Secure Coding For ISO 27001:2022
- Kamalika Majumder | DevOps & ISO 27001 Consultant
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
ISO 27001:2022 introduces updated controls under Annex A.8 (Technological Controls), Annex A.5 (Organisational Controls), and Annex A.6 (People Controls) that directly address secure development practices. These controls are designed to ensure security is not an afterthought but a foundational aspect of software creation.
For example, Control A.8.28 (Secure Coding) specifically outlines the need for secure development standards, including validating inputs, managing dependencies, and preventing vulnerabilities.
Key Secure Coding Principles in ISO 27001:2022
1. Input Validation and Sanitisation (Control A.8.28)
Robust input validation ensures that data from users or systems does not lead to unexpected behaviour or exploitation.
Implement strict whitelisting to validate data inputs.
Use input encoding to prevent injection attacks, such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS).
Automate input testing as part of CI/CD pipelines.
2. Access Control and Identity Management (Control A.8.25)
Effective access controls prevent unauthorized access to sensitive functions or data.
Use secure authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Implement principle-of-least-privilege (PoLP) access controls through fine-grained Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
Enforce strong session management, including token expiration and invalidation.
3. Vulnerability Management (Control A.8.28, A.5.7)
Managing known and potential vulnerabilities in the codebase is critical.
Use tools like static application security testing (SAST) and dynamic application security testing (DAST).
Regularly scan for vulnerabilities in dependencies using tools like OWASP Dependency-Check or Snyk,
Integrate automated vulnerability patching for libraries and frameworks.
4. Secure Data Management (Control A.8.23, A.8.24)
Protecting data, both at rest and in transit, ensures the confidentiality and integrity of information.
Use strong encryption protocols, such as AES-256 for data at rest and TLS 1.3 for data in transit.
Secure secrets management with tools like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager.
Implement data masking or tokenization for sensitive information.
5. Error and Exception Handling (Control A.8.28)
Poor error handling can expose application vulnerabilities to attackers.
Ensure error messages do not reveal sensitive information.
Log errors securely and monitor them for patterns that could indicate attacks.
Apply centralized logging and monitoring integrated with SIEM systems to correlate events.
6. Secure Configuration and Hardening (Control A.8.29)
Applications should be deployed with security configurations as defaults.
Use infrastructure-as-code (IaC) tools to enforce secure configurations.
Remove unused services, APIs, or components that increase the attack surface.
Apply runtime security measures like container image scanning and configuration audits.
7. Code Integrity and Provenance (Control A.8.26)
Ensuring code integrity reduces the risk of supply chain attacks and .
Digitally sign source code and binaries to verify authenticity.
Use secure CI/CD pipelines to prevent unauthorized modifications.
Monitor software dependencies for tampering or vulnerabilities.
8. Awareness, Education, and Training (Control A.6.3)
Training developers on secure coding practices ensures consistent application security.
Conduct regular training on frameworks like OWASP Top Ten and secure design principles.
Use real-world attack simulations to reinforce the importance of secure coding.
Develop secure coding guidelines tailored to the organization’s tech stack.
9. Testing and Validation (Control A.8.29)
Thorough testing identifies potential vulnerabilities before deployment.
Use automated testing for common vulnerabilities (e.g., input validation, authentication).
Conduct penetration testing on critical systems to simulate real-world attacks.
Test security controls against established benchmarks like CIS or NIST.
Key Changes in ISO 27001:2022 Impacting Secure Coding
The 2022 revision introduces a streamlined approach with fewer controls (from 114 to 93), grouped into 4 themes: Organisational, People, Physical, and Technological. This new structure ensures that secure coding principles are not treated in isolation but as part of a holistic security strategy.
For instance:
A.8.28 (Secure Coding) is now a standalone control, highlighting its critical importance.
A.6.3 (Awareness & Training) emphasizes the importance of educating teams to align with secure development practices.
Enhanced guidance on integrating secure development with DevSecOps workflows ensures security is baked into agile and continuous development processes.
Benefits of Secure Coding Aligned with ISO 27001:2022
Reduced Security Risks: Proactively addressing vulnerabilities during development minimises the risk of data breaches or cyberattacks.
Improved Compliance: Following ISO 27001:2022 ensures adherence to regulatory and contractual obligations.
Cost Savings: Fixing vulnerabilities during development is far less expensive than post-deployment remediation.
Stakeholder Confidence: Demonstrating a commitment to secure coding builds trust with customers, partners, and auditors.
Overcoming Challenges in Secure Coding
Organisations may face challenges such as:
Skill Gaps: Regular training is essential to equip teams with the necessary skills.
Cultural Resistance: Integrating security into agile workflows requires fostering a security-first mindset.
Tooling Complexity: Selecting and integrating tools that align with the updated ISO 27001:2022 structure is vital.
By addressing these challenges, organisations can successfully implement secure coding practices as part of a comprehensive security management framework.
Conclusion:
ISO 27001:2022 emphasises secure coding as a cornerstone of resilient software development.
By adopting its principles and integrating them into the SDLC, organisations can safeguard their applications from modern threats while fostering trust and compliance.
As cyber threats evolve, secure coding practices are not just a requirement—they are an imperative for sustainable business success.
Need to get ISO 27001 or SOC2 Compliant, but not sure where to start!
Thanks & Regards
Kamalika Majumder
