ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.13 Checklist Guide •

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.13 Checklist Guide

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By Max Edwards | Updated 15 August 2024

Using a checklist for A.8.13 Information Backup ensures systematic compliance with ISO 27001:2022, enhancing data integrity, security, and availability. Achieving compliance supports business continuity and safeguards against data loss incidents, fulfilling regulatory requirements and promoting operational resilience.

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ISO 27001 A.8.13 Information Backup Checklist

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 mandates the systematic backup of essential data and software to ensure their protection and availability. This control is crucial for safeguarding organisational data from potential loss due to incidents like hardware failures, cyberattacks, or natural disasters.

Effective backup procedures are vital for maintaining data integrity, security, and availability, supporting business continuity, and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.

Scope of Annex A.8.13

The loss of vital information can have far-reaching consequences, including operational disruption, financial loss, and damage to reputation. A robust and well-structured backup strategy is essential for minimising these risks. This strategy should be comprehensive, covering all critical data and systems, and regularly tested for effectiveness.

Additionally, backups must be secured against unauthorised access and aligned with legal and regulatory standards. The following sections delve into the key aspects of A.8.13, common challenges, practical solutions, and a detailed compliance checklist to help organisations ensure compliance and robust data protection.


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Why Should You Comply With Annex A.8.13? Key Aspects and Common Challenges

1. Backup Strategy:

Challenges:

  • Scope Definition: Identifying all critical data and systems that require backups can be complex, especially in dynamic or large IT environments.
  • Frequency and Retention: Determining optimal backup frequencies and retention periods that balance data availability with storage costs is challenging.

Solutions:

  • Data Classification: Implement a comprehensive data classification process to identify and prioritise critical information for backup.
  • Regular Reviews: Schedule regular reviews and updates of the backup strategy to adapt to changes in the IT environment and business needs.

2. Data Integrity:

Challenges:

  • Verification and Testing: Regularly testing backups to ensure data integrity and restore capabilities can be resource-intensive and disruptive.
  • Corruption Detection: Ensuring backups are free from corruption and that data can be restored accurately requires robust monitoring and validation.

Solutions:

  • Automated Testing: Use automated backup verification processes to streamline testing and reduce disruption.
  • Incremental Testing: Implement incremental testing to minimise the impact on normal operations and ensure ongoing data integrity.

3. Security:

Challenges:

  • Access Control: Managing access to backup data, particularly in diverse IT environments, can be complex.
  • Encryption Management: Proper encryption and key management practices are essential for protecting backup data at rest and in transit.

Solutions:

  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implement RBAC to restrict access to backup data based on user roles and responsibilities.
  • Encryption and Key Management: Use strong encryption for backups and implement rigorous key management practices, including regular key rotation and secure storage.

4. Compliance:

Challenges:

  • Regulatory Complexity: Navigating the complex landscape of legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations related to data backup can be daunting.
  • Audit Readiness: Ensuring continuous compliance and audit readiness requires meticulous documentation and adherence to standardised processes.

Solutions:

  • Legal and Compliance Consultation: Engage with legal and compliance experts to interpret and integrate regulatory requirements into backup processes.
  • Automated Compliance Monitoring: Use automated tools to monitor and maintain compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

5. Documentation:

Challenges:

  • Maintaining Accuracy: Keeping documentation current with the latest backup procedures, technologies, and responsibilities can be challenging.
  • Accessibility: Ensuring documentation is accessible to authorised stakeholders while being secure from unauthorised access is crucial.

Solutions:

  • Centralised Documentation System: Establish a centralised system with version control to ensure accurate, up-to-date documentation of backup procedures.
  • Regular Audits and Reviews: Conduct regular audits and reviews of documentation to ensure its accuracy and relevance.


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ISMS.online Features for Demonstrating Compliance with A.8.13

ISMS.online provides several features that facilitate compliance with A.8.13, ensuring that organisations can effectively manage their backup processes:

  • Policy Management: Policy Templates and Version Control helps in creating, maintaining, and updating backup policies, ensuring they align with ISO 27001 requirements and industry best practices.
  • Incident Management: Incident Tracker and Workflow facilitates the tracking and management of incidents related to data loss or backup failures, ensuring a quick and organised response.
  • Audit Management: Audit Templates and Documentation provides tools to plan and conduct audits of backup procedures, ensuring that they are regularly reviewed and meet compliance standards.
  • Compliance: RegsDatabase and AlertSystem keeps the organisation informed of relevant legal and regulatory requirements related to data backup, ensuring ongoing compliance.
  • Business Continuity: Continuity Plans and Test Schedules integrates backup procedures into broader business continuity plans, ensuring that backups are an integral part of recovery strategies.
  • Asset Management: Asset Registry and Monitoring assists in identifying and managing assets that require backup, ensuring that all critical data is included in the backup plan.
  • Documentation: DocTemplates and Version Control helps maintain up-to-date and accessible documentation of backup procedures, responsibilities, and schedules.

Detailed Annex A.8.13 Compliance Checklist

Backup Strategy:

  • Define the scope of critical data and systems for backup.
  • Establish and document the backup frequency and retention periods.
  • Review and update the backup strategy regularly.
  • Classify data to ensure all critical information is included in the backup plan.

Data Integrity:

  • Implement automated backup verification processes.
  • Conduct regular tests to verify data restore capabilities.
  • Monitor for data corruption and validate backups regularly.
  • Perform incremental testing to reduce operational disruption.

Security:

  • Implement role-based access controls for backup data.
  • Regularly audit and review access permissions.
  • Encrypt backup data at rest and in transit.
  • Manage encryption keys securely and ensure proper usage.

Compliance:

  • Identify relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements for data backups.
  • Engage with legal and compliance experts to interpret requirements.
  • Use automated tools to monitor and maintain compliance.
  • Ensure continuous compliance and readiness for audits with detailed documentation.

Documentation:

  • Maintain a centralised documentation management system.
  • Ensure documentation of backup procedures is up-to-date and accurate.
  • Implement version control for backup documentation.
  • Ensure easy access to documentation for relevant stakeholders while maintaining security.

By following this detailed compliance checklist, organisations can systematically demonstrate adherence to the A.8.13 Information Backup requirements, thereby strengthening their information security management system and ensuring resilience against data loss incidents. This approach not only fulfils regulatory and compliance needs but also supports business continuity and operational integrity.


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Every Annex A Control Checklist Table

ISO 27001 Annex A.5 Control Checklist Table

ISO 27001 Control NumberISO 27001 Control Checklist
Annex A.5.1Policies for Information Security Checklist
Annex A.5.2Information Security Roles and Responsibilities Checklist
Annex A.5.3Segregation of Duties Checklist
Annex A.5.4Management Responsibilities Checklist
Annex A.5.5Contact With Authorities Checklist
Annex A.5.6Contact With Special Interest Groups Checklist
Annex A.5.7Threat Intelligence Checklist
Annex A.5.8Information Security in Project Management Checklist
Annex A.5.9Inventory of Information and Other Associated Assets Checklist
Annex A.5.10Acceptable Use of Information and Other Associated Assets Checklist
Annex A.5.11Return of Assets Checklist
Annex A.5.12Classification of Information Checklist
Annex A.5.13Labelling of Information Checklist
Annex A.5.14Information Transfer Checklist
Annex A.5.15Access Control Checklist
Annex A.5.16Identity Management Checklist
Annex A.5.17Authentication Information Checklist
Annex A.5.18Access Rights Checklist
Annex A.5.19Information Security in Supplier Relationships Checklist
Annex A.5.20Addressing Information Security Within Supplier Agreements Checklist
Annex A.5.21Managing Information Security in the ICT Supply Chain Checklist
Annex A.5.22Monitoring, Review and Change Management of Supplier Services Checklist
Annex A.5.23Information Security for Use of Cloud Services Checklist
Annex A.5.24Information Security Incident Management Planning and Preparation Checklist
Annex A.5.25Assessment and Decision on Information Security Events Checklist
Annex A.5.26Response to Information Security Incidents Checklist
Annex A.5.27Learning From Information Security Incidents Checklist
Annex A.5.28Collection of Evidence Checklist
Annex A.5.29Information Security During Disruption Checklist
Annex A.5.30ICT Readiness for Business Continuity Checklist
Annex A.5.31Legal, Statutory, Regulatory and Contractual Requirements Checklist
Annex A.5.32Intellectual Property Rights Checklist
Annex A.5.33Protection of Records Checklist
Annex A.5.34Privacy and Protection of PII Checklist
Annex A.5.35Independent Review of Information Security Checklist
Annex A.5.36Compliance With Policies, Rules, and Standards for Information Security Checklist
Annex A.5.37Documented Operating Procedures Checklist


ISO 27001 Annex A.6 Control Checklist Table

ISO 27001 Control NumberISO 27001 Control Checklist
Annex A.6.1Screening Checklist
Annex A.6.2Terms and Conditions of Employment Checklist
Annex A.6.3Information Security Awareness, Education and Training Checklist
Annex A.6.4Disciplinary Process Checklist
Annex A.6.5Responsibilities After Termination or Change of Employment Checklist
Annex A.6.6Confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreements Checklist
Annex A.6.7Remote Working Checklist
Annex A.6.8Information Security Event Reporting Checklist


ISO 27001 Annex A.7 Control Checklist Table

ISO 27001 Control NumberISO 27001 Control Checklist
Annex A.7.1Physical Security Perimeters Checklist
Annex A.7.2Physical Entry Checklist
Annex A.7.3Securing Offices, Rooms, and Facilities Checklist
Annex A.7.4Physical Security Monitoring Checklist
Annex A.7.5Protecting Against Physical and Environmental Threats Checklist
Annex A.7.6Working in Secure Areas Checklist
Annex A.7.7Clear Desk and Clear Screen Checklist
Annex A.7.8Equipment Siting and Protection Checklist
Annex A.7.9Security of Assets Off-Premises Checklist
Annex A.7.10Storage Media Checklist
Annex A.7.11Supporting Utilities Checklist
Annex A.7.12Cabling Security Checklist
Annex A.7.13Equipment Maintenance Checklist
Annex A.7.14Secure Disposal or Re-Use of Equipment Checklist


ISO 27001 Annex A.8 Control Checklist Table

ISO 27001 Control NumberISO 27001 Control Checklist
Annex A.8.1User Endpoint Devices Checklist
Annex A.8.2Privileged Access Rights Checklist
Annex A.8.3Information Access Restriction Checklist
Annex A.8.4Access to Source Code Checklist
Annex A.8.5Secure Authentication Checklist
Annex A.8.6Capacity Management Checklist
Annex A.8.7Protection Against Malware Checklist
Annex A.8.8Management of Technical Vulnerabilities Checklist
Annex A.8.9Configuration Management Checklist
Annex A.8.10Information Deletion Checklist
Annex A.8.11Data Masking Checklist
Annex A.8.12Data Leakage Prevention Checklist
Annex A.8.13Information Backup Checklist
Annex A.8.14Redundancy of Information Processing Facilities Checklist
Annex A.8.15Logging Checklist
Annex A.8.16Monitoring Activities Checklist
Annex A.8.17Clock Synchronisation Checklist
Annex A.8.18Use of Privileged Utility Programs Checklist
Annex A.8.19Installation of Software on Operational Systems Checklist
Annex A.8.20Networks Security Checklist
Annex A.8.21Security of Network Services Checklist
Annex A.8.22Segregation of Networks Checklist
Annex A.8.23Web Filtering Checklist
Annex A.8.24Use of Cryptography Checklist
Annex A.8.25Secure Development Life Cycle Checklist
Annex A.8.26Application Security Requirements Checklist
Annex A.8.27Secure System Architecture and Engineering Principles Checklist
Annex A.8.28Secure Coding Checklist
Annex A.8.29Security Testing in Development and Acceptance Checklist
Annex A.8.30Outsourced Development Checklist
Annex A.8.31Separation of Development, Test and Production Environments Checklist
Annex A.8.32Change Management Checklist
Annex A.8.33Test Information Checklist
Annex A.8.34Protection of Information Systems During Audit Testing Checklist


How ISMS.online Help With A.8.13

Ensuring robust information backup practices is essential for protecting your organisation’s critical data and maintaining business continuity. At ISMS.online, we provide comprehensive solutions to help you meet ISO 27001:2022 requirements and safeguard your data against potential threats.

Take the first step towards enhancing your information security management system. Contact ISMS.online today to schedule a personalised demo and see how our platform can simplify your compliance journey, streamline your backup processes, and ensure your organisation’s data is secure and accessible.

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