ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.3 Backup

ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.3 Backup Its objective is to safeguard against data loss.

A.12.3.1  Information backup

Control- In accordance with the agreed backup policy copies of records, program and device images shall be collected and regularly tested

Implementation Guidance – The organization’s information, software, and systems backup requirements should be established with a backup policy. The policy of backup should define the requirements for retention and protection. There should be sufficient backup facilities to ensure that all important information and software can be recovered after a disaster or media failure.

Related Product : ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Training And Certification ISMS

The following things should be considered when designing a backup plan:

1. Precise and full backup records should be prepared as well as recorded restoration procedures;
2. The nature and frequency of the backup (e.g., full or differential backups) should reflect the company’s business requirements, security requirements for the information involved and criticality to the continued operation of the organization;
3. Backups should be held at a remote location at a distance sufficient to prevent any damage at most locations due to a disaster;
4. The appropriate level of physical and environmental protection should be given backup information (Refer clause 11) in accordance with the standards at the main site;
5. The backup medium should be tested regularly to ensure that they can be used for emergency use if required; combined with the restore procedures test and controlled for the required restore time. The check should not be carried out with overwriting of the original medium if the backup or restore process fails and cause irreparable data damage or loss;
6. Backups should be secured by encryption in cases where confidentiality is the concern.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
-Benjamin Franklin

Operating procedures should monitor backup performance and address planned backup failures to ensure that the backups are complete according to the backup policy.

Backup procedures should be reviewed on a regular basis for specific systems and facilities to ensure they meet the criteria of business continuity plans. In essential systems and facilities, all computer information, software, and data required to restore the entire network during the event of a disaster should be protected by backup arrangements.

The preservation period should be set, taking into account any conditions for permanent retention of archive copies.

Also Read : ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.2 Protection from Malware

A well-known ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer certificate that mainly covers information security clauses and their implementation, i.e., controls which should be implemented by the organization to preserve the CIA triad, Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability to maintain their critical, sensitive information in a secure manner. Infosavvy, a Mumbai- based institute, provides multi-domain certifications and training, which include IRCA CQI ISO 27001:2013 Lead Auditor (LA) and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer (LI) (TÜV SÜD Certification). Infosavvy will help you to understand and recognize the full scope of your organization’s security checks to protect your organization’s activities and information equipment (assets) from attacks, and also to illustrate the backup policy to safeguard if data gets lost due to intentional or natural hazards  We have trainers with extensive expertise and experience to ensure the efficient handling of the security of information. Consequently, the applicant will gain the necessary skills for the ISMS audit by using commonly agreed audit concepts, procedures and techniques.

Questions related to this topic

1. What should be included in a backup policy?
2. How do you audit backups?
3. What is retention period in backup?
4. Explain controls of ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.3 Backup?
5. What is data backup and recovery explain security awareness and policies?
6. Explain ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.3 Backup?

ISO 27001 Requirements

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ISO 27001 Annex A Controls

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Annex A.5 Information Security Policies
Annex A.6 Organization of Information Security
Annex A.6.2 Mobile Devices and Teleworking
Annex A.7 Human Resource Security
Annex A.7.2 During Employment
Annex A.7.3 Termination and Change of Employment
Annex A.8 Asset Management
Annex A.8.1.3 Acceptable Use of Assets & A.8.1.4 Return of Assets
Annex A.8.2 Information Classification
Annex A.8.2.2 Labeling of Information & A.8.2.3 Handling of Assets
Annex A.8.3 Media Handling
Annex A.9 Access Control
Annex A.9.1.2 Access to Networks and Network Services
Annex A.9.2 User Access Management
Annex A.9.2.3 Management of Privileged Access Rights  
Annex A.9.2.4 Management of Secret Authentication Information of Users
Annex A.9.2.5 Review of User Access Rights 
Annex A.9.2.6 Removal or Adjustment of Access Rights
Annex A.9.3 User Responsibilities
Annex A.9.4 System and Application Access Control
Annex A.9.4.4 Use of Privileged Utility Programs 
Annex A.9.4.5 Access Control to Program Source Code
Annex A.10 Cryptography
Annex A.11 Physical and Environmental Security
Annex A.11.2 Equipment
Annex A.11.1.3 Securing Offices, Rooms and Facilities
Annex A.11.1.4 Protecting Against External and Environmental Threats
Annex A.11.1.5 Working in Secure Areas
Annex A.11.1.6 Delivery and Loading Areas
Annex A.11.2.4 Equipment Maintenance
Annex A.11.2.5 Removal of Assets
Annex A.11.2.6 Security of Kit and Assets Off-Premises
Annex A.11.2.7 Secure Disposal or Re-use of Equipment
Annex A.11.2.8 Unattended User Equipment
Annex A.11.2.9 Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy
Annex A.12 Operations Security
Annex A.12.2 Protection from Malware
Annex A.12.3 Backup
Annex A.12.4 Logging and Monitoring
Annex A.12.5 Control of Operational Software
Annex A.12.6 Technical Vulnerability Management
Annex A.12.7 Information Systems Audit Considerations
Annex A.13 Communications Security
Annex A.13.2 Information Transfer
Annex A.13.2.3 Electronic Messaging
Annex A.13.2.4 Confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreements
Annex 14 System Acquisition, Development and Maintenance
Annex A.14.1.2 Securing Application Services on Public Networks
Annex A.14.1.3 Protecting Application Services Transactions
Annex A.14.2 Security in Development and Support Processes
Annex A.14.2.3 Technical Review of Applications after Operating Platform Changes
Annex A.14.2.4 Restrictions on Changes to Software Packages
Annex A.14.2.5 Secure System Engineering Principles
Annex A.14.2.6 Secure Development Environment
Annex A.14.2.7 Outsourced Development
Annex A.14.2.8 System Security Testing
Annex A.14.2.9 System Acceptance Testing
Annex A.14.3 Test data
Annex A.15 Supplier Relationships
Annex A.15.1.2 Addressing Security Within Supplier Agreements
Annex A.15.1.3 Information and Communication Technology Supply Chain
Annex A.15.2 Supplier Service Delivery Management
Annex A.16 Information Security Incident Management
Annex A.16.1.2 Reporting Information Security Events
Annex A.16.1.3 Reporting Information Security Weaknesses
Annex A.16.1.4 Assessment of and Decision on Information Security Events
Annex A.16.1.5 Response to Information Security Incidents
Annex A.16.1.6 Learning from Information Security Incidents
Annex A.16.1.7 Collection of Evidence
Annex A.17 Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management
Annex A.17.1.3 Verify, Review and Evaluate Information Security Continuity
Annex A.18 Compliance
Annex A.18.1.3 Protection of Records
Annex A.18.1.4 Privacy and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information
Annex A.18.1.5 Regulation of Cryptographic Controls
Annex 18.2 Information Security Reviews

About ISO 27002

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• ISO 27002 – INTRODUCTION
• ISO 27002 Information technology Security techniques Code of practice for information security controls

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