What is ISO 27001 Clause 7.1 in ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 Clause 7.1 requires the organisation to determine and provide resources for the security system. You must document these allocations within business-as-usual tools. This includes budget logs in SharePoint or personnel planning in Jira. It ensures resource management remains integrated with daily operations.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Reliance on automated SaaS platforms to manage Clause 7.1 leads to failure. These platforms use generic checkboxes to show resource availability. Auditors prefer to see evidence in your native financial and project systems. We look for actual budget approvals and dedicated time logs. Black-box systems decouple resource planning from the reality of your operations. Manual records in SharePoint prove management ownership and intent.
| Requirement | ISO 27001:2013 | ISO 27001:2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Determination | Required. | Unchanged. |
| Resource Provision | Required. | Unchanged. |
| Documentation | Implied through Clause 7.5. | Stronger focus on evidence of provision. |
How to Implement ISO 27001 Clause 7.1 (Step-by-Step)
The core requirement is providing the people, money, and tools needed for the ISMS. You must integrate these decisions into existing organisational workflows. This ensures security is a cultural habit rather than a software installation. Use your native document repositories to maintain an audit trail.
Step 1: Resource Identification
Determine the personnel and technology needed for security. Record these requirements in a Confluence page. Link this to your risk treatment plan. This shows a direct link between security risks and resources.
Step 2: Financial Approval
Secure formal budget approval for the identified needs. Use SharePoint workflows to track sign-off from senior management. Maintain these records in your internal document store. Auditors want to see financial commitment from leadership.
Step 3: Operational Allocation
Assign specific security tasks to staff in Jira. Monitor time allocation to ensure people can perform their duties. This provides granular evidence of resource provision. It proves the ISMS is active within the business.
ISO 27001 Clause 7.1 Resources Audit Evidence Checklist
Focus on manual records and internal document versions. These prove human oversight and management intent.
- Annual security budget spreadsheets in SharePoint.
- Approved Jira tickets for security hardware or software procurement.
- Resource planning pages in Confluence with version history.
- Meeting minutes from management reviews covering resource adequacy.
- Internal hiring records for staff with security responsibilities.
Relational Mapping
Clause 7.1 provides the foundation for Clause 7.2 (Competence). Without resources, training and awareness cannot happen. It also supports Clause 8.1 (Operational Planning). Furthermore, it directly influences the effectiveness of Clause 6.1 risk treatment. Auditors check this flow from resource provision to control implementation.
Auditor Interview
Question: How do you decide which resources the ISMS needs?
Answer: We review our resource requirements in quarterly management meetings.
Question: Where is the evidence of budget approval?
Answer: All approvals are recorded in our SharePoint financial library.
Question: How do you ensure staff have enough time for security tasks?
Answer: We track security projects and maintenance in Jira.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Cause | Auditor Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Relying on a platform’s “green tick” for resources. | Major NC: No evidence of internal budget or personnel records. |
| Resource Scarcity | No dedicated budget or time for security staff. | Major NC: System is not effectively supported. |
| Lack of Evidence | Resource decisions are not documented. | Minor NC: Failure to maintain documented information. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a resource in Clause 7.1?
Resources include people, time, and financial budget. It also covers infrastructure and technical tools. You must document the provision of all these elements. Use internal tools to show management support. This ensures the auditor sees a functional system.
How does Clause 7.1 relate to top management?
Top management is responsible for providing resources. They must ensure the ISMS has what it needs to succeed. Documented approvals in SharePoint prove this commitment. Auditors will interview leaders to verify this. Genuine commitment is shown through action, not software checkboxes.
How can Jira help with resource management?
Jira tracks the actual work performed by staff. It shows that people are allocated to security tasks. This provides real-time data for auditors. It proves that resource provision is an active process. This is more effective than a static list in a compliance app.