- See ISO 27002:2022 Control 8.24 for more information.
- See ISO 27001:2013 Annex A 10.1.1 for more information.
- See ISO 27001:2013 Annex A 10.1.2 for more information.
Annex A 8.24 Explained: Implementing Secure Cryptographic Controls
When transmitting information between networks and devices, cyber attackers may attempt to steal sensitive data, alter content, imitate senders/recipients to gain unauthorised access, or intercept the exchange.
Cyber criminals may employ man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, intercepting data transmissions and masquerading as the server to get the sender to reveal login credentials. With these credentials, they can gain access to systems and jeopardise sensitive data.
Cryptography, such as encryption, can effectively safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information when in transit.
Cryptographic techniques can keep information assets secure when not in use. They ensure that the data is protected from any unauthorised access or modification.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24 outlines how organisations can create and apply regulations and processes regarding the utilisation of cryptography.
Purpose of ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24 allows organisations to secure the confidentiality, integrity, authenticity and availability of information assets through correct application of cryptography and satisfying the following criteria:
- Business requirements are a must.
- Ensure information security through the implementation of strict requirements.
- Statutory, contractual, and organisational mandates necessitate the usage of cryptography.
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Ownership on Annex A 8.24
Complying with Annex A 8.24 necessitates the implementation of a policy on cryptography, the establishment of an efficient key management process, and the determination of the type of cryptographic technique applicable to the data classification of a given information asset.
The Chief Information Security Officer must be held accountable for setting up proper regulations and protocols regarding cryptographic keys.
General Guidance on ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24 Compliance
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 8.24 stipulates seven requirements organisations must observe when employing cryptographic methods:
- Organisations should have a policy in place regarding the use of cryptography, to maximise its benefits and reduce risks. This policy should also outline general principles of protecting information.
- Organisations must take into account how delicate their information resources are, as well as the information classification level appointed to them, when selecting the type, strength, and quality of the encryption algorithm.
- Organisations ought to utilise cryptographic approaches when transferring info to portable devices, media equipment, or when it is stored thereon.
- Organisations need to tackle any matters connected to key management, like forming and shielding cryptographic keys and having a scheme of data recovery in the event that the keys are missing or vulnerable.
- Organisations should define the roles and responsibilities for the following:
- The rules for using cryptographic techniques must be established and enforced.
- Handling of keys, including their generation.
- The organisation adopts and approves standards encompassing the cryptographic algorithms, cipher strength, and usage practices of cryptography.
- Organisations should consider the potential impact of encryption on the efficacy of the content inspection controls, such as malware detection.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24 emphasises that organisations should consider legal requirements and restrictions that may impact the use of cryptography, including the international transfer of encrypted information.
Organisations should take into consideration liability and continuity of services when they enter into service agreements with external providers of cryptographic services.
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Guidance on Key Management
Organisations must set up and follow secure processes for the generation, storage, fetching, and disposal of cryptographic keys.
Organisations ought to install a solid key management system that features regulations, procedures, and criteria for:
- Generating cryptographic keys for a variety of systems and applications is necessary.
- The issuing and obtaining of public-key certificates.
- Distribute keys to intended receivers, including the procedure of key activation.
- Keys are to be stored securely. Those authorised to access them may do so with the necessary credentials.
- Changing of keys.
- Handling of compromised keys should be taken seriously.
- If keys are compromised or an authorised personnel leaves an organisation, they should be revoked.
- Recovery of lost keys.
- Key backup and archival should be performed regularly.
- Destroying keys.
- Maintain a record of all activities linked to each key.
- Establishing the activation and deactivation dates for keys.
- Accessing keys in response to legal requests.
Finally, it is essential that organisations are aware of the three main risks that this supplementary guidance outlines:
- Secure and private keys ought to be safeguarded against unauthorised usage.
- Protecting equipment used for creating or storing encryption keys should be done with physical security measures.
- Organisations should ensure the validity of their public keys.
What Are the Benefits of Cryptography?
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24 states that cryptography can be used to help organisations attain four information security objectives. These objectives include verifying the authenticity of public keys through public key management processes:
- Cryptography ensures the confidentiality of data, both in transit and when stored, is preserved.
- Digital signatures and authentication codes guarantee information communicated is genuine and reliable.
- Cryptographic methods give assurance that all events or actions taken, including receipt of information, will not be disavowed.
- Authentication through cryptographic methods allows organisations to validate the identity of users seeking access to systems and applications.
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Changes and Differences from ISO 27001:2013
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24 replaces ISO 27001:2013 Annex A 10.1.1 and 10.1.2 in the revised 2022 standard.
The content of the two is nearly the same, though there are some structural modifications.
Whereas the 2013 version had two separate controls, 10.1.1 and 10.1.2, for the use of cryptography, the 2022 version consolidated these into one Annex A Control, 8.24.
Table of All ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls
In the table below you’ll find more information on each individual ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control.
| Annex A Control Type | ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A Identifier | ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Annex A Identifier | Annex A Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.1 |
Annex A 5.1.1 Annex A 5.1.2 |
Policies for Information Security |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.2 | Annex A 6.1.1 | Information Security Roles and Responsibilities |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.3 | Annex A 6.1.2 | Segregation of Duties |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.4 | Annex A 7.2.1 | Management Responsibilities |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.5 | Annex A 6.1.3 | Contact With Authorities |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.6 | Annex A 6.1.4 | Contact With Special Interest Groups |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.7 | NEW | Threat Intelligence |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.8 |
Annex A 6.1.5 Annex A 14.1.1 |
Information Security in Project Management |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.9 |
Annex A 8.1.1 Annex A 8.1.2 |
Inventory of Information and Other Associated Assets |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.10 |
Annex A 8.1.3 Annex A 8.2.3 |
Acceptable Use of Information and Other Associated Assets |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.11 | Annex A 8.1.4 | Return of Assets |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.12 | Annex A 8.2.1 | Classification of Information |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.13 | Annex A 8.2.2 | Labelling of Information |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.14 |
Annex A 13.2.1 Annex A 13.2.2 Annex A 13.2.3 |
Information Transfer |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.15 |
Annex A 9.1.1 Annex A 9.1.2 |
Access Control |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.16 | Annex A 9.2.1 | Identity Management |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.17 |
Annex A 9.2.4 Annex A 9.3.1 Annex A 9.4.3 |
Authentication Information |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.18 |
Annex A 9.2.2 Annex A 9.2.5 Annex A 9.2.6 |
Access Rights |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.19 | Annex A 15.1.1 | Information Security in Supplier Relationships |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.20 | Annex A 15.1.2 | Addressing Information Security Within Supplier Agreements |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.21 | Annex A 15.1.3 | Managing Information Security in the ICT Supply Chain |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.22 |
Annex A 15.2.1 Annex A 15.2.2 |
Monitoring, Review and Change Management of Supplier Services |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.23 | NEW | Information Security for Use of Cloud Services |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.24 | Annex A 16.1.1 | Information Security Incident Management Planning and Preparation |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.25 | Annex A 16.1.4 | Assessment and Decision on Information Security Events |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.26 | Annex A 16.1.5 | Response to Information Security Incidents |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.27 | Annex A 16.1.6 | Learning From Information Security Incidents |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.28 | Annex A 16.1.7 | Collection of Evidence |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.29 |
Annex A 17.1.1 Annex A 17.1.2 Annex A 17.1.3 |
Information Security During Disruption |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.30 | NEW | ICT Readiness for Business Continuity |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.31 |
Annex A 18.1.1 Annex A 18.1.5 |
Legal, Statutory, Regulatory and Contractual Requirements |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.32 | Annex A 18.1.2 | Intellectual Property Rights |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.33 | Annex A 18.1.3 | Protection of Records |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.34 | Annex A 18.1.4 | Privacy and Protection of PII |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.35 | Annex A 18.2.1 | Independent Review of Information Security |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.36 |
Annex A 18.2.2 Annex A 18.2.3 |
Compliance With Policies, Rules and Standards for Information Security |
| Organisational Controls | Annex A 5.37 | Annex A 12.1.1 | Documented Operating Procedures |
| Annex A Control Type | ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A Identifier | ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Annex A Identifier | Annex A Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| People Controls | Annex A 6.1 | Annex A 7.1.1 | Screening |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.2 | Annex A 7.1.2 | Terms and Conditions of Employment |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.3 | Annex A 7.2.2 | Information Security Awareness, Education and Training |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.4 | Annex A 7.2.3 | Disciplinary Process |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.5 | Annex A 7.3.1 | Responsibilities After Termination or Change of Employment |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.6 | Annex A 13.2.4 | Confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreements |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.7 | Annex A 6.2.2 | Remote Working |
| People Controls | Annex A 6.8 |
Annex A 16.1.2 Annex A 16.1.3 |
Information Security Event Reporting |
| Annex A Control Type | ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A Identifier | ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Annex A Identifier | Annex A Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.1 | Annex A 11.1.1 | Physical Security Perimeters |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.2 |
Annex A 11.1.2 Annex A 11.1.6 |
Physical Entry |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.3 | Annex A 11.1.3 | Securing Offices, Rooms and Facilities |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.4 | NEW | Physical Security Monitoring |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.5 | Annex A 11.1.4 | Protecting Against Physical and Environmental Threats |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.6 | Annex A 11.1.5 | Working In Secure Areas |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.7 | Annex A 11.2.9 | Clear Desk and Clear Screen |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.8 | Annex A 11.2.1 | Equipment Siting and Protection |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.9 | Annex A 11.2.6 | Security of Assets Off-Premises |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.10 |
Annex A 8.3.1 Annex A 8.3.2 Annex A 8.3.3 Annex A 11.2.5 |
Storage Media |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.11 | Annex A 11.2.2 | Supporting Utilities |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.12 | Annex A 11.2.3 | Cabling Security |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.13 | Annex A 11.2.4 | Equipment Maintenance |
| Physical Controls | Annex A 7.14 | Annex A 11.2.7 | Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment |
| Annex A Control Type | ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A Identifier | ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Annex A Identifier | Annex A Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.1 |
Annex A 6.2.1 Annex A 11.2.8 |
User Endpoint Devices |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.2 | Annex A 9.2.3 | Privileged Access Rights |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.3 | Annex A 9.4.1 | Information Access Restriction |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.4 | Annex A 9.4.5 | Access to Source Code |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.5 | Annex A 9.4.2 | Secure Authentication |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.6 | Annex A 12.1.3 | Capacity Management |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.7 | Annex A 12.2.1 | Protection Against Malware |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.8 |
Annex A 12.6.1 Annex A 18.2.3 |
Management of Technical Vulnerabilities |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.9 | NEW | Configuration Management |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.10 | NEW | Information Deletion |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.11 | NEW | Data Masking |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.12 | NEW | Data Leakage Prevention |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.13 | Annex A 12.3.1 | Information Backup |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.14 | Annex A 17.2.1 | Redundancy of Information Processing Facilities |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.15 |
Annex A 12.4.1 Annex A 12.4.2 Annex A 12.4.3 |
Logging |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.16 | NEW | Monitoring Activities |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.17 | Annex A 12.4.4 | Clock Synchronization |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.18 | Annex A 9.4.4 | Use of Privileged Utility ProgramsAccess Rights |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.19 |
Annex A 12.5.1 Annex A 12.6.2 |
Installation of Software on Operational Systems |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.20 | Annex A 13.1.1 | Networks Security |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.21 | Annex A 13.1.2 | Security of Network Services |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.22 | Annex A 13.1.3 | Segregation of Networks |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.23 | NEW | Web filtering |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.24 |
Annex A 10.1.1 Annex A 10.1.2 |
Use of Cryptography |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.25 | Annex A 14.2.1 | Secure Development Life Cycle |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.26 |
Annex A 14.1.2 Annex A 14.1.3 |
Application Security Requirements |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.27 | Annex A 14.2.5 | Secure System Architecture and Engineering PrinciplesLearning From Information Security Incidents |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.28 | NEW | Secure Coding |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.29 |
Annex A 14.2.8 Annex A 14.2.9 |
Security Testing in Development and Acceptance |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.30 | Annex A 14.2.7 | Outsourced Development |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.31 |
Annex A 12.1.4 Annex A 14.2.6 |
Separation of Development, Test and Production Environments |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.32 |
Annex A 12.1.2 Annex A 14.2.2 Annex A 14.2.3 Annex A 14.2.4 |
Change Management |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.33 | Annex A 14.3.1 | Test Information |
| Technological Controls | Annex A 8.34 | Annex A 12.7.1 | Protection of Information Systems During Audit Testing |
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