ISO 27002:2022, Control 8.23 – Web Filtering

ISO 27002:2022 Revised Controls

Book a demo

close up,of,male,hands,using,laptop,at,office,,man's,hands

If employees visit websites with malicious content, this may expose corporate networks and information systems to security risks such as malware attacks.

For example, cyber attackers may send a phishing email to an employee’s work email, persuade him to click on a link, and visit a website. When the employee visits this website, they may automatically upload malware on the employee’s device and then infiltrate into corporate networks. This type of attack is called drive-by download and it automatically downloads malware once an employee visits a website.

Therefore, organisations should put in place appropriate web filtering controls to restrict and control access to external websites and prevent security threats.

Purpose of Control 8.23

Control 8.23 enables organisations to eliminate security risks such as malware infection that may arise as a result of access to external websites with malicious content.

Attributes Table

Control 8.23 is a preventive type of control that requires organisations to put in place appropriate access controls and measures to prevent access to malicious content on external websites.

Control Type Information Security PropertiesCybersecurity Concepts Operational CapabilitiesSecurity Domains
#Preventive#Confidentiality
#Integrity
#Availability
#Protect#System and Network Security#Protection
Get a Headstart on ISO 27001
  • All updated with the 2022 control set
  • Make 81% progress from the minute you log in
  • Simple and easy to use
Book your demo
img

Ownership of Control 8.23

Considering that 8.28 involves identification of high-risk external websites and design and implementation of appropriate access and web filtering controls, the chief information security officer should be responsible to take appropriate steps for compliance.

General Guidance on Compliance

Organisations should establish and implement necessary controls to prevent employees from accessing external websites that may contain viruses, phishing materials, or other types of illegal information.

One effective technique to prevent access to dangerous external websites is blocking the IP address or domain of websites identified as dangerous. For instance, some browsers and anti-malware tools enable organisations to do this automatically.

Control 8.23 notes that organisations should determine which types of websites should not be accessed by employees.

In particular, the following types of websites should be blocked:

  • Websites with information upload functionality. Access should be subject to permission and should only be granted for valid business reasons.
  • Websites that are known or suspected to contain malicious material, such as websites with malware content.
  • Command and control servers.
  • Malicious websites obtained from threat intelligence. Organisations should refer to Control 5.7 for more details.
  • Websites distributing illegal content and materials.

Before designing and implementing this Control, organisations are advised to put in place rules for safe and appropriate access to and use of online resources. This should also include imposing restrictions on websites that contain inappropriate materials.

These rules should be reviewed and updated at regular intervals.

Supplementary Guidance on Staff Training

Control 8.23 requires that all staff should be provided with training on how to access and use online resources safely.

This training should cover the organisation’s own rules and should address how staff can raise his/her security concerns by contacting the relevant individual within the organisation.

Furthermore, training should also address how staff can access restricted websites for valid business reasons and how this exception process works for such access.

Last but not the least, training should address browser advisory that warns users that a website is not secure but that permits users to proceed. Staff should be instructed not to ignore such warnings.

Get a Headstart
on ISO 27002

The only compliance
solution you need
Book your demo

Updated for ISO 27001 2022
  • 81% of the work done for you
  • Assured Results Method for certification success
  • Save time, money and hassle
Book your demo
img

Supplementary Guidance on Control 8.23

There is a variety of web filtering techniques such as:

  • Heuristics.
  • Signatures.
  • List of prohibited and acceptable websites.
  • Domain configuration.

Changes and Differences from ISO 27002:2013

27002:2022/8.23 is a new type of control.

How ISMS.online Helps

You can monitor and manage all aspects of your ISO 27002 compliance journey from one place – audit management, gap analysis, training management, risk assessment etc.

It provides an easy-to-use, integrated solution that can be accessed on a 24/7 basis via any device with an internet connection. The platform allows all employees to work together seamlessly and securely to manage security risks and track the organisation’s compliance, as well as the journey towards ISO 27001 certification.

Get in touch today to book a demo.

Are you ready for
the new ISO 27002

We’ll give you an 81% headstart
from the moment you log in
Book your demo

New Controls

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control IdentifierISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control IdentifierControl Name
5.7NewThreat intelligence
5.23NewInformation security for use of cloud services
5.30NewICT readiness for business continuity
7.4NewPhysical security monitoring
8.9NewConfiguration management
8.10NewInformation deletion
8.11NewData masking
8.12NewData leakage prevention
8.16NewMonitoring activities
8.23NewWeb filtering
8.28NewSecure coding

Organisational Controls

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control IdentifierISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control IdentifierControl Name
5.105.1.1, 05.1.2Policies for information security
5.206.1.1Information security roles and responsibilities
5.306.1.2Segregation of duties
5.407.2.1Management responsibilities
5.506.1.3Contact with authorities
5.606.1.4Contact with special interest groups
5.7NewThreat intelligence
5.806.1.5, 14.1.1Information security in project management
5.908.1.1, 08.1.2Inventory of information and other associated assets
5.1008.1.3, 08.2.3Acceptable use of information and other associated assets
5.1108.1.4Return of assets
5.12 08.2.1Classification of information
5.1308.2.2Labelling of information
5.1413.2.1, 13.2.2, 13.2.3Information transfer
5.1509.1.1, 09.1.2Access control
5.1609.2.1Identity management
5.17 09.2.4, 09.3.1, 09.4.3Authentication information
5.1809.2.2, 09.2.5, 09.2.6Access rights
5.1915.1.1Information security in supplier relationships
5.2015.1.2Addressing information security within supplier agreements
5.2115.1.3Managing information security in the ICT supply chain
5.2215.2.1, 15.2.2Monitoring, review and change management of supplier services
5.23NewInformation security for use of cloud services
5.2416.1.1Information security incident management planning and preparation
5.2516.1.4Assessment and decision on information security events
5.2616.1.5Response to information security incidents
5.2716.1.6Learning from information security incidents
5.2816.1.7Collection of evidence
5.2917.1.1, 17.1.2, 17.1.3Information security during disruption
5.30NewICT readiness for business continuity
5.3118.1.1, 18.1.5Legal, statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements
5.3218.1.2Intellectual property rights
5.3318.1.3Protection of records
5.3418.1.4Privacy and protection of PII
5.3518.2.1Independent review of information security
5.3618.2.2, 18.2.3Compliance with policies, rules and standards for information security
5.3712.1.1Documented operating procedures

People Controls

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control IdentifierISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control IdentifierControl Name
6.107.1.1Screening
6.207.1.2Terms and conditions of employment
6.307.2.2Information security awareness, education and training
6.407.2.3Disciplinary process
6.507.3.1Responsibilities after termination or change of employment
6.613.2.4Confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements
6.706.2.2Remote working
6.816.1.2, 16.1.3Information security event reporting

Physical Controls

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control IdentifierISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control IdentifierControl Name
7.111.1.1Physical security perimeters
7.211.1.2, 11.1.6Physical entry
7.311.1.3Securing offices, rooms and facilities
7.4NewPhysical security monitoring
7.511.1.4Protecting against physical and environmental threats
7.611.1.5Working in secure areas
7.711.2.9Clear desk and clear screen
7.811.2.1Equipment siting and protection
7.911.2.6Security of assets off-premises
7.1008.3.1, 08.3.2, 08.3.3, 11.2.5Storage media
7.1111.2.2Supporting utilities
7.1211.2.3Cabling security
7.1311.2.4Equipment maintenance
7.1411.2.7Secure disposal or re-use of equipment

Technological Controls

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control IdentifierISO/IEC 27002:2013 Control IdentifierControl Name
8.106.2.1, 11.2.8User endpoint devices
8.209.2.3Privileged access rights
8.309.4.1Information access restriction
8.409.4.5Access to source code
8.509.4.2Secure authentication
8.612.1.3Capacity management
8.712.2.1Protection against malware
8.812.6.1, 18.2.3Management of technical vulnerabilities
8.9NewConfiguration management
8.10NewInformation deletion
8.11NewData masking
8.12NewData leakage prevention
8.1312.3.1Information backup
8.1417.2.1Redundancy of information processing facilities
8.1512.4.1, 12.4.2, 12.4.3Logging
8.16NewMonitoring activities
8.1712.4.4Clock synchronization
8.1809.4.4Use of privileged utility programs
8.1912.5.1, 12.6.2Installation of software on operational systems
8.2013.1.1Networks security
8.2113.1.2Security of network services
8.2213.1.3Segregation of networks
8.23NewWeb filtering
8.2410.1.1, 10.1.2Use of cryptography
8.2514.2.1Secure development life cycle
8.2614.1.2, 14.1.3Application security requirements
8.2714.2.5Secure system architecture and engineering principles
8.28NewSecure coding
8.2914.2.8, 14.2.9Security testing in development and acceptance
8.3014.2.7Outsourced development
8.3112.1.4, 14.2.6Separation of development, test and production environments
8.3212.1.2, 14.2.2, 14.2.3, 14.2.4Change management
8.3314.3.1Test information
8.3412.7.1Protection of information systems during audit testing
Simple. Secure. Sustainable.

See our platform in action with a tailored hands-on session based on your needs and goals.

Book your demo
img

Explore ISMS.online's platform with a self-guided tour - Start Now