What is ISO 27001 Clause 7.4 Communication in ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 Clause 7.4 is a documented process for managing information exchange. It defines internal and external security reporting requirements. Management determines who communicates what and when. You must integrate these activities into business-as-usual tools. This ensures security data stays within native organisational repositories.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Automated SaaS platforms often generate generic communication logs. These logs lack operational context. Auditors prefer seeing authentic communication within your native environment. Using SharePoint or Jira proves real management ownership. External black box platforms decouple security from daily operations. This leads to surface-level compliance. We look for evidence in your actual email archives and project wikis. Genuine communication happens where your staff work every day.
| Standard Clause | Requirement Summary | Integrated Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Clause 7.4 (2013) | Determine internal/external communication. | Meeting minutes. |
| Clause 7.4 (2022) | Define processes for communication. | Jira workflows and matrices. |
How to Implement ISO 27001 Clause 7.4 Communication (Step-by-Step)
Management must determine the communication strategy for the security system. You must define what topics require communication and who receives the data. Use existing tools like SharePoint and Confluence to record these decisions. This transforms compliance into a documented cultural process. Follow these steps for an integrated approach.
Step 1: Create the Communication Matrix
Draft a table in Confluence to define reporting requirements. Include internal staff, external clients, and regulatory bodies. Specify the frequency of communication for each group. Link this matrix to your risk treatment plan.
Step 2: Operationalise Notifications
Configure Jira to send automated alerts for security events. Map these alerts to the roles defined in your matrix. This ensures the right people receive timely information. It creates a verifiable audit trail of system activity.
Step 3: Document Stakeholder Exchange
Use SharePoint to store minutes from security committee meetings. Log all external communications with regulators in your central repository. Ensure these records follow standard document control procedures. This proves human oversight to the auditor.
ISO 27001 Clause 7.4 Communication Audit Evidence Checklist
Auditors require manual records that prove intent and oversight. Focus on internal document versions and meeting logs. Provide these items during your audit.
- Documented Communication Matrix in SharePoint or Confluence.
- Security committee meeting minutes showing performance discussions.
- Jira notification audit logs for incident response.
- Evidence of external notifications to legal or regulatory bodies.
- Staff newsletters or intranet posts regarding security updates.
Relational Mapping
Clause 7.4 relies on data from Clause 4.2. Stakeholder needs determine what you communicate. It also supports Clause 7.3. Awareness requires constant and clear communication. Finally, it feeds Clause 9.3. Management reviews summarise all communicated security performance data.
Auditor Interview: Direct Process Management
Question: How does the organisation decide when to communicate security incidents?
Answer: We follow the communication matrix defined in our Confluence wiki.
Question: Where are external communication records stored?
Answer: We log all regulatory interactions in our central SharePoint repository.
Question: How do you verify that internal staff receive security updates?
Answer: We use SharePoint read receipts and track Jira task completions.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Cause | Auditor Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Relying on a platform’s generic notifications. | Major NC: No evidence of internal procedural ownership. |
| Missing Matrix | No defined plan for who communicates what. | Minor NC: Communication process is not established. |
| Inaccessible Records | Communication logs stored in an external silo. | Minor NC: Security decoupled from daily operations. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bottom line for ISO 27001 communication?
The bottom line is that you must have a plan. Define who says what to whom. Record these exchanges in your native business tools. This proves the organisation actually manages its security information. Do not rely on automated SaaS dashboards for this requirement.
How do you manage external communication with regulators?
External communication must follow legal requirements. Use your existing document systems to log these interactions. Document the specific person responsible for contacting regulators. This ensures accountability during a security incident. Version-controlled logs in SharePoint provide the best evidence.
Why is a communication matrix necessary?
A matrix provides clarity during high-pressure security events. It ensures you do not miss vital stakeholders. Host this matrix in Confluence to allow for easy updates. Auditors check this document to verify your procedural maturity. It shows that you have planned your response thoroughly.