ISO 27001:2022 Annex A Control 8.29

Abstract of Control 8.29: Security testing in development and acceptance

When it comes to launching new systems or software, security isn’t something you can leave to chance. Control 8.29 of ISO 27001 ensures that security testing is an integral part of your development lifecycle. Whether you’re building from scratch, upgrading existing systems, or rolling out new features, this control is your guide to validating security requirements and protecting your production environment.

Control Type

Information Security Properties

Cybersecurity Concepts

Operational Capabilities

Security Domains

Objective: Why Security Testing Matters

Your goal with security testing is simple: ensure your systems are resilient against threats. Control 8.29 is here to help you validate that security requirements are met before any application or system goes live. Incorporating testing into your development and acceptance processes, you identify and address vulnerabilities before they become liabilities.

Purpose: Embedding Security in Development

Imagine deploying an application only to discover it’s riddled with vulnerabilities—now imagine the damage that could cause. The purpose of Control 8.29 is to prevent this scenario by embedding security testing throughout the development lifecycle.

It’s about validating everything:

Are your security configurations robust?
Does your system protect sensitive data?
Can it handle unanticipated inputs or stress conditions without breaking?

Defining Security Testing Processes

To make security testing effective, you need a clear, structured process. Start by integrating testing into your Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

What Should Security Testing Include?

Security Functions: Validate critical features like user authentication, access controls, and cryptographic safeguards.
Secure Coding Practices: Ensure your code adheres to best practices to avoid vulnerabilities.
Configuration Testing: Check firewalls, operating systems, and other components for secure configurations.

Create a comprehensive test plan that outlines:

The scope and objectives of the testing.
A detailed schedule of activities.
Input-output conditions and criteria for evaluation.
Decision-making processes for next steps.

The more defined your process, the easier it is to identify and address issues before deployment.

Security Testing in Development

During development, your team should perform initial security tests. This involves both automated tools and manual reviews. Empower your development team with tools like static code analyzers or automated vulnerability scanners. These tools help catch issues early, reducing costs and risks.

Steps in Development Testing

Code Reviews: Analyze code for potential security flaws, focusing on edge cases and unanticipated inputs.
Vulnerability Scanning: Use tools to detect insecure configurations or known vulnerabilities.
Secure Coding Validation: Ensure that coding practices meet security standards to minimize risks.

Independent Acceptance Testing

Once your development team has performed their tests, it’s time for independent acceptance testing. This step is critical for ensuring an unbiased evaluation of your system’s security. Acceptance testing verifies not only that your system works as intended but also that it doesn’t introduce vulnerabilities to your production environment.

Techniques to Include in Acceptance Testing

Vulnerability Scanning: Scan for insecure configurations and weaknesses that might compromise your system.
Penetration Testing: Simulate attacks to identify vulnerabilities in code and design.
Stress Testing: Assess how your system performs under extreme or unexpected conditions.

Security Testing in Outsourced Development

When outsourcing development, the stakes are higher. You’re not just relying on external expertise—you’re also trusting that their processes align with your security standards.

Best Practices for Outsourced Security Testing

Include security requirements in contracts (see ISO 27001 Control 5.20).
Evaluate products and services against predefined security criteria before acquisition.
Require suppliers to provide assurance reports and evidence of thorough testing.

Creating a Reliable Test Environment

Your test environment is the foundation of reliable security testing. It should mirror your production environment as closely as possible to ensure accurate results.

How to Set Up Effective Test Environments

Use virtual environments to simulate various operating conditions.
Isolate test environments from live systems to prevent cross-contamination.
Monitor configurations, tools, and processes to maintain effectiveness.

Tools and Techniques for Security Testing

The right tools can make all the difference. Combine automated and manual testing techniques to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Key Tools to Consider

Code Analysis Tools: Automatically identify syntax errors or logical vulnerabilities in your code.
Vulnerability Scanners: Detect known vulnerabilities in configurations and components.
Penetration Testing Frameworks: Simulate attack scenarios to evaluate system resilience.

Compliance with Security Requirements

Security testing is also about compliance. Align your testing processes with ISO 27001 requirements and document everything.

What to Document

Test plans and schedules.
Results of each security test, including vulnerabilities identified and remediated.
Final reports for internal and external audits.

Templates That Support ISO 27001 Control 8.29

1. Security Testing Plan Template
A structured security testing plan ensures your processes are well-defined and actionable. This template can help you:

Document test objectives, scope, and schedules.
Define input-output conditions and evaluation criteria.
Plan for specific tests such as vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and code reviews.

2. Vulnerability Assessment Template

This template guides you through documenting vulnerabilities identified during security testing. It helps you:

Log discovered vulnerabilities and their severity.
Prioritize remediation efforts.
Track and verify the resolution of issues before deployment.

3. Penetration Testing Report Template

A penetration testing report template provides a standard format to document:

The scope and methodology of the test.
Findings, including insecure code, configurations, or design flaws.
Recommendations for mitigating identified risks.

4. Secure Coding Checklist Template

Use this template to ensure developers follow secure coding practices. It includes:

Guidelines for implementing secure authentication and access controls.
Rules for handling data securely, including encryption and validation.
Best practices to avoid common vulnerabilities like injection flaws or cross-site scripting (XSS).

5. Configuration Testing Checklist Template

This checklist focuses on secure configurations for systems, including:

Firewalls, operating systems, and security components.
Validation of compliance with configuration baselines.
Documentation of changes made during testing.

6. Development and Testing Environment Security Checklist

Ensures your test environment is secure and mirrors your production environment. The template includes:

Guidelines for access controls in testing environments.
Steps for isolating test systems from production systems.
Security measures for virtual or cloud-based environments.

7. Supplier Security Requirements Template

For outsourced development, this template helps document and enforce security requirements in supplier agreements. It includes:

Security expectations for coding, testing, and documentation.
Reporting and evidence provisions (e.g., assurance reports, vulnerability scans).
Clauses for audit rights and compliance verification.

8. Acceptance Testing Checklist Template

This template ensures all required tests are completed before deployment. It helps validate:

System behavior under expected and unexpected conditions.
Compliance with functional and non-functional security requirements.
Results of independent testing for unbiased evaluations.

9. Automated Testing Tools Documentation Template

Document the use of automated tools such as vulnerability scanners or code analysis software. This template helps you:

Record the tools used, configurations, and test parameters.
Maintain a history of results for audits.
Ensure consistent testing processes across different projects.

10. Audit and Compliance Documentation Template

The ISO 27001 Internal Audit Template helps you organize and document all test activities, results, and remediation efforts for audits. It ensures:

All tests are accounted for and meet ISO 27001 requirements.
Clear reporting of test outcomes and corrective actions.
A robust audit trail for internal or external reviews.

How Control 8.29 Aligns with Other ISO 27001 Controls

Control 8.31: Security in Development and Testing Environments

Relevance: Ensures the security of development and testing environments, including separation from operational systems.
Connection: Testing for Control 8.29 should occur in environments that replicate production systems while maintaining strict security measures.

Control 8.24: Cryptographic Controls

Relevance: Involves the implementation and testing of cryptographic measures to protect data.
Connection: Security testing in Control 8.29 should verify the proper use and implementation of cryptographic controls during development.

Control 5.20: Addressing Information Security in Supplier Agreements

Relevance: Ensures that suppliers meet the organization’s information security requirements.
Connection: When outsourcing development or testing, Control 8.29 relies on supplier compliance with security testing requirements set out in their agreements.

Control 8.5: Secure Authentication

Relevance: Focuses on ensuring proper user authentication and access restrictions.
Connection: Security testing should validate that access controls and authentication mechanisms comply with requirements from Control 8.5.

Control 8.3: Access Control

Relevance: Details the implementation of access control measures to protect information and systems.
Connection: Security testing should evaluate the effectiveness of access controls, ensuring they align with Control 8.3.

Control 5.8: Information Security in Project Management

Relevance: Embeds information security requirements into project management practices.
Connection: Testing processes in Control 8.29 should be integrated into overall project management to ensure that security is addressed at every phase.