ISO® 27001 vs ISO® 27002: Differences, Similarities & Benefits

ISO® 27001 vs. ISO® 27002: Key Differences

Details

ISO® 27001 provides an outline of each aspect of an Information Security Management System (ISMS), with specific advice being found in additional standards. ISO® 27002 is a supplementary standard that focuses on the information security controls that organizations might choose to implement. It dedicates an average of one page per control, explaining how each control works, what its objective is, and how you can implement it.

Certification

Organizations can certify against ISO® 27001 but not against ISO® 27002. That’s because ISO® 27001 is a management standard that provides a full list of compliance requirements, whereas supplementary standards such as ISO® 27002 address one specific aspect of an ISMS.

Applicability

ISO® 27001 applies to all types of organizations, regardless of their size, industry, or nature of business. It provides a universally adaptable framework for managing information security. In contrast, ISO® 27002 is particularly relevant for organizations seeking detailed guidance on implementing security controls.

Control domains

Regarding control domains, the controls within ISO® 27002 share identical names with those found in Annex A of ISO® 27001. 

For example, in ISO® 27002, control 5.3 is labeled as "Segregation of duties," whereas in ISO® 27001, it appears as "A.5.3 Segregation of duties." 

The distinction lies in the depth of coverage—on average, ISO® 27002 provides a comprehensive explanation of one control spanning an entire page, whereas ISO® 27001 allocates only a single sentence to each control.

Compliance

ISO® 27001 and ISO® 27002 differ in terms of compliance in several ways. ISO® 27001 places a strong emphasis on compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements. It provides a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and improve their ISMS. ISO® 27001 focuses on conducting risk assessments and mitigating identified risks to safeguard data. 

On the other hand, ISO® 27002 offers guidance on selecting, implementing, and managing security controls based on an organization’s specific information security risk environment. It provides more detailed information and guidance on the controls listed in ISO® 27001 Annex A. ISO® 27002 helps organizations apply the framework developed in ISO® 27001 to implement the appropriate security controls tailored to their unique needs. 

Which ISO® Standard Should You Use and When?

Every standard from the ISO® 27000 series has a specific purpose and focus. 

ISO® 27001 focuses on building an ISMS, while ISO® 27002 focuses on implementing specific controls for that ISMS. ISO® 27005, on the other hand, is all about risk assessment and management.

To achieve compliance with ISO® 27001, organizations should use its requirements to guide how they design and build their ISMS. Once an organization has identified which controls it will implement, it can use ISO® 27002 as a reference to learn the specifics of how each control works. 

If you’re confused by the ISO® 27001 compliance process, ISMS Connect can help.

We break down the often complex topic of information security management for SMBs and help you get certified without high costs or consultants. We maintain a community where customers can directly access templates, guides, and help from consultants to get ready for certification by themselves. 

Olaf Pätz, CEO of Outerscore GmbH, expressed his satisfaction with the excellent preparation achieved by the company. Through ISMS Connect’s guides and expert advice, Outerscore GmbH was able to understand and fulfill the requirements. As a result, ISO® 27001 certification was achieved quickly and painlessly.