ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 5.12

General Guidance on ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.12

To successfully implement a robust information classification scheme, organisations ought to take a topical approach, consider each business unit’s specific information needs, and evaluate the level of sensitivity and criticality of the information.

As per Annex A Control 5.12, organisations must evaluate the following seven criteria when implementing a classification scheme:

Establish a Topic-Specific Policy and Address Specific Business Needs

Annex A Control 5.12 of the information security management system refers to Annex A Control 5.1, which pertains to access control. It mandates that organisations adhere to topic-specific policies stipulated in Annex A Control 5.1. Additionally, the classification scheme and levels should consider specific business needs when classifying information assets.

Organisations need to consider their business needs for sharing and using information, as well as the need for the availability of such information. However, classifying an information asset may disrupt critical business functions by restricting access to and use of information.

Therefore, organisations should balance their specific business needs for the availability and use of data and the requirement for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of that information.

Consider Legal Obligations

Specific laws may require organisations to emphasise safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Therefore, legal obligations should be prioritised over the organisation’s internal classification when categorising information assets.

Adopting a risk-based approach and assessing the potential impact of a security breach or compromise on information assets is advisable. This will help prioritise and implement appropriate security measures to mitigate the identified risks.

Every form of information holds a unique significance level to an organisation’s functions and possesses varying degrees of sensitivity depending on the particular circumstances.

When an organisation implements an information classification scheme, it should consider the potential impact that compromising the information’s confidentiality, integrity, or availability could have on the organisation.

For instance, the sensitivity and potential impact of a database containing professional email addresses of qualified leads would be vastly different from that of employees’ health records. Therefore, the organisation should carefully consider the level of protection that each category of information requires and allocate resources accordingly.

Regularly Updating and Reviewing the Classification

Annex A Control 5.12 recognises that information’s value, importance, and level of sensitivity can change over time as the data goes through its life cycle. As a result, organisations need to regularly review their classification of information and make any necessary updates.

ISO 27001 Annex A Control 5.12 pertains to reducing the value and sensitivity of the information to a significant extent.

It is essential to consult with other organisations with you to share information and resolve any disparities.

Each Organisation May Have Distinct Terminology, Levels, and Standards for Their Information Classification Systems

Divergences in information classification between organisations can lead to potential risks when exchanging information assets.

Organisations must collaborate with their counterparts to establish a consensus to ensure uniformity in information classification and consistent interpretation of classification levels to mitigate such risks.

Organisational-Level Consistency

Every department within an organisation must have a shared comprehension of classification levels and protocols to ensure uniformity in classifications across the entire organisation.

Guidance on How to Implement the Classification of Information Scheme

While Annex A 5.12 acknowledges that there is no universally applicable classification system and organisations have the flexibility to establish and define their classification levels, it illustrates an information classification scheme:

• Disclosure causes no harm.
• Disclosure causes minor reputational damage or minor operational impact.
• Disclosure has a significant short-term impact on operations or business objectives.
• Disclosure seriously impacts long-term business objectives or risks the organisation’s survival.

Changes and Differences From ISO 27002:2013

Annex A 8.2.1 in the previous version dealt with the Classification of Information.

While the two versions are quite similar, there are two main differences:

1. Firstly, the previous version did not mention the need for consistency in classification levels when information is shared between organisations. However, ISO 27001:2022 mandates that organisations collaborate with their counterparts to ensure uniformity in information classification and understanding.
2. Secondly, the updated version explicitly requires organisations to develop policies tailored to specific topics. Only a brief reference to access control was made in the older version.

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.

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