Skip to content

Ensuring Secure Development: ISO 27001 Annex A 8.29 Security Testing Explained

Cyber criminals are continually devising novel methods and enhancing their tactics to breach corporate networks and acquire access to confidential data.

Cyber criminals could exploit a flaw connected to the authentication process in the source code to breach networks. Additionally, they may try and persuade end-users on the client side to do things that would allow them to gain access to data, infiltrate networks, or execute ransomware attacks.

If an application, software or IT system is deployed with vulnerabilities, this would put sensitive information at risk of being compromised.

Organisations ought to set up and execute an appropriate security testing process in order to identify and address any vulnerabilities in IT systems before they are deployed into the real world.

Purpose of ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.29

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 8.29 allows organisations to ensure that all security requirements are met when new applications, databases, software, or code are implemented. This is done by creating and following a thorough security testing process.

Organisations can identify and remove potential weaknesses in their code, networks, servers, applications, and other IT systems prior to implementation in the real world.

Ownership of Annex A 8.29

The Information Security Officer should ensure that ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 8.29 is met, requiring the establishment, maintenance and implementation of a security testing procedure that covers all new information systems, regardless of whether they are created internally or by third parties.




ISMS.online gives you an 81% Headstart from the moment you log on

ISO 27001 made easy

We’ve done the hard work for you, giving you an 81% Headstart from the moment you log on. All you have to do is fill in the blanks.




General Guidance on ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.29 Compliance

Organisations should incorporate security testing into the testing process for all systems, guaranteeing that all new information systems, as well as their new/updated versions, satisfy information security requirements when they are in the production environment.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 8.29 outlines three elements as essential components of security testing:

  1. Ensure security through user authentication in accordance with ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.5, access restriction in accordance with ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.3, and cryptography as per ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.24.
  2. Ensure that code is securely written in adherence to the ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.28.
  3. Ensure configurations meet the requirements outlined in Annex A 8.9, 8.20, and 8.22, which may involve firewalls and operating systems.

What Should a Test Plan Include?

When devising security testing plans, organisations should consider the urgency and character of the information system involved.

This security testing plan should incorporate the following elements:

  • Form a comprehensive agenda for the undertakings and the tests to be undertaken.
  • Expected outcomes when certain conditions are met include both inputs and outputs.
  • Criteria for assessing the outcomes must be established.
  • Once the results have been obtained, decisions as to what action should be taken can be made.

In-House Development

The in-house development team ought to conduct the initial security testing to guarantee the IT system adheres to security specifications.

A first round of testing should be carried out, followed by independent acceptance testing in line with ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8.

Regarding in-house development, the following should be taken into account:

  • Conducting code reviews to identify and address security issues, encompassing anticipated inputs and situations.
  • Performing vulnerability scans in order to identify insecure settings and other potential weaknesses.
  • Performing penetration tests to identify weak coding and design.

Outsourcing

Organisations ought to adhere to a rigorous acquisition procedure when they delegate development or purchase IT elements from external sources.

Organisations should enter into a contract with their suppliers that meets the information security criteria laid out in ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.20.

Organisations should guarantee that the goods and services they acquire are in line with the security standards for information security.

Supplementary Guidance on ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.29

Organisations can generate several test environments to undertake a range of tests, including functional, non-functional, and performance ones. They can create virtual test environments, configure them to test IT systems in different operational settings, and refine them accordingly.

Annex A 8.29 emphasises the need for effective security testing, which necessitates organisations to test and oversee the testing environments, tools, and technologies.

Organisations should consider the level of sensitivity and importance when deciding how many layers of meta-testing to employ.




climbing

Embed, expand and scale your compliance, without the mess. IO gives you the resilience and confidence to grow securely.




Changes and Differences from ISO 27001:2013

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.29 replaces ISO 27001:2013 Annex A 14.2.8 and 14.2.9 in the newest revision.

Structural Changes

ISO 27001:2022 consolidates secure testing into one control, as opposed to ISO 27001:2013, which referred to secure testing in two different controls; System Security Testing (Annex A 14.2.8) and System Acceptance Testing (Annex A 14.2.9).

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.29 Brings More Comprehensive Requirements

In contrast to ISO 27001:2013, the ISO 27001:2022 revision contains more comprehensive requirements and advice on:

  • A security testing plan that should include a variety of elements.
  • Criteria for assessing security when developing IT systems in-house.
  • What should be included in the security testing process.
  • Utilising multiple test environments is essential. It ensures thoroughness and accuracy in the process.

ISO 27001:2013 Was More Detailed in Relation to Acceptance Testing

Contrary to ISO 27001:2022, ISO 27001:2013 was more detailed regarding system acceptance testing. It included security testing for incoming components and the utilisation of automated tools.

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.

ISO 27001:2022 Organisational Controls
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
ISO 27001:2022 People Controls
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
ISO 27001:2022 Physical Controls
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
ISO 27001:2022 Technological Controls
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

How ISMS.online Help

ISMS.online simplifies the ISO 27001:2022 implementation process through a sophisticated cloud-based framework, which supplies documentation of information security management system processes and checklists to ensure compatibility with accepted standards.

Contact us to arrange a demonstration.


John Whiting

John is Head of Product Marketing at ISMS.online. With over a decade of experience working in startups and technology, John is dedicated to shaping compelling narratives around our offerings at ISMS.online ensuring we stay up to date with the ever-evolving information security landscape.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Controls

Organisational Controls