When devices containing information assets are taken out of an organisation’s premises, they will be exposed to higher risks of damage, loss, destruction, theft, or compromise.
This is because physical security controls implemented within an organisation’s facilities will not be effective, leaving the assets taken off-site vulnerable to threats such as physical risks and unauthorised access by malicious parties.
For example, employees working off-site can take corporate computers containing sensitive information out of business premises, work at a coffee house or a hotel lobby, connect to an insecure public Wi-Fi and leave their devices unattended. All of these present risks to the security, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information hosted on these devices.
Therefore, organisations should ensure that devices taken off-site are kept secure.
Control 7.9 addresses how organisations can maintain the security of off-site devices hosting information assets by establishing and implementing appropriate controls and procedures.
Control 7.9 enables organisations to maintain the security of equipment containing information assets by preventing two specific risks:
Control 7.9 is preventive in nature. It allows organisations to implement appropriate controls and procedures preemptively so that devices removed off an organisation’s premises are afforded the same level of protection provided to devices housed on-site.
| Control Type | Information Security Properties | Cybersecurity Concepts | Operational Capabilities | Security Domains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #Preventive | #Confidentiality #Integrity #Availability | #Protect | #Physical Security #Asset Management | #Protection |
Control 7.9 requires organisations to establish and apply procedures and controls that cover all devices owned by or used on behalf of the organisation. Furthermore, the creation of an asset inventory and upper management’s approval of the use of personal devices is essential to the effective protection of off-site devices.
Therefore, the information security manager should consult with the management and relevant assets owners and should be responsible for the creation, implementation, and maintenance of procedures and measures to maintain the security of devices removed off of corporate premises.
Control 7.9 lists six requirements that organisations should adhere to when designing and implementing measures and guidelines for the protection of assets taken off-site:
Control 7.9 also prescribes requirements for the protection of equipment installed outside of corporate premises permanently.
This equipment may include antennas and ATM’s.
Considering that this equipment may be subject to heightened risks of damage and loss, Control 7.9 requires organisations to take into account the following when protecting this off-site equipment:
Furthermore, Control 7.9 recommends organisations consider controls 6.7 and 8.1 when defining and implementing measures to protect devices and equipment.
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27002:2022/ 7.9 replaces 27002:2013/(11.2.6)
There are three key differences that need to be highlighted:
In comparison to the 2013 version, Control 7.9 in the 2022 version introduces the following two requirements:
In contrast to the 2013 version, Control 7.9 in the 2022 version contains separate guidance on the protection of equipment that is permanently installed in an off-site place.
These may include antennas and ATM’s.
The 2013 version explicitly stated that organisations may prohibit employees from working remotely when it is appropriate to the level of risk identified. The 2022 version, however, does not refer to such a measure.
You can use ISMS.online to manage your ISO 27002 implementation, as it has been designed specifically to assist a company in implementing their information security management system (ISMS) to meet the requirements of ISO 27002.
The platform uses a risk-based approach combined with industry leading best practices and templates to help you identify the risks faced by your organisation and the controls that are needed to manage those risks. This allows you to systematically reduce both your risk exposure and your compliance costs.
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| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control Identifier | ISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control Identifier | Control Name |
|---|---|---|
| 5.7 | New | Threat intelligence |
| 5.23 | New | Information security for use of cloud services |
| 5.30 | New | ICT readiness for business continuity |
| 7.4 | New | Physical security monitoring |
| 8.9 | New | Configuration management |
| 8.10 | New | Information deletion |
| 8.11 | New | Data masking |
| 8.12 | New | Data leakage prevention |
| 8.16 | New | Monitoring activities |
| 8.23 | New | Web filtering |
| 8.28 | New | Secure coding |
| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control Identifier | ISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control Identifier | Control Name |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | 07.1.1 | Screening |
| 6.2 | 07.1.2 | Terms and conditions of employment |
| 6.3 | 07.2.2 | Information security awareness, education and training |
| 6.4 | 07.2.3 | Disciplinary process |
| 6.5 | 07.3.1 | Responsibilities after termination or change of employment |
| 6.6 | 13.2.4 | Confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements |
| 6.7 | 06.2.2 | Remote working |
| 6.8 | 16.1.2, 16.1.3 | Information security event reporting |
| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control Identifier | ISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control Identifier | Control Name |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | 11.1.1 | Physical security perimeters |
| 7.2 | 11.1.2, 11.1.6 | Physical entry |
| 7.3 | 11.1.3 | Securing offices, rooms and facilities |
| 7.4 | New | Physical security monitoring |
| 7.5 | 11.1.4 | Protecting against physical and environmental threats |
| 7.6 | 11.1.5 | Working in secure areas |
| 7.7 | 11.2.9 | Clear desk and clear screen |
| 7.8 | 11.2.1 | Equipment siting and protection |
| 7.9 | 11.2.6 | Security of assets off-premises |
| 7.10 | 08.3.1, 08.3.2, 08.3.3, 11.2.5 | Storage media |
| 7.11 | 11.2.2 | Supporting utilities |
| 7.12 | 11.2.3 | Cabling security |
| 7.13 | 11.2.4 | Equipment maintenance |
| 7.14 | 11.2.7 | Secure disposal or re-use of equipment |
