What is ISO 27001 Annex A 7.3 Securing Offices, Rooms and Facilities in ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 Annex A 7.3 is a documented process for protecting internal work areas. It requires organisations to secure rooms and facilities based on information sensitivity. Controls include locks and restricted access. These measures must be managed through internal tools like SharePoint to ensure consistent management oversight and operational evidence.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Reliance on automated SaaS platforms leads to surface-level compliance for facility security. These platforms often provide a green tick for “Facility Policy” without verifying that server room doors are actually locked. Auditors prefer seeing evidence within your native document repositories. SharePoint versioning and Jira ticket history prove your staff actively manage these rooms. A SaaS dashboard cannot replace the human oversight required to secure a physical office environment.
| ISO 27001:2013 Reference | ISO 27001:2022 Reference | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Annex A 11.1.3 | Annex A 7.3 | The 2022 update maintains the requirement for physical internal security. It clarifies that facilities include all rooms processing sensitive information. |
How to Implement ISO 27001 Annex A 7.3 (Step-by-Step)
Securing offices and rooms requires a risk-based approach integrated into your existing business tools. Lead with a clear classification of your internal spaces. Use SharePoint and Confluence to maintain your security records. Frame this implementation as a cultural change in how staff handle sensitive areas.
- Map all internal rooms and offices in a SharePoint document.
- Classify each room based on the sensitivity of information handled within.
- Establish access control lists for high-risk rooms using Jira for approvals.
- Schedule regular physical checks of locks and entry points in Outlook.
- Log all maintenance or breach incidents in your internal Confluence wiki.
ISO 27001 Annex A 7.3 Securing Offices, Rooms and Facilities Audit Evidence Checklist
Auditors require manual records that prove continuous human oversight and operational intent. Ensure your evidence is stored in internal repositories rather than third-party platforms.
- A detailed room security matrix stored in SharePoint.
- Audit trail of Jira tickets for access card or key requests.
- Records of internal site inspections hosted on Confluence.
- Management meeting minutes discussing facility security improvements.
- Updated floor plans showing restricted and public office zones.
Relational Mapping
Control A 7.3 connects directly to the following ISO 27001 requirements:
- Clause 8.1: Operational planning for facility security.
- Annex A 7.1: Physical security perimeters (the external boundary).
- Annex A 7.4: Physical security monitoring (CCTV and alarms).
Auditor Interview: Managing Facility Security
Auditor: How do you determine who can enter the finance office?
Manager: We use a role-based matrix in SharePoint. Any changes require a Jira ticket approval by the CFO.
Auditor: How do you ensure that secure rooms remain locked after hours?
Manager: Our evening security team performs checks. They log any open doors in a Confluence page for morning review.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Description | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Failing to check physical locks because a SaaS tool is “Green.” | Conduct and log weekly physical walk-throughs in SharePoint. |
| Lack of Classification | All rooms are treated with the same level of security. | Create a risk-based classification matrix in Confluence. |
| Poor Key Management | Former staff members still possess keys to sensitive rooms. | Link HR exit processes to Jira for key collection. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 7.3?
The Bottom Line: It is the requirement to secure internal rooms where sensitive data exists. You must define which rooms need protection. This includes server rooms and executive offices. Documentation of these controls must stay within your internal management systems like SharePoint to ensure auditor visibility.
How does ISO 27001 define “Facilities”?
The Bottom Line: Facilities include any office, room, or storage area processing information. This covers physical archives and technical rooms. Use your internal site maps to identify every facility. Track the security status of each in a central Confluence database.
How can I prove rooms are secure during an audit?
The Bottom Line: Present your inspection logs and Jira approval history. Auditors want to see that you actively monitor your rooms. Showing a history of lock repairs or access changes in SharePoint is highly effective. Avoid showing dashboards from “black box” SaaS providers.