ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.5 Control of Operational Software

ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.5 Control of Operational Software Its objective is to ensure operating system integrity.

A.12.5.1  Installation of Software on Operational Systems

Control- To control the installation of software on operating systems, procedures should be implemented.

Implementation Guidance- To control changes in software on operational systems, the following guidelines should be considered:

1. Trained administrators should only upgrade operational software, applications and libraries upon appropriate management permission;
2. Only approved executable code and non-developed code or compilers should exist in operating systems;
3. Usability, safety, effects on other systems and user-friendly functions should only be included after successful and extensive testing; testing should also be conducted on separate systems; ensure that each of the corresponding program source libraries has been updated;
4. To retain control of all deployed applications as well as system documentation, a configuration control system should be used;
5. Before introducing changes, a roll-back strategy should be in place;
6. All changes to operating system libraries should be maintained with an audit log;
7. Previous product versions must be maintained as a measure of contingency;
8. For as long as data is retained in the archive, old software versions and all required information and parameters should be archived together with procedures, setup details, and software support.

Related Product : ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Training And Certification ISMS

The software provided by the vendor to operating systems should be maintained at the vendor support level. Software vendors should cease older software versions over time. The organization’s risk of using faulty software should be considered.

Every decision to upgrade to a new release should take account of business changes requirements and the security of the release, for example by introducing new security functions or the number and severity of the security of information problems affecting the release. When it is able to remove or reduce security information vulnerabilities, software patches should be used.

Suppliers can only be provided with physical or logical access for assistance, if necessary, and with management consent. The activities of the supplier should be monitored.

In order to avoid non-authorized changes that may lead to security defects, software can rely on externally provided software and modules to monitor and control.

Also Read : ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.4 Logging and Monitoring

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Questions related to this topic

1. What ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.5 Control of Operational Software control?
2. What is operational software?
3. What is an example of operational control?
4. What is control in ISO 27001?
5. Explain ISO 27001 Annex : A.12.5 Control of Operational Software control?

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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