ISO 27001 Annex A 8.34 Protection During Audit and Test Explained Simply | The Lead Auditor Podcast

In this episode: Lead Auditor Stuart Barker and team do a deep dive into the ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.34 Protection of Information Systems During Audit Testing. The podcast explores what it is, why it is important and the path to compliance.

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Read the full article: ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 8.34 Protection of Information Systems During Audit Testing Explained - https://hightable.io/iso27001-annex-a...

Why Do You Need This Control?

It sounds specific. But the industry has learnt hard lessons here. The rule is simple. You must plan and agree on all testing. This stops bad things from happening to your live systems.

You want to keep your data safe and your systems online. This is the CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Why is common sense not enough? Here are four reasons:

1. To Stop Crashes: Audits can be heavy. Automated scans use a lot of power. If your system is busy, a scan might crash it. That costs you money and hurts your name.
2. To Keep Data Safe: You are letting someone in. You must make sure they only see what they need to see. You do not want them to break or delete data by mistake.
3. To Show You Are a Pro: When you have a signed plan, you look good. It shows clients you are serious. You are not a "cowboy operation."
4. To Get Certified: If you want ISO 27001 certification, you must prove you have these rules in place.

How to Implement A 8.34

How do you start? You need a clear plan. Here are the steps you must take.

1. Clear Approval

You need a boss to sign off on the test. This person must know the risks. It cannot just be IT support. It must be a system owner.

2. Strict Scope

Do not just say "check the network." That is too vague. You must list:

Specific IP addresses.

The exact tools the tester will use.

The exact time of the test.

If the tester goes outside this list, they are breaking the rules.

3. Technical Safety

You must protect your system.

Backups: Do a full backup before the test starts.

Rollback Plan: Know how to fix things fast if they break.

Check Their Gear: Is the auditor's laptop safe? Does it have viruses? You must check their device before they plug it in.

Real-World Examples

Different companies need different plans.

Marketing Firm: They might use a temporary account. It is read-only. The tester cannot change files.

Tech Startup: They need to move fast. They should not test on the live system. They use a test environment. This is a copy of the system. If it breaks, the real app stays online.

AI Company: They have sensitive data. They cannot show patient records to a tester. They must mask the data. If the tester needs to run a big command, they use a System Admin Proxy. This means the company types the command, not the tester.

Three Big Mistakes to Avoid

Organisations often fail here. They take shortcuts. Avoid these three traps:

1. Unsafe Devices: Do not trust the auditor's laptop blindly. It might have malware. Check it first.
2. Vague Plans: Do not use handshake deals. Write it down. If you just say "test everything," you might crash your servers.
3. Too Much Access: Do not give admin rights to a tester. Use a proxy or watch them closely.

A Simple Shortcut

Writing all these forms and rules takes time. It is a lot of work. This is why many people use a toolkit.

A good toolkit gives you pre-written policies. It has the forms you need for Annex A 8.34. It gives you the exact words for scope and backups.

The High Table Ultimate ISO 27001 Toolkit is a great option. It has an auditor-verified method. This means experts have already checked the documents. It saves you hours of work. It helps you pass your audit without the stress.

You can find it at https://hightable.io.

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