ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 7.9 Checklist Guide

ISO 27001 A.7.9 Security of Assets Off-Premises Checklist

A.7.9 Security of Assets Off-Premises within ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is essential for ensuring that information and other associated assets remain secure when taken or used outside the organisation’s physical premises.

Protecting these assets is crucial to prevent unauthorised access, loss, or theft. This control includes laptops, mobile devices, storage media, and even paper documents that employees may take off-site for business purposes.

Implementing this control involves addressing common challenges and leveraging specific features and tools to mitigate risks.

Why Should You Comply With Annex A.7.9? Key Aspects and Common Challenges

1. Asset Identification and Classification

Solutions:

• Implement automated asset tracking systems to ensure accurate and real-time updates.
• Use robust classification schemes to categorise assets by sensitivity and criticality.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 8.1 Operational Planning and Control: Implementing and maintaining processes to manage identified risks.
• Clause 7.5 Documented Information: Ensuring proper documentation and control of asset information.

2. Access Control

Solutions:

• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and regular audits to ensure compliance.
• Deploy encryption technologies to protect data on off-premises assets.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 9.1 Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis, and Evaluation: Regularly auditing access controls.
• Clause 8.2 Risk Assessment: Evaluating the risks associated with off-premises assets and applying appropriate controls.

3. Physical Protection

Solutions:

• Provide employees with secure carrying cases and enforce a clear policy on asset handling.
• Conduct regular training sessions on physical security best practices.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 7.2 Competence: Ensuring employees have the necessary skills and knowledge.
• Clause 8.3 Risk Treatment: Applying measures to protect physical assets.

4. Usage Policies

Solutions:

• Regularly review and update policies, and conduct mandatory training sessions.
• Use acknowledgment tracking to confirm that employees have read and understood the policies.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 7.3 Awareness: Making employees aware of information security policies.
• Clause 5.2 Policy: Establishing information security policies aligned with organisational goals.

5. Communication Security

Solutions:

• Implement VPNs and secure communication tools, and regularly monitor remote access activities.
• Use encryption to protect data in transit.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 7.4 Communication: Ensuring secure communication channels.
• Clause 8.2 Risk Assessment: Assessing and managing communication risks.

6. Incident Reporting

Solutions:

• Simplify the reporting process and ensure there are clear, immediate response procedures.
• Establish a dedicated incident response team and conduct regular incident response drills.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 10.1 Continual Improvement: Using incidents to improve security measures.
• Clause 9.2 Internal Audit: Regularly auditing the incident management process.

7. Training and Awareness

Solutions:

• Conduct regular, interactive training sessions and provide ongoing awareness campaigns.
• Use assessments to measure employee understanding and retention of security practices.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 7.2 Competence: Providing necessary training and education.
• Clause 7.3 Awareness: Ensuring ongoing awareness of information security.

8. Monitoring and Review

Solutions:

• Use non-intrusive monitoring tools and establish a regular review schedule.
• Conduct periodic risk assessments to identify new threats and vulnerabilities.

Related ISO 27001 Clauses:

• Clause 9.3 Management Review: Reviewing the effectiveness of the ISMS.
• Clause 9.1 Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis, and Evaluation: Regularly assessing the effectiveness of controls.

By addressing these challenges and implementing robust controls, organisations can mitigate the risks associated with taking assets off-premises, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure even outside the controlled environment of the workplace.

ISMS.online Features for Demonstrating Compliance with A.7.9

• Asset Management:
  • Asset Registry: Maintains a comprehensive inventory of all assets, including those taken off-premises, to ensure accurate tracking and status updates.
  • Labelling System: Helps classify and label assets for easy identification and management.
• Policy Management:
  • Policy Templates: Provides pre-built templates for creating and enforcing policies related to the acceptable use of off-premises assets.
  • Policy Communication: Ensures that all relevant policies are effectively communicated to employees, with acknowledgment tracking to confirm understanding and compliance.
• Incident Management:
  • Incident Tracker: Facilitates the reporting, tracking, and resolution of incidents involving off-premises assets.
  • Workflow and Notifications: Manages incident response processes and ensures timely notifications to relevant stakeholders.
• Training Management:
  • Training Modules: Offers training programmes specifically focused on the security of assets off-premises, including best practices and incident response.
  • Training Tracking: Monitors employee participation in training sessions and tracks their understanding and compliance.
• Communication:
  • Alert System: Sends alerts and reminders about the security protocols for off-premises assets.
  • Notification System: Provides timely updates and notifications regarding any changes in policies or procedures related to off-premises asset security.
• Risk Management:
  • Dynamic Risk Map: Visualises risks associated with off-premises assets and helps in identifying and mitigating these risks.
  • Risk Monitoring: Continuously monitors risks and ensures that the implemented controls remain effective.
• Compliance Management:
  • Regs Database: Maintains a database of regulatory requirements and ensures that off-premises asset management practices are compliant.
  • Compliance Tracking: Monitors compliance with relevant standards and regulations, providing a clear audit trail.

By utilising these ISMS.online features, organisations can effectively demonstrate compliance with A.7.9 Security of Assets Off-Premises, ensuring robust security measures and maintaining the integrity of their information assets even when they are outside the physical office environment.

Detailed Annex A.7.9 Compliance Checklist

Asset Identification and Classification

• Create and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all assets allowed off-premises.
• Classify assets based on sensitivity and criticality.
• Regularly update the asset inventory to reflect current status and location.
• Implement automated tracking systems to monitor asset movements in real-time.

Access Control

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing off-premises assets.
• Ensure all data on off-premises assets is encrypted.
• Conduct regular access control audits to ensure compliance.
• Review and update access control policies periodically.

Physical Protection

• Provide employees with secure carrying cases for off-premises assets.
• Enforce a policy for the physical security of assets, including guidelines for secure storage.
• Educate employees on avoiding leaving assets unattended in public places.
• Monitor compliance with physical protection policies through regular checks.

Usage Policies

• Develop detailed policies for the acceptable use of off-premises assets.
• Communicate usage policies to all employees and obtain acknowledgment of understanding.
• Regularly review and update usage policies to address new risks and scenarios.
• Include specific guidelines for different types of off-premises scenarios.

Communication Security

• Use VPNs to secure remote access to organisational resources.
• Ensure compliance with security policies during remote access.
• Monitor remote access activities to detect and respond to unauthorised access.
• Implement secure communication tools for data transmission.

Incident Reporting

• Establish a clear procedure for reporting lost, stolen, or compromised assets.
• Ensure that all incidents are promptly reported and investigated.
• Maintain records of all reported incidents and actions taken.
• Conduct regular drills and training on incident reporting procedures.

Training and Awareness

• Conduct regular training sessions on the security of off-premises assets.
• Include best practices and incident response procedures in training programmes.
• Monitor and track employee participation and comprehension in training sessions.
• Provide ongoing awareness campaigns to reinforce key security practices.

Monitoring and Review

• Regularly monitor the use of off-premises assets to ensure compliance.
• Use non-intrusive monitoring tools to respect employee privacy.
• Review and update controls based on evolving threats and feedback.
• Establish a regular review schedule to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented controls.

By following this compliance checklist, organisations can ensure that they meet the requirements of A.7.9 Security of Assets Off-Premises, maintaining the security and integrity of their assets even when they are outside the physical office environment.

Every Annex A Control Checklist Table

How ISMS.online Help With A.7.9

Contact ISMS.online today and book a demo to see how our platform can help you secure your off-premises assets and achieve ISO 27001:2022 compliance with ease.

Our expert team is ready to guide you through the powerful tools and features designed to streamline your information security management and keep your data safe.

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