Introduction

When it comes to cybersecurity, one of the most overlooked yet foundational questions is: “Who’s responsible for what?” Control 5.2 of ISO/IEC 27001:2022 tackles this issue head-on by requiring organizations to define, allocate, and communicate roles and responsibilities for information security.

Summary of Control 5.2: Information Security Roles and Responsibilities

🔒 Control Title: Information Security Roles and Responsibilities
📘 Source: ISO/IEC 27002:2022, Section 5.2
🧩 Control Category: Organizational
🔍 Attributes:

• Control Type: #Preventive
• Security Properties: #Confidentiality, #Integrity, #Availability
• Cybersecurity Concepts: #Identify
• Operational Capabilities: #Governance
• Security Domain: #Governance_and_Ecosystem

Control Objective

To ensure that all information security activities are properly defined and assigned to individuals or teams, and that those responsibilities are understood and executed effectively.

Implementation Guidance

Define Roles Clearly:

• Include roles such as CISO, IT admins, data owners, system users, third-party providers, etc.
• Assign ownership for key assets and processes.

Document Responsibilities:

• Create a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (e.g., RACI).
• Responsibilities should align with the organization’s risk appetite and security objectives.

Integrate into Job Descriptions:

• Roles and security duties should be embedded in HR documentation, job roles, and contracts.

Communicate and Train:

• Ensure all personnel are aware of their responsibilities especially regarding incident reporting, data protection, and access control.

Monitor and Review:

• Regularly evaluate whether responsibilities are being fulfilled effectively.
• Update roles if organizational or regulatory changes occur.

Why This Control Matters

Clear responsibilities reduce the risk of gaps, overlaps, and finger-pointing during incidents. They also make compliance audits smoother by showing that information security is embedded throughout the organization not just IT.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Assuming “everyone is responsible for security” (which leads to no one being accountable)
• Outdated documentation or unclear lines of authority
• Lack of training for role-specific responsibilities (e.g., how a data owner differs from a data processor)

Canadian Cyber’s Take

At Canadian Cyber, we often see companies with great policies but unclear execution because no one is directly accountable. We help you map responsibilities to the right people, document them clearly, and integrate them into your security program.

Need Help Clarifying Security Responsibilities?

Let’s define and document your security roles and responsibilities to meet ISO 27001 standards and reduce risk.
👉 Click here to connect with our consultants.

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