Technological Controls form the digital defense layer of your ISMS, covering access management, cryptography, system operations, and logging. Annex A.8 includes 34 controls (A.8.1–A.8.34) designed to protect information systems and data. This guide breaks down each control with precise definitions, implementation steps, and verification methods. For a high-level view of Annex A, see our Overview of Annex A Controls.
These controls ensure that your IT environment networks, servers, applications, and data are secured against unauthorized access, tampering, and failure.
A.8.1 Access Control Policy
A documented policy defining rules for granting, reviewing, and revoking user and system access.
How to implement:
Draft an access policy covering least privilege, segregation of duties, and password standards.
Embed policy in access provisioning workflows.
Automate periodic access reviews.
How to verify:
Audit policy documentation for version history and approvals.
Check review logs for completed access certifications.
A.8.2 User Access Management
Processes for creating, modifying, disabling, and deleting user accounts.
How to implement:
Use identity management tools for onboarding/offboarding.
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Implement automatic deprovisioning for terminated users.
How to verify:
Review user lifecycle logs for timely account changes.
Test disabled accounts to ensure no access.
A.8.3 System and Application Access Control
Measures to restrict access to applications and services based on user roles.
How to implement:
Configure role-based access controls (RBAC) in applications.
Define and document role permissions.
How to verify:
Audit role assignments against documented job functions.
Attempt unauthorized actions to confirm enforcement.
A.8.4 Password Management
Rules for password creation, storage, and rotation to ensure strong authentication.
How to implement:
Enforce complexity and length requirements via group policies.
Implement automated password expiration and lockout policies.
How to verify:
Review system settings for password policies.
Test account lockout after failed attempts.
A.8.5 Cryptographic Controls
Use of encryption and digital signatures to protect data confidentiality and integrity.
How to implement:
Identify data at rest and in transit for encryption.
Deploy certificate management for key lifecycle.
How to verify:
Inspect encryption configurations on storage and communication channels.
Review certificate expiry and revocation logs.
A.8.6 Secure System Configurations
Standardized, hardened configurations for servers, workstations, and network devices.
How to implement:
Apply vendor security benchmarks (e.g., CIS) via automation tools.
Document and approve baseline configurations.
How to verify:
Run configuration compliance scans.
Review deviation reports and remediation tickets.
A.8.7 Malware Protection
Controls to detect, prevent, and respond to malicious software.
How to implement:
Deploy endpoint protection platforms (EPP) and email filters.
Schedule regular signature and definition updates.
How to verify:
Check update logs for antivirus definitions.
Test detection with safe malware samples in the sandbox.
A.8.8 Backup and Recovery
Procedures and tools to back up critical data and restore it after loss or corruption.
How to implement:
Define backup frequency and retention periods.
Automate backups to secure off-site or cloud locations.
How to verify:
Perform periodic restore tests.
Review backup job logs and integrity checks.
A.8.9 Logging and Monitoring
Collect and analyze system and network logs to detect anomalies.
How to implement:
Configure centralized log management (SIEM).
Define log retention periods and alert thresholds.
How to verify:
Validate log sources and retention settings.
Review alert logs and incident tickets for follow-up.
A.8.10 Network Security Controls
Firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention (IDS/IPS), and segmentation to protect network perimeters and internal segments.
How to implement:
Deploy edge and internal firewalls with approved rule sets.
Implement network segmentation for sensitive zones.
Configure IDS/IPS with tuned signatures.
How to verify:
Audit firewall rules and change logs.
Test segmentation by attempting cross-zone traffic.
A.8.11 File Integrity Monitoring
Systems that detect unauthorized changes to critical files and configurations.
How to implement:
Identify sensitive files and directories for monitoring.
Deploy file integrity monitoring tools with baseline checks.
How to verify:
Review integrity alerts and remediation logs.
Verify baseline updates after approved changes.
A.8.12 Vulnerability Management
Processes for scanning, prioritizing, and remediating software and system vulnerabilities.
How to implement:
Schedule regular vulnerability scans (internal and external).
Assign owners and deadlines for patching critical findings.
How to verify:
Review scan reports and patch deployment logs.
Confirm remediation tickets are closed in a timely manner.
Remaining Controls Detailed (A.8.13–A.8.34)
Below are the remaining technological controls, each with precise definitions, implementation steps, and verification methods:
A.8.13 Information Transfer Policies and Procedures
Rules governing the secure exchange of information between internal and external parties.
How to implement:
Establish approved channels (email, secure file transfer) and encrypt all transfers.
Document classification-based transfer rules in a policy.
How to verify:
Review transfer logs for use of approved channels and encryption.
Audit exceptions and remedial actions.
A.8.14 Electronic Messaging Controls
Measures to secure email, instant messaging, and collaboration platforms.
How to implement:
Enforce TLS for email and enable DLP to prevent unauthorized sharing.
Configure chat tools to archive conversations and apply retention policies.
How to verify:
Inspect DLP incident logs and archived message repositories.
Test message encryption and policy enforcement.
A.8.15 System Change Control Procedures
Formal processes for requesting, approving, and implementing changes to systems and applications.
How to implement:
Use a change management system with defined workflows and approvals.
Require security impact assessments for each change.
How to verify:
Audit change tickets for approvals, test results, and rollback plans.
Verify that unapproved changes are flagged.
A.8.16 Development and Test Environments Separation
Isolation of development and testing environments from production to avoid data contamination and unauthorized access.
How to implement:
Provision separate network segments and credentials for non-production use.
Mask or scrub production data before use in test systems.
How to verify:
Review network diagrams and access controls for environment separation.
Inspect data restoration logs and masking procedures.
A.8.17 Secure Development Lifecycle
Integration of security activities into each phase of software development, from design to deployment.
How to implement:
Embed threat modeling, code reviews, and security testing into development sprints.
Mandate use of secure coding standards and libraries.
How to verify:
Check project documentation for security checkpoints and review records.
Review static and dynamic code scan reports.
A.8.18 Technical Review of Applications After Operating System Changes
Validation of application security post any major OS or platform update.
How to implement:
Schedule regression security tests after each OS patch or upgrade.
Update application hardening guides accordingly.
How to verify:
Examine test results and vulnerability scan reports.
Confirm that remediation tickets are closed.
A.8.19 Vulnerability Management Process
End-to-end lifecycle for identifying, classifying, prioritizing, and remediating vulnerabilities.
How to implement:
Run automated vulnerability scans at least monthly.
Triage findings based on CVSS scores and business criticality.
How to verify:
Audit scan schedules and remediation timelines.
Verify patch deployment records for high-severity issues.
A.8.20 Penetration Testing
Controlled attacks performed by internal or third-party teams to uncover weaknesses.
How to implement:
Engage qualified pentest providers annually or after major changes.
Scope tests to cover internal and external attack surfaces.
How to verify:
Review pentest reports and track corrective action plans.
Confirm retesting of resolved findings.
A.8.21 Audit Logs Management
Configuration and maintenance of logs to record system events and user activities.
How to implement:
Enable comprehensive logging on all critical systems.
Centralize logs in a secure, tamper-evident repository.
How to verify:
Inspect log retention settings and integrity controls.
Test log access and review procedures.
A.8.22 Time Synchronization
Ensuring consistent timestamps across systems for reliable log correlation.
How to implement:
Configure Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers and enforce settings.
Monitor time drift across devices.
How to verify:
Check the NTP configuration on sample hosts.
Review synchronization logs for anomalies.
A.8.23 Protection of Log Information
Controls to prevent unauthorized viewing, modification, or deletion of log data.
How to implement:
Apply access controls and encryption on log storage.
Enable write-once-read-many (WORM) where supported.
How to verify:
Attempt unauthorized log modifications and review audit trails.
Confirm encryption and WORM settings.
A.8.24 Administrator and Operator Logs
Additional logging for privileged users’ activities to detect misuse.
How to implement:
Configure elevated-level auditing for admin accounts.
Alert on suspicious privileged actions.
How to verify:
Review privileged action logs and alert histories.
Test alerts by performing controlled privileged operations.
A.8.25 Service Level Monitoring
Tracking availability, performance, and security metrics for IT services.
How to implement:
Define SLAs with measurable metrics (uptime, response time).
Use monitoring tools to collect and report on SLA adherence.
How to verify:
Inspect SLA reports and exception logs.
Validate alert configurations and thresholds.
A.8.26 Data Masking and Anonymization
Techniques to obscure sensitive data in non-production or analytical environments.
How to implement:
Apply masking algorithms or tokenization for PII and sensitive fields.
Automate masking in ETL and database procedures.
How to verify:
Review data samples to confirm masking effectiveness.
Check ETL logs for successful mask application.
A.8.27 Customer Data Isolation
Logical or physical segregation of customer data in multi-tenant or shared systems.
How to implement:
Architect database schemas or containers for tenant isolation.
Enforce strict access controls per tenant.
How to verify:
Conduct penetration tests for data leakage across tenants.
Review access control policies and configurations.
A.8.28 Secure APIs and Interfaces
Controls to authenticate, authorize, and protect data exchanged via APIs.
How to implement:
Implement token-based authentication (OAuth) and input validation.
Rate-limit and log API usage for anomaly detection.
How to verify:
Audit API logs for unauthorized calls.
Conduct fuzz testing and security scans against endpoints.
A.8.29 Cloud Service Configuration Management
Ensuring secure setup and maintenance of cloud-based resources.
How to implement:
Use infrastructure-as-code templates with security benchmarks.
Enforce least privilege IAM policies and logging.
How to verify:
Perform cloud configuration audits using automated tools.
Review IAM policies and cloud trail logs.
A.8.30 Virtualization Security
Controls protecting hypervisors, virtual machines, and container platforms.
How to implement:
Harden hypervisor settings and isolate management interfaces.
Apply container image scanning and runtime security.
How to verify:
Inspect virtualization configuration scans and image scan reports.
Test isolation between guest environments.
A.8.31 Database Security
Access controls, encryption, and monitoring specific to database systems.
How to implement:
Enforce role-based database permissions and query auditing.
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for data at rest.
How to verify:
Review database audit logs and encryption status.
Test permission enforcement and unauthorized query attempts.
A.8.32 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Continuous monitoring tools on endpoints to detect and respond to threats.
How to implement:
Deploy EDR agents across all endpoints with real-time telemetry.
Configure playbooks for automated containment.
How to verify:
Review EDR alert dashboards and investigation logs.
Simulate endpoint threats to validate detection and response.
A.8.33 Application Whitelisting
Restricting execution to approved software to prevent unauthorized applications from running.
How to implement:
Maintain a central whitelist of allowed executables and scripts.
Deploy whitelisting tools to enforce policies.
How to verify:
Attempt to execute blacklisted applications and confirm blocks.
Audit whitelist updates and exception requests.
A.8.34 Network Segmentation and Micro‑Segmentation
Dividing networks into smaller zones to contain breaches and limit lateral movement.
How to implement:
Use VLANs, firewalls, and software-defined segmentation for zone creation.
Define communication rules between segments.
How to verify:
Conduct network scans to confirm segmentation boundaries.
Test cross‑segment traffic against policy rules.
With all 34 A.8 controls detailed, you now have a complete blueprint for implementing and auditing the technological safeguards in ISO 27001 Annex A. Review how these fit together with Organizational Controls (A.5), People Controls (A.6) and Physical Controls (A.7) to complete your ISMS journey.
