What is ISO 27001 Clause 7.2 in ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 Clause 7.2 defines how organisations ensure staff possess necessary security skills. You must document specific competence requirements for roles affecting security performance. Use internal tools like SharePoint to record training and education. This ensures human oversight remains central to your management system.
Auditor’s Eye: The Shortcut Trap
Many organisations use SaaS platforms for automated training tracking. These systems often provide generic certificates without verifying actual job competence. Auditors see this as a failure of management ownership. We prefer seeing skill matrices in Confluence or training logs in SharePoint. This shows that the business understands its unique skill requirements. Do not rely on external “green ticks” to prove staff capability.
| Feature | ISO 27001:2013 | ISO 27001:2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Determine competence. | Determine competence. |
| Action Requirement | Acquire necessary skills. | Acquire necessary skills. |
| Evidence | Documented information. | Documented information. |
How to Implement ISO 27001 Clause 7.2 (Step-by-Step)
Ensure all staff have the skills to maintain information security. You must define competence for every role within your ISMS scope. Use SharePoint to store job descriptions and training records. Track skill gaps using Jira tasks or internal wiki pages. This approach integrates security into your organisational culture.
Step 1: Define Role Competencies
Create a matrix in Confluence for all security roles. Specify the required education, training, and experience for each. Link these requirements to your internal job descriptions. This provides a clear baseline for the auditor.
Step 2: Assess Existing Skills
Evaluate current staff against the defined matrix. Identify gaps where training or recruitment is necessary. Record these findings in a restricted SharePoint folder. This shows management is actively monitoring personnel capability.
Step 3: Execute Training Actions
Assign training modules or workshops to address skill gaps. Use Jira to track the completion of these actions. Ensure staff provide feedback on the effectiveness of training. This proves the organisation takes concrete steps to improve security.
Step 4: Maintain Detailed Records
Retain all certificates and evaluation records in your document repository. Use version control to track changes in competence levels. These records serve as your primary evidence during certification audits. They demonstrate the maturity of your management system.
ISO 27001 Clause 7.2 Competence Audit Evidence Checklist
Focus on manual records and internal versions. These documents prove human intent and oversight.
- Role-based skill requirements documented in Confluence.
- Individual training files held in SharePoint.
- Records of formal education and professional certifications.
- Meeting minutes detailing the review of training effectiveness.
- Jira tickets showing the resolution of identified skill gaps.
Relational Mapping
Clause 7.2 relies on Clause 5.3 for role definitions. It supports Clause 6.1 by ensuring staff can manage identified risks. Furthermore, it feeds into Clause 7.3 Awareness. Competent staff are the primary defense against information security threats. Auditors look for this logical flow through your internal systems.
Auditor Interview
Question: How do you identify specific training needs for security roles?
Answer: We review staff performance against the skill matrix in Confluence.
Question: Where do you store evidence of completed training?
Answer: All certificates are uploaded to our secure SharePoint training library.
Question: How do you know if the training was effective?
Answer: Managers evaluate skill application during quarterly performance reviews.
Common Non-Conformities
| Failure Mode | Cause | Auditor Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Complacency | Relying on SaaS certificates without internal review. | Major NC: No proof of actual job competence. |
| Missing Records | Failure to store physical training evidence. | Minor NC: Documented information not retained. |
| Undefined Requirements | Job descriptions lack specific security skills. | Minor NC: Competence criteria not established. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main requirement of Clause 7.2?
You must ensure staff are competent for their security roles. This involves defining requirements and providing necessary training. Document all actions in your internal repositories. This proves that your personnel can effectively protect business assets. Avoid relying on generic external training platforms.
How do you verify the effectiveness of training?
Verification happens through performance reviews and internal audits. Observe staff performing security tasks in Jira or SharePoint. Record these observations in your management review minutes. This provides evidence that the training resulted in actual skill acquisition. It shows a commitment to continuous improvement.
Can I manage Clause 7.2 using an internal wiki?
An internal wiki like Confluence is an excellent tool for this. It allows for easy mapping of skills to roles. You can link to training records stored in SharePoint. This keeps security data integrated with your daily business tools. It prevents the decoupling of security from daily operations.