Introduction:
System acceptance testing is a critical component of ensuring that new systems introduced to a network meet the required standards for IT security.
This process includes a comprehensive review of the testing procedures, the quality of tests, and the acceptance criteria for new or updated systems.
The testing procedures are reviewed to ensure that they provide a comprehensive assessment of the system’s functionality and that they replicate realistic operational environments and situations.
In this article, we will explore the requirements of A.14.2.9 of the ISO 27001 standard and provide a sample checklist to assist organizations in evaluating their system acceptance testing procedures.
Sample Checklist for A.14.2.9:
Review the testing procedures:
- Are the procedures documented and accessible to all relevant personnel?
- Do the testing procedures cover all functional and security requirements?
- Are the procedures consistent with industry best practices for system acceptance testing?
- Are the procedures reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in technology or security requirements?
Evaluate the quality of tests:
- Are the tests automated, manual or both?
- Are the tests designed to replicate realistic operational environments and situations?
- Are the tests designed to identify security vulnerabilities and defects?
- Are the tests repeated as needed to ensure that issues are adequately addressed before the system is certified for production use?
Assess the acceptance criteria:
- Are the acceptance criteria documented and accessible to all relevant personnel?
- Do the acceptance criteria include requirements for IT security?
- Are the acceptance criteria reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in technology or security requirements?
Review the user acceptance testing procedures:
- Are user acceptance tests conducted before releasing the system into the operational environment?
- Do user acceptance tests include an assessment of IT security aspects?
- Are user acceptance tests conducted under realistic operational environments and situations?
Check the fault-tolerant or redundant information systems, failover mechanisms, and disaster recovery arrangements:
- Are these systems regularly tested to ensure they work as intended?
- Are the resilience and recovery controls updated to reflect new, changed and retired systems?
Conclusion on A.14.2.9:
System acceptance testing is a critical process that organizations must follow to ensure that new or updated systems meet the required standards for IT security.
A.14.2.9 of the ISO 27001 standard provides guidance on the requirements for this process.
Organizations can use the sample checklist provided in this article to evaluate their system acceptance testing procedures and ensure that they are comprehensive and effective.
By following the ISO 27001 standard and best practices for system acceptance testing, organizations can minimize the risks associated with introducing new or updated systems to their network.
See all articles for ISO/IEC 27001 Annex A here
