Description

This curriculum spans the full lifecycle of an ISO 27001 ISMS implementation, equivalent in depth to a multi-workshop advisory engagement, covering scoping, risk treatment, control deployment, audit preparation, and ongoing governance across diverse organizational units and third-party relationships.

Module 1: Establishing the ISMS Framework

Selecting the scope of the Information Security Management System (ISMS) based on business units, geographic locations, and regulatory boundaries.
Defining top management roles and responsibilities for ISMS oversight, including appointment of an ISMS manager with documented authority.
Conducting a formal gap analysis between current security practices and ISO 27001:2022 requirements.
Developing a documented ISMS policy aligned with organizational risk appetite and strategic objectives.
Establishing criteria for risk assessment methodology, including asset valuation, threat likelihood, and impact scales.
Integrating ISMS planning with existing enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks.
Setting measurable objectives for information security with defined metrics and timelines.
Creating a documented statement of applicability (SoA) that justifies inclusion or exclusion of Annex A controls.

Module 2: Risk Assessment and Treatment

Identifying information assets by business function, ownership, and criticality to operations.
Selecting and applying a risk assessment methodology (qualitative vs. quantitative) based on organizational maturity and data availability.
Conducting threat and vulnerability analysis using industry benchmarks and internal incident data.
Assigning risk owners for each identified high-risk scenario and documenting their accountability.
Developing risk treatment plans with specific actions: mitigate, accept, transfer, or avoid.
Validating risk treatment effectiveness through control testing and residual risk reviews.
Establishing thresholds for acceptable risk based on business impact and regulatory requirements.
Documenting risk acceptance decisions with sign-off from authorized personnel and review schedules.

Module 3: Annex A Control Implementation

Mapping selected Annex A controls to identified risks and business processes.
Configuring access control policies (A.9) based on role-based access (RBAC) and least privilege principles.
Implementing encryption standards (A.10) for data at rest and in transit, aligned with regulatory mandates.
Establishing secure development practices (A.14) for in-house software and vendor-supplied systems.
Deploying network security controls (A.13) including segmentation, firewall rules, and intrusion detection.
Configuring logging and monitoring controls (A.16) to ensure event traceability and incident response readiness.
Implementing supplier security requirements (A.15) through contractual clauses and audit rights.
Enforcing physical security measures (A.11) for data centers and offices, including access logs and surveillance.

Module 4: Policy Development and Documentation

Drafting an information security policy suite covering acceptable use, data handling, and remote work.
Aligning security policies with legal, statutory, and contractual obligations across jurisdictions.
Establishing a document control process for versioning, review cycles, and access permissions.
Integrating policy exceptions into the risk register with documented justification and review dates.
Mapping policy requirements to specific roles and responsibilities in job descriptions.
Creating policy awareness mechanisms such as digital acknowledgments and training triggers.
Ensuring policy language is enforceable and consistent with disciplinary procedures.
Conducting periodic policy reviews triggered by incidents, audits, or regulatory changes.

Module 5: Internal Audit and Compliance Monitoring

Designing an internal audit schedule based on risk profile, control criticality, and business changes.
Selecting qualified internal auditors with independence from the functions being audited.
Developing audit checklists aligned with ISO 27001 clauses and the organization’s SoA.
Conducting sample testing of control implementation and effectiveness across departments.
Reporting audit findings with root cause analysis and assigning corrective action owners.
Tracking non-conformities to closure using a formal corrective action management system.
Integrating compliance monitoring with continuous controls monitoring tools (e.g., SIEM, GRC platforms).
Preparing for external audits by validating evidence availability and audit trail completeness.

Module 6: Management Review and Continuous Improvement

Scheduling formal management review meetings with defined agenda items per ISO 27001 clause 9.3.
Presenting performance metrics such as incident rates, control effectiveness, and audit results.
Evaluating changes in internal and external issues affecting the ISMS (e.g., mergers, new regulations).
Reviewing resource adequacy for maintaining and improving the ISMS.
Updating ISMS objectives based on performance data and strategic shifts.
Documenting management decisions and action items with assigned owners and deadlines.
Assessing the effectiveness of previous corrective actions and improvement initiatives.
Ensuring review outputs are traceable to subsequent changes in policy, scope, or risk treatment.

Module 7: Incident Management and Business Continuity

Defining incident classification criteria based on impact, data type, and regulatory reporting thresholds.
Establishing an incident response team with defined roles, escalation paths, and communication protocols.
Integrating the ISMS incident response plan with existing IT service management (ITSM) processes.
Conducting post-incident reviews to identify control gaps and update response procedures.
Testing incident response plans through tabletop exercises and simulated breaches.
Aligning ISMS continuity requirements with organizational business continuity management (BCM) plans.
Ensuring backup procedures (A.12.3) are tested regularly and meet recovery time objectives (RTO).
Documenting and reporting security incidents to regulators where required by law (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

Module 8: Third-Party and Supply Chain Risk

Classifying suppliers based on data access, criticality, and security risk exposure.
Conducting security assessments of high-risk vendors using standardized questionnaires or audits.
Embedding security requirements in procurement contracts, including right-to-audit clauses.
Monitoring supplier compliance through periodic reviews and performance scorecards.
Managing cloud service provider risks in alignment with CSA CCM and ISO 27017.
Establishing processes for onboarding and offboarding suppliers with security checks.
Integrating supplier incidents into the organization’s risk and incident management processes.
Ensuring subcontractor oversight by requiring prime vendors to flow down security obligations.

Module 9: Certification and External Audit Preparation

Selecting an accredited certification body based on industry reputation and audit scope expertise.
Conducting a pre-certification readiness assessment to validate documentation and control operation.
Preparing evidence files for all ISMS controls, including logs, policies, and training records.
Coordinating site access and stakeholder availability for the external audit team.
Responding to certification audit findings with corrective action plans and evidence of resolution.
Negotiating the scope of certification to reflect actual operational boundaries and exclude test environments.
Managing surveillance audit schedules and maintaining evidence continuity between audits.
Updating the ISMS following certification to reflect audit feedback and organizational changes.

Module 10: Sustaining and Scaling the ISMS

Integrating ISMS updates into change management processes for M&A, divestitures, or new technologies.
Scaling the ISMS to new business units by conducting localized risk assessments and scoping.
Automating control monitoring and evidence collection using GRC or integrated security platforms.
Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) for ISMS maturity and executive reporting.
Conducting periodic benchmarking against industry standards and peer organizations.
Managing staff turnover by embedding security roles into HR onboarding and offboarding workflows.
Updating training programs based on control gaps identified in audits or incidents.
Aligning ISMS evolution with emerging threats, technological changes, and updated regulatory landscapes.