ISO 27001 Clause 7.5: Documented Information

Learn about the ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.5 requirements for organizations to create, maintain, and control documented information for their ISMS.

ISO 27001:2022 is the latest version of the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a framework for organisations to manage their information security risks and protect their information assets.

Clause 7.5 of ISO 27001:2022 deals with documented information. This clause requires organisations to create and maintain documented information that is necessary for the effective operation of their ISMS.

What is ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.5?

ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.5 revolves around the management of documented information within an organisation's information security management system (ISMS). Documented information is the lifeblood of any ISMS, as it encapsulates policies, procedures, and records essential details for securing sensitive data and maintaining the ISMS's effectiveness.

This clause states that the documented information should be:

Identified and described: Documented information must be clearly identified and described, including attributes like title, date, author, or reference number.

Formatted and media: Organisations must define the format (e.g., language, software version, graphics) and media (e.g., paper, electronic) for their documented information.

Reviewed and approved for suitability and adequacy: All documented information must undergo a rigorous review and approval process to ensure its suitability and adequacy.

Controlled: The control of documented information is pivotal. It involves ensuring that this information is readily available when needed and adequately protected against confidentiality breaches, improper use, or integrity loss. This includes activities like distribution, access, storage, preservation, version control, and retention.

What are the key elements of ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.5?

The key elements of ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.5 are:

Identification and description of documented information
Format and media of documented information
Review and approval of documented information
Control of documented information

What has changed in clause 7.5 of ISO 27001:2022?

The main change in clause 7.5 of ISO 27001:2022 is the addition of the requirement for organisations to control documented information of external origin. This means that organisations need to ensure that any documented information that they receive from external sources, such as suppliers or customers, is adequately protected.