In this article we lay bare ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Information Security Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them. Exposing the insider trade secrets, giving you the templates that will save you hours of your life and showing you exactly what you need to do to satisfy it for ISO27001 certification. We show you exactly what changed in the ISO27001:2022 update. I am Stuart Barker the ISO27001 Ninja and this is ISO27001 Clause 6.2
Table of contents
What is ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Information Security Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them?
The ISO27001 standard requires an organisation to establish information security objectives at relevant functions and levels.
This clause is all about information security objectives and planning to meet those objectives.
The ISO27001 standard for ISO27001 certification wants you define and achieve information security objectives.
What are the ISO27001:2022 Changes to Clause 6.2?
ISO27001 clause 6.2 had minor changes in the 2022 update with the changes being focussed on clarity.
It introduced that information security objectives should be monitored and be available as documented information. This was always implied but is made explicit.
As a result the numbering of the sub parts shifted but this is not material.
ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Definition
The ISO27001 standard defines clause 6.2 as:
The organisation shall establish information security objectives at relevant functions and levels. The information security objectives shall:
a) be consistent with the information security policy;b) be measurable (if practicable);
c) take into account applicable information security requirements, and risk assessment and risk treatment results;
d) be monitored
e) be communicated
f) be updated as appropriate.
g) be available as documented information
The organization shall retain documented information on the information security objectives. When planning how to achieve its information security objectives, the organisation shall determine;
h ) what will be done;
i) what resources will be required;
j) who will be responsible;
k) when it will be completed; and
l) how the results will be evaluated.
ISO27001 Clause 6.2
ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Implementation Guide
Consistent with the Information Security Policy
Objectives that you write for the information security management system have to be consistent with the information security policy. Making sure that they are documented in the information security policy so that everyone knows what they are. We do not want a conflict between what the information security policy sets out and what the objectives actually are. They must align.
Measurable Objectives
Information Security Objectives have to be measurable. A great way to think about how to measure an objective is to write it in a way that follows the SMART structure. Objectives should be
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Timely
There is no point in having an objective if you cannot measure it.
Risk Based Information Security Objectives
ISO27001 is a risk based information security management system. We take into account he the applicable information security requirements, and risk assessment and risk treatment results.
We covered ISO27001 Clause 6.1.2 Information Security Risk Assessment and ISO27001 Clause 6.1.3 Information Security Risk Treatment.
The risks that form part of this will inform our information security objectives.
Communicated Information Security Objectives
We communicate our information security objectives in a number of ways. We include them in our information security policy. We include them and track them in our Management Review Team Meeting. We may send out additional communications as part of our ISO27001 Communication Plan.
Information Security Objectives are Updated
The information security objectives are not static. Objectives change over time. We continually assess ourselves and our information security management system for relevance. If things change then we update our objectives. At least annually we will take a look at our objectives and review if they are still relevant and make the appropriate changes.
ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Templates
ISO27001 templates are a great way to implement your information security management system. Whilst an ISO27001 toolkit can save you up to 30x in consulting fees and allow you to deliver up to 10x faster these individual templates help meet the specific requirements of ISO27001 clause 6.2
ISO27001 Clause 6.2 FAQ
The ISO27001 standard requires an organisation to establish and maintain information objectives that are based on risk and the needs of the business. It expects a plan on how to achieve the objectives as well as appropriate measures.
You can download ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Information Security Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them templates here: https://hightable.io/product/iso-27001-templates-toolkit/
An example of ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Information Security Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them template can be found here: https://hightable.io/product/iso-27001-templates-toolkit/
Information security objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART). You define the objective and then define the measures that are the characteristics of the objective.
Yes, ISO27001 information security objectives are based on risk. ISO27001 is a risk based management system.
ISO27001 Certification Requirements
ISO27001 Certification Requirements set out clause by clause with these complete certification guides that include everything you need to know, what you need to do and ISO 27001 templates.
- ISO27001 Clause 4.1 Understanding The Organisation And Its Context
- ISO27001 Clause 4.2 Understanding The Needs And Expectations Of Interested Parties
- ISO27001 Clause 4.3 Determining The Scope Of The Information Security Management System
- ISO27001 Clause 4.4 Information Security Management System (ISMS)
- ISO27001 Clause 5.1 Leadership And Commitment
- ISO27001 Clause 5.2 Information Security Policy
- ISO27001 Clause 5.3 Organisational Roles, Responsibilities And Authorities
- ISO27001 Clause 6 Planning
- ISO27001 Clause 6.1.1 Planning General
- ISO27001 Clause 6.1.2 Information Security Risk Assessment
- ISO27001 Clause 6.1.3 Information Security Risk Treatment
- ISO27001 Clause 6.2 Information Security Objectives And Planning To Achieve Them
- ISO27001 Clause 7.1 Resources
- ISO27001 Clause 7.2 Competence
- ISO27001 Clause 7.3 Awareness
- ISO27001 Clause 7.4 Communication
- ISO27001 Clause 7.5.1 Documented Information
- ISO27001 Clause 7.5.2 Creating And Updating Documented Information
- ISO27001 Clause 7.5.3 Control Of Documented Information
- ISO27001 Clause 8.1 Operational Planning And Control
- ISO27001 Clause 8.2 Information Security Risk Assessment
- ISO27001 Clause 8.3 Information Security Risk Treatment
- ISO27001 Clause 9.1 Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis, Evaluation
- ISO27001 Clause 9.2 Internal Audit
- ISO27001 Clause 9.3 Management Reviews
- ISO27001 Clause 10.1 Continual Improvement
- ISO27001 Clause 10.2 Non Conformity and Corrective Action
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- ISO27001 Reference Guide: Clause by Clause