When I first sat down to implement ISO 27001 in a mid-sized fintech company, I underestimated one thing: how overwhelming the policies and procedures could get. What started as a structured information security project soon morphed into a maze of spreadsheets, internal memos, and conflicting interpretations of what “required” really meant. Over the months, I learned—sometimes the hard way—that ISO 27001 isn’t just about security controls. It’s about aligning your people, processes, and documentation in a way that reflects how your organization actually operates.
So, if you’re looking for a practical, experience-based guide to navigating ISO 27001 policies and procedures, you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through what policies are mandatory, which ones are often recommended, and how to approach writing them with clarity and purpose. We’ll use tables to organize the information for easy digestion—and more importantly, explain how it all connects in the real world.
What are ISO 27001 policies and why do they matter?
At its core, ISO 27001 policies are the backbone of your Information Security Management System (ISMS). They set the tone for how security is managed and embedded across your organization. But here’s the catch: the standard doesn’t give you a checklist. Instead, it gives you a framework—and expects you to figure out what fits your context.
Each policy serves a distinct purpose: from guiding employee behavior to ensuring legal compliance and technical control enforcement. But to avoid redundant paperwork, they need to reflect actual risks and operations. A poorly written policy that no one reads is just as risky as not having one at all.
Required ISO 27001 policies and procedures
Let’s start with the mandatory policies and procedures you’ll need to pass a certification audit. These are explicitly required by ISO 27001:2013 (and remain relevant under the 2022 revision). While ISO 27001 doesn’t demand a specific format, auditors expect a consistent, logical structure.
Here’s a breakdown of the essential documentation.
Required ISO 27001 policies and procedures
| Document name | Purpose | Clause / annex reference |
| Information security policy | Defines the organization’s overall security direction | Clause 5.2 |
| Risk assessment and treatment process | Documents how risks are identified, evaluated, and treated | Clause 6.1.2–6.1.3 |
| Statement of applicability (SoA) | Lists which controls are applicable and why | Clause 6.1.3 d) |
| Risk treatment plan | Outlines actions to address identified risks | Clause 6.1.3 e) |
| Information security objectives | Defines measurable goals aligned with the ISMS | Clause 6.2 |
| Evidence of competence | Demonstrates that employees have relevant training or skills | Clause 7.2 |
| Operational planning and control | Details how processes are implemented and controlled | Clause 8.1 |
| Monitoring and measurement results | Shows how performance is evaluated | Clause 9.1 |
| Internal audit program and results | Proves regular reviews of ISMS effectiveness | Clause 9.2 |
| Management review records | Demonstrates top-level oversight and decisions | Clause 9.3 |
| Nonconformities and corrective actions | Tracks incidents and how they’re resolved | Clause 10.1 |
If you’re aiming for ISO 27001 compliance, these documents are non-negotiable. But in practice, most companies expand beyond this list to include procedures and policies that enhance implementation clarity and employee accountability.
Commonly adopted supporting policies
In my own journey, I quickly realized that just having the core documents wasn’t enough. Auditors often expect supporting policies that align with Annex A controls—the actual technical and organizational security controls you’re implementing.
Here’s where organizations often get tripped up. You don’t need to create 93 separate documents for each control. Instead, you can group them logically under broader policies. Below is a practical list of supporting policies commonly found in a mature ISMS.
Supporting ISO 27001 policies and how they map to Annex A
| Policy name | Relevance to Annex A controls | Practical use case |
| Access control policy | Annex A.9 – Access control | Defines roles, permissions, user account management |
| Asset management policy | Annex A.8 – Asset management | Tracks ownership, use, and classification of information assets |
| Acceptable use policy | Annex A.8.1.3 – Acceptable use of assets | Sets rules for using company devices, networks, and software |
| Cryptographic policy | Annex A.10 – Cryptography | Outlines encryption practices and key management |
| Mobile device and teleworking policy | Annex A.6.2 – Mobile and remote working | Covers use of personal and mobile devices for work |
| Backup policy | Annex A.12.3 – Backup | Details backup frequency, retention, and restoration procedures |
| Information transfer policy | Annex A.13.2 – Information transfer | Governs how data is securely exchanged internally and externally |
| Incident management policy | Annex A.16 – Information security incident management | Sets out how to detect, report, and respond to incidents |
| Business continuity policy | Annex A.17 – Business continuity | Links to disaster recovery and continuity planning |
| Supplier security policy | Annex A.15 – Supplier relationships | Sets expectations for vendors and third-party service providers |
While not mandatory, these documents offer a clearer view of how your organization interprets and enforces ISO controls. You can find further guidance in ISO’s official site or explore tools like IT Governance’s policy templates for implementation shortcuts.
Writing policies that actually get read
Too often, ISO 27001 policies and procedures get written in dense, legalistic language that alienates the very people meant to follow them. The real challenge isn’t just passing the audit—it’s embedding these policies into daily operations. And that means clarity, brevity, and context matter.
Here are a few tips that worked for me:
Start with the “why.” Explain the policy’s intent in plain language at the top. Define roles clearly. Who’s responsible for enforcement, review, and updates? When possible, include brief examples to show what the policy looks like in practice. And finally, keep formatting consistent—use headings, short paragraphs, and clear document titles.
It also helps to centralize your policies in an accessible repository—ideally within an internal wiki or document portal—and tie them into onboarding and refresher training.
Are your policies helping or just existing?
Many companies complete their ISO 27001 documentation in a rush to meet certification deadlines, only to realize a year later that no one is using them. That’s a red flag—not just for compliance, but for your security posture as a whole. A policy that lives in a drawer (or buried in SharePoint) might as well not exist.
To get real value from your ISO 27001 policies, treat them as living documents. Build in regular reviews. Encourage feedback. Align them with how your teams actually work—not just how the standard says they should.
And most importantly, remember that documentation is just the start. The true test of your ISMS is how well your people embody the principles it outlines—day in, day out.
