ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware and Antivirus Policy
In this guide, you will learn what an ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy is, how to write it yourself and I give you a template you can download and use right away.
Table of contents
- ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware and Antivirus Policy
- What is malware?
- What is an ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy?
- How to write an ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy
- ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Template
- ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Example
- Further Guidance
- How to implement effective ISO 27001 malware protection
- ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy FAQ
What is malware?
Malware is malicious software created by cyber-criminals to harm or gain unauthorised access to computer systems, networks, or data. It includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and botnets.
Malware allows cyber-criminals to cause damage, steal information, disrupt systems, or demand ransom payments. It is commonly spread through infected files, downloads, compromised websites, or social engineering.
Protecting against malware requires using antivirus software, staying updated, educating users, and practicing safe browsing habits.
What is an ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy?
The ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy is a set of guidelines that organisations follow to protect their computer systems and data from malicious software.
How to write an ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes
ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware and Antivirus Policy
- Create your version control and document mark-up
ISO 27001 documents require version control of the author, the change, the date and the version as well as document mark up such as document classification.
- Write the ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Contents page
1 Document Version Control
2 Document Contents Page
3 Patch Management Policy
3.1 Purpose
3.2 Scope
3.3 Principle
3.4 Approved Software
3.5 Malware and Antivirus Software
3.6 Education
3.7 System Configurations
3.8 Email
3.9 Internet Proxy/Secure Web Gateway Configuration
3.10 File Integrity Checks
3.11 Host Intrusion/ Network Intrusion Detection
4 Policy Compliance
4.1 Compliance Measurement
4.2 Exceptions
4.3 Non-Compliance
4.4 Continual Improvement
5 Areas of the ISO 27001 Standard Addressed - Write the ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Purpose
The purpose of the ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware policy is to ensure that the right controls are in place to protect organisations from malware, malicious software and viruses. It addresses threats, risks and incidents that impact the security of operations.
- Write the ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Principle
Company devices have adequate protection of company information from the risk of malware or virus.
- Write the ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Scope
All employees and third-party users.
All company devices.
All devices used to access, process, transmit or store company information.
Virtual devices where applicable and feasible. - Describe the use of approved software
Only company approved and liscenced software is to be installed on company equipment.
Unauthorised software, downloaded software, free software or utilities must not be used. - State the approach to malware protection and anti virus software
Malware and Antivirus Software must be installed on every device that can run it.
Malware and Antivirus Software automatically update signature-based definitions as they are released by the vendor.
Malware and Antivirus Software cannot be modified or disabled by the end user.
Malware and Antivirus Software produces an alert when an infection or suspected infection occurs.
Suspected infections are managed via the incident management process.
Malware and Antivirus Software is set to auto repair or quarantine suspect files.
Malware and Antivirus Software is set to automatically scan storage and attached storage.
Malware and Antivirus Software is set to automatically scan any filed that is accessed, modified, or ran.
Malware and Antivirus Software is set to retain audit logs which are monitored. - Define the role of education and training
Users are educated periodically as part of the user training and awareness process on phishing, safe use of the internet, software usage and what to do in the event of a virus or malware infection.
- Describe the approach to system configurations
Systems are configured to remove unnecessary services, configurations, and ports as part of the infrastructure management process.
- Explain how email is handled
Email servers must have either an external or internal anti-virus scanning application that scans all mail destined to and from the mail server.
- Define the configuration of internet proxies, secure web gateways
Internet proxies/secure web gateways must be configured to use web reputation scoring to
Block sites with very poor reputations
Allow sites with very good reputations
Scan all content for threats for sites with reputations in between very poor and very good
Log all detections
Automatically check for virus definition updates
The use of allow listing and deny listing should be deployed. - Set out file integrity checks
File integrity checks are implemented for all system critical files and any files that contain or access personal customer data.
- Describe host intrusion detections and network intrusion detection
Host intrusion and network intrusion is in place on confidential, personal, customer and card holder information as required based on business need, legal and regulatory compliance, and risk.
Intrusion Detection Systems have up to date detection and prevention engines, patches and signature files and alert authorised personnel based on alerting rules.
Intrusion alerts are managed via the incident management process.
Intrusion Detection Systems have logging enabled and are in line with the Logging and Monitoring Policy.
ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Template
The ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware and Antivirus Policy Template is pre written and ready to go. It is designed to save you over 8 hours of work. ISO 27001 templates are an absolute time and life saver.
ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy Example
Further Guidance
When writing a Protection Against Malware Policy from scratch, consider the following:
- Policy statement and objectives: State the purpose and objectives of the policy, detailing the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding information assets from malware threats and defining the desired outcomes.
- Scope and applicability: Define the policy’s scope, including the systems, devices, networks, and information assets it covers. Specify its applicability to all individuals, including employees, contractors, and third parties, who deal with the organisation’s information assets.
- Roles and responsibilities: Outline the roles and responsibilities of the staff involved in implementing and managing the protection against malware measures. This covers IT administrators, security teams, end-users, and any other stakeholders.
- Risk assessment and management: Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential malware threats, vulnerabilities, and the impact they may have on information assets. Weigh up the likelihood and potential consequences of malware infections, and develop risk management strategies, including preventive measures and incident response procedures.
- Preventive measures: Define the preventive measures to be implemented, such as deploying and regularly updating antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and secure configurations. Address areas like software updates, patch management, secure software installation policies, and network segmentation to minimise the risk of malware infections.
- Detection and monitoring: Outline the procedures for detecting and monitoring malware incidents, including regular scanning, log monitoring, anomaly detection, and leveraging threat intelligence feeds. State the frequency and scope of monitoring activities.
- Incident response and recovery: Specify the procedures for responding to malware incidents, including incident reporting, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery processes. Define the roles and responsibilities of incident response team members and establish effective communication channels during incidents.
- User awareness and training: Stress the significance of user awareness and training programs in educating employees and stakeholders about malware risks and safe computing practices. Clarify the topics to be covered, such as recognising phishing emails, avoiding suspicious websites, and promptly reporting incidents.
- Auditing and compliance: Describe the procedures for monitoring and auditing to assess the effectiveness of protection against malware controls. Set up processes for conducting regular audits, vulnerability assessments, and compliance checks. Identify the responsible parties and arrange an audit schedule.
- Policy communication and review: Explain how the policy will be communicated to employees, contractors, and other stakeholders. Outline the methods for policy distribution, training, and ensuring comprehension of the policy’s contents. Implement a review process to regularly assess the policy’s effectiveness and make necessary updates.
If all of this sounds like a lot of effort just to write one ISO 27001 policy, save hours of your time by downloading the ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware and Antivirus Policy Template
How to implement effective ISO 27001 malware protection
1. Have a topic specific policy
A topic specific policy for protection against malware is a requirement of the standard as well as best practice. It will set out the guidelines for the organisation and your approach. You can save hours of time and effort, simply by using this ISO 27001 Protection Against Malware and Antivirus Policy Template or you can write it yourself. If you just love doing things the hard way then keep reading for How to write a Protection Against Malware Policy.
2. Install antivirus software
Antivirus software is in the top 3 essentials of cyber security and defence. Whether it is a dedicated off the self package or built into your operating system you want antivirus on every device that processes, stores or transmits data – where possible. It is not enough to have installed, it needs to be running and needs to be up to date with the latest virus definition files.
3. Prevent staff downloading stuff
Staff downloading software and stuff they should not is a massive risk to introducing ransomware an and viruses into your organisation. Where practical to do so you should consider a combination of controls. Those controls will include the policy, training, awareness and technical controls to prevent software being installed.
4. Patch your IT equipment
Another of the top 3 essentials for cyber security and defence. Software on systems is updated regularly by the vendors to address bugs and security flaws. It is imperative that you keep systems up to date with the latest patches as these exploits, if left unchecked, are low hanging fruit for cyber hackers.
5. Control external storage media
There are few occasions now where we need to plug in USB sticks or external media but it does happen. Be sure to have controls in place as to what can and cannot be connected and now these devices are handled, checked and managed.
6. Turn on your firewall
Either at the organisation level or locally the firewall is a breaker between you and the outside world and very much like a front door on a house is designed to prevent the wrong people gaining access. You will have policy and controls for firewalls so as not to leave that front door wide open.
ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy FAQ
The following are benefits of having the ISO 27001 Malware and Antivirus Policy:
Improved security: Your systems will be protected from all known vulnerabilities reducing the likelihood and impact of an attack
Reduced risk: Having up to date anti virus protection reduces the risk of attack and exploit
Improved compliance: Standards and regulations require you have to have the basics of proaction against malware
Reputation Protection: In the event of a breach having effective malware protection will reduce the potential for fines and reduce the PR impact of an event
Malware is the biggest threats to business continuity and information security in the digital age. The global business landscape faces countless daily threats, as attack vectors aim to compromise confidential systems and data, extract valuable information and money, deceive unsuspecting staff, and demand substantial ransoms for encrypted data.
To ensure the security of information assets, organisations must prioritise robust protection against malware. Incorporating effective preventive measures is crucial to defend against malicious software.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.7 provides guidance on educating staff about the dangers of malicious software and implementing proactive measures to mitigate both internal and external threats. By adhering to these guidelines, organisations can minimise disruptions and prevent data loss.
Antivirus management and the protection against malware is the responsibility of the IT team and specifically of the IT infrastructure teams.
Examples of where the policy can fail or violations of the protection against malware policy can include:
Not having antivirus protection: Not having antivirus software installed, running and up to date can lead to malicious software and viruses infecting your machines leading to data breaches.
Not communicating and educating: Not communicating and educating people can lead to people not knowing what is expected of them and acting in way that introduces malware through no direct fault of their own.
Not managing exceptions. There maybe systems that cannot have antivirus installed and this will require special management and compensating controls.
Not having antivirus protection or malware protection can have severe consequences. This is one of the simplest, most effective protection against cyber attack. The consequences could be legal and regulatory fines and / or enforcement, loss of data, loss of revenue and in the most extreme cases risk to life and closure of your organisation. The time and effort to recover from and respond to a malicious software infection is signification.
The approaches to monitoring the effectives of malware protection include:
Reporting on the status of devices and antivirus levels
Internal audit of the protection against malware process
External audit of the protection against malware process
Review of system logs and alerts for anomalies in operation