ISMS Guides

A.8.31 Separation of development, test and production environments

: Andy Systems; ISMS Guides; 28 April 2023

A.8.31 Separation of Development, Test, and Production Environments would include:

Network Architecture Diagram: A clear network architecture diagram that visually represents the separation of development, test, and production environments. This should show the logical and physical separation of these environments to prevent unauthorized access and data leakage.
Access Controls: Documentation of access controls implemented to restrict access to development, test, and production environments. This should include user access lists, permissions, and role-based access controls.
User Access Logs: Records of user access to each environment, including login/logout timestamps and activities performed. This helps track who accessed the environments and what changes were made.
Data Isolation: Proof of how data is isolated and segregated between development, test, and production environments. This includes database access controls, encryption measures, and data masking techniques.
Configuration Management: Evidence of how configurations are managed separately for each environment to ensure consistency and to prevent unauthorized changes.
Change Control Process: Documentation of the change control process for moving code or configurations between environments. This should include approval procedures, testing requirements, and documentation reviews.
Code Version Control: Details of how code is version-controlled to maintain separate repositories for each environment. This helps track changes and ensures that only approved code is promoted to production.
Test Data Management: Documentation of how test data is generated or anonymized to avoid using sensitive or real production data in testing environments.
Network Segmentation: Proof of network segmentation to prevent direct communication between development, test, and production environments. This includes firewall rules and network access controls.
Incident Response Plan: Evidence of an incident response plan that addresses security breaches or incidents involving any of the environments. The plan should outline how incidents are detected, investigated, and mitigated.
Security Training Records: Records of security training provided to staff working in development, test, and production environments. This ensures that employees are aware of their responsibilities in maintaining the separation and security of these environments.
Penetration Testing Reports: Results of penetration testing conducted to assess the effectiveness of the separation controls and identify potential vulnerabilities.

By reviewing these pieces of evidence, an auditor can verify that appropriate measures are in place to maintain the separation of development, test, and production environments. The goal is to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and configuration drift, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of the organization's information systems.

A.8.32 Change Management

: Andy Systems; ISMS Guides; 28 April 2023

A.8.32 Change Management

Change Management Policy: A documented change management policy that outlines the organization's approach to managing changes to information systems, networks, applications, and infrastructure. The policy should define roles, responsibilities, and the change management process.
Change Management Process: Documentation of the step-by-step change management process, including the stages of change request submission, evaluation, approval, testing, implementation, and post-implementation review.
Change Requests: Records of change requests submitted by individuals or teams within the organization. These requests should include details such as the reason for the change, the scope of the change, the expected benefits, and the potential risks.
Change Evaluation and Approval: Evidence of how change requests are evaluated and approved. This may include approval forms, decision records, and documented risk assessments.
Testing and Validation: Proof that changes are thoroughly tested and validated before implementation. This should include test plans, test results, and sign-offs by relevant stakeholders.
Change Implementation Records: Documentation of the implementation of approved changes, including details of the date, time, and individuals responsible for the implementation.
Emergency Change Management: Evidence of how emergency changes are handled, including the criteria for classifying a change as an emergency and the process for expedited approval and implementation.
Backout Plans: Records of backout plans for changes in case they cause unexpected issues or disruptions. Backout plans should outline the steps to revert to the previous state if necessary.
Change Communication: Documentation of how change information is communicated to affected parties, stakeholders, and end-users. This may include email notifications, announcements, or training materials.
Change Documentation and Records: Comprehensive documentation of all changes, including change logs, change registers, and change history. This ensures a complete audit trail of all changes made to the organization's IT environment.
Change Review and Post-Implementation Review: Evidence of how changes are reviewed post-implementation to assess their effectiveness and any lessons learned. This helps improve the change management process and prevent recurring issues.
Change Control Board (CCB): Information about the CCB responsible for overseeing the change management process, including the composition of the board and meeting minutes.
Change Management Tools: Details of the tools and systems used to facilitate the change management process, such as change management software or ticketing systems.

As an auditor, I would review these pieces of evidence to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization's change management process. The goal is to ensure that changes are managed in a controlled and secure manner to minimize the risk of disruptions, vulnerabilities, and unauthorized modifications to information systems and infrastructure.

A.8.33 Test information

: Andy Systems; ISMS Guides; 28 April 2023

A.8.33 Test Information would include:

Test Plan: Documentation of a comprehensive test plan that outlines the scope, objectives, and methodologies of the testing activities. The plan should specify the types of tests to be conducted, such as penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and security code reviews.
Testing Procedures: Detailed documentation of the testing procedures used during the assessments. This includes step-by-step instructions on how the tests were conducted, the tools and techniques used, and any specific configurations applied.
Test Results: Records of the test results, including identified vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and security issues. The results should be categorized based on severity and impact to prioritize remediation efforts.
Remediation Plan: Evidence of a remediation plan that outlines how the identified issues will be addressed and mitigated. The plan should include timelines, responsible parties, and any necessary changes to systems or processes.
Testing Tools: Documentation of the testing tools and software used during the assessments. This helps verify the reliability and accuracy of the test results.
Tester Qualifications: Evidence of the qualifications and expertise of the individuals or teams conducting the tests. This includes certifications, training records, and relevant experience in security testing.
Test Environment Details: Information about the test environment used during the assessments, such as whether it was a production, staging, or development environment. This helps understand the impact and scope of the tests.
Authorization and Permissions: Proof of authorization and permissions granted by the organization for conducting the tests. This ensures that the tests were conducted lawfully and with appropriate permissions.
Non-Disclosure Agreements: Documentation of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by the testing teams to maintain the confidentiality of the test information and results.
Test Data Handling: Evidence of how test data was handled and protected during the assessments. This includes measures taken to prevent unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive data.
Change Management: Documentation of any changes made to systems or applications as a result of the testing process. This includes details of configuration changes, security updates, or patches applied to address vulnerabilities.
Compliance with Testing Standards: Evidence that the testing was conducted in accordance with relevant testing standards and best practices, such as OWASP testing guide or NIST guidelines.

As an auditor, I would review these pieces of evidence to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the test information management process. The goal is to ensure that testing activities are carried out professionally, thoroughly, and in compliance with industry standards to identify and mitigate security risks effectively

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