What is ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.12 Data leakage prevention in ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 Annex A 8.12 requires a documented process to prevent unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information. Organisations must integrate data leakage measures into business-as-usual tools like SharePoint and Jira. This control focuses on managing data flows through existing technical configurations. It rejects reliance on external software interfaces alone.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Automated platforms often generate false security. They decouple risk from daily operations. Auditors want to see your version history in SharePoint. We check your Jira workflows for data handling approvals. Real compliance lives in your native document repositories. Black box SaaS platforms often lead to surface-level compliance. This lack of ownership will fail an audit. Keep your evidence within the tools your team uses daily.
| 2013 Control | 2022 Control | Change Nature |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Annex A 8.12 | This is a new control. It focuses on preventative technical measures and monitoring. |
How to Implement ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.12 Data leakage prevention (Step-by-Step)
Effective implementation relies on cultural change rather than software installation. Use your existing SharePoint and Jira environments to manage this control. Answer the core requirements by embedding security into daily workflows. Focus on the following steps.
- Identify high-risk data sets within your SharePoint library.
- Apply sensitivity labels to document metadata for clear classification.
- Create a Jira ticket for all data export requests.
- Record manager approval before data leaves the organisational system.
- Link technical alerts to internal security wikis for transparency.
- Review detection logs during monthly management meetings.
- Document all corrective actions in your internal document repository.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.12 Data leakage prevention Audit Evidence Checklist
Focus on manual records and internal document versions. These prove human oversight and management intent. Use your native repositories to host the following items.
- Data classification policy with SharePoint version history.
- Jira tickets showing approved data handling requests.
- Monthly management minutes reviewing data leak alerts.
- Technical configuration logs stored in the internal wiki.
- Evidence of staff training on sensitive data handling.
Relational Mapping
Annex A 8.12 does not work in isolation. It depends on several core requirements:
- Clause 8.1: Operational planning for data security.
- Annex A 5.12: Classification of information assets.
- Annex A 8.15: Logging of unauthorised data movements.
Auditor Interview
Auditor: How do you manage sensitive data leaving your system?
User: We use a formal approval workflow in Jira. Managers must review and sign off on every export request.
Auditor: Where is the evidence of your last alert review?
User: You can find the signed meeting minutes in SharePoint. We review all technical alerts every month.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Description | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Relying on a platform tick without having internal procedural evidence. | Record manual reviews in SharePoint meeting minutes. |
| Poor Classification | Failing to identify sensitive data in your primary repositories. | Apply sensitivity labels to all documents in SharePoint. |
| Lack of Approval | Data exports occur without a recorded management sign-off. | Enforce mandatory Jira workflows for all data transfers. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO 27001 Annex A 8.12?
The Bottom Line: Annex A 8.12 is a documented process for stopping unauthorised data transfers. You must define sensitive data categories in SharePoint. Apply technical rules to monitor and block these transfers. Management must own the process through existing organisational tools. This ensures security stays part of daily operations.
How do you prove compliance for data leakage?
The Bottom Line: Auditors check for version history in SharePoint policies. We look for Jira tickets that show approved data exports. You must show meeting minutes that review detection alerts. Manual oversight records prove the control works in your daily operations. Avoid relying on external dashboards alone.
Why avoid SaaS platforms for A 8.12?
The Bottom Line: Black box software decouples security from your staff. Auditors prefer seeing evidence within your native repositories. Relying on an external dashboard often leads to surface-level compliance. Using SharePoint and Jira ensures your team maintains direct management ownership. This approach builds a stronger security culture.