ISO 27002: the operational guide to information security measures

While ISO 27001 defines the strategic framework for your ISMS, ISO 27002 is its enforcement arm. A veritable catalog of best practices, it details the concrete measures—or controls—to be implemented to protect your most critical assets.

However, with its dozens of technical and organizational measures, ISO 27002 can quickly seem complex to apply in practice. How can you move from theory to actual implementation? How can you structure your security controls without weighing down your operational processes?

This article will help you master ISO 27002, understand its major developments, and discover how a GRC tool can automate the management of your security measures.

What is the difference between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002?

This is the question that all compliance officers ask themselves. To put it simply: you cannot be "ISO 27002 certified." Certification only applies toISO 27001, which defines management requirements.

ISO 27002 is a supporting standard. It serves as a dictionary forAnnex A of ISO 27001. If ISO 27001 requires you to "secure access," ISO 27002 explains how to do so (password management, multi-factor authentication, etc.).

💡 To successfully obtain ISO 27001 certification, ISO 27002 is your best tool for choosing the measures best suited to your risks.

What's new in ISO 27002: 2013 vs. 2022 versions

The 2022 version has been redesigned to incorporate the risks of the last ten years: the explosion of the cloud, widespread remote working, and persistent threats (APT).

1. A simplified structure

The number of measures has been reduced from 114 to 93, grouped into four clear themes: Organizational, People, Physical, and Technical.

2. The genius of "Attributes"

This is the big news: each measurement is associated with attributes (hashtags). This allows you to filter your checks according to your needs:

• Type of control: #Preventive, #Detective, #Corrective.
• Security properties: #Confidentiality, #Integrity, #Availability.
• Cybersecurity concepts: #Identification, #Protection, #Detection, #Response, #Recovery.

How to implement ISO 27002 controls with Tenacy?

Managing 93 security measures in an Excel file is the best way to lose track of your compliance. To turn ISO 27002 into a performance lever, a cyber GRC solution is essential. With Tenacy, you can manage your ISO 27002 with agility.

1. Preloaded reference systems: switch from version 2013 to 2022 in one click thanks to our automatic correspondences.
2. Assign measures: Distribute technical controls to IT teams and organizational controls to HR or Legal.
3. Automated evidence collection: no longer need to ask whether a measure is being applied; verify it directly via our connectors.

FAQ – Everything you need to know about ISO 27002

Is it mandatory to apply ISO 27002 in its entirety?

No. ISO 27002 is a guide. You must select the relevant measures based on your risk analysis. This is called the Statement of Applicability (SoA) in the context of ISO 27001.

How to purchase ISO 27002?

The standard is protected by copyright. You can purchase it on the officialISO website or viaAFNOR in France. However, using a platform such as Tenacy gives you direct access to structured reference documents for your management purposes.

Can ISO 27002 be used without aiming for 27001 certification?

Absolutely. Many companies use ISO 27002 as an internal benchmark for best practices to structure their cybersecurity without immediately committing to a binding certification process.

Conclusion: Turn your controls into performance indicators

ISO 27002 should not be viewed as a simple list of tasks, but as the foundation of your cyber resilience. By moving from static management (Excel) to dynamic control, you can finally give visibility to your security actions.

With Tenacy, implementing ISO 27002 measures becomes a collaborative, automated, and, above all, real-time measurable project.