ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 8.30

Abstract of Control 8.30: Outsourced Development

Outsourcing your system development can feel like handing over the keys to your kingdom. It brings expertise, scalability, and speed to your projects, but it also introduces risks that can compromise your organization's security and compliance. ISO 27001 Control 8.30, Outsourced Development, is your guide to ensuring that third-party development activities are managed and secured effectively.

Control Type

Information Security Properties

Cybersecurity Concepts

Operational Capabilities

Security Domains

Objective: Why You Need Control 8.30

The goal of Control 8.30 is to help you direct, monitor, and review outsourced system development activities so they align with your security policies and expectations. This ensures that your sensitive data, intellectual property, and systems remain secure while minimizing the risks associated with third-party involvement.

Purpose: Protecting Your Organization in Outsourced Development

This control helps you embed robust information security measures into outsourced development processes. By implementing it, you’ll:

Ensure your developers follow secure design, coding, and testing practices.
Maintain ownership of intellectual property and licensing agreements.
Protect your systems and data from vulnerabilities, intentional attacks, or negligence.

Setting Clear Requirements for Outsourced Development

Before you dive into any outsourced relationship, you need clear, non-negotiable expectations. They’re the foundation of secure collaboration.

What Should Your Contracts Cover?

Intellectual Property Rights: Who owns the code? Make it explicit to avoid disputes later.
Secure Development Practices: Require developers to adhere to coding standards, vulnerability testing, and secure design principles.
Right to Audit: Reserve the right to inspect their processes and controls.
Compliance with Laws: Ensure they meet legal requirements like data protection laws in your region.

Communicating and Monitoring Expectations

You can’t just set it and forget it. Continuous communication and monitoring are essential. Share your security requirements and expectations clearly, and follow up regularly to ensure compliance.

How to Stay in Control

Provide developers with your threat models so they understand potential risks.
Schedule regular reviews to track progress and address security concerns.
Use project management tools to document and monitor activities for transparency.

Managing Risks in the Development Supply Chain

Outsourcing adds complexity to your supply chain, and every new link introduces potential vulnerabilities. Protecting your organization means proactively identifying and addressing risks.

Risk Areas and How to Address Them

Malicious Content: Require testing for backdoors, malware, and vulnerabilities.
Supplier Insolvency: Use escrow agreements to secure source code access if a supplier shuts down.
Non-Compliance: Audit their processes regularly to ensure they’re following your requirements.

Verifying Deliverables: Trust But Verify

Never assume that deliverables meet your standards—test them rigorously. Acceptance testing ensures quality, accuracy, and compliance. Testing isn’t about mistrust—it’s about ensuring security and reliability.

What to Look for in Deliverables

Assurance Reports: Evidence of secure design and coding practices.
Vulnerability Testing Results: Proof that known vulnerabilities have been addressed.
Malicious Content Screening: Confirmation that the code is free from intentional or unintentional malicious elements.

Contractual Safeguards and Audit Rights

Contracts are your first line of defense in outsourced development. They give you the power to enforce security standards and maintain control over the relationship.

What Should Your Contracts Include?

The right to audit their development processes.
Requirements for secure coding and testing.
Clauses for liability in case of breaches or non-compliance.

A strong contract is more than just legal jargon—it’s a tool to protect your organization.

Supplier Assurance and Evidence Provision

Trust is good, but evidence is better. Always require proof that your suppliers are meeting your security requirements.

Examples of Evidence to Request

Threat models and risk assessments.
Testing and vulnerability scanning reports.
Assurance documents confirming secure development practices.

Related ISO 27001 Controls

Control 5.32: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Relevance: Ensures proper licensing agreements, intellectual property ownership, and compliance during outsourced development.
Connection: When outsourcing, explicitly define IPR responsibilities and ownership of the developed code to avoid future disputes.

Control 8.25: Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

Relevance: Establishes secure design, coding, and testing practices in software development.
Connection: Outsourced developers must adhere to your SDLC requirements to minimize vulnerabilities in the delivered software.

Control 8.29: Testing Security in Development and Acceptance

Relevance: Ensures that adequate security testing is performed during development and acceptance phases.
Connection: Require outsourced developers to conduct rigorous testing, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing, and provide results before acceptance.

Control 8.31: Security in Development and Testing Environments

Relevance: Ensures development and testing environments are secure and isolated from operational systems.
Connection: When outsourcing, ensure that third-party development environments meet your security standards and protect sensitive information.

ISO/IEC 27036: Supplier Relationships Series

While not a specific control, this series provides detailed guidance on managing supplier relationships, including security requirements for outsourcing. It’s a valuable resource for ensuring the outsourced development aligns with ISO 27001 best practices.