In this guide, I will show you exactly how to implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 and ensure you pass your audit. You will get a complete walkthrough of the control, practical implementation examples, and access to the ISO 27001 templates and toolkit that make compliance easy.
I am Stuart Barker, an ISO 27001 Lead Auditor with over 30 years of experience conducting hundreds of audits. I will cut through the jargon to show you exactly what changed in the 2022 update and provide you with plain-English advice to get you certified.
Key Takeaways: ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable Use of Information and Other Associated Assets
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 requires organizations to define and communicate rules for the acceptable use of information and assets (such as laptops, email, and cloud services). This is a foundational “preventive” control that bridges the gap between technical security and human behavior. The goal is to ensure that every employee, contractor, and third-party user knows exactly what they can and cannot do with company resources, reducing the risk of accidental data leaks, legal liability, and system abuse.
Core requirements for compliance include:
- Formal AUP Implementation: You must have a documented Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that is approved by management and explicitly acknowledged by all users.
- Full Lifecycle Handling: Acceptable use applies from the moment an asset is assigned until it is returned or destroyed. This includes rules for data classification, secure storage, and correct disposal.
- Cloud & Personal Devices: The rules must extend to assets not owned by the company, such as Cloud Services (SaaS) and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), if they are used to process company information.
- Monitoring Disclosure: The policy must clearly state what monitoring the organization performs (e.g., email screening or web filtering) to ensure transparency and legal compliance.
- Behavioral Expectations: You must define “prohibited behaviors,” such as installing pirated software, sharing passwords, or visiting high-risk websites (gambling, dark web).
Audit Focus: Auditors will look for “The Acceptance Gap”:
- Acknowledgement Proof: “Show me the signed AUP for your three most recent hires. Did they sign it before they were given their laptops?”
- Staff Knowledge: They may interview a random employee and ask: “Are you allowed to install your own software on this machine? How do you know?”
- Disciplinary Link: Auditors will check if the AUP is linked to your formal Disciplinary Process (A.6.4) to ensure the rules have “teeth.”
AUP Do’s and Don’ts Matrix (Audit Prep):
| Category | Acceptable Use (Do) | Prohibited Use (Don’t) | ISO 27001:2022 Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | Work research; light personal banking. | Gambling, adult content, or dark web. | Annex A 5.10 / 8.23 |
| Professional comms; light personal use. | Chain letters, harassment, or phishing. | Annex A 5.10 / 8.22 | |
| Hardware | Official tasks; charging personal phone. | Mining Crypto or installing pirated tools. | Annex A 5.10 / 8.9 |
| Social Media | Professional networking (LinkedIn). | Posting confidential company data or code. | Annex A 5.10 / 5.14 |
Table of contents
- What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10?
- Watch the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Tutorial
- ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Podcast
- ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Implementation Guidance
- How to implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10
- Do’s and Don’ts Matrix
- ISO 27001 Acceptable Use Template
- How to comply
- How to pass the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 audit
- What will an audit check?
- Top 3 ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Mistakes People Make and How to Avoid Them
- Applicability of ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 across different business models.
- Fast Track ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Compliance with the ISO 27001 Toolkit
- ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 FAQ
- Further Reading
- Related ISO 27001 Controls
- ISO 27001 Controls and Attribute Values
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10?
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 is about acceptable use which means people need to be informed what is and what is not acceptable to ensure the proper use, handling and protection of organisation assets.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable use of information and other associated assets is an ISO 27001 control that requires an organisation to implement rules and procedures for the acceptable use of information and other assets.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Purpose
The purpose of ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 is a preventive control that ensures information and other associated assets are appropriately protected, used and handled.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Definition
The ISO 27001 standard defines ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 as:
Rules for the acceptable use and procedures for handling information and other associated assets should be identified, documented and implemented.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable use of information and other associated assets
Watch the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Tutorial
In the video ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable Use Of Information And Associated Assets Explained show you how to implement it and how to pass the audit.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Podcast
In this episode: Lead Auditor Stuart Barker and team do a deep dive into the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable Use Of Information And Other Associated Assets. The podcast explores what it is, why it is important and the path to compliance.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Implementation Guidance
To implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable Use Of Information And Other Associated Assets you are going to have to ensure that
- Personnel, contractors and third party users are made aware of the information security requirements for protecting and handling assets and information
- People are responsible for their use of company assets
- There is a topic specific policy on acceptable use
- Acceptable use procedures are documented, communicated and in place
What should an acceptable use policy cover?
The Acceptable Use Policy should cover the following topics
- Expected behaviour for information security
- Unacceptable behaviour for information security
- What monitoring the organisation is doing
What acceptable use processes do I need?
You are going to have acceptable use processes for the full information security lifecycle based on its classification and identified risks. What this means is you will consider
- Access restrictions that are based on classification
- Having a record of authorised users of information and systems
- Protecting information that has been copied to the same level as the original
- Following manufacturers specifications when storing information
- Marking storage media for the attention of the recipient
- Processes for disposing information and other assets including deletion methods and authorisation
Acceptable Use and Cloud Services
So what about assets that do not belong to the organisation? Cloud based assets for example. Well you need to identify those as well and record them as applicable and controlled. You are going to ensure there are agreements are in place and those agreements provide the required controls.
How to implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10
Implementing ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 requires a transition from informal guidelines to a structured governance framework that dictates how personnel interact with organisational assets. By defining clear boundaries for the use of information, networks, and hardware, an organisation can significantly reduce the risk of insider threats and data leakage. This action-orientated guide outlines the technical and procedural steps necessary to formalise your Acceptable Use Policy and ensure it is technically enforced across the Information Security Management System.
1. Formalise the Topic-Specific Acceptable Use Policy
Establish a documented policy that defines the permitted and prohibited behaviours regarding organisational assets. This action results in a legally defensible governance layer that sets clear expectations for all employees, contractors, and third-party users.
- Define specific Rules of Engagement (ROE) for the use of corporate email, internet access, and social media platforms.
- Identify prohibited actions, such as the installation of unauthorised software or the bypass of security controls like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
- Document the organisational stance on incidental personal use to prevent the misuse of company resources.
2. Provision Asset Ownership and User Responsibilities
Assign every information asset to a designated owner and map user access through an Identity and Access Management framework. This result-focused step ensures that every interaction with a system or dataset is attributable to an individual identity.
- Maintain an accurate Information Asset Register that links hardware and software to specific owners.
- Utilise Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to ensure that users only interact with assets relevant to their specific job function.
- Incorporate asset return procedures into employment contracts to ensure hardware is recovered upon termination.
3. Deploy Technical Enforcement Mechanisms
Implement automated safeguards that prevent users from violating the Acceptable Use Policy. This action results in a proactive security posture where policy compliance is not solely dependent on human behaviour.
- Configure web filtering gateways to block access to high-risk or inappropriate categories of websites.
- Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to prevent the execution of unauthorised executable files or scripts.
- Enforce session timeouts and screen-lock policies via Group Policy Objects (GPO) or Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles.
4. Execute Mandatory Awareness Training and Sign-off
Deliver comprehensive security awareness training that focuses on the practical application of the Acceptable Use Policy. This result-oriented step creates a documented compliance trail that confirms user understanding and consent.
- Require all staff to complete an annual training module that covers the core tenets of Annex A 5.10.
- Obtain a formal digital sign-off from every user, confirming they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by the AUP.
- Perform periodic phishing simulations to test the efficacy of the training and identify areas for further education.
5. Establish Monitoring and Disciplinary Protocols
Enforce the policy through continuous monitoring of system logs and a formalised disciplinary process for violations. This action results in a credible deterrent against the misuse of assets and ensures that security incidents are handled consistently.
- Integrate asset usage logs with a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to detect anomalous activity.
- Establish a clear link between policy violations and the organisational disciplinary process defined in Annex A 5.4.
- Conduct regular management reviews of access logs to ensure that use remains aligned with business requirements.
Do’s and Don’ts Matrix
| Category | Acceptable Use (Do) | Unacceptable Use (Don’t) |
| Internet | Research, Banking (Lunch break). | Gambling, Adult Content, Dark Web. |
| Business comms, Light personal use. | Chain letters, Harassment, Phishing. | |
| Hardware | Work tasks, Charging personal phone. | Installing pirated software, Mining Crypto. |
| Social Media | LinkedIn (Professional). | Posting confidential company data. |
ISO 27001 Acceptable Use Template
The ISO 27001 acceptable use policy template is pre written and ready to go.
How to comply
To comply with ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable use of information and other associated assets you are going to implement the ‘how’ to the ‘what’ the control is expecting. In short measure you are going to:
- Implement a topic specific Acceptable Use Policy
- Implement Acceptable Use Procedures
- Communicate and gain acceptance of the Acceptable Use Policy
How to pass the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 audit
To pass an audit of ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Acceptable use of information and other associated assets you are going to make sure that you have followed the steps above in how to comply.
What will an audit check?
The audit is going to check a number of areas. Lets go through the main ones
1. That you have an Acceptable Use Policy
What this means is that you need to show that you have an acceptable use policy in place, that it has been approved and signed off.
2. That your Acceptable Use Policy has been communicated and accepted
You need to communicate the Acceptable Use Policy to all staff and get them to accept it. There are many ways to record acceptance of policy from getting email confirmation, an actual signature or using a training tool to distribute and seek understanding and acceptance.
3. That you have covered the entire information lifecycle
Acceptable use covers the entire information lifecycle. It is unlikely that the acceptable use policy will cover everything that is required and it would not make sense for it to do so. Rather you will have a suite of topic specific policies that are complimentary covering things such as logging and monitoring, access control.
Top 3 ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Mistakes People Make and How to Avoid Them
The top 3 Mistakes People Make For ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 are
1. Your haven’t got acceptance from people of the policy
As well as having the policy you need to communicate it and get people to accept it. Often people think is enough just to ‘have’ a policy. It is not.
2. You forgot the bits that were not obvious
Acceptable use is part of many of the policies that you will have as you are communicating to people what is expected of them. Having a complete set of policies that cover the entire information lifecycle is important. Considering access control, information destruction, handling, information transfer and more.
3. Your document and version control is wrong
Keeping your document version control up to date, making sure that version numbers match where used, having a review evidenced in the last 12 months, having documents that have no comments in are all good practices.
Applicability of ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 across different business models.
| Business Type | Applicability & Interpretation | Examples of Control |
|---|---|---|
| Small Businesses |
Basic Asset Hygiene. Without complex firewalls, your “Human Firewall” is key. The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) must simply state that work laptops are for work, not for torrenting movies or family gaming. |
• Prohibited Sites: A simple rule in the handbook banning Gambling, Adult Content, and Dark Web access on company devices. |
| Tech Startups |
Shadow IT & Cloud Tools. The AUP must address the “Move Fast” culture. Developers cannot spin up personal AWS instances or sign up for random SaaS tools with corporate credit cards without approval. |
• Crypto Mining Ban: Explicitly prohibiting the use of high-powered dev laptops or cloud instances for cryptocurrency mining. |
| AI Companies |
GenAI & Data Ethics. The Acceptable Use Policy must catch up with modern tech. It is critical to forbid pasting proprietary code or PII into public AI models (like ChatGPT or Claude) that train on inputs. |
• Public AI Ban: A strict rule stating “Do not paste customer PII or confidential source code into public LLM interfaces.” |
Fast Track ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 Compliance with the ISO 27001 Toolkit
For ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 (Acceptable use of information and other associated assets), the requirement is to identify, document, and implement rules for the acceptable use of information and assets. This is about ensuring people know what is and isn’t allowed from email behaviour to social media posting.
| Compliance Factor | SaaS Compliance Platforms | High Table ISO 27001 Toolkit | Audit Evidence Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Ownership | Rents access to your rules; if you cancel the subscription, your documented behavioral standards and signature history vanish. | Permanent Assets: Fully editable Word/Excel Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) that you own and host forever. | A localized “Acceptable Use Policy” defining specific rules for LinkedIn, AI tool usage, and personal device (BYOD) limits. |
| Cultural Utility | Attempts to “automate” behavior via generic modules that cannot define what “acceptable” looks like for your specific company culture. | Governance-First: Provides a “Do’s and Don’ts Matrix” to formalize your existing culture into an auditor-ready framework. | A completed “Employee Code of Conduct” sign-off sheet proving staff understand prohibited actions (e.g., crypto-mining). |
| Cost Efficiency | Charges a “Headcount Tax” based on the number of users who sign the AUP, creating perpetual overhead as you hire. | One-Off Fee: A single payment covers your AUP governance for 10 employees or 1,000+. | Allocating budget to actual security awareness training rather than monthly “policy acknowledgment” software fees. |
| Behavioral Freedom | Mandates rigid monitoring formats that often fail to align with creative startup environments or flexible remote-work models. | 100% Agnostic: Procedures adapt to your operating style—from strict traditional offices to rapid, remote-first teams. | The ability to evolve your social media and email standards without reconfiguring a rigid, third-party SaaS compliance module. |
Summary: For Annex A 5.10, the auditor wants to see that you have a formal Acceptable Use Policy and proof that it has been communicated to and accepted by all staff. The High Table ISO 27001 Toolkit provides the governance framework to satisfy this requirement immediately. It is the most direct, cost-effective way to achieve compliance using permanent documentation that you own and control.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 FAQ
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10?
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10 is an organisational control that requires rules for the acceptable use of information and other associated assets to be identified, documented, and implemented.
- Defines how employees and contractors should interact with company hardware and software.
- Protects the organisation from legal liability and reputational damage.
- Ensures that assets are only used for their intended business purposes.
- Establishes clear boundaries for personal use of corporate resources.
Is an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) mandatory for ISO 27001?
Yes, a documented Acceptable Use Policy is considered a mandatory piece of evidence to satisfy the requirements of Annex A 5.10 during a certification audit.
- Provides verifiable proof that users have been informed of their responsibilities.
- Supports compliance with Clause 7.3 (Awareness) and Annex A 5.4 (Disciplinary process).
- Sets the legal groundwork for monitoring and enforcement activities.
- Acts as a primary reference for auditors to gauge the maturity of your ISMS.
What should be included in an ISO 27001 Acceptable Use Policy?
A comprehensive AUP must define permitted and prohibited behaviours regarding the use of organisational networks, devices, and data.
- Rules for internet and email usage (e.g., prohibiting illegal content).
- Guidelines for social media and external communications.
- Restrictions on unauthorised software installation or hardware modification.
- Requirements for password hygiene and screen locking.
- Clear definitions of what constitutes “incidental” personal use.
Does Annex A 5.10 apply to remote workers and BYOD?
Yes, the control applies to any asset used to access organisational information, regardless of whether it is company-owned or a personal device.
- Must define security requirements for accessing the corporate network via VPN.
- Requires clear rules on data segregation between personal and business use.
- Should mandate the use of anti-malware and encryption on personal devices (BYOD).
- States the organisation’s right to wipe corporate data from personal hardware upon termination.
How often should the Acceptable Use Policy be reviewed?
Organisations should review their AUP at least annually or whenever significant technical or organisational changes occur.
- Triggers for review include the adoption of new technologies like Generative AI.
- Must be updated following a major security incident involving asset misuse.
- Ensures alignment with changing legal, regulatory, or contractual requirements.
- Helps maintain relevance as working patterns (like hybrid work) evolve.
What are the consequences of violating an AUP?
Violations of the AUP should trigger formalised disciplinary procedures as defined in your organisational HR policies and Annex A 5.4.
- May result in the immediate revocation of access to corporate systems.
- Can lead to formal warnings, suspension, or termination of employment.
- Might involve legal action if the misuse involves data breaches or criminal activity.
- Acts as a deterrent to other employees by demonstrating enforcement of security rules.
Further Reading
How to Implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10: A Practical Guide to Acceptable Use
How to Audit ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10: An Auditor’s Step-by-Step Guide
Your 10-Point Checklist for Mastering ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10: Acceptable Use
Pass Your ISO 27001 Audit: A 10-Point Checklist for Annex A 5.10
A Tech Startup’s Practical Guide to ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10: Acceptable Use
A Practical Guide for SMEs to ISO 27001 Annex A 5.10: Acceptable Use of Information and Assets
ISO 27001 Acceptable Use Policy Beginner’s Guide
ISO 27001 Asset Management Policy Template
Related ISO 27001 Controls
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.9 Inventory Of Information And Other Associated Assets
ISO 27001 Controls and Attribute Values
| Control type | Information security properties | Cybersecurity concepts | Operational capabilities | Security domains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preventive | Confidentiality | Protect | Asset management | Protection |
| Integrity | ||||
| Availability |
