Step 6 of the ISO 27001 implementation process centers on creating a comprehensive inventory of assets, a foundational step for protecting an organization’s valuable resources. Assets, encompassing data, hardware, software, processes, people, and reputation, are critical to business operations and must be safeguarded against threats like cyberattacks, human error, or system failures. This step involves identifying, classifying, and managing these assets to understand what needs protection before assessing risks or applying controls. By establishing a clear asset inventory, organizations lay the groundwork for effective risk management and compliance with ISO 27001, ensuring all assets are accounted for and appropriately handled.
Required Activities and Tasks
This step involves a cohesive set of activities to systematically identify, document, and manage assets while implementing classification and labeling processes. These activities ensure a thorough understanding of the organization’s assets and their security requirements:
Develop and Communicate Asset Management Policies: Establish and distribute policies that outline how assets and their configurations are identified, managed, and protected, setting clear guidelines for the organization.
Identify and Document Assets: Catalog primary assets (core business processes and data) and supporting assets (systems, infrastructure, and applications), mapping their relationships to understand dependencies.
Assign Ownership and Classify Assets: Designate responsible owners for each asset and develop a classification system based on sensitivity and importance to ensure proper handling.
Implement Labeling and Maintenance Processes: Create procedures for labeling assets according to their classification and maintain an up-to-date inventory to support ongoing security management.
The milestone for this step is the completion and formal adoption of a comprehensive asset inventory, fully documented and aligned with ISO 27001 requirements.
Deliverables of This Step
The outputs of Step 6 provide a structured framework for asset management and protection:
Asset Management Policy: A documented policy defining how assets are identified, managed, and protected.
Asset Inventory: A comprehensive catalog of primary and supporting assets, including their relationships and assigned owners.
Information Classification Policy: A policy outlining criteria for classifying assets based on sensitivity and importance.
Labeling Procedures: Defined processes for labeling assets to ensure consistent handling and protection.
Asset Ownership Records: Documentation assigning responsibility for each asset to specific individuals or roles.
These deliverables ensure that all assets are identified, classified, and managed effectively within the ISMS.
Normative References
This step aligns with specific ISO 27001 Annex A controls that address asset management and classification:
Control A.5.9: Inventory of Information and Other Associated Assets: Requires organizations to maintain a documented inventory of all information assets and associated resources, including ownership details.
Control A.5.12: Classification of Information: Mandates the classification of information based on its value, sensitivity, and criticality to the organization.
Control A.5.13: Labelling of Information: Requires procedures for labeling information in accordance with the classification scheme to ensure appropriate handling.
These controls provide the framework for building a robust asset inventory that supports the ISMS and ISO 27001 compliance.
