ISO 27001:2022 Cybersecurity Concepts

ISO 27001 Cybersecurity Concepts

This page details the “Cybersecurity Concepts” attribute within ISO/IEC 27001. It explains how your organization can categorize and manage security controls using five key concepts—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—to strengthen your overall information security posture. This attribute supports a clear, structured approach to addressing cybersecurity risks.

Iso 27001 Cybersecurity Concepts
Cybersecurity Concept Identify

Identify Controls

A.5.01Policies for information security
A.5.02Information security roles and responsibilities
A.5.04Management responsibilities
A.5.05Contact with authorities
A.5.07Threat intelligence
A.5.08Information security in project management
A.5.09Inventory of information and other associated assets
A.5.12Classification of information
A.5.19Information security in supplier relationships
A.5.20Addressing information security within supplier agreements
A.5.21Managing information security in the ICT supply chain
A.5.22Monitoring, review and change management of supplier services
A.5.23Information security for use of cloud services
A.5.27Learning form information security incidents
A.5.31Identification of legal, statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements
A.5.32Intellectual property rights
A.5.33Protection of records
A.5.34Privacy and protection of PII
A.5.35Independent review of information security
A.5.36Compliance with policies and standards for information security

None

None

A.8.06Capacity management
A.8.08Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.8.29Security testing in development and acceptance
A.8.30Outsourced development
Cybersecurity Concept Protect

Protect Controls

A.5.03Segregation of duties
A.5.05Contact with authorities
A.5.06Contact with special interest groups
A.5.08Information security in project management
A.5.10Acceptable use of information and associated assets
A.5.11Return of assets
A.5.13Labelling of information
A.5.14Information transfer
A.5.15Access control
A.5.16Identity management
A.5.17Authentication information
A.5.18Access rights
A.5.27Learning form information security incidents
A.5.29Information security during disruption
A.5.33Protection of records
A.5.34Privacy and protection of PII
A.5.35Independent review of information security
A.5.36Compliance with policies and standards for information security
A.5.37Documented operating procedures
A.6.1Screening
A.6.2Terms and conditions of employment
A.6.3Information security awareness, education and training
A.6.4Disciplinary process
A.6.5Responsibilities after termination or change of employment
A.6.6Confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements
A.6.7Remote working
A.7.01Physical security perimeter
A.7.02Physical entry
A.7.03Security offices, rooms and facilities
A.7.04Physical security monitoring
A.7.05Protecting against physical and environmental threats
A.7.06Working in secure areas
A.7.07Clear desk and clear screen
A.7.08Equipment siting and protection
A.7.09Security of assets off-premises
A.7.10Storage media
A.7.11Supporting utilities
A.7.12Cabling security
A.7.13Equipment maintenance
A.7.14Secure disposal or re-use of equipment
A.8.01User endpoint devices
A.8.02Privileged access rights
A.8.03Information access restriction
A.8.04Access to source code
A.8.05Secure authentication
A.8.06Capacity management
A.8.07Protection against malware
A.8.08Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.8.09Configuration management
A.8.10Information deletion
A.8.11Data masking
A.8.12Data leakage prevention
A.8.14Redundancy of information processing facilities
A.8.17Clock Synchronization
A.8.18Use of privileged utility programs
A.8.19Installation of software on operational systems
A.8.20Network security
A.8.21Security of network services
A.8.22Segregation of networks
A.8.23Web filtering
A.8.24Use of cryptography
A.8.25Secure development lifecycle
A.8.26Application security requirements
A.8.27Secure system architecture and engineering principles
A.8.28Secure coding
A.8.30Outsourced development
A.8.31Separation of development, test and production environments
A.8.32Change management
A.8.33Test information
A.8.34Protection of information systems during audit and testing

Detect Controls

Cybersecurity Concept Detect
A.5.07Threat intelligence
A.5.25Assessment and decision on information security events
A.5.28Collection of evidence
A.6.8Information security event reporting

 

A.7.04Physical security monitoring
A.7.11Supporting utilities
A.8.06Capacity management
A.8.07Protection against malware
A.8.12Data leakage prevention
A.8.15Logging
A.8.16Monitoring activities
A.8.17Clock Synchronization
A.8.20Network security
A.8.30Outsourced development

Respond Controls

Cybersecurity Concept Respond Cyberzoni
A.5.05Contact with authorities
A.5.06Contact with special interest groups
A.5.07Threat intelligence
A.5.24Information security incident management responsibilities and preparation
A.5.25Assessment and decision on information security events
A.5.26Response to information security incidents
A.5.28Collection of evidence
A.5.29Information security during disruption
A.5.30ICT readiness for business continuity
A.6.4Disciplinary process

None

A.8.16Monitoring activities

Recover Controls

Cybersecurity Concept Recover
A.5.05Contact with authorities
A.5.06Contact with special interest groups
A.5.24Information security incident management responsibilities and preparation
A.5.26Response to information security incidents
A.5.37Documented operating procedures

None

None

A.8.13Information backup

Introduction to Cybersecurity Concepts

The Cybersecurity Concepts attribute provides a way for your organization to organize, evaluate, and enhance security controls by classifying them under five main functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These functions are further defined in ISO/IEC TS 27110 and serve as a framework for managing cybersecurity risks.

The Cybersecurity Concepts attribute complements this objective by offering a clear view of how each control contributes to overall cyber resilience. Your organization can use these concepts alongside other attributes within ISO/IEC 27001 to ensure that all relevant risks, processes, and activities are adequately addressed. This alignment helps maintain consistency with the standard’s requirements while promoting a systematic, risk-based approach to cybersecurity.

Overview of the Five Cybersecurity Concepts

This chapter provides a detailed explanation of each of the five cybersecurity concepts defined in ISO/IEC TS 27110: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These concepts help your organization develop a structured approach to information security by mapping existing and planned controls to specific functions. This section includes detailed descriptions, examples, and simple tables to illustrate how these concepts can be integrated into your security strategy.


Summary Table of Cybersecurity Concepts

Below is a summary table that outlines the primary objectives, examples of relevant controls, and typical outcomes for each of the five cybersecurity concepts.

ConceptPrimary ObjectivesExample ControlsTypical Outcomes
Identify– Understand assets, vulnerabilities, and roles
– Define governance and risk management standards
– Asset inventory
– Data classification procedures
– Governance frameworks
– Clear overview of critical assets
– Informed decision-making
– Priority-based allocation of resources
Protect– Safeguard data and systems
– Limit unauthorized access
– Secure configurations
– Access control mechanisms
– Encryption protocols
– Reduced likelihood of breaches
– Enhanced resilience
– Minimized damage from external/internal threats
Detect– Identify incidents quickly
– Monitor system activities
– Intrusion detection systems (IDS)
– Security information and event management (SIEM)
– Log analysis
– Early threat detection
– Faster response time
– Lower overall impact of incidents
Respond– Contain and mitigate ongoing threats
– Execute incident handling procedures
– Incident response plan
– Escalation process
– Communication protocols
– Effective containment of incidents
– Coordinated incident response
– Reduced downtime and damage
Recover– Restore normal operations
– Improve processes based on lessons learned
– Disaster recovery plans
– Backup and restoration procedures
– Post-incident reviews
– Rapid return to normal functioning
– Continuous improvement in security posture
– Enhanced business continuity

Use this table as a quick reference to see how each concept can map to the specific actions and outcomes that drive your organization’s security goals.


1. Identify

Identify focuses on creating a clear understanding of your organization’s environment to determine what needs protection. It involves identifying assets, defining roles, analyzing the threat landscape, and determining risk exposures.

  • Assets and Resources: You start by listing hardware, software, data repositories, and any other resources.
  • Governance and Roles: You define who oversees cybersecurity tasks, who approves policies, and who manages daily security operations.
  • Risk Assessment: You look at where potential threats could come from, including external attackers, insider threats, or accidental mishandling of data.

A structured Identify phase helps you set realistic security goals and assign resources. The table below breaks down key Identify activities in more detail.

Identify ActivityDescriptionExample Approach
Asset InventoryCompile a list of hardware, software, and data assetsUse an automated discovery tool or maintain a central registry
Data ClassificationCategorize data based on sensitivity and confidentialityDevelop classification labels (e.g., Public, Internal, Confidential)
Threat Landscape ReviewStay updated on current threats relevant to your operationsConduct regular threat intelligence sessions
Governance FrameworkDefine authority, accountability, and structure for securityDocument roles and responsibilities in a governance policy
Risk AssessmentIdentify, analyze, and evaluate risksUse a consistent methodology, such as qualitative risk scoring

2. Protect

Protect encompasses the steps required to prevent or limit the impact of a security incident. It includes policies, processes, and technologies aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and preventing unauthorized access.

  • Secure Configurations: Your organization ensures that systems are set up correctly with patches, updates, and minimal open ports.
  • Access Control: Role-based or attribute-based access control (RBAC or ABAC) policies restrict who can view or modify critical data.
  • Encryption and Data Protection: Data at rest and in transit are encrypted, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.
  • User Awareness and Training: Regular training sessions help personnel recognize threats such as phishing, social engineering, and other common attack methods.

The table below summarizes core Protect activities:

Protect ActivityObjectiveExample Control
Access ManagementLimit access to authorized personnel onlyImplement a privileged access management solution
Secure ConfigurationEnforce baseline configurations for all assetsUse standardized system images, apply security patches promptly
Data SecurityKeep data safe from unauthorized accessEncrypt sensitive data (e.g., AES-256), use secure file transfer
Network SecurityControl inbound and outbound trafficConfigure firewalls and enable intrusion prevention systems
Security TrainingEquip staff with knowledge to avoid threatsConduct quarterly awareness programs, phishing simulations

3. Detect

Detect focuses on identifying malicious activities, suspicious events, or anomalies as soon as possible. Effective detection mechanisms allow your organization to respond promptly and reduce the impact of an incident.

  • Monitoring and Logging: Real-time monitoring of systems, networks, and applications helps flag unauthorized activities.
  • Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): These tools analyze traffic and behavior patterns to detect potential intrusions.
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM platforms correlate event logs from multiple sources and generate alerts based on predefined rules.
  • Periodic Security Assessments: Conduct regular vulnerability scans, penetration tests, and log reviews to catch emerging issues.

Here is a table detailing the main elements of Detect:

Detect ActivityFocusImplementation Example
Continuous MonitoringObserve real-time system and network behaviorDeploy network monitoring solutions that issue alerts
Log ManagementCollect, store, and analyze event logsAggregate logs in a central SIEM system for correlation
Threat IntelligenceStay informed of new tactics and vulnerabilitiesUse threat feeds or intelligence platforms to update detection rules
Anomaly DetectionIdentify unusual patterns in user or system behaviorEmploy machine learning or statistical analysis on usage patterns
Security TestingProactively find gaps in controlsConduct vulnerability scans and penetration tests

4. Respond

Respond concentrates on actions your organization takes immediately after detecting a security incident. A coordinated response approach reduces damage and downtime.

  • Incident Response Plan: A documented plan outlines the roles, responsibilities, and actions that staff should follow during an incident.
  • Containment Strategies: Methods to isolate affected systems, block malicious IP addresses, or shut down compromised services.
  • Communication Protocols: Who to inform, how to inform them, and what information to share internally and externally (customers, partners, regulators).
  • Legal and Compliance Considerations: Ensure that legal obligations regarding breaches (such as notification requirements) are followed.

The following table illustrates common Respond measures:

Respond ActivityKey StepIllustration
Incident TriageDetermine incident severity and impactClassify incident type (e.g., malware outbreak, DDoS)
ContainmentIsolate, block, or neutralize the threatBlock malicious domains, isolate infected hosts
CommunicationNotify stakeholders and relevant teamsSend alerts to management, inform legal teams if needed
EradicationRemove malware or compromised componentsClean infected systems, patch vulnerabilities
DocumentationRecord incident details for future reviewMaintain incident logs, note timeline of actions

5. Recover

Recover ensures your organization returns to normal operations and learns from the incident. Recover goes beyond simply restoring data—it involves evaluating the root cause and refining processes to prevent similar events.

  • Disaster Recovery Planning: Define how to restore systems, data, and operations to full functionality.
  • Backup and Restoration: Keep backups in secure, offsite storage and test restoration procedures regularly.
  • Post-Incident Analysis: Examine what went wrong, how controls performed, and how improvements can be made.
  • Long-Term Remediation: Develop mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood of recurrence, such as policy changes or additional security tools.

Below is a breakdown of key Recover components:

Recover ActivityObjectiveExample Measures
System RestorationRestore or rebuild systems from backupsMaintain offsite backups and test recovery procedures
Business ContinuityMaintain critical services during and after disruptionsUse alternate sites or resources if primary locations fail
Root Cause AnalysisDetermine underlying factors that caused the incidentPerform forensic analysis, gather logs, and review controls
Process ImprovementUse lessons learned to strengthen securityUpdate policies, refine configurations, enhance training
VerificationConfirm that normal operations are fully reestablishedCheck system functionality, validate data integrity

Practical Application of the Cybersecurity Concepts

Mapping Controls to Each Concept

Your organization can map existing or new controls to one of the five cybersecurity functions. This process allows you to see which measures fall under Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, or Recover. By doing so, you create a clear inventory of how each control contributes to cybersecurity outcomes. This mapping is also useful for identifying any weak points in your security posture.

For example:

  • A patch management policy might fall under Protect.
  • An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) maps to Detect.
  • A formal incident response procedure can be labeled under Respond.

A structured excel tool can make it easier to track which controls are aligned with which concept. One resource that can simplify this process is the ISO 27002:2022 Controls Spreadsheet. This spreadsheet helps document, categorize, and update controls to reflect your security needs.

Aligning with Organizational Goals

Once controls have been mapped, ensure they align with your operational goals. For instance, if the organization’s focus is on preventing data breaches, you may emphasize the Protect function first. If you handle sensitive data daily, you could also prioritize Identify to maintain an accurate asset and data classification process.

Balancing these priorities is essential. Overemphasizing Protect without sufficient Detect measures may leave you unaware of incidents until they become more damaging. Similarly, having robust Respond capabilities without consistent Protect measures could mean your incident team is handling preventable events.

Maintaining and Improving Cybersecurity Readiness

Cyber threats evolve, so continuous improvement is key. Incorporate periodic reviews to check if controls are still effective, and consider emerging threats that may require new or updated controls. Examine incidents that occurred and evaluate whether your current mapping of controls helped mitigate the risk.

Activities to maintain readiness include:

  • Conducting regular risk assessments.
  • Testing incident response procedures.
  • Reviewing new technologies or services that can strengthen existing controls.

Related Parts of ISO 27001

Annex A Controls and Their Relation to Cybersecurity Concepts

Annex A of ISO/IEC 27001 lists a range of security controls. Each control in Annex A can be viewed through the lens of the five cybersecurity concepts. For instance, controls related to information classification can fit into Identify, while network security controls might belong under Protect. Mapping Annex A controls to these concepts is a straightforward way to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Integration with Risk Assessment Processes

ISO/IEC 27001 prioritizes a systematic risk management process. You can integrate the Cybersecurity Concepts attribute into this process by identifying how each risk is addressed (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover). This approach provides a clear line of sight from risk identification to the specific controls that mitigate that risk. It also helps in prioritizing actions based on the organization’s risk profile and business objectives. Utilize the ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template to organize the risk assessment process. 

Alignment with Other Attributes (a, b, d, e)

ISO/IEC 27001 provides multiple attributes such as Control Type, Information Security Properties, Operational Capabilities and Security Domains. Aligning these with Cybersecurity Concepts gives a more robust view of how your organization’s ISMS operates. For example, a control marked as “Preventive” under Control Type can also be categorized under Protect or Identify, ensuring a comprehensive classification system that supports better decision-making.

Templates That Can Assist

Risk Assessment Template

A dedicated risk assessment template can help you systematically document which controls fall under each of the five concepts. You can list identified risks, map them to potential controls, and label those controls according to the relevant function (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, or Recover). This approach helps maintain consistency across your ISMS.

Incident Response Plan Template

This template outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for Respond. It clarifies communication protocols, escalation procedures, and how to handle various incident types. Through embedding the Respond function throughout your incident response plan, you ensure that each step is clearly defined and immediately actionable.

Security Monitoring Checklist

A security monitoring checklist supports the Detect function. It typically includes recommended log reviews, alert thresholds, and defined procedures for investigating suspicious behavior. Using such a checklist can streamline daily security monitoring tasks and help your team respond more quickly to anomalies.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Templates

These templates help you plan for the Recover function. They outline backup strategies, recovery time objectives, and other critical measures to restore normal operations if incidents cause major disruptions. Integrating these templates into your overall cybersecurity plan ensures that continuity efforts are synchronized with the rest of your security strategy.

Conclusion

By adopting the Cybersecurity Concepts attribute (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) within ISO/IEC 27001, your organization gains a structured way to classify and manage security controls. Mapping each control to one of these five functions clarifies your security posture and helps you prioritize resources where they are needed most. Integrating these concepts with other ISO/IEC 27001 attributes and leveraging relevant templates creates a comprehensive, dynamic approach to risk management. This strategy can lead to a more resilient security environment, greater alignment with business objectives, and a clear framework for continuous improvement.