ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 7.3 – Securing Offices, Rooms and Facilities Explained

Once someone is inside the building, security failure becomes a proximity problem.

Annex A 7.3 exists to ensure organisations secure offices, rooms, and facilities that contain information or information processing assets, reducing the risk of unauthorised access, damage, or interference.

This control goes beyond perimeter and entry controls. It focuses on what happens inside the boundary.

Quick Guide: Annex A 7.3 at a Glance

Annex A 7.3 of ISO 27001:2022 focuses on securing offices, rooms, and facilities.

At a practical level, this means:

Protecting areas where sensitive information is processed or stored
Preventing unauthorised access to internal spaces
Reducing opportunities for theft, tampering, or observation
Making security-sensitive areas less obvious
Aligning physical protection with information risk

The control does not require uniform security across all spaces. It expects proportionate protection based on sensitivity and risk.

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 7.3

What Is Annex A 7.3 and Why Does It Matter?

Not all areas inside a building carry the same risk.

Higher-risk areas often include:

Offices handling sensitive or confidential information
Rooms containing servers, network equipment, or backups
Areas where sensitive discussions take place
Locations storing paper records or removable media

If these spaces are not secured:

Information can be overheard or observed
Assets can be stolen or tampered with
Incidents may occur without detection

Annex A 7.3 ensures organisations identify and protect internal spaces deliberately, rather than assuming perimeter controls are sufficient.

How to Implement Annex A 7.3 Effectively

A pragmatic approach to Annex A 7.3 typically includes the following elements.

1. Identify Security-Sensitive Offices, Rooms and Facilities

Organisations should identify which internal areas require additional protection, based on:

Information sensitivity
Asset criticality
Risk of unauthorised access or observation

This assessment drives the level of control required.

2. Control Access to Internal Areas

Access to sensitive areas should be restricted.

This may involve:

Locked doors or cupboards
Access control systems
Restricted keys or credentials

Access should be granted based on role and need, not convenience.

3. Reduce Visibility of Sensitive Activities

Where appropriate, organisations should limit how easily sensitive activities can be observed.

This may include:

Locating sensitive functions away from public or shared areas
Using privacy screens or frosted glass
Avoiding visible signage that highlights security-sensitive functions

Security improves when sensitive areas are discreet.

4. Protect Against Observation and Eavesdropping

Annex A 7.3 supports protecting information from being:

Seen
Heard
Captured unintentionally

Controls may include:

Soundproofing or layout considerations
Restrictions on open conversations
Protection against visual or electromagnetic leakage

The risk depends on context, not paranoia.

5. Apply Monitoring and Detection Where Justified

Some areas may justify additional monitoring.

This could include:

CCTV coverage
Intruder detection
Alarmed doors or cabinets

Monitoring should be proportionate, lawful, and clearly governed.

6. Secure Equipment and Records Within Rooms

Securing a room is not enough if assets inside are exposed.

Organisations should consider:

Locking cabinets or racks
Securing portable devices
Protecting paper records

Layered protection reduces single-point failure.

7. Maintain and Review Physical Security Measures

Physical layouts and usage change over time.

Organisations should:

Review security when rooms are repurposed
Adjust controls when information sensitivity changes
Maintain locks, alarms, and monitoring systems

Degraded controls create a false sense of security.

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.

Practical Considerations

Annex A 7.3 does not require:

Turning offices into restricted facilities
Excessive or intrusive surveillance
Identical controls in every room

It does require organisations to:

Understand where internal risk exists
Apply controls deliberately
Avoid relying on informal norms

Internal security fails most often through familiarity and assumption.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Assuming internal areas are low risk
Identify and protect security-sensitive spaces

Sensitive activities visible or audible to others
Adjust layout and behaviour deliberately

Unsecured equipment within secured rooms
Apply layered protection

Controls degrading as spaces change use
Review security when rooms or functions change

Internal access is rarely forced — it is usually allowed by design.

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 7.3 is about protecting information where it is actually used.

When offices, rooms, and facilities are secured effectively:

Internal threats are reduced
Sensitive information is less exposed
Physical and logical controls reinforce each other
Security becomes part of the environment, not an afterthought

Perimeters stop people getting in.
Annex A 7.3 ensures the right protection exists once they are inside.

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 7.3 – Securing Offices, Rooms and Facilities Explained

Quick Guide: Annex A 7.3 at a Glance

In-Depth Guide to Annex A 7.3

What Is Annex A 7.3 and Why Does It Matter?

How to Implement Annex A 7.3 Effectively

1. Identify Security-Sensitive Offices, Rooms and Facilities

2. Control Access to Internal Areas

3. Reduce Visibility of Sensitive Activities

4. Protect Against Observation and Eavesdropping

5. Apply Monitoring and Detection Where Justified

6. Secure Equipment and Records Within Rooms

7. Maintain and Review Physical Security Measures

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

Practical Considerations

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

Solutions

Quick Links

Follow Us On:

Solutions

Quick Links

Follow Us On:

Unsure where to start, lets talk!