Changes in ISO 27001 Organization Control A.5.11 Return of Assets from 2013 to 2022

Changes in ISO 27001 Organization Control A.5.11 Return of Assets from 2013 to 2022 with [Kimova AI](https://kimova.ai)

Welcome back to Kimova AI’s ISO 27001 auditing series. In our previous article, we explored the changes in Control A.5.10: Acceptable Use of Information and Other Associated Assets. Today, we will delve into Control A.5.11: Return of Assets, comparing the 2013 version with the 2022 version, and highlighting the similarities and differences.

Control A.5.11: Return of Assets

Control A.5.11 focuses on ensuring that employees and third parties return all organizational assets upon termination or completion of their contracts or employment. This control helps organizations protect their information assets and maintain security after individuals leave the organization.

Key Changes in A.5.11

  1. Explicit Return Procedures
    • 2013 Version: The 2013 version required organizations to ensure that employees and contractors return all organizational assets, but it did not provide detailed guidance on the procedures to be followed.
    • 2022 Version: The 2022 update provides more explicit requirements for the return of assets, mandating clear procedures and documentation for the return process. This includes identifying the assets to be returned and verifying their return.
  2. Inclusion of All Types of Assets
    • 2013 Version: The previous version focused on tangible assets such as hardware but did not explicitly address intangible assets like data and intellectual property.
    • 2022 Version: The updated version explicitly includes all types of assets, both tangible and intangible. This ensures that all forms of organizational assets, including data, software, and intellectual property, are returned and accounted for.
  3. Third-Party Involvement
    • 2013 Version: The 2013 version mentioned contractors but did not emphasize the return of assets from all third parties.
    • 2022 Version: The 2022 update emphasizes the need to ensure the return of assets from all third parties, including vendors, partners, and contractors. This ensures comprehensive asset management and security.
  4. Verification and Documentation
    • 2013 Version: There was no specific requirement for verifying and documenting the return of assets.
    • 2022 Version: The updated version mandates the verification and documentation of the return process. This includes maintaining records of the returned assets and any discrepancies identified during the process.

Implications of These Changes

  1. Comprehensive Asset Recovery
    • The explicit inclusion of all types of assets ensures that organizations recover not only physical items but also data and intellectual property. This comprehensive approach protects the organization’s information assets and reduces the risk of data breaches.
  2. Clear Procedures and Accountability
    • The detailed procedures and documentation requirements provide clear guidelines for the return of assets. This clarity helps in ensuring accountability and consistency in the return process, reducing the risk of assets being lost or unaccounted for.
  3. Enhanced Security Post-Employment
    • By emphasizing the return of assets from all employees and third parties, the updated control helps organizations maintain security even after individuals or entities no longer have a contractual relationship with the organization. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to organizational information.
  4. Accurate Asset Management
    • The requirement for verification and documentation ensures that the return of assets is accurately tracked and managed. This accuracy helps in maintaining an up-to-date inventory of assets and identifying any discrepancies that need to be addressed.

Conclusion

The updates to Control A.5.11 in ISO 27001:2022 provide a more detailed and comprehensive approach to the return of assets. By including all types of assets, defining clear procedures, involving third parties, and mandating verification and documentation, the standard helps organizations protect their information assets and maintain security after individuals or entities leave.

In our next article, we will explore Control A.5.12: Classification of Information. Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips from Kimova AI as we continue to unravel the updates in ISO 27001:2022.

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