Implementing ISO 27001 Annex A 6.3: Information Security Awareness
Welcome to your guide on implementing one of the most critical controls in the ISO 27001 standard. At iso27001.com, we often tell our clients that information security is more about people than it is about technology. You can buy the most expensive firewalls in the world, but if a staff member writes their password on a sticky note, those firewalls cannot help you.
This article will guide you through Annex A 6.3, which covers Information Security Awareness, Education, and Training. We will explain how to set this up from scratch and, importantly, what a certification body expects to see when we visit your organisation for an audit.
Table of contents
Understanding the Requirement
The core purpose of Annex A 6.3 is simple. You must ensure that employees and relevant contractors are aware of your information security policy. They need to understand their contribution to the effectiveness of the management system and the implications of not conforming to the requirements.
In simpler terms, everyone needs to know the rules. They need to know why the rules exist and what happens if they break them. This is not a box ticking exercise. It is about changing organisational culture.
Who Needs Training?
The standard applies to all relevant personnel. For most organisations, this means every single employee. From the receptionist to the CEO, everyone interacts with data. As a beginner, you should start by creating a list of roles within your business.
Do not forget third parties. If you have contractors who have access to your internal systems, they fall under this scope too. You must decide if they need full training or a condensed version that covers their specific access rights.
Building Your Awareness Programme
You might feel overwhelmed by the idea of creating a curriculum, but you should start small. Effective training is regular and relevant. Here is a practical approach to getting started.
Induction Training
Security awareness starts on day one. When a new person joins your team, security training should be part of their onboarding process. You should not give them access to sensitive data until they have completed this step. This sets a tone that security is taken seriously here.
Ongoing Updates
Technology changes fast and so do threats. A presentation given five years ago is likely obsolete today. You need to plan for regular updates. This could be an annual refresher course or monthly micro learning sessions. Many of our clients at iso27001.com find that short, frequent updates work better than long, annual lectures.
What Topics Should You Cover?
Your training content must be relevant to your organisation. Generic templates are a good starting point, but you should tailor them. At a minimum, you should cover the following areas.
- Phishing and Social Engineering: Teach staff how to spot suspicious emails.
- Password Security: Explain why complex, unique passwords are necessary.
- Physical Security: Remind people to lock screens and secure laptops.
- Incident Reporting: Make sure they know who to call if they make a mistake.
- Data Handling: Explain how to classify and label sensitive documents.
Methods of Delivery
You do not need to hire an expensive lecturer. The standard does not dictate how you deliver the training, only that it is effective. You can use online learning platforms, face to face workshops, or even regular email newsletters.
The key is engagement. If the training is boring, people will tune out. Try to use real world examples. If you have had a near miss or a security incident in the past, use it as a learning opportunity without blaming individuals.
Verifying Understanding
Sending out a policy document via email is not training. You have no way of knowing if the recipient read it or understood it. You need a mechanism to verify that the learning has taken place.
This is usually done through quizzes or tests at the end of a training module. If you are doing face to face training, you might have a sign in sheet and a feedback form. For email updates, you might track who opened the email, though this is less robust.
What the Certification Body Expects
When an auditor from a certification body arrives, we are looking for evidence. We operate on the principle that if it is not written down, it did not happen. Here is what we will look for regarding Annex A 6.3.
Records of Attendance
We will ask to see your training logs. We expect to see a list of who was trained, when they were trained, and what content was covered. If you claim to do annual training, we will check the dates to ensure no one has slipped through the cracks.
Interviewing Staff
This is the part that often catches people off guard. During an audit, we will walk around and talk to your staff. We might ask a random employee, “When was your last security training?” or “How do you report a security incident?”
If your records say everyone is trained, but the staff member stares at us blankly, you will have a problem. This indicates that your training was not effective. We are verifying the result, not just the activity.
Consequences of Non Compliance
We also check if your staff understands what happens if they ignore the rules. This links back to your disciplinary process. Awareness includes understanding the consequences of bad behaviour.
Next Steps for You
Implementing Annex A 6.3 is an ongoing journey. Start by reviewing your current induction process. Ensure that security is a distinct chapter in that process. Then, set up a calendar for the coming year to schedule regular updates or newsletters.
Remember that resources like iso27001.com are available to help you navigate these requirements. By focusing on a culture of awareness rather than just ticking boxes, you will not only pass your audit but also significantly reduce your risk of a data breach.