ISO 27001 Mobile and Remote Working Policy Beginner’s Guide

Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes

How to write an ISO 27001 mobile and remote working policy

1. Include a Purpose Statement

   To manage the risks introduced by using mobile devices and to protect information accessed, processed and stored at teleworking sites.

2. Include a Scope Statement

   All company employees and external party users.
   All company mobile devices.
   All personal devices used to access, process or store company information.

3. Include a Principle Statement

   Mobile devices and remote sites are to have adequate protection of company information.

4. Include an Overview Statement

   The policy includes the popular Bring Your Own Device Policy, often abbreviated to BYOD. There are considerations for data protection and GDPR. The policy is not designed to prevent employees from flexible working, rather it is intended to protect the information assets of the business in a practical and pragmatic way. Where possible it would be good practice for mobile devices that connect to confidential business data to be provided by, and managed by, the business. These would be managed by the asset management process and covered by the asset management policy.

5. Write content for the required sections

   The required sections are:
   Mobile Device Registration
   Mobile Device Assigned Owner Responsibilities
   Mobile Device Firewall
   Mobile Remote Wipe
   Mobile Back Up
   Teleworking / Remote Working Policy
   Bring Your Own Device Policy ( BYOD )
   Policy Compliance
   Compliance Measurement
   Exceptions
   Non-Compliance
   Continual Improvement

6. Describe Mobile Device Registration

   Mobile devices are recorded in the asset register.
   Mobile devices are assigned to a named individual.
   Assigned owners are provided with a copy of the Mobile and Teleworking policy and informed of their responsibility for the device and the information contained on it.
   Mobile devices have appropriate encryption, anti-virus and access control installed where available.

7. Set out Mobile Device Assigned Owner Responsibilities

   Assigned owners are personally responsible for the device.
   To ensure operating system and application patching is up to date.
   To ensure encryption and antivirus where installed is enabled.
   To ensure the device is not left unattended and when not in use physically secured.
   To only access company information required for role in line with the Access Control Policy.
   To not install software or change the device that would be in breach of the company information security policy, regulations, or applicable legislation.
   Personal and confidential data is not stored on the device unless authorised and recorded in the asset register.
   To not allow others including family members to access or use the assigned device.
   To return the mobile device when no longer required, when requested or when leaving the company employment.

8. Describe the Mobile Device Firewall

   Any mobile device connecting to payment card cardholder data environment must have a personal firewall installed and configured.
   The personal firewall software must be configured to specific documented configuration settings, actively running, and not alterable by users of mobile and/or employee-owned devices.

9. Lay out Mobile Remote Wipe

   Mobile devices are enabled to have their contents remotely wiped in the event of loss or theft. This feature is enabled prior to the user being given access to the mobile device and mobile devices have their automatic lockout enabled.

10. Describe Mobile Back Up

    Mobile devices are not backed up by default to company back up solutions and is the responsibility of the assigned user.

11. Write your Bring Your Own Device Policy (BYOD)

    It is not the company policy to allow ‘bring your own device’ or use of personal mobile devices by default. Authorisation is required from the information security management team, the management review team, or the information security manager.
    Where a personal mobile device is allowed
    The mobile device is recorded in the asset register.
    The user receives training and signs an acknowledgement of responsibility.
    All company policies including access control and the information security policy apply.
    The same policy for mobile devices, the Mobile Device Policy, apply.
    No personal data or sensitive data as defined by the GDPR, or Data Protection Act 2018 are to be stored on the device.

12. Set out Policy Compliance

    The information security management team will verify compliance to this policy through various methods, including but not limited to, business tool reports, internal and external audits, and feedback to the policy owner.