ISO 27001 Control 5.8 Information security in project management

What is Control 5.8?

Control 5.8 ensures that information security is integrated into project management processes. Its goal is to identify, assess, and address information security risks throughout the entire project lifecycle, regardless of the project’s size or complexity.

Control Type

  • Preventive

Information Security Properties

  • Confidentiality
  • Integrity
  • Availability

Cybersecurity Concepts

  • Identify
  • Protect

Operational Capabilities

  • Governance

Security Domains

  • Governance and Ecosystem
  • Protection

Purpose

The purpose of ISO 27001 Control 5.8 Information security in project managementis to ensure information security risks are identified and addressed throughout the project lifecycle, protecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data

Implementation Guide

Identify Security Requirements → Incorporate Security into Project Planning → Conduct Risk Assessments → Define Roles and Responsibilities → Implement Security Controls → Monitor and Review Security Measures →Report and Review

Compliance

Define Security Requirements → Perform Risk Assessments → Assign Security Roles → Implement Security Controls → Monitor Progress → Review at Key Stages

Objective of ISO 27001 Control 5.8 Information security in project management

The objective of ISO 27001 Control 5.8 is to ensure that information security is systematically integrated into project management across all stages of a project’s lifecycle. This control requires organizations to proactively identify, assess, and manage information security risks in any type of project—whether it’s an IT implementation or a broader business initiative. By embedding security measures early on, organizations can mitigate risks, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure compliance with legal and business requirements.

Key elements include early risk assessments, defining security roles, addressing risks in communication channels, and continuous evaluation of security measures. This approach ensures that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of managing projects, helping to reduce vulnerabilities that could impact the project’s success

Control 5.8 Information Security In Project Management

Purpose of control 5.8 Information security in project management

The purpose of ISO 27001 Control 5.8 Information security in project management is to ensure that information security risks related to projects and their deliverables are effectively identified, assessed, and treated throughout the entire project lifecycle. This control helps to embed information security into the project management process from the outset, ensuring that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of managing any type of project.

By incorporating information security into project management, the control aims to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, mitigate potential security risks, and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and business obligations. The control also requires organizations to evaluate and update security measures regularly to address new risks that may emerge during the project​

Guidance

  1. Integrate Security Early in the Process: Information security should be incorporated from the earliest stages of project management. This includes risk assessments, setting security objectives, and aligning security requirements with business needs​.
  2. Perform Regular Risk Assessments: Regularly assess information security risks at each stage of the project lifecycle. This includes identifying new risks as the project evolves and reassessing any previous risks that may have changed in severity​.
  3. Define Roles and Responsibilities: Assign clear roles and responsibilities for information security within the project team. This ensures accountability for implementing security measures and managing risks​.
  4. Security of Internal and External Communications: Ensure that the security of communication channels is considered throughout the project. This includes managing both internal team communications and external communications with stakeholders​.
  5. Progress Review and Continuous Evaluation: Regularly review the effectiveness of information security measures. The project steering committee or other governance bodies should monitor security progress and adjust controls as needed​.
  6. Compliance and Legal Considerations: Ensure that the project’s information security measures comply with relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations. This could involve security policies and agreements with third-party vendors​.
  7. Adapt to the Project’s Complexity and Nature: Customize information security requirements based on the type, size, and complexity of the project. Whether the project is an IT system update or a facility management overhaul, security measures should be adaptable to the specific context​.

Tips

  • Incorporate Information Security into Project Objectives: Clearly define and integrate security objectives into the overall project goals. This ensures that all stakeholders are aligned with the security requirements from the start​.
  • Maintain Security Documentation: Ensure that all security documentation, such as risk assessments, policies, and procedures, is up-to-date and accessible to relevant project team members. Regularly review and update documentation as the project progresses​.
  • Use Clear Security Metrics: Establish measurable metrics to track the effectiveness of security controls throughout the project lifecycle. These metrics should be used for performance evaluation and improvement​.
  • Provide Ongoing Security Training: Regularly train project team members on the importance of information security, potential risks, and how to implement the required controls effectively. Awareness training ensures that security remains a priority across all levels of the project​.
  • Engage with External Stakeholders: If the project involves third-party vendors or partners, ensure that they comply with the organization’s security policies. This includes having appropriate security clauses in contracts and conducting vendor risk assessments​.
  • Monitor and Respond to Security Incidents: Establish processes for detecting, reporting, and responding to security incidents related to the project. A proactive incident management plan will help mitigate risks and contain potential damage​.
  • Conduct Post-Project Reviews: After project completion, conduct a security review to assess how well information security was managed and identify any lessons learned for future projects​.

FAQ

Why is information security important in project management?

Information security is crucial in project management to ensure that all sensitive data and systems involved in a project are protected from risks such as breaches, unauthorized access, and data corruption. By integrating security early, organizations reduce the likelihood of security incidents, avoid rework, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Proactive risk management at the project’s inception also saves time and costs in the long run​.

What should be included in a project plan for information security?

A project plan for information security should include:

  • Identification of security requirements early in the planning phase.
  • Risk assessments at each project stage.
  • Assignment of specific security roles and responsibilities within the project team.
  • Controls for secure internal and external communication.
  • Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of security measures​.

How does Control 5.8 differ from older controls?

Control 5.8 in ISO 27001:2022 combines elements from previous controls, particularly 6.1.5 and 14.1.1 from ISO 27001:2013, to streamline the process of embedding security into project management. The updated version expands on the requirements, providing clearer guidance on managing security risks across the entire project lifecycle. This consolidation makes it easier for organizations to apply security principles to all types of projects​.

How can an organization demonstrate compliance with Control 5.8?

To demonstrate compliance, an organization should:

    • Document all processes and ensure they align with the security requirements.
    • Conduct regular risk assessments and manage identified risks.
    • Assign roles and responsibilities for information security.
    • Implement security controls and evaluate their effectiveness.
    • Keep records of internal audits, reviews, and evaluations to provide evidence of ongoing compliance​.