ISO 27001 Requirements
About ISO 27001 Requirements
Are you looking to obtain ISO 27001 certification for your organization, but don’t know the exact ISO 27001 requirements? If you’re not sure what documents you’ll need to prepare your organization for ISO 27001 certification, this blog will explain everything you’ll need to know.

About ISO 27001
The international standard ISO 27001 defines requirements for the information security management system’s continuous improvement. This internationally recognized standard outlines precise control mechanisms that enterprises can use to secure their customers’ and clients’ personal information from security risks and attacks. Customers will have more faith in your operational procedure and security system when you implement the ISO 27001 requirements.
ISO 27001 Requirements: Documentation
The ISO 27001 requirements do not aim to enforce a general security approach because each organization will encounter unique information security concerns. Instead, ISO 27001 requirements enable you to develop the necessary processes and policies to ensure information security. By proving the existence of these processes and policies, you may demonstrate successful implementation of ISO 27001 requirements.
ISO 27001 requirements include the following documents:
The Scope of the Information Security Management System
This document outlines the types of operations for which your Information Security Management System (ISMS) will be used, as well as the restrictions that will be imposed to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
This will entail outlining the types of products and services offered by your company, as well as where they are offered (regionally/across Canada/across North America/around the world).
Establishing the ISO 27001 requirements will require you to specify which portions of your company will be covered by the ISMS. Processes, venues, departments, divisions, and so on will be included.
Policy and Objectives for Information Security
To meet ISO 27001 requirements, your Information Security Policy serves as a declaration that your company’s objective is to handle data in a secure manner that conforms with all applicable laws and ethical obligations while also demonstrating a commitment to continuous development.
Methodologies for Risk Assessment and Treatment
This document outlines how you identify information security concerns, as well as how you plan to mitigate those risks and resolve them when they arise in order to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Applicability Statement
This document describes why you will use which of the 114 information security controls listed in Annex A of ISO 27001. To meet ISO 27001 requirements, you need to:
- Identify which controls apply to your organisation
- Why they apply
- How they’ve been implemented
- Explain why any controls weren’t chosen (known as exclusions).
Treatment Strategy for Risks
Once you’ve decided which controls to use, your Risk Treatment Plan lays out the following ISO 27001 requirements:
- How you’ll put the controls in place that pertain to your company
- Who will be in charge of implementation
- What resources will be needed
- How much time will be required
Define Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of each job involved in information security are outlined in this document to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Assets are Inventoried
Any asset that is used for data storage must be documented as per ISO 27001 requirements. Desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, phones, and tablets, as well as physical papers, financial data, email systems, and cloud computing services, are all included to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Asset Use that is Acceptable
Because the assets you identified in your inventory handle sensitive data, they must be handled with care. Establishing approved use clarifies how all permanent and temporary workers, as well as contractors, are permitted to use a device in order to ensure information security and to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Policy on Access Control
The policy will assist your organization in ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to those who need it.
IT Management Operating Procedures
For areas of the organization where sensitive information is in danger due to faulty IT equipment use, documented processes should be considered. Your risk assessments should identify these areas as per ISO 27001 requirements.
Principles of Secure System Engineering
Secure engineering discusses how you will apply security to new IT projects or current infrastructure to meet ISO 27001 requirements. This security includes catastrophe preparation and business continuity, in addition to firewalls and secure passwords.
Security Policy for Suppliers
It’s pointless to set up security around sensitive data if a supplier’s security weaknesses expose that data to theft or destruction. As a result, it’s critical to set a policy for supplier information security to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Procedure for Dealing with Incidents
There must be documented protocols in place that spell out how your company will respond in the event of an information security breach to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Procedures for Ensuring Business Continuity
To ensure you meet ISO 27001 requirements, your company requires defined procedures to ensure that it can keep operating in the event of a data security breach.
Contractual, legal, and regulatory obligations
All three of these types of criteria will apply to the way you manage information, and this document not only displays your understanding of them but also serves as a quick reference guide for any staff to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Training, skills, experience, and qualifications records
This document will indicate that each employee has the necessary degree of expertise to understand ISO 27001 requirements. It also shows that your company takes data security seriously and strives for continuous development by demonstrating the continuing training and experience that your staff obtains.
The Internal Audit and Outcome
An internal audit is an important part of ISO 27001 requirements since it evaluates not only the effectiveness of the system but also the overall performance of your company in terms of information security. These audits also assist you in demonstrating your compliance with ISO 27001 requirements. Any non-conformities in your information security processes and activities, as well as the steps you took, as a result, must be documented to meet ISO 27001 requirements.
ISO 27001 Certification
Don’t worry, you don’t need all of these documents to meet ISO 27001 requirements. It’s more crucial to be willing to put these processes and policies in place in order to strengthen your company’s information security and to successfully implement ISO 27001 requirements.
A visit from an external auditor from a certification body is the first step towards obtaining ISO 27001 certification for your company. They’ll evaluate ISO 27001 requirements and find any gaps in your current processes that need to be filled. Then you can take the time you need to make the necessary modifications before the auditor comes back for a second assessment to ensure that all of the changes have been made. Your organization will be awarded ISO 27001 certification after meeting all of the ISO 27001 requirements.
Contact IAS today to learn more about ISO 27001 requirements, or visit our ISO 27001 requirements frequently asked questions page!

