What is ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.20 Networks security in ISO 27001?
Network security involves managing network devices and services through documented configurations. Use SharePoint to store these standards. This ensures information availability and integrity. It requires integrating security controls into existing organisational workflows rather than relying on external dashboards. Manual oversight remains vital for compliance.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Reliance on automated SaaS platforms leads to surface-level compliance. These “Black Box” systems offer generic ticks for network policies. They rarely reflect your actual firewall rules or router settings. I want to see evidence within your native repositories. I check SharePoint versioning for config changes. I examine Jira for technical sign-offs. Auditors prefer seeing how your team manages security. Disconnected software decouples security from daily work. This lack of ownership creates major audit risks.
| ISO 27001:2013 Control | ISO 27001:2022 Control | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Annex A 13.1.1 Network controls | Annex A 8.20 Networks security | Revised for modern infrastructure. Emphasises logical and physical security integration. |
How to Implement ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.20 (Step-by-Step)
The Bottom Line: Implementation requires defining secure configurations within internal wikis. Establish Jira workflows for change management. You must record all management approvals within your native document repositories. This proves human oversight of technical perimeters. Follow these steps to build a robust network security programme:
- Document firewall and router configuration standards in SharePoint.
- Store approved network diagrams in Confluence.
- Configure Jira workflows for all network change requests.
- Require management sign-off for every rule modification.
- Conduct quarterly internal audits of network configurations.
- Log review results in internal document versions.
ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.20 Networks security Audit Evidence Checklist
Focus on manual records and internal document versions. These prove human oversight and intent. Maintain the following items in your native Document-Based Management System (DBMS):
- Approved network architecture diagrams with SharePoint version history.
- Jira ticket history for firewall rule changes.
- Dated maintenance logs for network hardware.
- Management review minutes for network security risks.
- Technical audit logs verifying isolation of guest networks.
Relational Mapping
Control A 8.20 connects to several other ISO 27001 requirements. Clause 8.1 governs operational planning for network changes. Annex A 8.22 focuses on segregation of networks. Control A 8.21 manages the security of network services. All these dependencies must link within your central SharePoint library.
Auditor Interview
Auditor: How do you manage your network device configurations?
Manager: We store standard configuration templates in our version-controlled SharePoint library.
Auditor: Where is the approval for your last firewall update?
Manager: You can see the full sign-off history in Jira ticket #NET-452. The technical lead approved the change before implementation.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Description | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Relying on a platform’s green tick without having internal procedural evidence. | Move configuration records to SharePoint and Jira. |
| Undocumented Changes | Modifying firewall rules without a formal request. | Enforce Jira workflows for all technical changes. |
| Stale Diagrams | Network maps do not reflect the current infrastructure. | Implement monthly reviews of architecture documents. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is network security in ISO 27001?
The Bottom Line Up Front: Network security involves managing network devices and services through documented configurations. Use SharePoint to store these standards. This ensures information availability and integrity. It requires integrating security controls into existing organisational workflows. This prevents reliance on unverified external dashboards.
How do you implement Annex A 8.20?
The Bottom Line Up Front: Implementation requires defining secure configurations within internal wikis. Establish Jira workflows for change management. You must record all management approvals within your native document repositories. This proves human intent. It ensures that technical staff follow a structured process.
Why avoid SaaS tools for network compliance?
The Bottom Line Up Front: SaaS compliance software creates a visibility gap. These platforms show generic ticks but hide configuration drift. Auditors prefer seeing your actual firewall rules and Jira history. Using native tools ensures security remains part of daily operations. This shows genuine management ownership.