ISO/IEC 27002:2022 — SP 800-53 Coverage
How well do NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls address each ISO 27002:2022 requirement? This analysis maps from framework clauses back to SP 800-53, with expert coverage weightings and gap identification.
Clause-by-Clause Analysis
Sorted by clause5.1 Policies for information security
Rationale
SP 800-53 has comprehensive policy controls (-01) for every family. PL-01 is the overarching planning policy. PM-01 establishes program plan. PT-01 and SR-01 add privacy and supply chain policy requirements, giving complete coverage of ISO 27002's requirement for a coherent policy framework with topic-specific policies.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 policy requirements are more granular (per-family) while ISO 27002 expects a coherent hierarchical policy set with explicit review triggers and communication channels.
5.2 Information security roles and responsibilities
Rationale
PM-02 assigns CISO/senior security role. PS-01/PS-02 cover position risk designation and personnel categorization. PS-09 (Position Descriptions) explicitly requires incorporating security and privacy roles and responsibilities into organizational position descriptions, directly addressing ISO 27002's requirement that all information security responsibilities are defined and allocated.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 provides specific implementation guidance on asset owner responsibilities. SP 800-53 addresses through system owner concept in PL-02 but 'asset owner' role is less defined.
5.3 Segregation of duties 90%
Rationale
AC-05 directly addresses separation of duties including identifying conflicting duties and implementing compensating controls. Comprehensive alignment with ISO 27002's requirement.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 provides detailed guidance on identifying conflicting duties across business processes. AC-05 is focused on system-level duty separation.
Mapped Controls
5.4 Management responsibilities
Rationale
PM-02 and PM-13 address management security roles and workforce management. PS-07 covers third-party personnel management. AT-01 establishes training policy. PM-29 (Risk Management Program Leadership) adds explicit senior leadership accountability for risk management, supporting ISO 27002's requirement that management requires personnel to apply security per policies.
Gaps
ISO 27002 emphasizes management actively requiring all employees and contractors to apply security per policies, leading by example, and providing resources. SP 800-53 is less explicit on management behavioral expectations and enforcement responsibility.
5.5 Contact with authorities
Rationale
IR-06 covers incident reporting to authorities. PM-15 covers establishing and maintaining contacts with security groups and associations. Together they address ISO 27002's requirement for maintaining relationships with relevant authorities.
Gaps
ISO 27002 includes proactive relationship maintenance with authorities for prevention and intelligence, not just reactive incident reporting. Anticipatory contact with regulatory bodies is not explicitly required.
5.6 Contact with special interest groups
Rationale
PM-15 directly covers contacts with security groups and associations. PM-16 covers threat awareness program including sharing with security communities. Good alignment with ISO 27002's requirement.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 details benefits including improved knowledge, early warnings, and advisory access from professional forums. SP 800-53 is less specific about the breadth of groups to engage.
5.7 Threat intelligence
Rationale
PM-16 addresses threat awareness program. SI-05 covers security alerts and advisories. RA-03/RA-05 include threat identification and vulnerability assessment. RA-10 (Threat Hunting) adds proactive cyber threat hunting capability. RA-07 (Risk Response) ensures threat intelligence findings are acted upon systematically. Comprehensive threat intelligence implementation.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 Rev 5 with RA-10 and RA-07 provides strong threat intelligence capabilities including collection, analysis, and response.
5.8 Information security in project management
Rationale
SA-03 covers security in SDLC integration. SA-04 addresses acquisition security requirements. SA-08 covers security engineering principles applied to projects. PM-07 addresses enterprise architecture integration.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifies security integration into ALL project types regardless of nature (IT and non-IT). SP 800-53 SA controls focus on IT system development and acquisition projects specifically.
5.9 Inventory of information and other associated assets
Rationale
CM-08 directly covers system component inventory. PM-05 covers system inventory. CM-12 (Information Location) identifies and documents the location of information types and the specific system components on which information is processed and stored. CM-13 (Data Action Mapping) maps data actions to system components and individuals, strengthening asset-to-data relationship tracking. Together these comprehensively address ISO 27002's inventory requirement.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 includes 'associated assets' beyond information and system components (e.g., people, premises, cloud services as assets). CM-12 and CM-13 significantly strengthen the information asset inventory mapping.
5.10 Acceptable use of information and other associated assets
Rationale
PL-04 directly covers rules of behavior and acceptable use policies. AC-20 covers use of external systems. MP-07 covers media use restrictions.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 specifies 'return of assets' as part of the acceptable use lifecycle and covers acceptable use of cloud services. SP 800-53 separates asset return into PS-04.
5.11 Return of assets
Rationale
PS-04 covers personnel termination including return of organizational assets and information. PS-05 covers personnel transfer with similar asset handling requirements.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002 includes return of both physical and electronic assets, which PS-04/PS-05 address.
5.12 Classification of information
Rationale
RA-02 covers security categorization of information and systems using FIPS 199 methodology. AC-16 supports association of security and privacy attributes with information for classification purposes.
Gaps
ISO 27002 uses multi-tier classification schemes; SP 800-53 uses FIPS 199 categorization (C/I/A impact levels). Conceptually similar but terminology and methodology differ. ISO 27002 classification applies to all information forms.
5.13 Labelling of information
Rationale
MP-03 covers media marking and labeling. AC-16 supports association of security attributes with information for digital labeling. RA-02 provides the categorization basis for labels.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires labeling procedures for all information formats including physical, electronic, and verbal. SP 800-53 focuses primarily on media marking; comprehensive cross-format labeling is less prescribed.
5.14 Information transfer
Rationale
SC-07 boundary protection; SC-08 transmission confidentiality/integrity; AC-04 information flow enforcement; AC-17 remote access; MP-05 media transport. SC-46 (Cross Domain Policy Enforcement) adds policy enforcement for information transfer between security domains, directly supporting controlled information transfer across different classification levels or organizational boundaries.
Gaps
ISO 27002 includes transfer agreements and procedures for all forms (electronic, physical, verbal). SP 800-53 focuses on electronic and physical transfer; verbal transfer procedures are a gap.
5.15 Access control
Rationale
AC family is exceptionally comprehensive for access control. AC-01 policy; AC-02 account management; AC-03 access enforcement; AC-06 least privilege; AC-07 unsuccessful login attempts; AC-17 remote access; AC-24 access control decisions. SP 800-53 AC family exceeds ISO 27002's access control requirements.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 AC family is more detailed than ISO 27002's requirement.
5.16 Identity management
Rationale
IA family comprehensively covers identity management. IA-02 identification and authentication; IA-04 identifier management; IA-05 authenticator management; IA-08 non-organizational users; IA-12 identity proofing covers identity verification before credential issuance.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 IA family provides comprehensive identity lifecycle management.
5.17 Authentication information
Rationale
IA-05 directly covers authenticator management (passwords, tokens, certificates). IA-06 covers authenticator feedback. IA-07 covers cryptographic module authentication. IA-11 covers re-authentication requirements.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002's authentication information management requirements are comprehensively addressed.
5.18 Access rights
Rationale
AC-02 covers account management including provisioning, periodic review, and revocation. AC-06 covers least privilege. AC-25 covers reference monitor concept for access mediation.
Gaps
Minimal gap. Access right lifecycle (request, approve, review, revoke) is well covered.
5.19 Information security in supplier relationships
Rationale
SA-04 acquisition security requirements; SA-09 external system services; SR family covers supply chain risk management. SR-01 establishes supply chain risk management policy; SR-02/SR-03 cover supply chain controls.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 emphasizes ongoing supplier relationship management with periodic review and risk reassessment. SP 800-53 focuses more on acquisition-time requirements.
5.20 Addressing information security within supplier agreements
Rationale
SA-04 directly requires security requirements in acquisitions. SA-09 covers external service agreements. SR-03 covers supply chain controls and processes specified in agreements.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 requires specific agreement terms for information access, processing, handling, and return. SA-04 is comprehensive but agreement format requirements differ.
5.21 Managing information security in the ICT supply chain
Rationale
SR family comprehensively addresses ICT supply chain risk management. SR-05 covers acquisition strategies; SR-06 supplier assessments; SR-09 tamper resistance; SR-10 inspection of systems; SR-11 component authenticity verification.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 SR family is well aligned with ISO 27002's ICT supply chain management requirements.
5.22 Monitoring, review and change management of supplier services
Rationale
SA-09 includes external service monitoring requirements. SR-06 covers supplier assessments and reviews. CA-07 continuous monitoring can extend to supplier service monitoring.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires regular monitoring and review of supplier service delivery, performance measurement, and change management of supplier services. SP 800-53 is less prescriptive about ongoing supplier service monitoring cadence and performance tracking.
5.23 Information security for use of cloud services
Rationale
SA-09 covers external information system services (includes cloud). AC-20 addresses use of external systems. SC-07 boundary protection. SA-04 acquisition requirements.
Gaps
ISO 27002:2022 added cloud-specific controls covering shared responsibility models, cloud exit strategy, multi-tenancy isolation, and cloud-specific risk assessment. SP 800-53 addresses cloud through general external service controls but lacks cloud-specific implementation requirements. FedRAMP supplements this for federal use.
5.24 Information security incident management planning and preparation
Rationale
IR-01 covers incident response policy and procedures. IR-02 incident response training. IR-03 incident response testing. IR-04 incident handling. IR-07 incident response assistance. IR-08 incident response plan. Comprehensive coverage of planning and preparation.
Gaps
Minimal gap. IR family provides comprehensive incident management planning.
5.25 Assessment and decision on information security events
Rationale
IR-04 incident handling includes event assessment and triage. IR-05 incident monitoring. IR-06 incident reporting. SI-04 system monitoring supports event identification and initial assessment.
Gaps
Minimal gap. Event classification and decision-making processes are well addressed.
5.26 Response to information security incidents
Rationale
IR-04 comprehensively covers incident response including containment, eradication, and recovery. IR-06 reporting; IR-07 assistance. IR-09 (Information Spillage Response) adds specific response procedures for information spillage incidents, strengthening response coverage for data exposure scenarios.
Gaps
Minimal gap. IR-09 adds coverage for information spillage, a specific incident type ISO 27002 expects to be handled.
5.27 Learning from information security incidents
Rationale
IR-03 includes lessons learned as part of incident response testing and exercises. IR-04 includes incident analysis and post-incident activities. Together they support ISO 27002's requirement for using incident knowledge to improve security.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 emphasizes structured knowledge management from incidents to reduce future likelihood and impact. SP 800-53 supports this through post-incident review but formal knowledge base management is less prescribed.
5.28 Collection of evidence
Rationale
IR-04 incident handling includes evidence collection. AU-03 content of audit records for evidential value. AU-06 audit review and analysis. AU-09 protection of audit information against tampering. AU-11 audit record retention for evidence preservation.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 provides specific evidence handling guidance including chain of custody, forensic admissibility, and evidence management procedures. SP 800-53 is less explicit on forensic evidence management procedures for legal proceedings.
5.29 Information security during disruption
Rationale
CP family comprehensively covers continuity planning, testing, and recovery. CP-11 alternate communications protocols; CP-12 safe mode; CP-13 alternative security mechanisms. Strong alignment with maintaining security during disruption.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 CP family is comprehensive for maintaining security during disruption scenarios.
5.30 ICT readiness for business continuity
Rationale
CP-02 contingency plan covers ICT readiness. CP-04 testing. CP-07 alternate processing site. CP-08 telecommunications services. CP-09 backup. CP-10 recovery and reconstitution.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 specifically addresses Business Impact Analysis for ICT services and ICT readiness as a distinct concept. SP 800-53 CP-02 requires BIA but ICT readiness analysis is implicit rather than a standalone requirement.
5.31 Legal, statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements
Rationale
PL-04 rules of behavior include legal compliance obligations. PM-01 program plan addresses regulatory compliance. SA-04 covers contractual requirements. PM-08 critical infrastructure plan.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires explicit identification, documentation, and maintenance of all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements. SP 800-53 lacks a dedicated legal compliance identification control; FISMA context assumes federal requirements rather than requiring systematic identification.
5.32 Intellectual property rights 15%
Rationale
No direct SP 800-53 control addresses intellectual property management, software licensing compliance, or copyright protection.
Gaps
Significant gap. SP 800-53 does not address software licensing compliance, copyright management, proprietary data protection, or IP rights enforcement. Requires supplementary organizational controls outside SP 800-53.
5.33 Protection of records
Rationale
AU-11 covers audit record retention. SI-12 covers information management and retention. AU-09 covers protection of audit information against unauthorized modification or deletion.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires protection of all records from loss, destruction, falsification, unauthorized access, and unauthorized release per legal, regulatory, and business requirements. SP 800-53 covers audit records well but broader records management (classification, retention schedules, disposal) is less explicit.
5.34 Privacy and protection of PII
Rationale
PT family provides comprehensive PII protection. PM-25 minimization; PM-26 complaint management; PM-27 privacy reporting; PM-28 risk framing. SI-18 (PII Quality Operations) adds controls for maintaining the quality of PII throughout the data lifecycle, directly supporting ISO 27002's PII protection requirements. RA-08 (Privacy Impact Assessments) ensures privacy impacts are assessed before processing PII.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 defers to ISO 27701 for full privacy management system. SP 800-53 privacy controls are comprehensive but focused on US federal regulatory context.
5.35 Independent review of information security
Rationale
CA-02 covers security assessments which serve as independent reviews. CA-07 continuous monitoring. PM-06 performance measurement to evaluate effectiveness.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires independent review of the organization's approach to managing information security, not just technical control assessment. Management system review independence is less explicitly addressed in SP 800-53.
5.36 Compliance with policies, rules and standards
Rationale
CA-02 assesses compliance with security requirements. AU-06 reviews audit records for compliance violations. PM-06 measures security performance. CA-07 continuous monitoring detects deviations.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 requires regular review that information processing and procedures comply with security policies and standards. SP 800-53 assessment approach differs from ISO's compliance checking methodology.
5.37 Documented operating procedures
Rationale
PL-02 covers system security plans documenting procedures. SA-05 system documentation. CM family covers operational procedures for configuration management activities.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires documented operating procedures for information processing facilities made available to all personnel who need them. SP 800-53 distributes procedures across families rather than requiring unified operating procedures documentation.
6.1 Screening 90%
Rationale
PS-03 directly covers personnel screening including background verification checks before access is granted. Covers initial and ongoing screening requirements.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002 provides guidance on screening depth varying by role sensitivity, which aligns with PS-03's risk-based approach.
Mapped Controls
6.2 Terms and conditions of employment
Rationale
PS-06 covers access agreements including confidentiality requirements. PL-04 covers rules of behavior. PS-07 covers third-party personnel. PS-09 (Position Descriptions) requires security and privacy responsibilities in position descriptions, directly supporting ISO 27002's requirement that employment terms include security responsibilities.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 includes security responsibilities in employment contracts. SP 800-53 focuses on access agreements and position descriptions rather than employment contract terms specifically, but PS-09 strengthens coverage.
6.3 Information security awareness, education and training
Rationale
AT-02 awareness training; AT-03 role-based security training; AT-04 training records. PM-13 workforce program; PM-14 testing and exercises. AT-06 (Training Feedback) provides feedback on training results to senior personnel, enabling continuous improvement of training programs and measurement of training effectiveness.
Gaps
Minimal gap. AT-06 strengthens the training evaluation and improvement cycle that ISO 27002 emphasizes.
6.4 Disciplinary process 75%
Rationale
PS-08 covers personnel sanctions for security violations including formal and informal sanctions.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires a formal, communicated disciplinary process with graduated responses. PS-08 addresses sanctions but is less prescriptive about process stages, communication to personnel, and consideration of mitigating circumstances.
Mapped Controls
6.5 Responsibilities after termination or change of employment
Rationale
PS-04 covers personnel termination including access revocation and ongoing obligations. PS-05 covers personnel transfer. PS-06 covers access agreements that persist post-employment.
Gaps
Minimal gap. PS-04/PS-05 address access revocation, asset return, and ongoing confidentiality obligations.
6.6 Confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements
Rationale
PS-06 covers access agreements which include confidentiality requirements for personnel. SA-09 covers external service agreements including confidentiality terms with third parties.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifically requires NDAs reflecting organizational needs with regular review and updates. PS-06 is broader (access agreements) and NDA-specific requirements (jurisdiction, post-contract duration) are less detailed.
6.7 Remote working
Rationale
AC-17 directly covers remote access controls and monitoring. PE-17 covers alternate work site security. SC-28 covers protection of information at rest on remote devices.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 includes physical security at remote locations, clean desk for remote workers, and remote working-specific risk considerations beyond technical access controls.
6.8 Information security event reporting
Rationale
IR-06 directly covers incident reporting requirements. IR-07 covers incident response assistance and guidance for reporters. IR-01 establishes the policy framework for event reporting.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002 emphasizes employee obligation to report events; SP 800-53 addresses through policy and reporting procedures.
7.1 Physical security perimeters
Rationale
PE-03 covers physical access control including perimeter barriers, entry points, and access mechanisms. PE-04 covers access control for transmission medium including physical protection of cabling routes that form perimeters.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002 includes guidance on perimeter strength proportional to assets; PE-03 addresses this through risk-based physical access controls.
7.2 Physical entry
Rationale
PE-02 physical access authorizations; PE-03 physical access control mechanisms; PE-06 monitoring physical access; PE-07 visitor control; PE-08 visitor access records. Comprehensive physical entry controls.
Gaps
Minimal gap. Physical entry controls are comprehensive.
7.3 Securing offices, rooms and facilities
Rationale
PE-03 physical access control for offices and rooms. PE-05 access control for output devices. PE-18 location of information system components within facilities.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 addresses office-specific risks including sound insulation, door locks, window protection, and facility design. SP 800-53 is less specific about office-level security design.
7.4 Physical security monitoring
Rationale
PE-06 directly covers monitoring physical access including CCTV, intrusion alarms, and guard patrols. PE-08 covers access logs for monitoring and review.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002 monitoring requirements are well addressed by PE-06's comprehensive monitoring provisions.
7.5 Protecting against physical and environmental threats
Rationale
PE family comprehensively covers environmental protections: power equipment (PE-09), emergency shutoff (PE-10), emergency power (PE-11), emergency lighting (PE-12), fire protection (PE-13), temperature/humidity (PE-14), water damage (PE-15). PE-21 (Electromagnetic Pulse Protection) adds protection against EMP threats. PE-23 (Facility Location) adds planning facility location considering physical and environmental hazards, natural disasters, and man-made threats.
Gaps
Minimal gap. PE-21 and PE-23 strengthen coverage by addressing electromagnetic threats and hazard-informed facility location planning.
7.6 Working in secure areas
Rationale
PE-02/PE-03 control access to secure areas. PE-07 addresses visitor control and escort requirements in secure areas.
Gaps
ISO 27002 includes specific rules for working in secure areas such as photography restrictions, supervised access, empty area verification, and prohibition of recording equipment. SP 800-53 is less specific about behavioral controls within secure areas.
7.7 Clear desk and clear screen
Rationale
AC-11 covers session lock (clear screen). MP-04 covers media storage requirements. PE-05 covers access control for output devices to prevent unauthorized viewing.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 explicitly addresses clear desk policy as a formal requirement. AC-11 covers screen lock; desk policy is implied through MP controls but not explicitly stated as a standalone requirement.
7.8 Equipment siting and protection
Rationale
PE-14 environmental controls for equipment. PE-18 location of information system components. PE-01 physical and environmental protection policy. PE-23 (Facility Location) addresses planning facility and equipment location considering physical and environmental hazards, supporting equipment siting decisions at the site level.
Gaps
ISO 27002 includes equipment placement to minimize unauthorized access, environmental hazards, and electromagnetic interference. SP 800-53 is less specific about equipment siting methodology but PE-23 adds site-level considerations.
7.9 Security of assets off-premises
Rationale
AC-17 remote access; MP-05 media transport protection; SC-28 protection of information at rest; AC-19 access control for mobile devices.
Gaps
ISO 27002 covers all off-premises assets including laptops, paper documents, and portable equipment with physical and logical protection. SP 800-53 covers media and remote access well but holistic physical asset protection off-site is less comprehensive.
7.10 Storage media
Rationale
MP family comprehensively covers media protection lifecycle: policy (MP-01), access (MP-02), marking (MP-03), storage (MP-04), transport (MP-05), sanitization (MP-06), use restrictions (MP-07). MP-08 (Media Downgrading) adds media downgrading procedures for reclassification before reuse, supporting ISO 27002's requirement for secure media handling throughout its lifecycle.
Gaps
Minimal gap. MP-08 strengthens coverage for media reclassification and reuse scenarios.
7.11 Supporting utilities
Rationale
PE-09 power equipment and cabling protection. PE-10 emergency shutoff capabilities. PE-11 emergency power supply. PE-12 emergency lighting. Comprehensive supporting utility protection.
Gaps
Minimal gap. ISO 27002 includes water supply and sewage considerations which are partially addressed through general facility controls.
7.12 Cabling security
Rationale
PE-04 covers access control for transmission medium including cable routing protection. PE-09 covers power equipment and cabling protection.
Gaps
ISO 27002 provides specific cabling security measures including protected routing, electromagnetic shielding, fiber optic preference for sensitive links, and separation of power/telecommunications. SP 800-53 PE-04 is more general about transmission medium protection.
7.13 Equipment maintenance
Rationale
MA family comprehensively covers maintenance: policy (MA-01), controlled maintenance (MA-02), maintenance tools (MA-03), nonlocal maintenance (MA-04), maintenance personnel (MA-05), timely maintenance (MA-06). MA-07 (Field Maintenance) adds controls for restricting or managing field maintenance on critical system components, ensuring maintenance in operational environments is properly controlled.
Gaps
Minimal gap. MA-07 strengthens coverage for maintenance of critical equipment in field/operational environments.
7.14 Secure disposal or re-use of equipment
Rationale
MP-06 covers media sanitization with methods appropriate to classification (clear, purge, destroy). MP-08 (Media Downgrading) adds media downgrading procedures for reclassification before reuse, supporting secure re-use assessment.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 includes all equipment disposal beyond just media. Equipment-level sanitization (checking for embedded storage) is less explicitly addressed; SP 800-53 focuses on media sanitization.
8.1 User endpoint devices
Rationale
AC-19 mobile device management; CM-07 least functionality for endpoint hardening; SC-28 encryption at rest; CM-08 inventory of endpoints. SC-41 (Port and I/O Device Access Restriction) adds controls for restricting physical port and I/O device access on endpoints, addressing USB and peripheral control that ISO 27002 expects for endpoint protection.
Gaps
ISO 27002 provides holistic endpoint management guidance including BYOD policies, MDM, containerization, and endpoint-specific risk assessment. SP 800-53 distributes endpoint controls across multiple families.
8.2 Privileged access rights
Rationale
AC-06 least privilege with specific privileged access restrictions, authorization, and review. AC-02 account management including privileged account lifecycle. AC-05 separation of duties for privileged functions.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 privileged access controls are comprehensive.
8.3 Information access restriction
Rationale
AC-03 access enforcement; AC-04 information flow enforcement; AC-06 least privilege; AC-24 access control decisions based on security attributes. Comprehensive access restriction implementation.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 access restriction controls exceed ISO 27002 requirements.
8.4 Access to source code
Rationale
CM-05 covers access restrictions for change including source code. AC-03 access enforcement. SA-10 developer configuration management covers source code repository controls.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 specifically addresses source code repositories, read/write access separation, and source code library management. SP 800-53 addresses through general access and configuration management controls.
8.5 Secure authentication
Rationale
IA-02 identification and authentication with MFA capabilities. IA-05 authenticator management. IA-08 identification of non-organizational users. IA-11 re-authentication requirements.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 authentication controls are comprehensive.
8.6 Capacity management
Rationale
AU-04 covers audit log storage capacity. SC-05 denial of service protection addresses capacity exhaustion attacks. CP-02 contingency planning considers capacity requirements. SA-04 addresses capacity in acquisition requirements.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires proactive capacity management for all IT resources with monitoring, forecasting, and right-sizing. SP 800-53 covers capacity in specific contexts (audit storage, DoS protection) but lacks a general IT capacity planning and management control.
8.7 Protection against malware
Rationale
SI-03 directly covers malicious code protection with detection, eradication, and prevention. SI-08 covers spam protection. SC-44 (Detonation Chambers) adds malware detonation/sandboxing capabilities for analyzing suspicious code in isolated environments before execution, strengthening malware protection with advanced analysis.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SC-44 adds advanced malware analysis capability that supports ISO 27002's malware protection requirements.
8.8 Management of technical vulnerabilities
8.9 Configuration management
Rationale
CM family comprehensively covers configuration management: baselines (CM-02), change control (CM-03), impact analysis (CM-04), access restrictions (CM-05), settings (CM-06), least functionality (CM-07), inventory (CM-08), restrictions (CM-09). CM-14 (Signed Components) adds verification of digitally signed software/firmware components before installation, ensuring configuration integrity.
Gaps
Minimal gap. CM-14 strengthens configuration integrity verification.
8.10 Information deletion
Rationale
MP-06 media sanitization covers secure deletion methods. SI-12 information management and retention covers information lifecycle including deletion.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifically addresses deletion when information is no longer required, based on retention policies and legal requirements. SP 800-53 covers sanitization methods but proactive information deletion based on business need is less explicitly addressed.
8.11 Data masking
Rationale
SI-19 covers de-identification techniques. PT-06/PT-07 cover privacy data processing minimization. SC-28 protection of information at rest. SI-20 (Tainting) applies tainting to data to detect unauthorized data flows and enable tracing of data through systems, which supports data masking verification and data lineage tracking.
Gaps
ISO 27002 provides specific data masking technique guidance including pseudonymization, anonymization, and dynamic masking rules. SP 800-53 addresses de-identification and privacy but masking as a comprehensive technique set is less prescriptively covered.
8.12 Data leakage prevention
Rationale
AC-04 information flow enforcement directly supports DLP. PE-19 information leakage addresses physical emanations. SC-07 boundary protection controls data egress. SI-04 system monitoring detects unauthorized data transfer. SC-31 (Covert Channel Analysis) adds analysis of covert channels that could be used for data exfiltration, strengthening DLP coverage against sophisticated leakage vectors.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifically addresses DLP tool implementation. SP 800-53 distributes DLP concepts across multiple controls. SC-31 adds covert channel analysis but integrated DLP tooling requirements are not consolidated.
8.13 Information backup
8.14 Redundancy of information processing facilities
Rationale
CP-06 alternate storage site; CP-07 alternate processing site; CP-08 telecommunications services. SC-36 distributed processing and storage provides additional redundancy through geographic and logical distribution.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 focuses on redundancy for availability requirements. CP controls focus on contingency which includes redundancy, and SC-36 adds distributed processing.
8.15 Logging
Rationale
AU family comprehensively covers logging: auditable events (AU-02), content (AU-03), storage capacity (AU-04), response to failures (AU-05), review and analysis (AU-06), reduction/reporting (AU-07), timestamps (AU-08), protection (AU-09), retention (AU-11), generation (AU-12).
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 AU family is comprehensive for logging requirements.
8.16 Monitoring activities
Rationale
SI-04 directly covers system monitoring including real-time analysis, anomaly detection, and alerting. AU-06 audit review and analysis. CA-07 continuous monitoring strategy. IR-04 incident handling integrates monitoring outputs.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 monitoring controls are comprehensive.
8.17 Clock synchronization
Rationale
AU-08 directly covers time stamps and clock synchronization for audit records. SC-45 (System Time Synchronization) adds authoritative time source synchronization requirements, ensuring all systems use a consistent, trusted time reference for correlation of events across distributed systems.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SC-45 strengthens coverage with authoritative time source requirements.
8.18 Use of privileged utility programs
Rationale
CM-07 least functionality restricts available utilities. CM-11 controls user-installed software including utilities. AC-06 least privilege restricts access to privileged utilities.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifically addresses privileged utility programs that can override system and application controls. SP 800-53 addresses through general least functionality and privilege controls rather than utility-specific controls.
8.19 Installation of software on operational systems
Rationale
CM-05 access restrictions for change controls who can install. CM-07 least functionality limits what can be installed. CM-11 controls user-installed software. SA-22 addresses unsupported components. CM-14 (Signed Components) prevents installation of unsigned software/firmware, ensuring only verified software is installed on operational systems.
Gaps
Minimal gap. CM-14 adds digital signature verification for software installation, strengthening operational system integrity.
8.20 Networks security
Rationale
SC-07 boundary protection; SC-08 transmission confidentiality and integrity; AC-04 information flow enforcement. CA-09 (Internal System Connections) addresses authorization, documentation, and review of internal system connections, strengthening network security controls for internal network management.
Gaps
Minimal gap. CA-09 adds internal connection authorization and documentation, complementing perimeter-focused SC-07.
8.21 Security of network services
Rationale
SC-07/SC-08 cover network security mechanisms. SA-09 covers external system services including network services with security requirements and monitoring.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 requires security features, service levels, and management requirements for network services including SLAs. Network service-specific level agreements are less detailed in SP 800-53.
8.22 Segregation of networks
Rationale
SC-07 boundary protection includes network segmentation capabilities. SC-32 system partitioning provides logical and physical separation. Together they comprehensively address network segregation.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 network segmentation controls are comprehensive.
8.23 Web filtering
Rationale
SC-07 boundary protection includes content filtering. SI-03 malware protection catches web-borne threats. AC-04 information flow enforcement.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifically addresses URL filtering, web content filtering, and restricting access to unsafe websites. No dedicated SP 800-53 web filtering control exists; addressed through general boundary and content controls.
8.24 Use of cryptography
Rationale
SC-12 cryptographic key establishment and management. SC-13 cryptographic protection with algorithm requirements. SC-28 protection of information at rest using encryption.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 cryptography controls are comprehensive including key management lifecycle.
8.25 Secure development life cycle
Rationale
SA-03 system development life cycle with security integration. SA-08 security and privacy engineering principles. SA-10 developer configuration management. SA-11 developer testing and evaluation. SA-15 development process, standards, and tools. SA-17 developer security and privacy architecture and design.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 SA family is comprehensive for secure development lifecycle.
8.26 Application security requirements
Rationale
SA-04 acquisition process includes security functional requirements. SA-08 security engineering principles applied to application design. SA-11 developer testing validates security requirements are met.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 application security requirements are well covered through acquisition and engineering controls.
8.27 Secure system architecture and engineering principles
Rationale
SA-08 security and privacy engineering principles. SA-17 developer security architecture and design. SC-07/SC-32 provide architecture-level security controls. PL-08 security and privacy architectures.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 architecture and engineering controls are comprehensive.
8.28 Secure coding
Rationale
SA-11 developer security testing validates code security. SA-15 development process standards and tools includes coding standards. SA-16 developer-provided training includes secure coding practices.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 provides specific secure coding practice guidance including input validation, error handling, and code review. SP 800-53 addresses through development process and testing controls rather than explicit coding standard requirements.
8.29 Security testing in development and acceptance
8.30 Outsourced development
Rationale
SA-04 acquisition requirements for outsourced development. SA-09 external system services. SA-10/SA-11 developer requirements apply to outsourced developers. SA-21 (Developer Screening) adds screening requirements for developers of critical system components, ensuring outsourced developers meet security trustworthiness standards.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 details outsourced development supervision, intellectual property rights, and acceptance testing. SP 800-53 covers through general acquisition and developer controls; SA-21 strengthens developer trust assurance.
8.31 Separation of development, test and production environments
Rationale
CM-04 impact analysis requires separate test environments. SA-11 developer testing implies testing environments. SC-32 system partitioning supports environment separation. CM-02 baseline configuration with variants for different environments.
Gaps
Minor: ISO 27002 explicitly requires development, testing, and production environment separation. SP 800-53 implies but does not mandate specific three-way environment separation.
8.32 Change management
Rationale
CM-03 configuration change control with documented approval processes. CM-04 impact analysis before changes. CM-05 access restrictions for change. SA-10 developer configuration management for development changes.
Gaps
Minimal gap. SP 800-53 change management controls are comprehensive.
8.33 Test information
Rationale
SA-11 covers testing requirements. SA-15 development process standards includes test data management practices.
Gaps
ISO 27002 specifically addresses protection of test data including anonymization, controlled use of production data for testing, and proper disposal of test data. SP 800-53 lacks an explicit test data management control.
8.34 Protection of information systems during audit testing
Rationale
CA-02 covers security assessments including audit considerations and planning. AU-06 audit review analysis. CA-08 penetration testing addresses planned security testing with controls to protect systems during testing activities.
Gaps
ISO 27002 requires that audit testing be planned and agreed to minimize business disruption, that access to tools is controlled, and that requirements are agreed with management. SP 800-53 assessment controls do not explicitly address protection of systems during audit activities.
Methodology and Disclaimer
This coverage analysis maps from ISO 27002:2022 clauses/requirements back to NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls, assessing how well the SP 800-53 control set addresses each framework requirement.
Coverage weighting represents an informed estimate based on control-objective alignment, not a definitive compliance determination. Weightings consider whether SP 800-53 controls address the intent of each framework requirement, even where terminology and structure differ.
This analysis should be validated by qualified assessors for use in compliance or audit activities. The authoritative source for any compliance determination is always the framework itself.