ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are complementary standards in the ISO 27000 family. While ISO 27001 defines the requirements for an ISMS, ISO 27002 provides detailed implementation guidance for security controls. Learn how these standards work together to create a comprehensive security framework.When implementing information security management systems, organizations often encounter both ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. While these standards are closely related and part of the same family, they serve different purposes and understanding their relationship is crucial for effective implementation.
This article explores the key differences between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002, how they complement each other, and provides practical guidance on using both standards together to build a robust information security framework.
ISO 27001 is the specification standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It defines the requirements that an organization must meet to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an ISMS. It's the standard against which organizations can be certified.
Key characteristics of ISO 27001:
ISO 27002 is a code of practice that provides detailed guidance on implementing information security controls. It offers best practice recommendations for information security management and is designed to be used alongside ISO 27001.
Key characteristics of ISO 27002:
ISO 27001: Defines the requirements for establishing and maintaining an ISMS. It's about creating a systematic approach to managing information security risks.
ISO 27002: Provides detailed guidance on implementing specific information security controls. It's about the practical application of security measures.
ISO 27001: Contains 10 main clauses covering the management system requirements, plus Annex A with 114 controls organized into 14 categories.
ISO 27002: Contains 14 sections corresponding to the control categories in ISO 27001's Annex A, with detailed implementation guidance for each control.
ISO 27001: Organizations can be certified against this standard by accredited certification bodies.
ISO 27002: Cannot be certified against directly, but its guidance helps organizations meet ISO 27001 requirements.
ISO 27001: High-level requirements and management system elements.
ISO 27002: Detailed, practical guidance on implementing specific controls.
These standards are designed to be used together as a comprehensive information security management approach:
ISO 27001 establishes the management system structure, requiring organizations to:
When organizations select controls from ISO 27001's Annex A, ISO 27002 provides detailed guidance on:
Let's look at how both standards work together for access control:
To effectively use both standards together:
Misconception 1: "ISO 27002 is just a newer version of ISO 27001"
Reality: They are complementary standards designed to work together, not different versions of the same standard.
Misconception 2: "You only need ISO 27001 for certification"
Reality: While only ISO 27001 is certifiable, ISO 27002 provides essential implementation guidance that helps achieve certification.
Misconception 3: "ISO 27002 controls are mandatory"
Reality: ISO 27002 provides guidance on controls; the specific controls to implement are determined by your risk assessment.
ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are designed to work together as a comprehensive information security management approach. ISO 27001 provides the management system framework and requirements, while ISO 27002 offers detailed implementation guidance for security controls.
Organizations that understand how to leverage both standards effectively can build more robust, practical, and certifiable information security management systems. The key is to use ISO 27001 to establish the framework and ISO 27002 to guide the practical implementation of controls.
By combining the systematic approach of ISO 27001 with the practical guidance of ISO 27002, organizations can create information security programs that are both compliant and effective in managing real-world security risks.
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