This template is here to help your organization track and measure how well your security controls are working according to ISO 27001:2022 Annex A. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step to make sure you get the most out of it.

Step 1: Identify Each Control

Start by listing all the controls from ISO 27001:2022 Annex A that you need to measure. Be sure to include both the control number and its description.

Step 2: Define Your Metrics

For each control, you’ll need to create a metric to gauge its effectiveness. Your metrics should be:

• Relevant: They should tie directly to the control and its goal.
• Measurable: You should be able to quantify it for an objective evaluation.
• Actionable: They should give you insights that lead to meaningful improvements.

Step 3: Set Target Values

Next, decide what success looks like for each metric. Set a target value that reflects the desired performance level. Clear targets make it easier to judge whether your controls are effective.

Step 4: Record Actual Values

As you go, record the actual results for each metric. This will allow you to compare how things are performing versus your targets.

Step 5: Choose a Measurement Frequency

Decide how often you’ll measure each metric. The frequency can vary depending on the control—some might need quarterly reviews, while others could be looked at annually.

Step 6: Assign Responsibilities

Make sure each metric has someone responsible for tracking and reporting it. This keeps things organized and ensures accountability.

Step 7: Review and Adjust Regularly

Periodically check the data to see how well your controls are performing. If they’re consistently missing the mark, it’s time to dig into why and make adjustments. You might need to tweak the controls or reset your target values.

Example: How the Template Works in Action

Let’s take A.8.7 - Protection Against Malware as an example:

• Control Description: Protection against malware.
• Metric: Track the number of malware incidents detected.
• Target: Aim for zero incidents per quarter.
• Actual Value: Record how many incidents actually occurred each quarter.
• Measurement Frequency: Quarterly.
• Responsible Team: IT Security Team.

How You Could Implement It:

• Identify the Control: Malware protection is a must for your organization.
• Define the Metric: Measure how often malware is detected.
• Set the Target: Zero malware incidents per quarter.
• Record the Actual Values: Log any malware incidents that occur quarterly.
• Frequency: Review every three months.
• Assign Responsibility: The IT Security Team tracks and reports on this.

Reviewing:

At the end of each quarter, review the actual number of malware incidents. If incidents occurred, compare this with the target and take steps to improve, such as updating your antivirus software or providing additional training for employees.

Detailed Example Table

 

#	Control Description	Metric Description	Target Value	Actual Value	Measurement Date	Frequency of Measurement	Responsible Person	Status	Comments
A.8.7	Protection against malware	Number of malware incidents detected	0 incidents	[Actual]	[Date]	Quarterly	IT Security Team	[Status]	[Comments]
A.8.13	Information backup	Percentage of critical data backed up	100%	[Actual]	[Date]	Monthly	Data Management Team	[Status]	[Comments]
A.8.25	Secure development life cycle	Percentage of projects following SDLC	95%	[Actual]	[Date]	Quarterly	Development Team	[Status]	[Comments]
A.8.32	Change management	Number of unauthorized changes detected	0 incidents	[Actual]	[Date]	Monthly	Change Control Team	[Status]	[Comments]

Key Points

• Monitor Regularly: Stay on top of your metrics to see how your controls are performing.
• Use Insights to Improve: The data should help you make informed decisions about where to improve.
• Stay Consistent: Regularly measuring and reporting helps you track your progress over time.

Using this template helps you keep a close eye on your information security controls, pinpoint areas for improvement, and maintain strong security practices in line with ISO 27001:2022 standards.