Introduction:
Incidents and security events can cause significant disruptions to an organization’s information security management system (ISMS).
It is, therefore, essential to have clear guidelines and procedures in place to assess and make decisions on information security events.
This is where A.16.1.4 of ISO 27001 comes into play.
This control outlines the requirements for assessing and deciding on information security events.
In this article, we will discuss the key aspects of A.16.1.4, including what is expected of employees in reporting incidents, how incidents are evaluated, and the escalation process.
Sample Checklist:
- Is there a clear reporting process for information security events?
- Are employees aware of what events qualify as incidents and what they are expected to report?
- Is there a classification scale for incidents, and is it consistently applied?
- Is there a triage and/or escalation process in place to prioritize serious incidents?
- Are the criteria for escalation based on the severity and impact of the incident?
- Are there guidelines for investigating and analyzing incidents to identify their root causes?
- Are decisions made based on the results of the investigation and analysis, and are they documented?
- Are incident response plans reviewed and updated based on the lessons learned from previous incidents?
Conclusion:
Assessing and deciding on information security events is a critical aspect of an organization’s incident management process.
A.16.1.4 of ISO 27001 outlines the requirements for assessing and deciding on incidents.
By following these requirements and implementing a clear reporting process, organizations can minimize the impact of security incidents and prevent future occurrences.
By having an effective triage and escalation process, organizations can prioritize and respond to the most critical incidents promptly.
Additionally, organizations should investigate and analyze incidents to identify their root causes and take corrective action to prevent their recurrence.
Overall, A.16.1.4 provides a comprehensive framework for managing incidents and protecting an organization’s information security management system.
