Understanding the New ISO 27001:2022 Controls and Their Benefits

The new ISO 27001:2022 standard has been updated to include 11 new controls, reflecting the evolving needs of information security management systems (ISMS) in today's digital landscape.

In this article, we will explore each of these new controls and discuss the benefits they bring to organizations seeking to enhance their information security practices.

1. Threat intelligence

• Threat intelligence involves the collection and analysis of information about potential and current threats to an organization's information assets.
• By implementing this control, organizations can proactively identify and mitigate security risks, reducing the likelihood of successful cyber-attacks.

2. Information security for use of cloud services

• This control focuses on securing an organization's use of cloud services, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• By adhering to this control, organizations can ensure that their cloud environments are properly configured and protected, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

3. ICT readiness for business continuity

• ICT readiness for business continuity ensures that an organization's information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is resilient and capable of supporting business operations during disruptions.
• This control helps organizations maintain essential services and recover quickly from incidents, reducing downtime and potential financial losses.

4. Physical security monitoring

• Physical security monitoring involves the surveillance and protection of an organization's physical premises and assets.
• By implementing this control, organizations can prevent unauthorized access to their facilities and protect critical infrastructure, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, and other physical threats.

5. Configuration management

• Configuration management ensures that an organization's IT systems and applications are properly configured and maintained to meet security and operational requirements.
• This control helps organizations minimize vulnerabilities, reduce the risk of misconfigurations, and maintain a consistent and secure IT environment.

6. Information deletion

• Information deletion focuses on the proper disposal of data when it is no longer required.
• By implementing this control, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

7. Data masking

• Data masking involves the process of obscuring sensitive data to protect it from unauthorized access.
• By implementing this control, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure that sensitive information remains confidential, even if it is accessed by unauthorized users.

8. Data leakage prevention

• Data leakage prevention involves the implementation of measures to prevent the unauthorized transmission of sensitive information outside an organization's network.
• By adhering to this control, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and maintain the confidentiality of their information assets.

9. Monitoring activities

• Monitoring activities involves the continuous monitoring of an organization's IT systems and networks to detect and respond to security incidents.
• By implementing this control, organizations can quickly identify and mitigate potential threats, reducing the likelihood of successful cyber-attacks and minimizing the impact of security incidents.

10. Web filtering

• Web filtering involves the restriction of access to certain websites and online content to prevent employees from accessing potentially harmful or inappropriate material.
• By implementing this control, organizations can reduce the risk of malware infections, data breaches, and other security incidents, while also improving employee productivity.

11. Secure coding

• Secure coding involves the implementation of best practices and guidelines for developing secure software applications.
• By adhering to this control, organizations can reduce the likelihood of vulnerabilities in their software, minimizing the risk of successful cyber-attacks and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of their information assets.

The 11 new controls introduced in the ISO 27001:2022 standard reflect the evolving needs of information security management systems in today's digital landscape. By implementing these controls, organizations can enhance their information security practices, reduce the risk of security incidents, and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their information assets.