An organization has adopted a new authentication method to ensure secure access to sensitive areas and facilities of the company. It requires every employee to use a two-factor authentication (password and QR code). This control has been documented, standardized, and communicated to all employees, however its use has been “left to individual initiative, and it is likely that failures can be detected. Which level of maturity does this control refer to?
Correct Answer: B
According to the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer objectives and content, the maturity levels of information security controls are based on the ISO/IEC 15504 standard, which defines five levels of process capability: incomplete, performed, managed, established, and optimized1. Each level has a set of attributes that describe the characteristics of the process at that level.The level of defined corresponds to the attribute of process performance, which means that the process achieves its expected outcomes2. In this case, the control of two-factor authentication has been documented, standardized, and communicated, which implies that it has a clear purpose and expected outcomes. However, the control is not consistently implemented, monitored, or measured, which means that it does not meet the attributes of the higher levels of managed, established, or optimized. Therefore, the control is at the level of defined, which is the second level of maturity.
1: ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Course Brochure, page 5
2: ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Course Presentation, slide 25
Scenario 9: CoreBit Systems
CoreBit Systems, with its headquarters m San Francisco, specializes in information and communication technology (ICT) solutions, its clientele primarily includes data communication enterprises and network operators. The company’s core objective is to enable its clients a smooth transition into multi-service providers, aligning their operations with the complex demands of the digital landscape.
Recently. John, the internal auditor of CoreBit Systems, conducted an internal audit which uncovered nonconformities related to their monitoring procedures and system vulnerabilities, in response to the identified nonconformities. CoreBit Systems decided to employ a comprehensive problem-solving approach to solve these issues systematically. The method encompasses a team-oriented approach, aiming to identify, correct, and eliminate the root causes of issues. This approach involves several steps. First, establish a group of experts with deep knowledge of processes and controls. Next, break down the nonconformity into measurable components and implement interim containment measures. Then, identify potential root causes and select and verify permanent corrective actions. Finally, put those actions into practice, validate them, take steps to prevent recurrence, and recognize and acknowledge the team’s efforts.
Following the analysis of the root cause of the nonconformities, CoreBit Systems’s ISMS project manager. Julia, developed a list of potential actions to address the identified nonconformities. Julia carefully evaluated the list to ensure that each action would effectively eliminate the root cause of the respective nonconformity. While assessing potential corrective action for addressing a nonconformity, Julia identified the issue as significant and assessed a high likelihood of its reoccurrence Consequently, she chose to implement temporary corrective actions. Afterward. Julia combined all the nonconformities Into a single action plan and sought approval from the top management.
The submitted action plan was written as follows:
A new version of the access control policy will be established and new restrictions will be created to ensure that network access is effectively managed and monitored by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
However. Julia’s submitted action plan was not approved by top management The reason cited was that a general action plan meant to address all nonconformities was deemed unacceptable. Consequently, Julia revised the action plan and submitted separate ones for approval Unfortunately, Julia did not adhere to the organization’s specified deadline for submission, resulting in a delay in the corrective action process, and notably, the revised action plans lacked a defined schedule for execution.
Julia, the ISMS project manager, developed a combined action plan for all nonconformities. However, it was rejected, revised, and resubmitted late—without defined execution schedules.
Did CoreBit Systems have a plan in place to implement permanent corrective action to address the identified nonconformities?
Correct Answer: B
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Clause 10.2 — Nonconformity and corrective action requires:
”Corrective actions shall be implemented without undue delay and include:
— evaluating the need for action to eliminate the cause;
— implementing the necessary actions;
— reviewing the effectiveness;
— updating risks and SoA if needed.”
Although Julia drafted an action plan, it was not approved initially, was resubmitted late, and lacked scheduling—failing to meet key requirements of a ”clear and actionable plan.”
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Clause 10.2
Scenario 1:
HealthGenic is a leading multi-specialty healthcare organization providing patients with comprehensive medical services in Toronto, Canad
a. The organization relies heavily on a web-based medical software platform to monitor patient health, schedule appointments, generate customized medical reports, securely store patient data, and facilitate seamless communication among various stakeholders, including patients, physicians, and medical laboratory staff.
As the organization expanded its services and demand grew, frequent and prolonged service interruptions became more common, causing significant disruptions to patient care and administrative processes. As such, HealthGenic initiated a comprehensive risk analysis to assess the severity of risks it faced.
When comparing the risk analysis results with its risk criteria to determine whether the risk and its significance were acceptable or tolerable, HealthGenic noticed a critical gap in its capacity planning and infrastructure resilience. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, HealthGenic reached out to the software development company responsible for its platform. Utilizing its expertise in healthcare technology, data management, and compliance regulations, the software development company successfully resolved the service interruptions.
However, HealthGenic also uncovered unauthorized changes to user access controls. Consequently, some medical reports were altered, resulting in incomplete and inaccurate medical records. The company swiftly acknowledged and corrected the unintentional changes to user access controls. When analyzing the root cause of these changes, HealthGenic identified a vulnerability related to the segregation of duties within the IT department, which allowed individuals with system administration access also to manage user access controls. Therefore, HealthGenic decided to prioritize controls related to organizational structure, including segregation of duties, job rotations, job descriptions, and approval processes.
In response to the consequences of the service interruptions, the software development company revamped its infrastructure by adopting a scalable architecture hosted on a cloud platform, enabling dynamic resource allocation based on demand. Rigorous load testing and performance optimization were conducted to identify and address potential bottlenecks, ensuring the system could handle increased user loads seamlessly. Additionally, the company promptly assessed the unauthorized access and data alterations.
To ensure that all employees, including interns, are aware of the importance of data security and the proper handling of patient information, HealthGenic included controls tailored to specifically address employee training, management reviews, and internal audits. Additionally, given the sensitivity of patient data, HealthGenic implemented strict confidentiality measures, including robust authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication.
In response to the challenges faced by HealthGenic, the organization recognized the vital importance of ensuring a secure cloud computing environment. It initiated a comprehensive self-assessment specifically tailored to evaluate and enhance the security of its cloud infrastructure and practices.
Based on scenario 1, has HealthGenic implemented physical access controls?
Correct Answer: B
Scenario 7: InfoSec is a multinational corporation headquartered in Boston, MA, which provides professional electronics, gaming, and entertainment services. After facing numerous information security incidents, InfoSec has decided to establish teams and implement measures to prevent potential incidents in the future
Emma, Bob. and Anna were hired as the new members of InfoSec’s information security team, which consists of a security architecture team, an incident response team (IRT) and a forensics team Emma’s job is to create information security plans, policies, protocols, and training to prepare InfoSec to respond to incidents effectively Emma and Bob would be full-time employees of InfoSec, whereas Anna was contracted as an external consultant.
Bob, a network expert, will deploy a screened subnet network architecture This architecture will isolate the demilitarized zone (OMZ) to which hosted public services are attached and InfoSec’s publicly accessible resources from their private network Thus, InfoSec will be able to block potential attackers from causing unwanted events inside the company’s network. Bob is also responsible for ensuring that a thorough evaluation of the nature of an unexpected event is conducted, including the details on how the event happened and what or whom it might affect.
Anna will create records of the data, reviews, analysis, and reports in order to keep evidence for the purpose of disciplinary and legal action, and use them to prevent future incidents. To do the work accordingly, she should be aware of the company’s information security incident management policy beforehand
Among others, this policy specifies the type of records to be created, the place where they should be kept, and the format and content that specific record types should have.
Based on this scenario, answer the following question:
Based on his tasks, which team is Bob part of?
Correct Answer: C
Based on his tasks, Bob is part of the incident response team (IRT) of InfoSec.According to ISO/IEC 27035-2:2023, the IRT is a team of appropriately skilled and trusted members of an organization that responds to and resolves incidents in a coordinated way1.One of the tasks of the IRT is to conduct an evaluation of the nature of an unexpected event, including the details on how the event happened and what or whom it might affect1. This is consistent with Bob’s responsibility of ensuring that a thorough evaluation of the nature of an unexpected event is conducted. Therefore, Bob belongs to the incident response team.
ISO/IEC 27035-2:2023 (en), Information technology — Information security incident management — Part 2: Guidelines to plan and prepare for incident response1
Response to Information Security Incidents | ISMS.online2
Scenario 8: SunDee is an American biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in California, the US. It specializes in developing novel human therapeutics, with a focus on cardiovascular diseases, oncology, bone health, and inflammation. The company has had an information security management system (ISMS) based on SO/IEC 27001 in place for the past two years. However, it has not monitored or measured the performance and effectiveness of its ISMS and conducted management reviews regularly
Just before the recertification audit, the company decided to conduct an internal audit. It also asked most of their staff to compile the written individual reports of the past two years for their departments. This left the Production Department with less than the optimum workforce, which decreased the company’s stock.
Tessa was SunDee’s internal auditor. With multiple reports written by 50 different employees, the internal audit process took much longer than planned, was very inconsistent, and had no qualitative measures whatsoever Tessa concluded that SunDee must evaluate the performance of the ISMS adequately. She defined SunDee’s negligence of ISMS performance evaluation as a major nonconformity, so she wrote a nonconformity report including the description of the nonconformity, the audit findings, and recommendations. Additionally, Tessa created a new plan which would enable SunDee to resolve these issues and presented it to the top management
Based on the scenario above, answer the following question:
What caused SunDee’s workforce disruption?
Correct Answer: A
According to ISO/IEC 27001:2013, clause 9.1, an organization must monitor, measure, analyze and evaluate its information security performance and effectiveness.This includes determining what needs to be monitored and measured, the methods for doing so, when and by whom the monitoring and measurement shall be performed, when the results shall be analyzed and evaluated, and who shall be responsible for ensuring that the actions arising from the analysis and evaluation are taken1.
SunDee failed to comply with this requirement and did not monitor or measure the performance and effectiveness of its ISMS for the past two years. As a result, the company did not have any objective evidence or indicators to demonstrate the achievement of its information security objectives, the effectiveness of its controls, the satisfaction of its interested parties, or the identification and treatment of its risks.This also meant that the company did not conduct regular management reviews of its ISMS, as required by clause 9.3, which would provide an opportunity for the top management to ensure the continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the ISMS, and to decide on any changes or improvements needed1.
Just before the recertification audit, the company decided to conduct an internal audit, as required by clause 9.2, which is a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled1. However, the company did not have a well-defined audit program, scope, criteria, or methodology, and relied on the written reports of its staff for the past two years. This caused a disruption in the workforce, as most of the staff had to compile their reports for their departments, leaving the Production Department with less than the optimum workforce, which decreased the company’s stock. Moreover, the internal audit process was very inconsistent, as the reports were written by different employees with different styles, formats, and levels of detail. The internal audit process also lacked any qualitative measures, such as performance indicators, metrics, or benchmarks, to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the ISMS.
Therefore, the cause of SunDee’s workforce disruption was the negligence of performance evaluation and monitoring and measurement procedures, which led to a lack of objective evidence, a poorly planned and executed internal audit, and a decrease in the company’s productivity and stock value.
1: ISO/IEC 27001:2013, Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Requirements
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