ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.2 – Information Security Roles and Responsibilities
A Quick Guide
Annex A 5.2 of ISO 27001:2022 ensures that an organisation has a clear and structured framework for information security roles and responsibilities. Without well-defined roles, security controls can become ineffective, leading to gaps in accountability and increased risk of breaches.

Key Compliance Steps
✔ Define Responsibilities – Assign security roles to individuals or teams.
✔ Document and Formalise – Use organisational charts, policies, or role descriptions.
✔ Communicate Clearly – Ensure all employees understand their security duties.
✔ Train Staff – Provide appropriate security training based on roles.
✔ Review Regularly – Update roles as the organisation and threats evolve.
What’s Changed in ISO 27001:2022?
🔹 More Emphasis on Organisational Culture – Encourages a security-first mindset at all levels.
🔹 Increased Focus on Training – Security responsibilities must be understood and reinforced through education.
🔹 Stronger Alignment with ISMS – Roles must be clearly linked to information security objectives.
A Deep Dive
What is Annex A 5.2 and Why Does It Matter?
Annex A 5.2 establishes a structured approach for defining and assigning security responsibilities. Without clear ownership, security efforts can become fragmented, leading to compliance failures and security incidents.
Key benefits of well-defined security roles:
Strengthens accountability for protecting information assets.
Ensures faster response to security threats.
Supports audit readiness by proving structured governance.
Reduces confusion over who is responsible for what in security operations.
How to Implement Annex A 5.2 Effectively
1. Define Clear Information Security Roles
Roles should be formally assigned, ensuring every employee understands their responsibilities and limitations. Key roles may include:
CEO/Operations Director – Holds ultimate accountability for security.
CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) – Oversees strategic security initiatives.
IT & Security Teams – Manage technical security measures.
Department Heads – Ensure security compliance within business units.
Employees – Responsible for day-to-day security awareness.
2. Document and Formalise Responsibilities
Use organisation charts, role descriptions, or RACI matrices to clearly define: ✅ Who is responsible for specific security areas. ✅ How security responsibilities are distributed across teams. ✅ Where accountability lies for security risks.
3. Communicate and Train Staff
Security roles are useless if employees don’t understand them.
Embed security responsibilities in job descriptions and contracts.
Conduct security awareness training for all staff.
Regularly remind employees why security matters in their role.
4. Establish a Culture of Security
A security-aware culture reduces human error risks.
Reinforce security accountability in leadership.
Encourage a speak-up culture for reporting incidents.
Align security roles with business objectives for better engagement.
5. Review & Update Roles Periodically
Security threats and business structures evolve. Your security roles should too.
Reassess security responsibilities at least annually.
Update roles to reflect business growth, new technologies, and emerging threats.
Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022
Aspect | ISO 27001:2013 | ISO 27001:2022 |
Control Structure | Less prescriptive | More structured guidance on roles & responsibilities |
Implementation Guidance | Limited details | Stronger focus on documenting, assigning, and communicating roles |
Awareness & Training | Recommended, but not required | Mandatory security training for role clarity |
Culture & Accountability | Implied | Explicit focus on embedding security culture |
The 2022 update makes it clearer and more actionable for organisations to assign and maintain security roles effectively.
Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them
💥 Challenge: Employees don’t understand their security responsibilities.
✅ Solution: Use clear role descriptions and mandatory training.
💥 Challenge: No formal documentation of security roles.
✅ Solution: Create an organisation chart or policy document defining responsibilities.
💥 Challenge: Lack of leadership engagement.
✅ Solution: Educate executives on the business impact of security governance.
💥 Challenge: Security tasks are too concentrated on IT teams.
✅ Solution: Distribute responsibilities across departments to build shared accountability.
Final Recommendations
🔹 Make security responsibilities part of every employee’s job – not just IT’s problem.
🔹 Ensure role clarity through documentation and training.
🔹 Create a security-aware culture to embed security into daily business practices.
🔹 Regularly review and adapt security roles to keep up with evolving threats.
By clearly defining security roles, organisations can strengthen accountability, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with ISO 27001:2022.