ISO-27001-Annex : A.11.2.7-Secure-Disposal-or-Re-use-of-Equipment

ISO 27001 Annex : A.11.2.7 Secure Disposal or Re-use of Equipment, A.11.2.8 Unattended User Equipment & A.11.2.9 Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy

In this article explain ISO 27001 Annex : A.11.2.7  Secure Disposal or Re-use of Equipment, A.11.2.8 Unattended User Equipment & A.11.2.9 Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy

A.11.2.7  Secure Disposal or Re-use of Equipment

Control- To avoid the removal or overriding of sensitive data and software by the disposal or reuse of any device containing storage medium, all devices must be reviewed.

Implementation Guidance- Equipment should be tested to ensure that the storage media is contained or not until disposal or re-use. In order to make original information inaccessible instead of using the standard delete or a software functionality, the storage media with confidential or copyrighted information should physically be destroyed or information destroyed, deleted, or overwritten using techniques.

Other information- Determining whether the items should be physically destroyed rather than sent to repair or discard damaged equipment containing storage media can require a risk assessment. The use or reuse of equipment may compromise information.

In addition, full disk encryption reduces the risk of confidential information being disclosed when equipment is disposal or redeployed if:

  1. Encryption process is strong enough to cover the entire disk (including slack space, swap files, etc.);
  2. Encryption keys are sufficient to resist attacks by brute force;
  3. The encryption keys are confidential themselves (e.g. never stored on the same disk). (Refer Clause 10)

Safe overwriting techniques for storage media differ according to the technology for storage media. To ensure they are applicable to storage media technology, overwriting tools should be reviewed.

Related Product : ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Training And Certification ISMS

A.11.2.8  Unattended User Equipment

Control- Unattended equipment should be adequately protected by users.

Implementation Guidance- Every user should be informed of their responsibility to implement the security requirements and procedures for protecting unattended equipment. Following should be informed to users:

  1. Once done, terminate active sessions, unless protected with correct locking mechanisms, for example. A screen saver protected with a password
  2. When no longer required, log-off from apps or network services;
  3. Unauthorized use by key locks or devices, such as access to passwords, of secure computers or mobile devices, when not in use.

The Organization wishes that its information equipment to remain within the CIA triads. They also ensure that the security controls are properly and efficiently implemented to protect the confidentiality, authenticity and/or integrity of the organization’s information and information processing facilities even at the time of their disposal. The disposal or reuse of any device containing storage medium, covered in Annex 11.2 of ISO 27002. This famous certification of lead auditor and lead implementer covers all the annexes to the security of information by implementing appropriate access controls to ensure authorized access to protect the organization’s critical information. Infosavvy, a Mumbai-based institute, offers certifications and training for multiple-domain-like management of information security, cybersecurity, and many others, including the IRCA CQI ISO 27001:2013 Lead Auditor (LA) and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer (LI) (TÜV SÜD Certification). This certification covers several audits to keep an organization safe from the intended destructor. Infosavvy will help you to understand and identify the full extent of the security controls of your organization that is necessary to protect the operations and information equipment (assets)of your organization from attacks even at the time of their demise. We have trained trainers who have ample know-how and experience in order to make sure that the information security is effectively handled. The applicant will, therefore, gain the skills needed to conduct the ISMS audit using commonly agreed audit concepts, procedures and techniques

Also Read : ISO 27001 Annex : A.11.2.4 Equipment Maintenance, A.11.2.5 Removal of Assets & A.11.2.6 Security of Kit and Assets Off-Premises

A.11.2.9  Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy

Control- A clear desk policy should be adopted for papers and removable storage media and a clear screen policy should be applied to information processing facilities.

Implementation Guidance- Clear desk and clear screen policy should include organization’s information classifications, legal, contractual requirements, and associated risk and cultural aspects. It is important to consider the following guidelines:

  1. When not needed, confidential or critical information for businesses (e.g. on paper or in electronic storage media), especially when the office is vacated, should be closed away (ideally in safe or cabinet or in some type of safe furniture).
  2. Computers and terminals should be left signed off or secured by a password, token, or similar users’ authentication mechanism, regulated with screen and keyboard locking mechanism, when unattended.
  3. It should not be permitted to use photocopiers and other reproductive technology ( e.g. scanners, digital cameras);
  4. Sensitive or classified information media should immediately be removed from printers.

Other Information- A clear desk/screen policy minimizes the risk of unexpected access, information loss, and damage during and outside normal hours of work. Security systems or other forms of safe storage may also protect information stored on them from disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or explosions.

Consider the use of PIN-code printers, so only originators are able to get their print-outs and only when they stand beside the printer.

Questions related to this topic
  1. Which risk mitigation measure protects both the confidentiality and integrity of San data?
  2. What’s the purpose of escrowing a disk encryption key?
  3. Diffrence between ISO 27001 Annex : A.11.2.7 Secure Disposal or Re-use of Equipment contol and A.11.2.8 Unattended User Equipment contol?
  4. What is security issue with data storage device?
  5. How do I encrypt my boot drive?
  6. Explain ISO 27001 Annex : A.11.2.7 Secure Disposal or Re-use of Equipment?

ISO 27001 Requirements


Clause 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties 
Clause 4.4 Information security management system

Clause 4.3 Determining the scope of the information security management system
Clause 5.1 Leadership and commitment
Clause 5.2 Policy
Clause 5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities 
Clause 6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities
Clause 6.1.2 Information security risk assessment process
Clause 6.1.3 Information security risk treatment
Clause 6.2 Information security objectives & planning
Clause 7.1 Resources

Clause 7.2 Competence
Clause 7.3 Awareness
Clause 7.4 Communication

Clause 7.5 Documented information Implementation Guideline
Clause 8.1 Operational planning & control
Clause 8.2 Information security risk assessment
Clause 8.3 Information security risk treatment

Clause 9.1 Performance evaluation Monitoring, measurement, analysis & evaluation
Clause 9.2 Internal audit
Clause 9.3 Management review
Clause 10.1 Non conformity and corrective action
Clause 10.2 Continual Improvement 

ISO 27001 Annex A Controls


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

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