Finding Out What Makes ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 Different in Terms of Information Security Standards
There are two standards that are often talked about in the field of computer security management: ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. Both are part of the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards, but they are used for different things and are different in other ways. This piece aims to take the mystery out of these standards by pointing out their main differences and showing how they work together to make a strong framework for information security.
Figuring out ISO 27001
The most important standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) is ISO/IEC 27001, which people just call “ISO 27001.” Organizations can use it as a guide to create, adopt, manage, and keep improving their ISMS. The standard takes a step-by-step method to creating, deploying, running, watching, reviewing, managing, and making an organization’s ISMS better.
Important parts of ISO 27001:
Certification Standard: ISO 27001 is a certifiable standard, which means that companies can be checked to see if they follow it and get a certificate if they do.
Management System Focus: It lists the needs for an ISMS, with more attention paid to the management system as a whole than to specific security rules.
Risk-Based method: ISO 27001 uses a risk-based method to information security and requires businesses to find, evaluate, and deal with information security threats.
Continuous Improvement: The standard includes the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, which encourages the ISMS to keep getting better.
necessary Clauses: In order to get certified, organizations must follow ISO 27001’s necessary clauses (4–10).
Annex A: While not required, Annex A of ISO 27001 gives organizations a choice of control goals and controls based on how much risk they think they are willing to take.
How to Understand ISO 27002
ISO/IEC 27002, which is more commonly known as ISO 27002, is a set of rules for how to keep information safe. It tells you in great detail how to put the security rules in Annex A of ISO 27001 into action.
Important parts of ISO 27002:
Guidance Document: ISO 27002 is not a certification standard like ISO 27001, but rather a set of rules and best practices.
Control-Focused: It goes into great detail about how to set up certain protection settings.
Implementation that is flexible: Businesses can use rules from ISO 27002 without putting in place a full ISMS.
Wide Range of Topics: ISO 27002 addresses many areas of information security, such as physical security, human resource security, access control, and more.
Regular Updates: The standard is changed on a regular basis to keep up with new technologies and threats.
What Makes ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 Different
Goals and Range
ISO 27001:
Describes the steps needed to set up and keep an ISMS; offers a complete method for managing information security
Describes the general management method and how it works.
ISO 27002:
Provides full instructions on how to set up security controls
Refers to best practice security controls for choosing and putting them in place
focuses on how information security works on a practical level
Building and Content
ISO 27001:
There are 10 main sections (0–10) and Annex A.
Clauses 4–10 must be included for approval.
There is a list of control goals and limits in Annex A.
ISO 27002:
Set up into domains, with a set of settings in each one
Gives instructions on how to implement each rule
It has more cases and descriptions than ISO 27001’s Annex A.
Getting certified
ISO 27001:
In line with this guideline, organizations can get certification.
For certification, sections 4–10 must be followed, and Annex A rules must be put in place correctly.
ISO 27002:
Not a measure that can be verified
Used as a guide for putting controls in place
Methods for Managing Risk
ISO 27001:
needs an organized process for risk assessment and risk treatment
Risk treatment plans must be made by organizations.
ISO 27002:
does not clearly need a risk assessment
gives advice on limits that can be used to lower risks that have been found.
Required vs. Not required
ISO 27001:
Clauses 4–10 must be followed in order to be certified. Organizations must explain any exceptions to Annex A rules.
ISO 27002:
All advice isn’t required and can be used or not used depending on the needs of the company.
Sum of the Details
ISO 27001:
Gives an overall picture of what needs to be done
This article is about the “what” of computer security management.
ISO 27002:
Provides full instructions on how to set up controls
focuses on the “how” of putting computer protection in place
Audience
ISO 27001:
Mostly for managers and people in charge of keeping an eye on the ISMS
ISO 27002:
Designed for professionals and people who work closely with putting security rules in place
The Ways That ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 Work Together
Even though they are different, ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are made to work together:
Framework and Implementation: ISO 27001 gives you the overall framework, and ISO 27002 tells you exactly how to put certain controls into action.
Risk Assessment and Control Choice: ISO 27001 is used by organizations to do risk assessments, and ISO 27002 is used to help them choose the right controls to put in place.
Compliance and Best Practices: ISO 27001 makes sure that a company follows a well-known standard, and ISO 27002 helps them use the best practices in their field.
Management System and practical advice: ISO 27001 is about the management system, and ISO 27002 is for security professionals who need practical advice.
Which ISO 27001 or ISO 27002 Should You Choose?
Whether a company should focus on ISO 27001 or ISO 27002 depends on its goals:
ISO 27001 is the main standard that companies should follow if they want to get official approval and a full ISMS.
ISO 27002 is a good resource for people who want to improve their information security without necessarily going for approval.
A lot of businesses use both standards. ISO 27001 is used for implementing and certifying an ISMS as a whole, and ISO 27002 is used for more specific instructions on how to apply controls.
In conclusion
Organizations that want to improve their information security must understand the differences between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. ISO 27002 gives detailed instructions on how to put security controls in place, while ISO 27001 gives the framework for creating and keeping an ISMS. These standards, when put together, make up an all-encompassing method for managing information security, which helps businesses keep their important data safe.
Companies can create a strong, risk-based information security plan that meets licensing requirements and is also in line with best practices in the industry by using both standards in the right way. The relationship between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 is still a key part of making sure that information systems are safe and reliable, even as the digital world changes.