What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.23 in ISO 27001?
Annex A 5.23 specifies processes for managing cloud service security. It requires documented policies for cloud acquisition: use: and exit. Organisations must integrate these rules into internal document management systems. This ensures management maintains control over external service providers and data residency. Active oversight replaces passive reliance on providers.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Many organisations rely on SaaS compliance platforms for cloud governance. These “black box” tools often provide generic reports that lack business context. Auditors find this creates surface-level compliance. We want to see cloud risk assessments in your Jira. We need to see exit strategies in SharePoint. A “green tick” in a third-party app does not prove governance. You must own your security documentation within your native repositories. Auditors will fail organisations that decouple security management from their daily operations.
Transition Table: 2013 vs 2022
| ISO 27001:2013 Reference | ISO 27001:2022 Reference | Change Summary |
|---|---|---|
| N/A (Implicit in A.15.1) | 5.23 Information Security for Use of Cloud Services | New dedicated control. It addresses specific cloud risks and exit requirements. |
How to Implement ISO 27001 Annex A 5.23 (Step-by-Step)
Implementing Annex A 5.23 requires a documented cloud security policy within your internal Document Management System. You must define security requirements for cloud providers before procurement. Use Jira to track risk assessments for every cloud service. This approach ensures security integrates into your organisational workflows. Avoid standalone compliance software for this task.
- Policy Integration: Draft cloud usage rules in SharePoint. Distinguish between IaaS: PaaS: and SaaS models.
- Vendor Vetting: Use Jira to document the review of provider SOC2 reports. Do not skip manual evaluation.
- Contractual Binding: Ensure security clauses are in cloud agreements. Store signed contracts in your secure repository.
- Exit Planning: Map out how to retrieve data if the provider fails. Document this in Confluence.
- Continuous Monitoring: Set reminders in Jira for annual provider reviews. Update risk scores based on service changes.
ISO 27001 Annex A 5.23 Audit Evidence Checklist
Auditors look for manual records and internal document versions. These prove human oversight and intent. We ignore dashboard summaries from automated compliance platforms.
- SharePoint version history for the cloud security policy.
- Jira tickets showing individual cloud risk assessments.
- Internal wiki pages detailing specific cloud configuration standards.
- Meeting minutes discussing cloud provider security notifications.
- Documented evidence of cloud exit strategy testing.
Relational Mapping
Annex A 5.23 depends on Clause 5.19 for general supplier relationship rules. It supports Clause 5.20 regarding security within supplier agreements. This control also feeds into Clause 5.22 for supplier service monitoring. Together: these controls form a robust third-party risk framework. Each link must be documented in your internal wiki.
Auditor Interview
Auditor: How do you decide which cloud providers are safe to use?
User: We conduct a manual risk assessment using our Jira security project.
Auditor: Where do you document the security requirements for these providers?
User: Our standards are defined in our SharePoint Document Management System.
Auditor: What happens if you need to leave a cloud provider tomorrow?
User: We follow the exit strategy documented for that service in Confluence.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Relying on a compliance platform’s “green tick” without internal procedural evidence. |
| Missing Exit Plans | Failing to document how data is recovered during service termination. |
| Undefined Residency | Storing sensitive data in cloud regions not authorised by the policy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 5.23?
Bottom Line Up Front: Annex A 5.23 governs how organisations manage information security within cloud services. It requires documented processes for cloud acquisition: use: and management. You must define clear security requirements in agreements. This ensures that third-party cloud hosting aligns with your internal security objectives.
How should cloud exit strategies be managed?
Bottom Line Up Front: Organisations must document formal exit strategies for every cloud provider. These plans should reside in internal document systems like SharePoint. You must outline data migration and account termination procedures. Regular reviews of these strategies prove to auditors that you maintain operational control.
Who is responsible for cloud security monitoring?
Bottom Line Up Front: Internal management holds final responsibility for monitoring cloud security. You must review provider service reports and security notifications manually. Log these reviews in Jira or SharePoint to provide audit evidence. Do not rely on the cloud provider to monitor themselves.