In this guide, I will show you exactly how to implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 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 5.8 Information Security in Project Management
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 requires organizations to integrate information security requirements into their project management methodology. The objective is “Security by Design and Default”, ensuring that security risks are identified, assessed, and treated at the very start of a project rather than being “bolted on” at the end. Whether you are launching a new product, moving offices, or implementing a new software system, security must be a core part of the project lifecycle to prevent costly rework and data breaches.
Core requirements for compliance include:
- Methodology Integration: You must have a documented project management process (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) that includes explicit security milestones.
- Early Risk Assessment: Information security risks must be identified and treated during the initiation phase. This includes considering the impact on Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.
- Intellectual Property Protection: Projects often create or use high-value IP. You must address how this IP is protected throughout the project life cycle.
- Assigned Security Roles: Every project should have defined roles for information security. This ensures accountability for security deliverables (e.g., pen tests, encryption config).
- Progress Monitoring: Risk treatment effectiveness must be evaluated at key gates in the project. If a risk isn’t mitigated, the project steering committee must formally accept the risk before moving to the next phase.
Audit Focus: Auditors will look for “The Security-by-Design Trail”:
- Project Documentation: “Show me the Project Initiation Document (PID) or Backlog for your last major project. Where were the security requirements defined?”
- Risk Management Evidence: “Can you prove that you conducted a risk assessment before the execution phase of this project?”
- The ‘Go-Live’ Sign-off: “Show me the security sign-off for your latest system release. Who authorized that the identified security risks were sufficiently treated?”
Project Lifecycle Matrix (Audit Prep):
| Phase | Waterfall (Traditional) | Agile (Scrum/DevOps) | ISO 27001 Requirement |
| Initiation | Security Risk Assessment (PID). | Security “User Stories” in Backlog. | Early risk identification. |
| Planning | Security Requirements Spec. | Threat Modeling the Feature. | Defined security objectives. |
| Execution | Build & Config Reviews. | Automated SAST/DAST in Pipeline. | Secure implementation. |
| Closure | Go-Live Security Sign-off. | “Definition of Done” (Security Checks). | Final risk evaluation. |
Table of contents
- What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8?
- Watch the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Tutorial
- ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Podcast
- ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Implementation Guidance
- How to implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8
- Project Lifecycle Matrix
- How to comply
- How to pass the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 audit
- What will an audit check?
- Top 3 ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Mistakes People Make and How To Avoid Them
- Applicability of ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 across different business models.
- Fast Track ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Compliance with the ISO 27001 Toolkit
- ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 FAQ
- Further Reading
- Related ISO 27001 Controls
- ISO 27001 Controls and Attribute Values
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8?
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 is about information security in project management which means you need to include information security requirements in your project management methodology.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Information security in project management is an ISO 27001 control that requires information security to be integrated into project management.
You will be following a project management methodology and that process will include information security requirements as part of it.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Purpose
The purpose of ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 is to ensure information security risks related to projects and deliverables are effectively addressed in project management throughout the project life cycle.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Definition
The ISO 27001 standard defines ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 as:
Information security should be integrated into project management.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8 Information security in project management
Watch the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Tutorial
In the video ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Information Security In Project Management Explained show you how to implement it and how to pass the audit.
- What are the compliance requirements set in our policies
- What do regulations say about information security
- What laws apply and what requirements do they set
- Considering threat modelling, threat intelligence and actual incidents that have been experienced
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Podcast
In this episode: Lead Auditor Stuart Barker and team do a deep dive into the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Information Security In Project. The podcast explores what it is, why it is important and the path to compliance.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Implementation Guidance
You are going to be doing some level of project management following your approach and methodology. This is fine. There are many approaches and methodologies, but what ever you do, you will integrate information security ensuring information security risks are addressed as part of the process. You can consider ISO 21500 and ISO 21502 for guidance on concepts and processes for project management.
You are going to have to ensure that
- you have identified, assessed and treated information security risks at an early stage
- you continue to identify, assess and treat risks at points in the project lifecycle
- requirements for information security and intellectual property are addressed early in projects
- risks associated with the execution of projects are considered and treated
- progress on risk treatment is reviewed and its effectiveness evaluated and treated
Your project steering committee or oversight structure is going to check the appropriateness of the information security considerations and activities. The project is going to have roles and responsibilities for information security defined and allocated.
What to consider when determining requirements
- The information that is involved and the information security needs for that information. This would include considering the negative impacts of not having the security controls
- The protection requirements for information and the assets that process, store and transmit it
- Authentication requirements for access to information and the assets that process, store and transmit it
- The processes for providing the access for both customers and business users
- Informing users of their duties and responsibilities
- Compliance to the legal, regulatory and client requirements for information security
How to determine information security requirements
You can determine the requirements for information security in a project using a variety of methods. Some examples would be:
- What are the compliance requirements set in our policies
- What do regulations say about information security
- What laws apply and what requirements do they set
- Considering threat modelling, threat intelligence and actual incidents that have been experienced
How to implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8
Implementing ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 requires a shift from viewing security as a final “check-box” to treating it as a core project requirement. By embedding security milestones directly into your existing project management methodology, you ensure that risks are mitigated early in the lifecycle, reducing the cost of remedial actions. This action-oriented guide provides the technical steps necessary to formalise security integration and satisfy lead auditor requirements for the 2022 standard.
1. Formalise Security Roles in Project Governance
Establish clear accountability by appointing a security lead or Subject Matter Expert (SME) to every project board. This action results in a governance structure where security requirements are championed at the decision-making level rather than being ignored by delivery teams.
- Assign a Security Liaison to attend project kick-off meetings and define the initial risk appetite.
- Document specific security responsibilities within the Project Charter or Terms of Reference (ToR).
- Establish a formal communication channel between the Project Manager and the CISO or Data Protection Officer (DPO).
2. Provision Mandatory Security Risk Assessments
Execute a formalised Information Security Risk Assessment (ISRA) during the project initiation phase. This result-focused step ensures that potential threats to confidentiality, integrity, and availability are identified before any technical or physical builds commence.
- Utilise a standardised risk assessment template to ensure consistency across different project types.
- Identify legal and regulatory requirements, such as GDPR or PCI-DSS, that may impact project deliverables.
- Define specific technical controls, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or encryption at rest, based on the identified risks.
3. Formalise Security Requirements in Design and Procurement
Incorporate technical security specifications into the project design phase and any third-party procurement documents. This action results in a “Security by Design” approach where security is baked into the architecture from the outset.
- Include security non-functional requirements (NFRs) in the project specification or Request for Proposal (RFP).
- Perform a formal security review of third-party vendors or SaaS providers during the selection process.
- Document the “Rules of Engagement” (ROE) for how developers or contractors must handle sensitive project data.
4. Execute Continuous Security Monitoring and Testing
Implement a testing regime that validates the efficacy of security controls as the project progresses through its development or build stages. This result-oriented step prevents critical vulnerabilities from reaching the production environment.
- Conduct Vulnerability Assessments or Penetration Testing during the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase.
- Review code for secure coding practices or perform architectural reviews for physical projects.
- Validate that Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles are correctly configured according to the Principle of Least Privilege.
5. Revoke Project Access and Perform Final Sign-Off
Perform a final security readiness review and decommission project-specific access upon completion. This action ensures that the resulting product is secure for “Go-Live” and that the project’s own temporary infrastructure does not become a security legacy.
- Obtain a formal security sign-off from the CISO or delegated security authority before the project closure.
- Revoke all temporary administrative credentials and project-specific IAM roles once the handover to “Business as Usual” (BAU) is complete.
- Ensure all project documentation, including risk registers and configuration details, is securely archived.
Project Lifecycle Matrix
| Phase | Waterfall (Traditional) | Agile (Scrum/DevOps) | ISO 27001:2022 Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initiation | Project Risk Assessment (PID). | Security “User Stories” in Backlog. | Annex A 5.8 / 5.7 |
| Planning | Security Requirements Spec. | Threat Modelling the Feature. | Annex A 5.8 / 8.25 |
| Execution | Build & Config Reviews. | Automated SAST/DAST in Pipeline. | Annex A 5.8 / 8.28 |
| Closure | Go-Live Security Sign-off. | “Definition of Done” (Security Checks). | Annex A 5.8 / 8.29 |
How to comply
To comply with ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 you are going to implement the ‘how’ to the ‘what’ the control is expecting. In short measure you are going to:
- Establish and document your project methodology
- Include steps to identify, assess and treat information security risks at an early stage
- Continue to identify, assess and treat risks at points in the project lifecycle
- Demonstrate the requirements for information security and intellectual property are addressed early in projects
- Document that risks associated with the execution of projects are considered and treated
- Monitor progress on risk treatment and review its effectiveness, that is evaluated and treated
How to pass the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 audit
To pass an audit of ISO 27001 Annex 5.8 Information security in project management 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 a documented project management process
What ever your approach to projects the process is going to be written down.
2. That you have followed and can evidence you project management process
You have the process, you have included the requirements of the standard and you can evidence that you have followed it at least once or consistently since implementing it, which ever is the greater.
3. That risks are managed
That you have evidence of managing risks which includes for the project that you have identified, assessed and treated them.
Top 3 ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Mistakes People Make and How To Avoid Them
The top 3 Mistakes People Make For ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Information security in project management are
1. You haven’t got a written project process and / or you are not following it
Make sure your process is documented and that you have evidence that you follow it.
2. You didn’t manage risks
Do not overlook risk management in your project management process. Evidence that you have identified, assessed and treated the appropriate project risks for information security.
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 5.8 across different business models.
| Business Type | Applicability & Interpretation | Examples of Control |
|---|---|---|
| Small Businesses |
The “New Thing” Checklist. You don’t use Prince2. Compliance means simply checking security whenever you do something new (e.g., “New CRM Project”). It prevents you from picking a cheap vendor that leaks data. |
• Project Initiation Document (PID): Adding a single section called “Security Risks” to your project proposal template. |
| Tech Startups |
Agile Security Stories. Security cannot be a “Blocker” at the end. It must be a “Feature” in the backlog. Auditors look for security tickets in Jira/Linear alongside functional requirements. |
• Definition of Done (DoD): Adding “Security Unit Tests Passed” and “SAST Scan Clean” to the DoD for every sprint. |
| AI Companies |
Model Risk Assessment. Projects often involve gathering massive datasets. Security in Project Management means assessing the legal/privacy risk of that data before training begins. |
• Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA): Making a DPIA a mandatory “Gate” before any project moves from “Research” to “Training Phase.” |
Fast Track ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 Compliance with the ISO 27001 Toolkit
For ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 (Information security in project management), the requirement is to integrate information security into your project management methodology throughout the entire project lifecycle. This ensures that security risks are addressed early (security by design) rather than as an afterthought.
| Compliance Factor | SaaS Compliance Platforms | High Table ISO 27001 Toolkit | Audit Evidence Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Ownership | Rents access to project rules; if you cancel the subscription, your documented security “Definitions of Done” and history vanish. | Permanent Assets: Fully editable Word/Excel Project Security Policies and templates that you own forever. | A localized “Project Management Security Policy” defining mandatory security checkpoints for all new initiatives. |
| Methodology Utility | Attempts to “automate” tracking via dashboards that cannot conduct risk assessments or define security “user stories.” | Governance-First: Provides a “Project Lifecycle Matrix” to formalize security within Agile, Waterfall, or DevOps. | A completed “Project Risk Assessment” proving that security requirements were identified during the planning phase. |
| Cost Efficiency | Charges a “Project Volume Tax” based on active projects or PM users, creating perpetual overhead as your business scales. | One-Off Fee: A single payment covers your project governance for 5 projects a year or 500+. | Allocating budget to actual penetration testing or secure coding rather than monthly “compliance dashboard” fees. |
| Strategic Freedom | Mandates rigid reporting formats that often fail to align with lean DevOps pipelines or specialized project models. | 100% Agnostic: Procedures adapt to your existing stack—Jira, Trello, or Monday.com—without limits. | The ability to evolve your “Security by Design” strategy without reconfiguring a rigid, third-party SaaS compliance module. |
Summary: For Annex A 5.8, the auditor wants to see that you have a formal process for including security in projects and proof that you follow it (e.g., project risk assessments and security sign-offs). 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 5.8 FAQ
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8?
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.8 is an organisational control that mandates information security must be integrated into the organisation’s project management methodology to ensure risks are identified and addressed throughout the project lifecycle.
- Requires security requirements to be defined at the project start.
- Mandates continuous risk assessment as projects evolve.
- Applies to both IT and non-IT projects.
- Ensures security is an integral part of the project delivery, not an afterthought.
Does Annex A 5.8 apply to non-IT projects?
Yes, Annex A 5.8 applies to all organisational projects that could impact information security, regardless of whether they are technical in nature.
- Includes office relocations and physical security changes.
- Applies to marketing campaigns involving personal data collection.
- Covers business process outsourcing or supply chain transitions.
- Includes mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructures.
How do you integrate security into project management?
Security is integrated by establishing mandatory security checkpoints and deliverables within every phase of your existing project management framework (e.g., Agile, Prince2, or Waterfall).
- Include security requirements in the initial project charter or brief.
- Conduct a formalised Information Security Risk Assessment during the design phase.
- Assign a security lead or Subject Matter Expert (SME) to the project team.
- Execute a final security sign-off before moving to a “live” or production environment.
What evidence do auditors look for regarding Annex A 5.8?
Auditors seek documented proof that security risks were actively considered, documented, and mitigated at specific milestones during a project’s duration.
- Project risk registers containing specific information security threats.
- Meeting minutes showing security as a standing agenda item.
- Signed-off security requirements documents or user stories.
- Post-implementation reviews that include security performance metrics.
When should a risk assessment be performed in a project?
A security risk assessment should be performed during the project initiation phase and repeated whenever there is a significant change to the project scope, technology, or environment.
- Initial feasibility and requirements gathering stage.
- Following major design or architectural changes.
- Prior to the commencement of user acceptance testing (UAT).
- Immediately before the final project “Go-Live” decision.
Who is responsible for security within a project?
The Project Manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring security tasks are integrated into the plan, though they work in collaboration with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or security SMEs.
- Project Manager: Ensures security milestones are met and resources are allocated.
- Security Officer: Provides guidance on technical controls and risk mitigation.
- Information Owner: Defines the sensitivity and classification of the data involved.
- Project Board: Approves the final risk posture before project closure.
Further Reading
How to Implement ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8: The “No Surprises” Guide
How to Audit ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8: Information Security in Project Management
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8 for Small Business: Project Management Without the Headache
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8 for Tech Startups: Security by Design, Not by Accident
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8 for AI Companies: Baking Security into Your Models
Related ISO 27001 Controls
ISO 27001 Clause 4.3 Determining The Scope Of The Information Security Management System
ISO 27001 Controls and Attribute Values
| Control type | Information security properties | Cybersecurity concepts | Operational capabilities | Security domains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preventive | Confidentiality | Identify | Governance | Governance and Ecosystem |
| Integrity | Protect | Protection | ||
| Availability |
