What is Information security in project management?
Information security in project management means protecting a project’s data and information from harm. It’s about making sure that the information used in a project stays confidential (private), has integrity (is accurate), and is available (can be accessed when needed). Think of it as building a strong fence around a garden. The fence keeps the plants safe from pests, just like information security keeps project data safe from threats.
Examples
- Protecting plans: A project team needs to create a new mobile app. The plans for the app, including its features and code, are very secret. Using information security, the team keeps these plans on a secure computer system with passwords so only the right people can see them.
- Securing communications: When team members talk about the project, they use secure email or chat apps. This stops others from reading their messages. This is like whispering a secret in someone’s ear instead of shouting it in a crowded room.
Context
When managing a project, there are many risks. A risk is something that could go wrong. Some risks are about money or time. Other risks are about information. Information security helps manage these risks. It’s not just a one-time thing. It’s a process that happens at every step of a project, from the very beginning to the very end. The project manager is responsible for making sure these security steps are followed.
Relevant ISO 27001 Controls
The following controls from the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard are related to access control:
- ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.8 Information Security In Project Management: This is the main ISO 27001 control for Information security in project management.
- ISO 27001:2022 Security Testing in Development and Acceptance Explained: This control requires security testing as part of the project lifecycle.