizes that an AIMS is more than a set of policies—it’s a living system that must adapt, learn, and respond as AI systems evolve, as new risks emerge, and as external demands (laws, regulations, public expectations) shift.

4. Comparison and contrasts: ISO 42001, ISO 27001, and NIST
In comparing standards, the book does a good job of pointing out both overlaps and distinct value: for example, ISO 27001 is strong on information security, confidentiality, integrity, availability; it has proven structures for risk assessment and for ensuring controls. But AI systems pose additional, unique risks (bias, accountability of decision-making, transparency, possible harms in deployment) that are not fully covered by a pure security standard. NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework provides flexible guidance especially for U.S. organisations or those aligning with U.S. governmental expectations: mapping, measuring, managing risks in a more domain-agnostic way. Meanwhile, ISO 42001 brings in the notion of an AI-specific management system, lifecycle oversight, and explicit ethical / governance obligations. The book argues that a robust strategy often uses multiple standards: e.g. ISO 27001 for information security, ISO 42001 for overall AI governance, NIST AI RMF for risk measurement & tools.

5. Practical tools, governance, and processes
The author does more than theory. There are discussions of impact assessments, risk matrices, audit / assurance, third-party oversight, monitoring for model drift / unanticipated behavior, documentation, and transparency. Some of the more compelling content is about how to do risk assessments early (before deployment), how to engage stakeholders, how to map out potential harms (both known risks and emergent/unknown ones), how governance bodies (steering committees, ethics boards) can play a role, how responsibility should be assigned, how controls should be tested. The book does point out real challenges: culture change, resource constraints, measurement difficulties, especially for ethical or fairness concerns. But it provides guidance on how to surmount or mitigate those.

6. What might be less strong / gaps
While the book is very useful, there are areas where some readers might want more. For instance, in scaling these practices in organizations with very little AI maturity: the resource costs, how to bootstrap without overengineering. Also, while it references standards and regulations broadly, there may be less depth on certain jurisdictional regulatory regimes (e.g. EU AI Act in detail, or sector-specific requirements). Another area that is always hard—and the book is no exception—is anticipating novel risks: what about very advanced AI systems (e.g. generative models, large language models) or AI in uncontrolled environments? Some of the guidance is still high-level when it comes to edge-cases or worst-case scenarios. But this is a natural trade-off given the speed of AI advancement.

7. Future of AI & risk management: trends and implications
Looking ahead, the book suggests that risk management in AI will become increasingly central as both regulatory pressure and societal expectations grow. Standards like ISO 42001 will be adopted more widely, possibly even made mandatory or incorporated into regulation. The idea of “certification” or attestation of compliance will gain traction. Also, the monitoring, auditing, and accountability functions will become more technically and institutionally mature: better tools for algorithmic transparency, bias measurement, model explainability, data provenance, and impact assessments. There’ll also be more demand for cross-organizational cooperation (e.g. supply chains and third-party models), for oversight of external models, for AI governance in ecosystems rather than isolated systems. Finally, there is an implication that organizations that don’t get serious about risk will pay—through regulation, loss of trust, or harm. So the future is of AI risk management moving from “nice-to-have” to “mission-critical.”

Overall, Managing AI Risk is a strong, timely guide. It bridges theory (standards, frameworks) and practice (governance, processes, tools) well. It makes the case that ISO 42001 is a useful centerpiece for any AI risk strategy, especially when combined with other standards. If you are planning or refining an AI strategy, building or implementing an AIMS, or anticipating future regulatory change, this book gives a solid and actionable foundation.

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Tags: iso 27001, ISO 42001, Managing AI Risk, NIST

Aug 26 2025

ISO 27001 Made Simple: Clause-by-Clause Summary and Insights

Category: ISO 27k — disc7 @ 11:14 am

Here’s a clause-by-clause rephrased summary of ISO 27001 (from your document) with my final advice on certification at the end:

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Clause 4 – Context of the Organization

Organizations must understand internal and external factors that affect security, identify interested parties (customers, regulators, partners) and their expectations, and define the scope of their Information Security Management System (ISMS). The ISMS must be established, documented, and continually improved.

Clause 5 – Leadership

Top management must actively support and commit to the ISMS. They ensure policies align with business strategy, provide resources, assign roles and responsibilities, and promote awareness across the organization. Leadership must also set and maintain a clear information security policy available to employees and stakeholders.

Clause 6 – Planning

This clause covers risk management and objectives. Organizations must assess risks and opportunities, establish risk criteria, conduct regular risk assessments, and plan treatments using controls (including Annex A). They must define measurable information security objectives, assign accountability, allocate resources, and plan ISMS changes in a structured way.

Clause 7 – Support

Support relates to resources, competence, awareness, communication, and documentation. The organization must ensure trained staff, awareness of security responsibilities, proper communication channels, and documented processes. All relevant ISMS information must be created, controlled, updated, and protected against misuse or loss.

Clause 8 – Operation

Operations require planning, execution, and monitoring of ISMS activities. Organizations must perform risk assessments and risk treatments at regular intervals, control outsourced processes, and ensure documentation exists to prove risks are being handled effectively. They must also adapt operations to planned or unexpected changes.

Clause 9 – Performance Evaluation

This involves measuring, monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating ISMS performance. Organizations must track how well policies, objectives, and controls work. Internal audits should be performed regularly by independent auditors, with corrective actions tracked. Management reviews must ensure the ISMS remains aligned with strategy and continues to deliver results.

Clause 10 – Improvement

Organizations must drive continual improvement in their ISMS. Nonconformities and incidents should trigger corrective actions that address root causes. Effectiveness of corrective actions must be measured, documented, and embedded in updated processes to prevent recurrence. Continuous improvement ensures resilience against evolving threats.

Annex A – Controls

Annex A lists 93 controls across four areas: organizational (policies, asset management, suppliers, incident response, compliance), people (training, awareness, HR security), physical (facilities, equipment protection), and technology (cryptography, malware defenses, secure development, network controls, logging, and monitoring).

My Advice on ISO 27001 Certification

ISO 27001 certification is far more than a compliance exercise — it demonstrates to customers, regulators, and partners that you manage information security risks systematically. By aligning leadership, planning, operations, and continual improvement, certification strengthens trust, reduces breach likelihood, and enhances business reputation. While achieving certification requires investment in people, processes, and documentation, the long-term benefits — credibility, reduced risks, and competitive advantage — far outweigh the costs. For most organizations handling sensitive data, pursuing ISO 27001 certification is not optional; it is a strategic necessity.

ISO Compliance Made Simple: Master ISO 27001 & 27002, Avoid Costly Mistakes, and Protect Your Business

✅ — A visual mindmap of ISO 27001:2022 clauses:

ISO 27001:2022 Clauses Mindmap

ISO 27001:2022
│
├── Clause 4: Context of the Organization
│ ├─ Understand internal/external issues
│ ├─ Identify stakeholders & expectations
│ ├─ Define ISMS scope
│ └─ Establish ISMS framework
│
├── Clause 5: Leadership
│ ├─ Leadership commitment
│ ├─ Information security policy
│ └─ Roles, responsibilities & authorities
│
├── Clause 6: Planning
│ ├─ Address risks & opportunities
│ ├─ Risk assessment & treatment
│ ├─ Information security objectives
│ └─ Planning for ISMS changes
│
├── Clause 7: Support
│ ├─ Resources & budget
│ ├─ Competence & awareness
│ ├─ Communication
│ └─ Documented information
│
├── Clause 8: Operation
│ ├─ Operational planning & control
│ ├─ Risk assessment execution
│ └─ Risk treatment implementation
│
├── Clause 9: Performance Evaluation
│ ├─ Monitoring & measurement
│ ├─ Internal audits
│ └─ Management review
│
├── Clause 10: Improvement
│ ├─ Continual improvement
│ └─ Nonconformities & corrective actions
│
└── Annex A: Security Controls
  ├─ A.5 Organizational Controls
  ├─ A.6 People Controls
  ├─ A.7 Physical Controls
  └─ A.8 Technological Controls

How to Leverage Generative AI for ISO 27001 Implementation

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How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

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At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

ISO 27001 certification validates that your ISMS meets recognized security standards and builds trust with customers by demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting information.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

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Tags: Clauses, ISO 27001 2022, ISO 27001 Made Simple

Jul 21 2025

Effortless Compliance: Customizable Toolkits for ISO, Cybersecurity, and More

Category: cyber security,ISO 27k,Security Tools — disc7 @ 9:57 am

We’re pleased to introduce a powerful solution to help you and your audience simplify documentation for management systems and compliance projects—the IT Governance Publishing toolkits. These toolkits include customizable templates and pre-written, standards-compliant policies and procedures designed to make documentation faster, easier, and audit-ready.

Key Benefits:

  • Streamlined Documentation: Tailored templates reduce the time and effort needed to develop comprehensive documentation.
  • Built-in Compliance: Policies and procedures are aligned with industry regulations and frameworks, helping ensure readiness for audits and certifications.

To support promotion, ready-to-use banners are available in the “Creative” section—each with a deep link for easy integration on your site.

Why Choose These Toolkits?
They’re thoughtfully designed to eliminate the complexity of compliance documentation—whether for ISO standards, cybersecurity, or sector-specific requirements—making them an ideal resource for your audience.

Opinion:
These toolkits are a valuable asset, especially for consultants, compliance teams, or businesses lacking the time or expertise to start from scratch. Their structured, professional content not only saves time but also boosts confidence in achieving and maintaining compliance.

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How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

ISO 27001 certification validates that your ISMS meets recognized security standards and builds trust with customers by demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting information.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

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Tags: cybersecurity, ISO, toolkits

Jul 12 2025

Why Integrating ISO Standards is Critical for GRC in the Age of AI

Category: AI,GRC,Information Security,ISO 27k,ISO 42001 — disc7 @ 9:56 am

Integrating ISO standards across business functions—particularly Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)—has become not just a best practice but a necessity in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI systems increasingly permeate operations, decision-making, and customer interactions, the need for standardized controls, accountability, and risk mitigation is more urgent than ever. ISO standards provide a globally recognized framework that ensures consistency, security, quality, and transparency in how organizations adopt and manage AI technologies.

In the GRC domain, ISO standards like ISO/IEC 27001 (information security), ISO/IEC 38500 (IT governance), ISO 31000 (risk management), and ISO/IEC 42001 (AI management systems) offer a structured approach to managing risks associated with AI. These frameworks guide organizations in aligning AI use with regulatory compliance, internal controls, and ethical use of data. For example, ISO 27001 helps in safeguarding data fed into machine learning models, while ISO 31000 aids in assessing emerging AI risks such as bias, algorithmic opacity, or unintended consequences.

The integration of ISO standards helps unify siloed departments—such as IT, legal, HR, and operations—by establishing a common language and baseline for risk and control. This cohesion is particularly crucial when AI is used across multiple departments. AI doesn’t respect organizational boundaries, and its risks ripple across all functions. Without standardized governance structures, businesses risk deploying fragmented, inconsistent, and potentially harmful AI systems.

ISO standards also support transparency and accountability in AI deployment. As regulators worldwide introduce new AI regulations—such as the EU AI Act—standards like ISO/IEC 42001 help organizations demonstrate compliance, build trust with stakeholders, and prepare for audits. This is especially important in industries like healthcare, finance, and defense, where the margin for error is small and ethical accountability is critical.

Moreover, standards-driven integration supports scalability. As AI initiatives grow from isolated pilot projects to enterprise-wide deployments, ISO frameworks help maintain quality and control at scale. ISO 9001, for instance, ensures continuous improvement in AI-supported processes, while ISO/IEC 27017 and 27018 address cloud security and data privacy—key concerns for AI systems operating in the cloud.

AI systems also introduce new third-party and supply chain risks. ISO standards such as ISO/IEC 27036 help in managing vendor security, and when integrated into GRC workflows, they ensure AI solutions procured externally adhere to the same governance rigor as internal developments. This is vital in preventing issues like AI-driven data breaches or compliance gaps due to poorly vetted partners.

Importantly, ISO integration fosters a culture of risk-aware innovation. Instead of slowing down AI adoption, standards provide guardrails that enable responsible experimentation and faster time to trust. They help organizations embed privacy, ethics, and accountability into AI from the design phase, rather than retrofitting compliance after deployment.

In conclusion, ISO standards are no longer optional checkboxes; they are strategic enablers in the age of AI. For GRC leaders, integrating these standards across business functions ensures that AI is not only powerful and efficient but also safe, transparent, and aligned with organizational values. As AI’s influence grows, ISO-based governance will distinguish mature, trusted enterprises from reckless adopters.

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What does BS ISO/IEC 42001 – Artificial intelligence management system cover?
BS ISO/IEC 42001:2023 specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an AI management system within the context of an organization.

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Tags: AIMS, isms, iso 27000

Jul 01 2025

ISO 42001 Readiness: A 10-Step Guide to Responsible AI Governance

Category: AI,ISO 27k,ISO 42001 — disc7 @ 10:51 am

The ISO 42001 readiness checklist structured into ten key sections, followed by my feedback at the end:

1. Context & Scope
Identify internal and external factors affecting AI use, clarify stakeholder requirements, and define the scope of your AI Management System (AIMS)

2. Leadership & Governance
Secure executive sponsorship, assign AIMS responsibilities, establish an ethics‐driven AI policy, and communicate roles and accountability clearly

3. Planning
Perform a gap analysis to benchmark current state, conduct a risk and opportunity assessment, set measurable AI objectives, and integrate risk practices throughout the AI lifecycle.

4. Support & Resources
Dedicate resources for AIMS, create training around AI ethics, safety, and governance, raise awareness, establish communication protocols, and maintain documentation.

5. Operational Controls
Outline stages of the AI lifecycle (design to monitoring), conduct risk assessments (bias, safety, legal), ensure transparency and explainability, maintain data quality and privacy, and implement incident response.

6. Change Management
Implement structured change control—assessing proposed AI modifications, conducting ethical and feasibility reviews, cross‐functional governance, staged rollouts, and post‐implementation audits.

7. Performance Evaluation
Monitor AIMS effectiveness using KPIs, conduct internal audits, and hold management reviews to validate performance and compliance.

8. Nonconformity & Corrective Action
Identify and document nonconformities, implement corrective measures, review their efficacy, and update the AIMS accordingly.

9. Certification Preparation
Collect evidence for internal audits, address gaps, assemble required documentation (including SoA), choose an accredited certification body, and finalize pre‐audit preparations .

10. External Audit & Continuous Improvement
Engage auditors, facilitate assessments, resolve audit findings, publicly share certification results, and embed continuous improvement in AIMS operations.

📝 Feedback

  • Comprehensive but heavy: The checklist covers every facet of AI governance—from initial scoping and leadership engagement to external audits and continuous improvement.
  • Aligns well with ISO 27001: Many controls are familiar to ISMS practitioners, making ISO 42001 a viable extension.
  • Resource-intensive: Expect demands on personnel, training, documentation, and executive involvement.
  • Change management focus is smart: The dedication to handling AI updates (design, rollout, monitoring) is a notable strength.
  • Documentation is key: Templates like Statement of Applicability and impact assessment forms (e.g., AISIA) significantly streamline preparation.
  • Recommendation: Prioritize gap analysis early, leverage existing ISMS frameworks, and allocate clear roles—this positions you well for a smooth transition to certification readiness.

Overall, ISO 42001 readiness is achievable by taking a methodical, risk-based, and well-resourced approach. Let me know if you’d like templates or help mapping this to your current ISMS.

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Tags: ISO 42001 Readiness

May 13 2025

AI is Powerful—But Risky. ISO/IEC 42001 Can Help You Govern It

Category: Information Security,ISO 27k — disc7 @ 2:56 pm

Managing AI Risks: A Strategic Imperative – responsibility and disruption must
coexist

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming sectors across the board—from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and logistics. While its potential to drive innovation and efficiency is clear, AI also introduces complex risks that can impact fairness, transparency, security, and compliance. To ensure these technologies are used responsibly, organizations must implement structured governance mechanisms to manage AI-related risks proactively.

Understanding the Key Risks

Unchecked AI systems can lead to serious problems. Biases embedded in training data can produce discriminatory outcomes. Many models function as opaque “black boxes,” making their decisions difficult to explain or audit. Security threats like adversarial attacks and data poisoning also pose real dangers. Additionally, with evolving regulations like the EU AI Act, non-compliance could result in significant penalties and reputational harm. Perhaps most critically, failure to demonstrate transparency and accountability can erode public trust, undermining long-term adoption and success.

ISO/IEC 42001: A Framework for Responsible AI

To address these challenges, ISO/IEC 42001—the first international AI management system standard—offers a structured, auditable framework. Published in 2023, it helps organizations govern AI responsibly, much like ISO 27001 does for information security. It supports a risk-based approach that accounts for ethical, legal, and societal expectations.

Key Components of ISO/IEC 42001

  • Contextual Risk Assessment: Tailors risk management to the organization’s specific environment, mission, and stakeholders.
  • Defined Governance Roles: Assigns clear responsibilities for managing AI systems.
  • Life Cycle Risk Management: Addresses AI risks across development, deployment, and ongoing monitoring.
  • Ethics and Transparency: Encourages fairness, explainability, and human oversight.
  • Continuous Improvement: Promotes regular reviews and updates to stay aligned with technological and regulatory changes.

Benefits of Certification

Pursuing ISO 42001 certification helps organizations preempt security, operational, and legal risks. It also enhances credibility with customers, partners, and regulators by demonstrating a commitment to responsible AI. Moreover, as regulations tighten, ISO 42001 provides a compliance-ready foundation. The standard is scalable, making it practical for both startups and large enterprises, and it can offer a competitive edge during audits, procurement processes, and stakeholder evaluations.

Practical Steps to Get Started

To begin implementing ISO 42001:

  • Inventory your existing AI systems and assess their risk profiles.
  • Identify governance and policy gaps against the standard’s requirements.
  • Develop policies focused on fairness, transparency, and accountability.
  • Train teams on responsible AI practices and ethical considerations.

Final Recommendation

AI is no longer optional—it’s embedded in modern business. But its power demands responsibility. Adopting ISO/IEC 42001 enables organizations to build AI systems that are secure, ethical, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Managing AI risk effectively isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building systems people can trust.

The Strategic Synergy: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 – A New Era in Governance

The 12–24 Month Timeline Is Logical

Planning AI compliance within the next 12–24 months reflects:

  • The time needed to inventory AI use, assess risk, and integrate policies
  • The emerging maturity of frameworks like ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF, and others
  • The expectation that vendors will demand AI assurance from partners by 2026

Companies not planning to do anything (the 6%) are likely in less regulated sectors or unaware of the pace of change. But even that 6% will feel pressure from insurers, regulators, and B2B customers.

Here are the Top 7 GenAI Security Practices that organizations should adopt to protect their data, users, and reputation when deploying generative AI tools:

1. Data Input Sanitization

  • Why: Prevent leakage of sensitive or confidential data into prompts.
  • How: Strip personally identifiable information (PII), secrets, and proprietary info before sending input to GenAI models.

2. Model Output Filtering

  • Why: Avoid toxic, biased, or misleading content from being released to end users.
  • How: Use automated post-processing filters and human review where necessary to validate output.

3. Access Controls & Authentication

  • Why: Prevent unauthorized use of GenAI systems, especially those integrated with sensitive internal data.
  • How: Enforce least privilege access, strong authentication (MFA), and audit logs for traceability.

4. Prompt Injection Defense

  • Why: Attackers can manipulate model behavior through cleverly crafted prompts.
  • How: Sanitize user input, use system-level guardrails, and test for injection vulnerabilities during development.

5. Data Provenance & Logging

  • Why: Maintain accountability for both input and output for auditing, compliance, and incident response.
  • How: Log inputs, model configurations, and outputs with timestamps and user attribution.

6. Secure Model Hosting & APIs

  • Why: Prevent model theft, abuse, or tampering via insecure infrastructure.
  • How: Use secure APIs (HTTPS, rate limiting), encrypt models at rest/in transit, and monitor for anomalies.

7. Regular Testing and Red-Teaming

  • Why: Proactively identify weaknesses before adversaries exploit them.
  • How: Conduct adversarial testing, red-teaming exercises, and use third-party GenAI security assessment tools.

ISO/IEC 42001:2023, First Edition: Information technology – Artificial intelligence – Management system

ISO 42001 Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS) Implementation Guide: AIMS Framework | AI Security Standards

Businesses leveraging AI should prepare now for a future of increasing regulation.

DISC InfoSec’s earlier post on the AI topic

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 42001 Internal audit or certification process.

NIST: AI/ML Security Still Falls Short

Trust Me – ISO 42001 AI Management System

AI Management System Certification According to the ISO/IEC 42001 Standard

 Adversarial AI Attacks, Mitigations, and Defense Strategies: A cybersecurity professional’s guide to AI attacks, threat modeling, and securing AI with MLSecOps

What You Are Not Told About ChatGPT: Key Insights into the Inner Workings of ChatGPT & How to Get the Most Out of It

Digital Ethics in the Age of AI – Navigating the ethical frontier today and beyond

Artificial intelligence – Ethical, social, and security impacts for the present and the future

“AI Regulation: Global Challenges and Opportunities”

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: AIMS, Governance, ISO 42001

May 12 2025

Historical data on the number of ISO/IEC 27001 certifications by country across the Globe

Category: ISO 27k — disc7 @ 10:03 am

ISO/IEC 27001 certifications by country worldwide reveals significant trends in information security management. Here’s a comprehensive overview based on the latest available information:

Key Insights on ISO/IEC 27001 Certifications Globally

  1. Global Trends:
    • The number of ISO/IEC 27001 certifications has been steadily increasing, reflecting a growing emphasis on information security across various sectors.
    • Countries with robust technology sectors and regulatory frameworks tend to have higher certification numbers.
  2. Top Countries by Certifications:
    • China: Leads the world with the highest number of ISO/IEC 27001 certifications, driven by its vast technology and manufacturing sectors.
    • Japan: Consistently ranks high, showcasing a strong commitment to information security.
    • United Kingdom: A significant player in the certification landscape, particularly in finance and technology.
    • India: Rapid growth in certifications, especially in IT and service industries.
    • Italy: Notable for its increasing number of certifications, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors.

the top ten countries with the most ISO/IEC 27001 certifications based on the latest available data:

RankCountryNumber of Certifications
1China295,501
2Japan20,892
3Italy20,294
4United Kingdom18,717
5Spain14,778
6South Korea13,439
7Germany13,383
8India12,562
9France10,000
10Brazil9,500

  1. Historical Data Overview:
    • The ISO Survey provides annual updates on the number of valid certificates issued for various ISO management standards, including ISO/IEC 27001.
    • Recent reports indicate a steady increase in certifications from 2021 to 2024, with projections suggesting continued growth through 2033.

Notable Statistics from Recent Reports

  • ISO Survey 2022:
    • The report highlighted that over 50,000 ISO/IEC 27001 certificates were issued globally, with significant contributions from the top countries mentioned above.
  • Growth Rate:
    • The annual growth rate of certifications has been approximately 10-15% in recent years, indicating a strong trend towards adopting information security standards.

Resources for Detailed Data

  • ISO Survey: This annual report provides comprehensive statistics on ISO certifications by country and standard.
  • Market Reports: Various market analysis reports offer insights into certification trends and forecasts.
  • Compliance Guides: Websites like ISMS.online provide jurisdiction-specific guides detailing compliance and certification statistics.

The landscape of ISO/IEC 27001 certifications is dynamic, with significant growth observed globally. For the most accurate and detailed historical data, consulting the ISO Survey and specific market reports will be beneficial. If you have a particular country in mind or need more specific data, feel free to ask! 😊

ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Trends in Asia

ISO’s annual surveys show that information-security management (ISO/IEC 27001) certification in Asia has grown strongly over the past decade, led by China, Japan and India. For example, China’s count rose from 8,356 certificates in 2019 (scribd.com) to 26,301 in 2022 (scribd.com) (driven by rapid uptake in large enterprises and government sectors), before dropping to 4,108 in 2023 (when China’s accreditation body did not report data) (oxebridge.com). Japan’s figures were more moderate: 5,245 in 2019, 6,987 in 2022 (scribd.com), and 5,599 in 202 (scribd.com). India’s counts have steadily climbed as well (2,309 in 2019 (scribd.com) to 2,969 in 2022 (scribd.com) and 3,877 in 2023 (scribd.com). Other Asian countries show similar upward trends: for instance, Indonesia grew from 274 certs in 2019 (scribd.com) to 783 in 2023 (scribd.com).

Country20192020202120222023
China8,35612,40318,44626,3014,108
Japan5,2455,6456,5876,9875,599
India2,3092,2262,7752,9693,877
Indonesia274542702822783
Others (Asia)……………

Table: Number of ISO/IEC 27001 certified organizations by country (Asia), year-end totals from ISO surveys (scribd.comscribd.comscribd.com). (China’s 2023 data is low due to missing report (oxebridge.com.)

Top Asian Countries

  • China: Historically the largest ISO/IEC 27001 market in Asia. Its certificate count surged through 2019–22 (scribd.comscribd.com) before the 2023 reporting gap.
  • Japan: Consistently the #2 in Asia. Japan had 5,245 certs in 2019 and ~6,987 by 2022 (scribd.com), dipping to 5,599 in 2023 (scribd.com).
  • India: The #3 Asian country. India grew from 2,309 (2019) (scribd.com) to 2,969 (2022) (scribd.com) and 3,877 (2023) (scribd.com). This reflects strong uptake in IT and financial services.
  • Others: Other notable countries include Indonesia (grew from 274 certs in 2019 to 783 in 2023 (scribd.comscribd.com), Malaysia and Singapore (each a few hundred certs), South Korea (hundreds to low-thousands), Taiwan (700+ certs by 2019) and several Middle Eastern nations (e.g. UAE, Saudi Arabia) that have adopted ISO 27001 in financial/government sectors.

These leading Asian countries typically mirror global trends, but regional factors matter: the huge 2022 jump in China likely reflects aggressive national cybersecurity initiatives. Conversely, the 2023 data distortion underscores how participation (reporting) can affect totals (oxebridge.com).

Sector Adoption

Across Asia, key industries driving ISO/IEC 27001 adoption are those with high information security needs. Market analyses note that IT/telecommunications, banking/finance (BFSI), healthcare and manufacturing are the biggest ISO 27001 markets. In practice, many Asian tech firms, financial institutions and government agencies (plus critical manufacturing exporters) have pursued ISO 27001 to meet regulatory and customer demands. For example, Asia’s financial regulators often encourage ISO 27001 for banks, and major telecom/IT companies in China, India and Japan routinely certify to it. This sectoral demand underpins the regional growth shown above businessresearchinsights.com.

Overall, the ISO data shows a clear upward trend for Asia’s top countries, with China historically leading and countries like India and Japan steadily catching up. The only major recent anomaly was China’s 2023 drop (an ISO survey artifact (oxebridge.com). The chart and table above summarize the year‑by‑year growth for these key countries, highlighting the continued expansion of ISO/IEC 27001 in Asia.

Sources: ISO Annual Survey reports and industry analyses (data as of 2019–2023). The ISO Survey notes that China’s 2023 data were incomplete

Understanding ISO 27001: Your Guide to Information Security

How to Leverage Generative AI for ISO 27001 Implementation

ISO27k Chat bot

If the GenAI chatbot doesn’t provide the answer you’re looking for, what would you expect it to do next?

If you don’t receive a satisfactory answer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us — we’ll use your feedback to help retrain and improve the bot.


The Strategic Synergy: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 – A New Era in Governance

ISO 27001’s Outdated SoA Rule: Time to Move On

ISO 27001 Compliance: Reduce Risks and Drive Business Value

ISO 27001:2022 Risk Management Steps


How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

ISO 27001 certification validates that your ISMS meets recognized security standards and builds trust with customers by demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting information.

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Tags: iso 27001, iso 27001 certification

May 10 2025

Understanding ISO 27001: Your Guide to Information Security

Category: ISO 27k — disc7 @ 9:57 am

🌟 Today, let’s dive into the world of ISO 27001, a crucial standard for anyone or any organization interested in information security. If you’re looking to protect your organization’s data, this is the gold standard you need to know about!

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It was first published in October 2005 and has been updated, with the latest version released in 2022.

Why is it Important?

  1. Risk Management: Helps organizations identify and manage risks to their information.
  2. Compliance: Assists in meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
  3. Trust: Builds confidence with clients and stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to information security.

Key Components

  • Establishing an ISMS: Setting up a framework to manage sensitive information.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly updating and improving security measures.
  • Employee Training: Ensuring everyone in the organization understands their role in maintaining security.

Who Should Consider ISO 27001?

Any organization that handles sensitive information, from small businesses to large corporations, can benefit from ISO 27001. It’s especially relevant for sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology.

In a nutshell, ISO 27001 is all about safeguarding and protecting your information assets and ensuring that your organization is prepared for any security challenges that may arise. So, if you’re serious about protecting your data, this standard is definitely worth considering!

Got any questions about implementing ISO 27001 or how it can benefit your organization? Let’s chat!

Your Quick Guide to ISO 27001 Implementation Steps

Hey there! If you’re diving into the world of information security, you’ve probably heard of ISO 27001. It’s a big deal for organizations looking to protect their data. So, let’s break down the implementation steps in a casual way, shall we?

1. Get Management Buy-In

First things first, you need the support of your top management. This is crucial for securing resources and commitment.

2. Define the Scope

Next, outline what your Information Security Management System (ISMS) will cover. This helps in focusing your efforts.

3. Conduct a Risk Assessment

Identify potential risks to your information assets. This step is all about understanding what you need to protect.

4. Develop a Risk Treatment Plan

Once you know the risks, create a plan to address them. This could involve implementing new controls or improving existing ones.

5. Set Up Policies and Procedures

Document your security policies and procedures. This ensures everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.

6. Implement Controls

Put your risk treatment plan into action by implementing the necessary controls. This is where the rubber meets the road!

7. Train Your Team

Make sure everyone is on the same page. Conduct training sessions to educate your staff about the new policies and procedures.

8. Monitor and Review

Regularly check how well your ISMS is performing. This includes monitoring controls and reviewing policies.

9. Conduct Internal Audits

Schedule audits to ensure compliance with ISO 27001 standards. This helps identify areas for improvement.

10. Management Review

Hold a management review meeting to discuss the audit findings and overall performance of the ISMS.

11. Continuous Improvement

ISO 27001 is all about continuous improvement. Use the insights gained from audits and reviews to enhance your ISMS.

12. Certification

Finally, if you’re aiming for certification, prepare for an external audit. This is the final step to officially becoming ISO 27001 certified!

And there you have it! A quick and easy guide to implementing ISO 27001. Remember, it’s all about protecting your information and continuously improving your processes based on information security risks which align with your business objectives . Got any questions or need more details on a specific step? Just let us know!

How to Leverage Generative AI for ISO 27001 Implementation

ISO27k Chat bot

If the GenAI chatbot doesn’t provide the answer you’re looking for, what would you expect it to do next?

If you don’t receive a satisfactory answer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us — we’ll use your feedback to help retrain and improve the bot.


The Strategic Synergy: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 – A New Era in Governance

ISO 27001’s Outdated SoA Rule: Time to Move On

ISO 27001 Compliance: Reduce Risks and Drive Business Value

ISO 27001:2022 Risk Management Steps


How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

ISO 27001 certification validates that your ISMS meets recognized security standards and builds trust with customers by demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting information.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

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ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

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ISMS and ISO 27k training

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InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: InfoSec guide, iso 27001, iso 27001 certification

May 09 2025

How to Leverage Generative AI for ISO 27001 Implementation

Category: Information Security,ISO 27k — disc7 @ 12:45 pm

DISC’s guide on implementing ISO 27001 using generative AI highlights how AI technologies can streamline the establishment and maintenance of an Information Security Management System (ISMS). By leveraging AI tools, organizations can automate various aspects of the ISO 27001 implementation process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.

AI-powered platforms like DISC InfoSec ISO27k Chatbot serve as intelligent knowledge bases, providing instant answers to queries related to ISO 27001 requirements, control implementations, and documentation. These tools assist in drafting necessary documents such as the Risk assessment and Statement of Applicability, and offer guidance on implementing Annex A controls. Additionally, AI can may facilitate training and awareness programs by generating tailored educational materials, ensuring that all employees are informed about information security practices.

The integration of AI into ISO 27001 implementation not only accelerates the process but also reduces the likelihood of errors, ensuring a more robust and compliant ISMS. By automating routine tasks and providing expert guidance, AI enables organizations to focus on strategic decision-making and continuous improvement in their information security management.

Hey I’m the digital assistance of DISC InfoSec for ISO 27k implementation.

I will try to answer your question. If I don’t know the answer, I will connect you with one my support agents.

Please click the link below to type your query regarding ISO 27001 (ISMS) implementation

ISO27k Chat bot

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If you don’t receive a satisfactory answer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us — we’ll use your feedback to help retrain and improve the bot.

The Strategic Synergy: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 – A New Era in Governance

ISO 27001’s Outdated SoA Rule: Time to Move On

ISO 27001 Compliance: Reduce Risks and Drive Business Value

ISO 27001:2022 Risk Management Steps


How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

ISO 27001 certification validates that your ISMS meets recognized security standards and builds trust with customers by demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting information.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: GenAI, iso 27001

May 05 2025

The Strategic Synergy: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 – A New Era in Governance

Category: AI,ISO 27k — disc7 @ 9:01 am

The Strategic Synergy: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 – A New Era in Governance

After years of working closely with global management standards, it’s deeply inspiring to witness organizations adopting what I believe to be one of the most transformative alliances in modern governance: ISO 27001 and the newly introduced ISO 42001.

ISO 42001, developed for AI Management Systems, was intentionally designed to align with the well-established information security framework of ISO 27001. This alignment wasn’t incidental—it was a deliberate acknowledgment that responsible AI governance cannot exist without a strong foundation of information security.

Together, these two standards create a governance model that is not only comprehensive but essential for the future:

  • ISO 27001 fortifies the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data—ensuring that information is secure and trusted.
  • ISO 42001 builds on that by governing how AI systems use this data—ensuring those systems operate in a transparent, ethical, and accountable manner.

This integration empowers organizations to:

  • Extend trust from data protection to decision-making processes.
  • Safeguard digital assets while promoting responsible AI outcomes.
  • Bridge security, compliance, and ethical innovation under one cohesive framework.

In a world increasingly shaped by AI, the combined application of ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 is not just a best practice—it’s a strategic imperative.

High-level summary of the ISO/IEC 42001 Readiness Checklist

1. Understand the Standard

  • Purchase and study ISO/IEC 42001 and related annexes.
  • Familiarize yourself with AI-specific risks, controls, and life cycle processes.
  • Review complementary ISO standards (e.g., ISO 22989, 31000, 38507).

2. Define AI Governance

  • Create and align AI policies with organizational goals.
  • Assign roles, responsibilities, and allocate resources for AI systems.
  • Establish procedures to assess AI impacts and manage their life cycles.
  • Ensure transparency and communication with stakeholders.

3. Conduct Risk Assessment

  • Identify potential risks: data, security, privacy, ethics, compliance, and reputation.
  • Use Annex C for AI-specific risk scenarios.

4. Develop Documentation and Policies

  • Ensure AI policies are relevant, aligned with broader org policies, and kept up to date.
  • Maintain accessible, centralized documentation.

5. Plan and Implement AIMS (AI Management System)

  • Conduct a gap analysis with input from all departments.
  • Create a step-by-step implementation plan.
  • Deliver training and build monitoring systems.

6. Internal Audit and Management Review

  • Conduct internal audits to evaluate readiness.
  • Use management reviews and feedback to drive improvements.
  • Track and resolve non-conformities.

7. Prepare for and Undergo External Audit

  • Select a certified and reputable audit partner.
  • Hold pre-audit meetings and simulations.
  • Designate a central point of contact for auditors.
  • Address audit findings with action plans.

8. Focus on Continuous Improvement

  • Establish a team to monitor post-certification compliance.
  • Regularly review and enhance the AIMS.
  • Avoid major system changes during initial implementation.

ISO/IEC 42001:2023, First Edition: Information technology – Artificial intelligence – Management system

ISO 42001 Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS) Implementation Guide: AIMS Framework | AI Security Standards

Businesses leveraging AI should prepare now for a future of increasing regulation.

DISC InfoSec’s earlier post on the AI topic

NIST: AI/ML Security Still Falls Short

Trust Me – ISO 42001 AI Management System

AI Management System Certification According to the ISO/IEC 42001 Standard

 Adversarial AI Attacks, Mitigations, and Defense Strategies: A cybersecurity professional’s guide to AI attacks, threat modeling, and securing AI with MLSecOps

What You Are Not Told About ChatGPT: Key Insights into the Inner Workings of ChatGPT & How to Get the Most Out of It

Digital Ethics in the Age of AI – Navigating the ethical frontier today and beyond

Artificial intelligence – Ethical, social, and security impacts for the present and the future

“AI Regulation: Global Challenges and Opportunities”

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

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Tags: AIMS, isms, iso 27001, ISO 42001

May 04 2025

ISO 27001’s Outdated SoA Rule: Time to Move On

Category: Information Security,ISO 27k — disc7 @ 11:54 am

  1. Current Requirement in ISO 27001
    ISO 27001 currently mandates that the SoA must include justifications for both the inclusion and exclusion of each Annex A control. This requirement is often interpreted to mean that organizations must provide individual reasoning for every control listed or omitted.
  2. Guidance from ISO 27005:2022
    ISO 27005:2022 clarifies that only controls identified through risk assessment and treatment planning should be included in the SoA. These controls are selected because they help reduce risk to acceptable levels. The guidance explicitly states that no further justification is necessary for their inclusion.
  3. Exclusion Justification Also Redundant
    By extension, the only valid reason for excluding a control is that it was not identified as necessary in the risk treatment plan. If a control does not mitigate any identified risk, there is no need for it to appear in the SoA, and thus, no detailed justification is required.
  4. Controls Must Be Risk-Driven
    Controls exist to manage or modify risks. Including or excluding them must be directly based on whether they are necessary for risk treatment. Requiring extra justification, separate from the risk assessment, is logically inconsistent with the function of controls within an ISMS.
  5. Recommendation to Remove the Justification Requirement
    Given this risk-based logic, the recommendation is to eliminate the need for detailed justifications of inclusions or exclusions in the SoA. This requirement appears to be an error or legacy clause in ISO 27001 that contradicts more recent guidance.
  6. Alignment with ISO 27005 and Future ISO 27003
    This position aligns with ISO 27005:2022, which supports a simplified, risk-driven approach to the SoA. It is anticipated that the upcoming ISO 27003 update will reinforce this same guidance, helping to resolve the inconsistency across standards.
  7. Practical Experience Supports the Change
    Despite popular belief, individualized justifications are not essential. The author has implemented many ISO 27001-certified ISMSs over the past decade without providing such justifications—and all achieved certification successfully.
  8. Simplified SOA Approach Recommended
    The SOA should only list necessary controls derived from the risk assessment, with no additional rationale needed for inclusion or exclusion. Controls not identified as necessary should simply not be listed, and the SOA should remain tightly aligned with the risk treatment plan.

Source: ISO27001 suggested change 13

ISO 27001 Compliance: Reduce Risks and Drive Business Value

ISO 27001:2022 Risk Management Steps


How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

ISO 27001 certification validates that your ISMS meets recognized security standards and builds trust with customers by demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting information.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: iso 27001, ISO 27001 2022, SoA, Statement of Applicability

May 01 2025

ISO 27001 Compliance: Reduce Risks and Drive Business Value

Category: Information Security,ISO 27k,Security Compliance,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 3:42 pm

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that protects an organization’s information assets. The standard lays out a structured, systematic approach to information security: it explicitly defines requirements that cover people, processes, and technology, and it is built on a risk-based management process. In other words, ISO 27001 requires an organization to identify its critical data and assets, assess the risks to them, and implement controls to mitigate those risks. As the AuditBoard blog explains, ISO 27001 “provid[es] a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information, and ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability,” and “employ[s] a risk-based management process”​. By achieving ISO 27001 certification, a company demonstrates its commitment to security best practices and gains “improved risk management” capabilities​. In practice, this means ISO 27001 embeds risk reduction into the company’s daily operations: the organization is continually considering where its vulnerabilities lie and how to address them. This alignment of policy and process with identified risks helps prevent incidents that could lead to breaches or financial losses (outcomes the blog warns are costly for non-compliant companies​).

A core principle of ISO 27001 is systematic risk assessment. The standard mandates that organizations catalog information assets and regularly evaluate threats and vulnerabilities to those assets. This formal risk assessment process – often codified as a risk register – forces management to confront what could go wrong, estimate the likelihood and impact of each threat, and then select controls to lower that risk. The AuditBoard article highlights that effective compliance “starts with a deep understanding of your organization’s unique risk profile” through “comprehensive risk assessments that identify, analyze, and prioritize potential security threats and vulnerabilities”​. By building this into the ISMS, ISO 27001 ensures that controls are not applied haphazardly but are directly tied to the organization’s actual threat landscape. In short, ISO 27001’s risk-based approach means the organization is proactively scanning for problems, rather than only reacting after a breach occurs. This systematic identification and treatment of risks measurably lowers the chance that a threat will go unnoticed and turn into a serious incident.

Another key principle of ISO 27001 is continual improvement of the security program. ISO 27001 is inherently iterative: it follows the Plan–Do–Check–Act cycle, which requires the organization to plan security controls, implement them, monitor and review their effectiveness, and act on the findings to improve. In practice, this means an ISO 27001–certified organization must regularly review and update its security policies and controls to keep pace with new threats. The AuditBoard blog emphasizes this proactive stance: it notes that maintaining compliance “encourages businesses to regularly review and update their security policies, practices, and systems,” allowing the organization to adapt to evolving threats and maintain “long-term resilience”​. Furthermore, ISO 27001 requires ongoing monitoring and measurement of the ISMS. Automated monitoring tools, for example, can detect anomalies or intrusions in real time. The blog underlines that such continuous monitoring “strengthens an organization’s security posture” by enabling a quick response to new risks​. By continuously detecting issues and feeding back lessons learned, an ISO 27001 ISMS avoids stagnation: it evolves as the threat landscape evolves. This dedication to continual assessment and enhancement means that security controls are always improving, which keeps residual risk as low as possible over time.

ISO 27001 also enforces organizational accountability for security. It requires that top management be directly involved in the ISMS: leaders must establish a clear security policy, assign roles and responsibilities, and ensure adequate resources are available for security. Every risk and control must have an owner. The AuditBoard article reinforces this by stressing the importance of a cross-functional security team and collaboration among IT, legal, HR, and business units​. In an ISO 27001 context, this means everyone from the CISO to line managers shares responsibility for protecting data. Accountability is further ensured through documentation: ISO 27001 demands thorough records of all security processes. The blog points out that maintaining “comprehensive records of risk assessments, security controls, training activities, and incident response efforts” provides clear evidence of compliance and highlights where improvements are needed​. This audit trail makes the organization’s security posture transparent to auditors and stakeholders. In effect, ISO 27001 turns vague good intentions into concrete, assigned tasks and documented procedures, so that it is always possible to trace who did what, and to hold the organization accountable for gaps or successes alike.

By combining these elements – structured risk analysis, continuous improvement, and built-in accountability – ISO 27001 compliance significantly reduces overall organizational risk. The AuditBoard blog summarizes the core idea of compliance in cybersecurity as a security framework that can withstand emerging threats, noting that adherence to standards “ensures that organizations protect their data and build trust by demonstrating their commitment to information security”​. In practical terms, this means a company with an ISO 27001 ISMS is far better equipped to prevent the “significant consequences” of non-compliance – such as data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage​. By embedding a risk-based approach into daily routines and maintaining a culture of vigilance and responsibility, ISO 27001 helps an organization identify issues early and handle them before they become disasters. Ultimately, this strong, systematic compliance posture not only shields sensitive information, but also saves the company from costly incidents – improving its bottom line and competitive standing (as noted, certification can confer a competitive edge and “improved risk management”​). In summary, ISO 27001 reduces risk by making effective information security practices a formal, organization-wide process that is continuously managed and improved.

Source and full article here

ISO 27001:2022 Risk Management Steps


How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: Information Security Management System, iso 27001, iso 27002, ISO/IEC 27001

Apr 29 2025

ISO 27001:2022 Risk Management Steps

Category: Information Security,ISO 27k,Risk Assessment,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 11:08 am

​The document “Step-by-Step Explanation of ISO 27001/ISO 27005 Risk Management” by Advisera Expert Solutions offers a comprehensive guide to implementing effective information security risk management in alignment with ISO 27001 and ISO 27005 standards. It aims to demystify the process, providing practical steps for organizations to identify, assess, and treat information security risks efficiently.​ Advisera

1. Introduction to Risk Management

Risk management is essential for organizations to maintain competitiveness and achieve objectives. It involves identifying, evaluating, and treating risks, particularly those related to information security. The document emphasizes that while risk management can be complex, it doesn’t have to be unnecessarily complicated. By adopting structured methodologies, organizations can manage risks effectively without excessive complexity.​

2. Six Basic Steps of ISO 27001 Risk Assessment and Treatment

The risk management process is broken down into six fundamental steps:​

  1. Risk Assessment Methodology: Establishing consistent rules for conducting risk assessments across the organization.
  2. Risk Assessment Implementation: Identifying potential problems, analyzing, and evaluating risks to determine which need treatment.
  3. Risk Treatment Implementation: Developing cost-effective strategies to mitigate identified risks.
  4. ISMS Risk Assessment Report: Documenting all activities undertaken during the risk assessment process.
  5. Statement of Applicability: Summarizing the results of risk treatment and serving as a key document for auditors.
  6. Risk Treatment Plan: Outlining the implementation of controls, including responsibilities, timelines, and budgets.​

Management approval is crucial for the Risk Treatment Plan to ensure the necessary resources and commitment for implementation.​

3. Crafting the Risk Assessment Methodology

Developing a clear risk assessment methodology is vital. This involves defining how risks will be identified, analyzed, and evaluated. The methodology should ensure consistency and objectivity, allowing for repeatable and comparable assessments. It should also align with the organization’s context, considering its specific needs and risk appetite.​

4. Identifying Risks: Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities

Effective risk identification requires understanding the organization’s assets, potential threats, and vulnerabilities. This step involves creating an inventory of information assets and analyzing how they could be compromised. By mapping threats and vulnerabilities to assets, organizations can pinpoint specific risks that need to be addressed.​

5. Assessing Consequences and Likelihood

Once risks are identified, assessing their potential impact and the likelihood of occurrence is essential. This evaluation helps prioritize risks based on their severity and probability, guiding the organization in focusing its resources on the most significant threats. Both qualitative and quantitative methods can be employed to assess risks effectively.​

6. Implementing Risk Treatment Strategies

After assessing risks, organizations must decide on appropriate treatment strategies. Options include avoiding, transferring, mitigating, or accepting risks. Selecting suitable controls from ISO 27001 Annex A and integrating them into the Risk Treatment Plan ensures that identified risks are managed appropriately. The plan should detail the implementation process, including responsible parties and timelines.​

7. Importance of Documentation and Continuous Improvement

Documentation plays a critical role in the risk management process. The ISMS Risk Assessment Report and Statement of Applicability provide evidence of the organization’s risk management activities and decisions. These documents are essential for audits and ongoing monitoring. Furthermore, risk management should be a continuous process, with regular reviews and updates to adapt to changing threats and organizational contexts.​

By following these structured steps, organizations can establish a robust risk management framework that aligns with ISO 27001 and ISO 27005 standards, enhancing their information security posture and resilience.

Information Security Risk Management for ISO 27001/ISO 27002

How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, and SOC 2.

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: iso 27001, iso 27005, Risk Assessment, Risk management

Apr 26 2025

How Can Organizations Transition to ISO 27001:2022?

Category: ISO 27k — disc7 @ 4:29 pm

The release of ISO 27001:2022 introduces key updates, especially in Annex A, which includes 11 new controls, focusing on areas such as cloud service security, business continuity, and threat intelligence. Organizations must transition to the new version by October 2025. While some existing measures might align with these controls, others, like cloud exit strategies or testing business continuity plans, often need further attention. It’s critical for companies to evaluate their processes against these changes to ensure compliance and enhance their security posture.

For more details, check the full post here.

How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

At DISC InfoSec, we streamline the entire process—guiding you confidently through complex frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2

Here’s how we help:

  • Conduct gap assessments to identify compliance challenges and control maturity
  • Deliver straightforward, practical steps for remediation with assigned responsibility
  • Ensure ongoing guidance to support continued compliance with standard
  • Confirm your security posture through risk assessments and penetration testing

Let’s set up a quick call to explore how we can make your cybersecurity compliance process easier.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

 

Tags: iso 27001, ISO 27001 2022, ISO 27002 2022, Transition to ISO 27001:2022

Apr 11 2025

How to Continuously Enhance Your ISO 27001 ISMS (Clause 10 Explained)

Category: ISO 27k — disc7 @ 12:08 pm

Maintaining an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS) under ISO 27001 necessitates ongoing evaluation and enhancement. Clause 10 of the standard emphasizes the importance of continual improvement to ensure that security measures remain robust and aligned with organizational objectives. This involves regularly monitoring the effectiveness of implemented controls, measuring their performance against set objectives, and making necessary adjustments to address evolving information security risks.

The dynamic nature of information security threats, particularly in the cyber realm, requires organizations to be proactive. Cybercriminals continually develop new tools and methods, making it imperative for organizations to adapt their defenses accordingly. Additionally, as organizations evolve, new risks may emerge, and existing ones may change, underscoring the need for continuous assessment and refinement of security measures.

ISO 27001’s Clause 10.1 mandates organizations to continually improve the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of their ISMS. This can be achieved by identifying opportunities for enhancement during management reviews and through the nonconformity and corrective action processes outlined in Clause 10.2. Regular internal audits and management reviews play a crucial role in this continual improvement cycle. ​

Nonconformities within an ISMS are categorized into three types: major nonconformities, minor nonconformities, and opportunities for improvement (OFIs). Major nonconformities indicate significant failures, such as the absence of a critical process like risk assessment. Minor nonconformities refer to partial compliance with some deficiencies that don’t critically harm the ISMS’s operation. OFIs highlight minor issues that aren’t currently problematic but could become so in the future. Identifying these nonconformities typically occurs through internal audits, monitoring, and analysis of logs or records.

Upon identifying a nonconformity, organizations are required to take corrective actions. This involves reacting to the nonconformity, determining its cause, and implementing measures to prevent its recurrence. The effectiveness of these corrective actions should be reviewed, and all related activities must be documented to demonstrate compliance and facilitate ongoing improvement.

Continual improvement doesn’t necessarily entail significant expenses. Many enhancements can be achieved through regular internal audits, management reviews, and staff engagement. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can maintain an ISMS that effectively addresses current and emerging information security risks, ensuring resilience and compliance with ISO 27001 standards.

ISO 27001 Compliance and Certification

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Security Risk Assessment and ISO 27001 Gap Assessment

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the ISO 27001 Internal audit or certification process.

Successfully completing your ISO 27001 audit confirms that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the required standards and assures your customers of your commitment to security.

Get in touch with us to begin your ISO 27001 audit today.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

DISC InfoSec Previous posts on ISO27k

ISO certification training courses.

ISMS and ISO 27k training

Difference Between Internal and External Audit

InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services

Tags: Clause 10, Continuous Improvement, iso 27001, PDCA

Apr 02 2025

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls Explained

Category: ISO 27k — disc7 @ 9:19 am

​ISO 27001:2022 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), providing a framework for organizations to identify and address information security risks. While clauses 4–10 outline the broader ISMS requirements, Annex A offers a detailed list of 93 security controls categorized into four themes: Organizational, People, Physical, and Technological. This structure differs from the 2013 version, which contained 114 controls across 14 domains.​

The Organizational category comprises 37 controls focusing on policies, procedures, and responsibilities essential for effective information security. These include establishing an information security policy, defining management responsibilities, maintaining contact with authorities, gathering threat intelligence, classifying information, managing identity and access, and overseeing asset management.​

The People category encompasses 8 controls addressing the human element of information security. Key aspects involve conducting pre-employment screening, providing staff awareness training, implementing contracts and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), managing remote working arrangements, and establishing procedures for reporting security events.​

The Physical category contains 14 controls that pertain to securing the physical environment of the ISMS. These controls cover areas such as defining security perimeters and secure areas, enforcing clear desk and screen policies, ensuring the reliability of supporting utilities, securing cabling infrastructure, and maintaining equipment properly.​

The Technological category includes 34 controls related to the digital aspects of information security. This encompasses implementing malware protection, establishing backup procedures, conducting logging and monitoring activities, ensuring network security and segregation, and adhering to secure development and coding practices.​

Selecting appropriate Annex A controls should be based on an organization’s specific risk assessment. After identifying relevant controls, organizations compare them against Annex A to ensure comprehensive risk coverage. Any exclusions of Annex A controls must be justified and documented in the Statement of Applicability (SoA).​

The SoA is a critical document within the ISMS, listing all Annex A controls along with justifications for their inclusion or exclusion and their implementation status. It should also incorporate any additional controls from other frameworks or those developed internally. Maintaining the SoA with version control and regular reviews is essential, as it plays a significant role during certification and surveillance audits conducted by certification bodies.​

Understanding the distinctions between ISO 27001’s Annex A and ISO 27002 is important. While Annex A provides a concise list of controls, ISO 27002 offers detailed implementation guidance for these controls, assisting organizations in effectively applying them within their ISMS.

Reach out to us for a free high-level assessment of your organization against ISO 27002 controls.

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Tags: iso 27001, ISO 27001:2022, iso 27002

Mar 28 2025

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Category: Information Security,Internal Audit,ISO 27k — disc7 @ 2:44 pm

​”Preparing for an ISO Audit: Tips and Best Practices” is a comprehensive guide by AuditCo, published in February 2025, aimed at assisting organizations in effectively preparing for ISO audits. The article outlines several key strategies:​

  1. Understanding ISO Standards: It emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with the specific ISO standards relevant to the organization.​
  2. Conducting a Pre-Audit: The guide recommends performing a self-assessment to identify and address areas of non-compliance before the official audit.​
  3. Organizing Documentation: Ensuring that all pertinent documents, such as policies and records, are well-organized and easily accessible is highlighted as a crucial step.​
  4. Training Employees: Providing staff with training on the audit process and their respective roles is advised to facilitate a smoother audit experience.​
  5. Engaging with Auditors: Establishing open communication with auditors to clarify expectations and address concerns is also recommended.

Additionally, the article suggests best practices like creating an audit checklist, involving top management to demonstrate commitment to compliance, monitoring corrective actions for identified non-conformities, and implementing improvements post-audit to enhance the management system.​

For a detailed exploration of these strategies, you can read the full article

 Full Preparation Plan for an ISO Audit

1.  Understand the ISO Standard :

– Familiarize yourself with the specific ISO standard relevant to your organization (e.g., ISO 27001 for Information Security, ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety).

– Study the standard requirements and guidelines to fully grasp what is expected.

2. Gap Analysis :

– Conduct a thorough gap analysis to compare your current processes and systems against the ISO standard requirements.

– Identify areas that need improvement and document these gaps.

3. Develop an Implementation Plan :

– Create a detailed plan to address the gaps identified in the gap analysis.

– Assign responsibilities to team members, set timelines, and allocate necessary resources.

4. Training and Awareness :

– Train your employees on the ISO standard requirements and the importance of compliance.

– Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities related to the ISO standards.

5. Document Control :

– Develop or update documentation to meet ISO requirements, including policies, procedures, work instructions, and records.

– Implement a document control system to manage and maintain these documents efficiently.

6. Internal Audits :

– Conduct internal audits to evaluate your readiness for the ISO audit.

– Identify non-conformities and take corrective actions to address them.

– Internal audits should closely mimic the external audit process.

7. Management Review :

– Hold a management review meeting to assess the effectiveness of your ISO management system.

– Ensure top management is involved and committed to the process.

8. Pre-Audit Assessment :

– If possible, conduct a pre-audit assessment with an external consultant to get an objective evaluation of your readiness.

– Use the feedback to make any necessary adjustments before the actual audit.

9. Audit Logistics :

– Coordinate with the external auditor to schedule the audit.

– Prepare all necessary documentation and ensure key personnel are available during the audit.

10. Continuous Improvement :

– ISO audits are not a one-time event. Implement a culture of continuous improvement to maintain compliance and enhance your management system.

– Regularly review and update your processes and systems to ensure ongoing compliance.

ISO 27001 INTERNAL AUDITS & DATA PROTECTION: STRENGTHENING COMPLIANCE & SECURITY: A Practical Guide to Conducting Internal Audits and Safeguarding Sensitive Data (ISO 27001:2022)

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Tags: ISO 27001 Internal Audit, ISO Audit Plan

Mar 19 2025

ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Process – Summary

Category: ISO 27k,Risk Assessment,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 8:51 am

The summary covers information security risk assessment, leveraging ISO 27001 for compliance and competitive advantage.

ISO 27001 Risk Management

  1. Risk Assessment Process
    • Identify assets and analyze risks.
    • Assign risk value and assess controls.
    • Implement monitoring, review, and risk mitigation strategies.
  2. Risk Concepts
    • Asset-Based vs. Scenario-Based Risks: Evaluating risk based on critical assets and potential attack scenarios.
    • Threats & Vulnerabilities: Identifying security weaknesses and potential risks (e.g., unauthorized access, data breaches, human error).
  3. Risk Impact & Likelihood
    • Risks are measured based on financial, operational, reputational, and compliance impacts.
    • Likelihood is classified from Highly Unlikely to Highly Likely based on past occurrences.
  4. Risk Treatment Options
    • Tolerate (Accept): Accepting the risk if the cost of mitigation is higher than the impact.
    • Treat (Mitigate): Reducing the risk by implementing controls.
    • Transfer (Share): Outsourcing risk through insurance or third-party agreements.
    • Terminate (Avoid): Eliminating the source of risk.

Risk assessment process details:

The risk assessment process follows a structured approach to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security risks. The key steps include:

  1. Risk Identification
    • Identify information assets (e.g., customer data, financial systems, hardware).
    • Determine potential threats (e.g., cyberattacks, insider threats, physical damage).
    • Identify vulnerabilities (e.g., weak access controls, outdated software, lack of employee training).
  2. Risk Analysis & Valuation
    • Assess the likelihood of a threat exploiting a vulnerability (rated from Highly Unlikely to Highly Likely).
    • Evaluate the impact on financial, operational, reputational, and compliance aspects (from Minimal to Catastrophic).
    • Calculate the risk level based on the combination of likelihood and impact.
  3. Risk Mitigation & Decision Making
    • Assign a risk owner responsible for managing each identified risk.
    • Select appropriate controls (e.g., firewalls, encryption, staff training).
    • Compute the residual risk (risk left after implementing controls).
    • Decide on the risk treatment approach (Accept, Mitigate, Transfer, or Avoid).
  4. Risk Monitoring & Review
    • Establish a reporting frequency to reassess risks periodically.
    • Continuously monitor changes in the threat landscape and update controls as needed.
    • Communicate risk status and treatment effectiveness to stakeholders.

This structured approach ensures organizations can proactively manage risks, comply with regulations, and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.

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Mar 07 2025

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Category: ISO 27k,Risk Assessment,Security controls,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 6:59 am

“The SOA can easily be produced by examining the risk assessment to identify the necessary controls and risk treatment plan to identify those that are planned to be implemented. Only controls identified in the risk assessment can be included in the SOA. Controls cannot be added to the SOA independent of the risk assessment. There should be consistency between the controls necessary to realize selected risk treatment options and the SOA. The SOA can state that the justification for the inclusion of a control is the same for all controls and that they have been identified in the risk assessment as necessary to treat one or more risks to an acceptable level. No further justification for the inclusion of a control is needed for any of the controls.”

This paragraph from ISO 27005 explains the relationship between the Statement of Applicability (SoA) and the risk assessment process in an ISO 27001-based Information Security Management System (ISMS). Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

  1. SoA Derivation from Risk Assessment
    • The SoA must be based on the risk assessment and risk treatment plan.
    • It should only include controls that were identified as necessary during the risk assessment.
    • Organizations cannot arbitrarily add controls to the SoA without a corresponding risk justification.
  2. Consistency with Risk Treatment Plan
    • The SoA must align with the selected risk treatment options.
    • This ensures that the controls listed in the SoA effectively address the identified risks.
  3. Justification for Controls
    • The SoA can state that all controls were chosen because they are necessary for risk treatment.
    • No separate or additional justification is needed for each individual control beyond its necessity in treating risks.

Why This Matters:

  • Ensures a risk-driven approach to control selection.
  • Prevents the arbitrary inclusion of unnecessary controls, which could lead to inefficiencies.
  • Helps in audits and compliance by clearly showing the link between risks, treatments, and controls.

Practical Example of SoA and Risk Assessment Linkage

Scenario:

A company conducts a risk assessment as part of its ISO 27001 implementation and identifies the following risk:

  • Risk: Unauthorized access to sensitive customer data due to weak authentication mechanisms.
  • Risk Level: High
  • Risk Treatment Plan: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

How This Affects the SoA:

  1. Control Selection:
    • The company refers to Annex A of ISO 27001 and identifies Control A.9.4.1 (Use of Secure Authentication Mechanisms) as necessary to mitigate the risk.
    • This control is added to the SoA because the risk assessment identified it as necessary.
  2. Justification in the SoA:
    • The SoA will list A.9.4.1 – Secure Authentication Mechanisms as an included control.
    • The justification can be:
      “This control has been identified as necessary in the risk assessment to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to customer data.”
    • No additional justification is needed because the link to the risk assessment is sufficient.
  3. What Cannot Be Done:
    • The company cannot arbitrarily add a control, such as A.14.2.9 (Protection of Test Data), unless it was identified as necessary in the risk assessment.
    • Adding controls without risk justification would violate ISO 27005’s requirement for consistency.

Key Takeaways:

  • Every control in the SoA must be traceable to a risk.
  • The SoA cannot contain controls that were not justified in the risk assessment.
  • Justification for controls can be standardized, reducing documentation overhead.

This approach ensures that the ISMS remains risk-based, justifiable, and auditable.

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