Overview
ISO/IEC 27014:2020 - "Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection - Governance of information security" provides guidance on concepts, objectives and processes for the governance of information security. It helps organizations establish how the governing body and top management can evaluate, direct, monitor and communicate information security activities so that information security strategy aligns with corporate objectives and delivers assurance to stakeholders. The standard is the second edition (2020) and has an editorially corrected version (2022).
Key Topics
- Governance concepts and objectives: roles, responsibilities and the relationship between entity governance, top management and the governing body.
- Core governance processes: evaluate (assess governance needs and performance), direct (set strategy and directives), monitor (oversight and assurance) and communicate (reporting to stakeholders).
- Alignment with ISMS: explains governance activities within the scope of an ISMS based on ISO/IEC 27001, and how governance requirements interact with ISMS operation.
- Scope and applicability: guidance applies to all types and sizes of organizations and focuses on the three ISMS organization types described in Annex B (see standard for details).
- Reporting and assurance: expectations for reliable and relevant information security reporting to support decision‑making by the governing body.
- Terminology and references: uses definitions from ISO/IEC 27000 and aligns requirements with ISO/IEC 27001; also published as ITU‑T X.1054.
Applications
ISO/IEC 27014 is practical for organizations that need to strengthen oversight and strategic control of information security and privacy protection:
- Governing bodies and boards - to set information security direction and receive assurance that directives are followed.
- Top management and executives - to align information security strategy with business objectives and regulatory obligations.
- CISOs, risk managers and compliance officers - to design governance processes, reporting lines and oversight mechanisms.
- ISMS stakeholders and auditors - to evaluate whether governance arrangements adequately support an ISMS based on ISO/IEC 27001.
- Organizations of any sector or size - applicable to private, public and non‑profit entities that require governance-level guidance.
Related Standards
- ISO/IEC 27001 - Information security management system (ISMS) requirements (governance activities explained in 27014).
- ISO/IEC 27000 - Overview and vocabulary for information security management systems.
- ITU‑T X.1054 - Recommendation equivalent referenced in the publication.
Using ISO/IEC 27014 helps integrate information security governance into corporate governance, improve board-level reporting, and ensure security and privacy initiatives support strategic objectives.