ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template: Spreadsheet for Identifying, Analyzing, and Mitigating Threats
If you’re seeking a systematic, user-friendly solution to refine your ISO 27001:2022 risk management process, our ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template (xls) is designed to help you do exactly that.
The Risk Assessment Template is designed to make the ISO 27001:2022 risk management process straightforward and repeatable. Prepare your organization for certification or fine-tune your existing ISMS.
Why use an ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template
ISO 27001 is the international standard that defines best practices for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It emphasizes proactive risk management: identifying potential security incidents, assessing their likelihood and impact, and implementing measures to prevent or mitigate them. Using a standardized risk assessment template helps ensure:
- Consistency: Everyone in your organization applies the same methodology and criteria.
- Compliance: You can clearly demonstrate adherence to ISO 27001 clauses and best practices during audits and certification.
- Efficiency: A structured, well-documented approach speeds up assessments, improves communication across teams, and simplifies management reviews.
Benefits of a Structured Workbook
Our ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template functions as both a practical workbook for conducting risk assessments and a compliance document that meets ISO 27001’s requirements. It organizes risk data in a clear, auditable format, demonstrating to clients, partners, and regulators that you’re managing security threats responsibly.
Template Features and Benefits
Core Features
- Risk Sets
Choose from two predefined risk sets or customize your own assessment. Capture a thorough inventory of assets to keep everything from network infrastructure to cloud applications in scope. - Detailed Risk Scoring System
Accurately gauge risk probability and impact, prioritizing your mitigation efforts on the highest-severity threats. - Built-In Risk Matrix
Quickly visualize high-risk areas that demand urgent attention. The matrix helps communicate critical threats to stakeholders in a concise format. - Treatment Options
Plan and document how each identified risk will be addressed—aligning with ISO 27001 standards for managing, transferring, avoiding, or accepting risk. - Editable and Adaptable xls Format
Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel, this template can be tailored to your organization’s specific needs, whether that’s adding extra columns or integrating with advanced risk management tools.
Key Benefits
- Accelerated ISO 27001 Certification Readiness
The template is designed around the standard’s requirements for risk identification, treatment, and ongoing monitoring—helping streamline your path to certification. - Enhanced Decision-Making
A clear, consistent scoring system highlights which risks pose the greatest threat, allowing you to allocate resources wisely. - Compliance and Assurance
Demonstrate to customers, partners, and regulatory bodies that you systematically manage information security risks in accordance with international best practices. - Scalable for Any Organization
Whether you’re an SME needing a straightforward guide or a large enterprise integrating into a broader GRC platform, the template’s flexibility caters to diverse contexts and industries.
Best Practices for Implementation & Maintenance
- Define Clear Criteria
Establish your organization’s risk appetite and scoring guidelines upfront to ensure consistent assessments. - Regularly Update the Risk Register
Perform periodic reviews (annually or upon major changes). Capture new risks and re-score existing ones if circumstances shift. - Map Risks to Annex A Controls
Link each risk to specific controls from ISO 27001 Annex A, making audits and Statements of Applicability more straightforward. - Document Thoroughly
Keep a record of each identified risk, its owner, planned treatments, and review dates. This evidence is critical for audits and management review. - Integrate into Everyday Processes
Encourage departments to use the template during change management, new product rollouts, or vendor onboarding. Embedding risk assessments into daily operations promotes a proactive security culture.
Who Should Use This Template?
- Organizations Pursuing ISO 27001:2022 Certification
Lay the groundwork for passing audits and demonstrate alignment with the standard’s risk management clauses. - Risk Managers and IT Security Officers
Gain a ready-made framework for systematically identifying and addressing information security gaps. - Compliance Officers and Internal Auditors
Ensure consistency and clarity in the risk assessment process while continuously improving the ISMS. - Cybersecurity Consultants and Professionals
Save time on documentation by using a fully editable XLS template adaptable to any client or project scope.
Relevant ISO 27001:2022 Clauses and Controls
- Clause 6.1 – Actions to Address Risks and Opportunities
Clause 6.1 is a critical part of the ISO 27001 standard that covers risk management planning within the ISMS. In summary, it requires organizations to “plan how they will identify, assess, and treat information security risks”. This includes identifying risks, analyzing likelihood and impact, determining how to address (treat) the risks, and monitoring the results. - Clause 8.2 – Information Security Risk Assessment
ISO 27001’s Clause 8 is about operational planning and control. Clause 8.2 specifically calls for performing the risk assessments as defined in 6.1. In practice, this means the organization must actually carry out the risk assessment process on its information assets at regular intervals and keep records of the results. - Clause 8.3 – Information Security Risk Treatment
Similarly, Clause 8.3 requires the organization to implement the risk treatment process. This includes applying the controls or other treatment actions decided upon, according to the Risk Treatment Plan, and retaining documented information about those treatments. Together, 8.2 and 8.3 ensure that what was planned in Clause 6.1 (risk assessment/treatment methodology and plans) is actually executed and maintained.
FAQ
What exactly is the purpose of this template?
The purpose is to help you conduct a systematic security risk assessment in line with ISO 27001:2022 requirements. It ensures you identify, evaluate, and treat risks consistently across your organization.
Is prior knowledge of risk management necessary?
Basic familiarity is helpful, but the template includes guidance and predefined fields that streamline the process for beginners.
Is the template fully customizable?
Yes. The ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template is provided in XLS format, making it easy to modify fields and scoring scales as needed.
How does this template simplify ISO 27001 certification?
How often should we update the risk register?
At least once a year, or whenever there are significant changes (e.g., new systems, acquisitions, or major incidents). Regular updates ensure your ISMS remains current and effective.
Download and start your risk management process
Our ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template is the ideal solution for any organization that wants to consolidate its approach to identifying threats, evaluating risk levels, and implementing targeted security controls.
With its flexible structure, it aligns perfectly with ISO 27001:2022 requirements—helping you meet compliance obligations and embrace a robust, proactive security posture.
Download our ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template and build a stronger, more resilient ISMS that keeps your organization’s data safe