ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.4 – Management Responsibilities Explained

Information security programmes rarely fail because policies are missing.
They fail because management behaviour does not match stated intent.

Annex A 5.4 exists to close that gap.

This control focuses on ensuring that management actively supports, enforces, and demonstrates commitment to information security, rather than delegating it entirely to technical teams or treating it as a compliance exercise.

Security culture starts with leadership behaviour.
Annex A 5.4 makes that explicit.

Quick Guide: Annex A 5.4 at a Glance

Annex A 5.4 of ISO 27001:2022 addresses management responsibilities for information security.

At a practical level, this means:

Management understands its information security responsibilities
Security policies and procedures are supported and enforced
People are made aware of their security roles before access is granted
Adequate time, resources, and attention are provided for security activities
Management behaviour reinforces security expectations

The control is not about micromanaging security or turning managers into security specialists. It is about visible ownership and support.

When management treats security seriously, the organisation tends to follow. When it doesn’t, controls are bypassed quietly.

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.4

What Is Annex A 5.4 and Why Does It Matter?

Annex A 5.4 ensures that information security is embedded into how the organisation is managed, not bolted on.

Management influence behaviour in ways policies cannot. People take cues from:

What leaders prioritise
What is challenged
What is ignored

If management bypasses security controls, others will follow. If management treats security as optional or inconvenient, security becomes optional.

This control reinforces that information security is a management responsibility, not just a technical one.

How to Implement Annex A 5.4 Effectively

A pragmatic approach to Annex A 5.4 usually includes the following elements.

1. Ensure Management Understands Security Responsibilities

Managers should have a clear understanding of:

Information security risks relevant to their areas
Policies and procedures they are expected to support
Their role in reinforcing security behaviours

This does not require deep technical knowledge, but it does require awareness and accountability.

2. Communicate Expectations Before Access Is Granted

People should understand their security responsibilities before they are given access to systems or information.

This typically includes:

Awareness of relevant policies
Expectations for handling information
Understanding how to report security issues

Setting expectations early reduces friction later.

3. Reinforce Security Through Management Behaviour

Management behaviour sets the tone.

Examples include:

Completing mandatory security training themselves
Following the same rules as everyone else
Supporting security decisions when they are inconvenient

These actions carry far more weight than policy statements.

4. Provide Time and Resources for Security Activities

Security often fails when it competes with delivery without management support.

This control recognises the need for:

Adequate resourcing
Realistic project timelines
Space for security tasks to be completed properly

Without this support, security becomes a shortcut casualty.

5. Support Reporting and Challenge

People need to feel able to raise security concerns without fear of negative consequences.

Management support for:

Reporting security issues
Raising concerns about policy breaches
Challenging unsafe practices

is a critical part of maintaining a healthy security culture.

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.1

What is Annex A 5.1 and Why Does It Matter?

Annex A 5.1 is a foundational governance control. It sets the tone for the entire Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Policies define:

What the organisation values
How security decisions are approached
Where accountability sits

Without clear policies, security becomes inconsistent. Teams improvise. Decisions vary depending on who’s involved. Risk acceptance becomes informal and undocumented.

From a security perspective, that inconsistency is often where incidents start.

From a business perspective, unclear policies lead to friction — security teams blocking work, delivery teams bypassing controls, and leadership stepping in only when something breaks.

A well-designed policy framework:

Aligns security with business objectives
Supports proportionate, risk-based decisions
Provides a reference point during incidents and disputes
Creates consistency without bureaucracy

A common real-world scenario we see is organisations with technically strong controls but weak policy direction. When an exception arises — a supplier request, a new platform, a rushed delivery — there’s no agreed framework to guide the decision. That’s when risk is introduced quietly and unintentionally.

How to Implement Annex A 5.1 Effectively

A practical, security-first approach usually includes the following steps.

1. Define a Comprehensive Information Security Policy

Policies exist to set direction, not to document every control.Start by being clear about what your policies are there to achieve:

Scope: What the policy applies to (systems, data, people).
Objectives: Why security is important for the business.
Roles & Responsibilities: Who is accountable for security.
Key Principles: Risk management, access control, and data protection.

2. Secure Senior Management Approval

Leadership support is critical. Without it, policies remain words on paper without real enforcement. Senior executives should:

Review and approve policies.
Ensure resources are allocated for implementation.
Lead by example in enforcing security policies.

3. Communicate and Train Employees

A policy is useless if no one reads or understands it.

Include security policies in onboarding and ongoing training.
Ensure policies are easily accessible to all employees.
Encourage acknowledgment and acceptance of security responsibilities.

4. Regular Review & Continuous Improvement

Information security threats evolve, and so should your policies.

Set a schedule for periodic policy reviews (at least annually).
Update policies based on business changes, new threats, or regulatory updates.
Conduct audits to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

5. Integrate Policies into the ISMS

Your information security policy should be the backbone of your ISMS (Information Security Management System).

Use it to develop more detailed security procedures.
Ensure policies align with other Annex A controls and broader risk management practices.

Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022

Aspect	ISO 27001:2013	ISO 27001:2022
Control Structure	Two separate controls: 5.1.1 & 5.1.2	Merged into one control (5.1)
Implementation Guidance	Less prescriptive	More detailed guidance for policy creation and alignment
Awareness & Training	Not explicitly mentioned	Explicitly requires policies to be part of training programmes
Attributes Table	Not included	ew attributes table for mapping policies to industry terms

The new approach in ISO 27001:2022 ensures that policies are not just created but actively integrated into business operations, improving security culture across organisations.

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Challenge: Employees don’t follow security policies.
Solution: Make policies practical and relevant to daily work. Use real-world examples in training.
Challenge: Policies are outdated or too generic.
Solution: Schedule annual reviews and update policies based on real threats and business changes.
Challenge: Policies are written in technical jargon.
Solution: Use plain language that all employees can understand.
Challenge: Lack of leadership buy-in.
Solution: Show how weak security affects business objectives—costs of breaches, loss of client trust, and legal penalties.

Final Recommendations

Make security policies living documents—review, refine, and update regularly.
Use policy training and awareness to create a security-conscious workforce.
Ensure policies are accessible, relevant, and easy to understand.
Keep policies aligned with business strategy and regulatory requirements.
Engage leadership in driving security culture from the top down.

By embedding strong security policies into your business operations, you don’t just tick a compliance box—you build a robust security posture that protects your organisation from real-world threats.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Treating security as an IT problem
Reinforce that security is a management responsibility

Inconsistent management behaviour
Align actions with stated security expectations

Under-resourcing security activities
Plan time and capacity for security work

Discouraging challenge or reporting
Promote open, supported reporting channels

These challenges are usually governance issues, not technical ones.

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.1

What is Annex A 5.1 and Why Does It Matter?

Annex A 5.1 is a foundational governance control. It sets the tone for the entire Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Policies define:

What the organisation values
How security decisions are approached
Where accountability sits

Without clear policies, security becomes inconsistent. Teams improvise. Decisions vary depending on who’s involved. Risk acceptance becomes informal and undocumented.

From a security perspective, that inconsistency is often where incidents start.

From a business perspective, unclear policies lead to friction — security teams blocking work, delivery teams bypassing controls, and leadership stepping in only when something breaks.

A well-designed policy framework:

Aligns security with business objectives
Supports proportionate, risk-based decisions
Provides a reference point during incidents and disputes
Creates consistency without bureaucracy

A common real-world scenario we see is organisations with technically strong controls but weak policy direction. When an exception arises — a supplier request, a new platform, a rushed delivery — there’s no agreed framework to guide the decision. That’s when risk is introduced quietly and unintentionally.

How to Implement Annex A 5.1 Effectively

A practical, security-first approach usually includes the following steps.

1. Define a Comprehensive Information Security Policy

Policies exist to set direction, not to document every control.Start by being clear about what your policies are there to achieve:

Scope: What the policy applies to (systems, data, people).
Objectives: Why security is important for the business.
Roles & Responsibilities: Who is accountable for security.
Key Principles: Risk management, access control, and data protection.

2. Secure Senior Management Approval

Leadership support is critical. Without it, policies remain words on paper without real enforcement. Senior executives should:

Review and approve policies.
Ensure resources are allocated for implementation.
Lead by example in enforcing security policies.

3. Communicate and Train Employees

A policy is useless if no one reads or understands it.

Include security policies in onboarding and ongoing training.
Ensure policies are easily accessible to all employees.
Encourage acknowledgment and acceptance of security responsibilities.

4. Regular Review & Continuous Improvement

Information security threats evolve, and so should your policies.

Set a schedule for periodic policy reviews (at least annually).
Update policies based on business changes, new threats, or regulatory updates.
Conduct audits to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

5. Integrate Policies into the ISMS

Your information security policy should be the backbone of your ISMS (Information Security Management System).

Use it to develop more detailed security procedures.
Ensure policies align with other Annex A controls and broader risk management practices.

Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022

Aspect	ISO 27001:2013	ISO 27001:2022
Control Structure	Two separate controls: 5.1.1 & 5.1.2	Merged into one control (5.1)
Implementation Guidance	Less prescriptive	More detailed guidance for policy creation and alignment
Awareness & Training	Not explicitly mentioned	Explicitly requires policies to be part of training programmes
Attributes Table	Not included	ew attributes table for mapping policies to industry terms

The new approach in ISO 27001:2022 ensures that policies are not just created but actively integrated into business operations, improving security culture across organisations.

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Challenge: Employees don’t follow security policies.
Solution: Make policies practical and relevant to daily work. Use real-world examples in training.
Challenge: Policies are outdated or too generic.
Solution: Schedule annual reviews and update policies based on real threats and business changes.
Challenge: Policies are written in technical jargon.
Solution: Use plain language that all employees can understand.
Challenge: Lack of leadership buy-in.
Solution: Show how weak security affects business objectives—costs of breaches, loss of client trust, and legal penalties.

Final Recommendations

Make security policies living documents—review, refine, and update regularly.
Use policy training and awareness to create a security-conscious workforce.
Ensure policies are accessible, relevant, and easy to understand.
Keep policies aligned with business strategy and regulatory requirements.
Engage leadership in driving security culture from the top down.

By embedding strong security policies into your business operations, you don’t just tick a compliance box—you build a robust security posture that protects your organisation from real-world threats.

Final Recommendations

Annex A 5.4 is about leadership, not control frameworks.

When management:

Takes security seriously
Demonstrates consistent behaviour
Provides support and resources

security becomes part of normal operations.

If management disengages, no amount of documentation will compensate.

Strong security culture starts at the top — Annex A 5.4 exists to make that unavoidable.

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.1

What is Annex A 5.1 and Why Does It Matter?

Annex A 5.1 is a foundational governance control. It sets the tone for the entire Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Policies define:

What the organisation values
How security decisions are approached
Where accountability sits

Without clear policies, security becomes inconsistent. Teams improvise. Decisions vary depending on who’s involved. Risk acceptance becomes informal and undocumented.

From a security perspective, that inconsistency is often where incidents start.

From a business perspective, unclear policies lead to friction — security teams blocking work, delivery teams bypassing controls, and leadership stepping in only when something breaks.

A well-designed policy framework:

Aligns security with business objectives
Supports proportionate, risk-based decisions
Provides a reference point during incidents and disputes
Creates consistency without bureaucracy

A common real-world scenario we see is organisations with technically strong controls but weak policy direction. When an exception arises — a supplier request, a new platform, a rushed delivery — there’s no agreed framework to guide the decision. That’s when risk is introduced quietly and unintentionally.

How to Implement Annex A 5.1 Effectively

A practical, security-first approach usually includes the following steps.

1. Define a Comprehensive Information Security Policy

Policies exist to set direction, not to document every control.Start by being clear about what your policies are there to achieve:

Scope: What the policy applies to (systems, data, people).
Objectives: Why security is important for the business.
Roles & Responsibilities: Who is accountable for security.
Key Principles: Risk management, access control, and data protection.

2. Secure Senior Management Approval

Leadership support is critical. Without it, policies remain words on paper without real enforcement. Senior executives should:

Review and approve policies.
Ensure resources are allocated for implementation.
Lead by example in enforcing security policies.

3. Communicate and Train Employees

A policy is useless if no one reads or understands it.

Include security policies in onboarding and ongoing training.
Ensure policies are easily accessible to all employees.
Encourage acknowledgment and acceptance of security responsibilities.

4. Regular Review & Continuous Improvement

Information security threats evolve, and so should your policies.

Set a schedule for periodic policy reviews (at least annually).
Update policies based on business changes, new threats, or regulatory updates.
Conduct audits to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

5. Integrate Policies into the ISMS

Your information security policy should be the backbone of your ISMS (Information Security Management System).

Use it to develop more detailed security procedures.
Ensure policies align with other Annex A controls and broader risk management practices.

Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022

Aspect	ISO 27001:2013	ISO 27001:2022
Control Structure	Two separate controls: 5.1.1 & 5.1.2	Merged into one control (5.1)
Implementation Guidance	Less prescriptive	More detailed guidance for policy creation and alignment
Awareness & Training	Not explicitly mentioned	Explicitly requires policies to be part of training programmes
Attributes Table	Not included	ew attributes table for mapping policies to industry terms

The new approach in ISO 27001:2022 ensures that policies are not just created but actively integrated into business operations, improving security culture across organisations.

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Challenge: Employees don’t follow security policies.
Solution: Make policies practical and relevant to daily work. Use real-world examples in training.
Challenge: Policies are outdated or too generic.
Solution: Schedule annual reviews and update policies based on real threats and business changes.
Challenge: Policies are written in technical jargon.
Solution: Use plain language that all employees can understand.
Challenge: Lack of leadership buy-in.
Solution: Show how weak security affects business objectives—costs of breaches, loss of client trust, and legal penalties.

Final Recommendations

Make security policies living documents—review, refine, and update regularly.
Use policy training and awareness to create a security-conscious workforce.
Ensure policies are accessible, relevant, and easy to understand.
Keep policies aligned with business strategy and regulatory requirements.
Engage leadership in driving security culture from the top down.

By embedding strong security policies into your business operations, you don’t just tick a compliance box—you build a robust security posture that protects your organisation from real-world threats.

ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.4 – Management Responsibilities Explained

Quick Guide: Annex A 5.4 at a Glance

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.4

What Is Annex A 5.4 and Why Does It Matter?

How to Implement Annex A 5.4 Effectively

1. Ensure Management Understands Security Responsibilities

2. Communicate Expectations Before Access Is Granted

3. Reinforce Security Through Management Behaviour

4. Provide Time and Resources for Security Activities

5. Support Reporting and Challenge

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.1

What is Annex A 5.1 and Why Does It Matter?

How to Implement Annex A 5.1 Effectively

1. Define a Comprehensive Information Security Policy

2. Secure Senior Management Approval

3. Communicate and Train Employees

4. Regular Review & Continuous Improvement

5. Integrate Policies into the ISMS

Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Final Recommendations

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.1

What is Annex A 5.1 and Why Does It Matter?

How to Implement Annex A 5.1 Effectively

1. Define a Comprehensive Information Security Policy

2. Secure Senior Management Approval

3. Communicate and Train Employees

4. Regular Review & Continuous Improvement

5. Integrate Policies into the ISMS

Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Final Recommendations

Final Recommendations

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 5.1

What is Annex A 5.1 and Why Does It Matter?

How to Implement Annex A 5.1 Effectively

1. Define a Comprehensive Information Security Policy

2. Secure Senior Management Approval

3. Communicate and Train Employees

4. Regular Review & Continuous Improvement

5. Integrate Policies into the ISMS

Key Differences: ISO 27001:2013 vs ISO 27001:2022

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Final Recommendations

The Annex Control Table

ISO 27001:2022 Organisational Controls

ISO 27001:2022 People Controls

ISO 27001:2022 Physical Controls

ISO 27001:2022 Technological Controls

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