ISO 27001 Information Asset Register Template
What Is An Information Asset Register?
An Asset Register is a document that lists and maintains an inventory of all the assets in your organisation. This comprehensive list tracks your organisation’s hardware, software, data, networks and other resources that are critical to your operations. The ISO 27001 Asset Inventory is the foundation of your information security management system (ISMS), so you can see what needs to be protected and who is responsible.
Types Of Assets In An Asset Register
According to ISO 27001, assets are any valuable location within an organisation’s systems where sensitive information is stored, processed or accessible. These fall into several categories:
- Hardware (servers, network equipment, computers, laptops)
- Software applications and systems
- Information (paper and digital records)
- People (employees, contractors, anyone with access to confidential information)
- Services (provided by the organisation or third parties)
- Locations (organisational premises, remote offices)
ISO 27001 Annex A.5.9 Requirements
ISO 27001 Annex A.5.9 requires organisations to “develop and maintain an inventory of information and other associated assets”. This control is based on the principle that effective information security starts with knowing what you have.
The ISO 27001:2022 standard defines Annex A.5.9 as: “An inventory of information and other associated assets, including owners, should be developed and maintained”. This simple requirement has big implications for your organisation’s security framework.
Asset Management In ISO 27001
Asset Management in ISO 27001 is more than just a list. It’s identifying assets, determining their importance, documenting them properly, ensuring documentation remains accurate and up-to-date, recording asset locations, classifying assets and allocating ownership.
Effective Asset Management in ISO 27001 requires:
- Identifying all information and assets
- Determining the importance of each asset
- Documenting assets consistently
- Maintaining accurate and current documentation
- Recording asset locations
- Classifying assets
- Allocating ownership when assets are created or transferred
How To Create An ISO 27001 Asset Register
Creating an effective Security Asset Register involved several steps. Here’s a practical guide to how to create an ISO 27001 Asset Register:
1. Identify Your Assets
Start by identifying all the assets that store, process or transmit your organisation’s information. This includes obvious ones like servers and workstations, but also less obvious ones like mobile devices, paper documents and even the knowledge held by staff members.
2. Categorise Your Assets
Group assets into logical categories such as:
- Physical assets (computers, servers, network equipment)
- Virtual assets (cloud services, virtual machines)
- Information assets (databases, documents, intellectual property)
- Software assets (applications, licenses, development tools)
3. Record The Essentials
For each asset, document the following:
- Asset ID and name
- Description
- Asset type
- Location
- Owner
- Information classification
4. Assign Ownership
Every asset must have a designated owner responsible for its security and management throughout its lifecycle. This ownership can be assigned to individuals, departments or other entities within your organisation.
5. Maintain And Update Regularly
An ISO 27001 Asset Register is not a one-time document. It needs to be updated regularly as assets are added, changed or decommissioned. Create a process to review and update the register periodically.
ISO 27001 Asset Register Template
A good ISO 27001 Asset Register template should have fields for:
- Asset ID: Unique identifier for each asset
- Asset name: Description
- Description: Purpose and characteristics
- Owner: Person or department responsible
- Information classification: Sensitivity level of information processed or stored
- Location: Physical or virtual location
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Type: Category (hardware, software etc.)
- Status: Current state of the asset
- Procurement date: Date acquired
- Value: Financial or operational value4
Why Information Asset Register In ISO 27001
The importance of Information Asset Register in ISO 27001 can’t be overstated. Here’s why:
Risk Management Foundation
The asset register is the foundation of your risk assessment process. You can’t identify and evaluate information security risks without knowing what assets you have.
Regulatory Compliance
An up to date register ensures compliance with ISO 27001 and often other regulatory frameworks as well.
Operational Benefits
Beyond compliance an asset register gives you:
- Complete transparency of asset data
- Audit trail
- Ability to track and identify assets
- Knowledge of asset status, location and value
- Financial data for depreciation and tax reporting
Risks Of Not Having An Asset Register
Organisations without an up-to-date asset register face:
- Non-compliance with regulatory standards
- Inability to provide audit trails
- Difficulty tracking and identifying assets
- Increased risk of asset loss or theft
- Inaccurate financial reporting and tax calculations
Conclusion
An Information Asset Register is more than a compliance checkbox for ISO 27001 certification. It’s a strategic tool to know what you have, who’s responsible for it and how to protect it. By having a comprehensive ISO 27001 Asset Inventory you build the foundation for information security management.
