Understanding the Key Variations: ISO 27001 vs. ISO 27002
Two standards often surface in information security management conversations: ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. Although these criteria are closely linked and often employed in concert, they have diverse uses and distinctive traits. This paper attempts to describe the main differences between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 thereby enabling companies to better use these standards for enhanced information security.
ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 Overview
Let us first quickly review every criterion before exploring their variations:
ISO 27001
The international standard ISO 27001 offers criteria for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a structure for companies to set, apply, run, track, manage, and always enhance an ISMS.
ISO 27002:
Contrarily, ISO 27002 is an information security control code of practice. For use by anyone in charge of starting, running, or maintaining an ISMS, it offers best practice suggestions on information security management.
Main Variations Between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002
- Goals and
Area of Coverage
*ISO 27001:**
offers a structure for building an ISMS
Specifies criteria for running, maintaining, and always improving an ISMS.
focuses on the general information security management system.
Standard ISO 27002:
provides thorough guidance on applying information security policies
offers finest standards for handling of information security.
focuses on certain security mechanisms and their application
-
Content and Structure
**ISO 27001**:
Comprising ten clauses (0 to 10) and Annex A
Between clauses 4–10, there are the obligatory criteria for an ISMS.
Annex A provides 114 controls in 14 areas but does not include comprehensive implementation advice.
**ISO 27002**
Arranged around the 114 ISO 27001 Annex A controls
offers comprehensive implementation advice for every control.
provides for more thorough explanations and illustrations for every security precaution.
-
certification
Standard ISO 27001:
Certifications against ISO 27001 allow organizations to
Certified shows adherence to ISMS criteria.
calls for outside audits conducted by certified certifying organizations
**ISO 27002**
Not a certifiable standard
Applied as a guide or reference to apply security measures
Not easily observable for certification needs
- Mandatory
against Discretionary Character Nature
*ISO 27001:**
– Prescriptive in nature
Indices necessary criteria for certification that have to be fulfilled.
Indices necessary acts with “must” words.
Standard ISO 27002:
Advisory in character.
offers advice and best practices.
Makes “should” suggestions for behavior.
-
Method of Risk Assessment
ISO 27001:
Demand companies to do risk analyses.
orders the choice of controls according on risk assessment findings
stresses a risk-based approach to information security
ISO 27002:
Not specifically calls for risk evaluations
offers direction on mechanisms to help to reduce hazards.
Presumes that the ISMS process includes risk assessment as usual.
-
Consumers and Audience
ISO 27001:
mostly used by companies trying to set and validate their ISMS
applicable to management and those in charge of supervising information security
**ISO 27002:**
Applied by experts in information security executing and controlling security measures
valuable for technical teams in charge of daily security tasks
7: Adaptability and Personalization
ISO 27001:
lets companies tailor their ISMS to their own requirements.
gives choice for suitable Annex A controls flexibility.
Needs explanation for excluding any Annex A restrictions
Standard ISO 27002:
provides a complete range of tools fit for different organizational environments.
offers freedom in the use of controls.
lets companies choose which controls fit their own requirements.
-
revisions and updates
** ISO 27001:**
Last significant edit in 2013; minor changes in 2017 and 2019
Updates concentrate on matching other management system standards.
ISO 27002:
More regularly changed to mirror changing security best standards
Last big update in 2022 including notable content and control structure changes
-
Correspondence to Other Standards
ISO 27001:
Forms the basis for the ISO 27000 range of guidelines.
coordinates with other ISO management system criteria (such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001)
Standard ISO 27002:
enhances ISO 27001 by offering comprehensive control implementation advice.
One may apply this best practice guide apart from ISO 27001.
-
Documentation Need
ISO 27001 stands for:
Indices necessary documentation standards for the ISMS.
Needs recorded data to be preserved and under control.
**ISO 27002:**
Does not call for certain documentation?
advises best practices in control installation including documentation.
Synergy between ISO 27002 and ISO 27001
Although we have mostly concentrated on the variations, ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are meant to complement one other:
ISO 27002 offers the thorough instructions necessary to apply the controls mandated by ISO 27001, therefore complementing their nature.
Organizations find which ISO 27002 controls apply using the risk assessment procedure included in ISO 27001.
Both criteria support the idea of ongoing development in information security management.
- **Holistic approach**: Taken together, they provide a thorough framework for creating, putting into use, and preserving an efficient ISMS.
Notes
Organizations trying to raise their information security posture must first understand the variances between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. Although ISO 27001 certifiable and provides the general structure for an ISMS, ISO 27002 contains thorough instructions on using security measures.
Companies trying to create a strong information security system should think about combining these guidelines in concert. While ISO 27002 delivers the useful direction required to apply successful security measures, ISO 27001 supplies the framework and standards for an ISMS.
Using the benefits of both standards allows companies to create a complete information security strategy that not only satisfies certification criteria but also applies best practices tailored to their particular risk profile.
Recall that the ultimate objective is not only adherence to criteria but also the development of a strong and efficient information security system shielding the priceless data assets of the company in an always changing threat environment.