ISO 27001 IT Asset Register Template
What is an ISO 27001 IT Asset Register?
An ISO 27001 Asset Inventory is a list of all information assets within your organisation. As per the ISO 27001 standard, specifically in Annex A.8.1.1, organisations must “identify information assets in scope for the management system and define appropriate protection responsibilities”.
Asset Management In ISO 27001
Asset Management in ISO 27001 is more than just a list of your assets. It’s about identifying, documenting and managing information assets throughout their entire lifecycle—from creation to deletion and destruction7. The standard says:
- Identify all assets that store, process or transmit information
- Assign ownership
- Document asset characteristics and classifications
- Manage assets throughout their lifecycle
How To Create An ISO 27001 IT Asset Register
Creating an effective Information Asset Register requires a methodical approach. Here’s a streamlined process for how to create an ISO 27001 IT Asset Register:
1. Identify Your Assets
Start by conducting a thorough inventory of all physical and virtual assets across your organisation. This includes obvious items like servers and workstations but also often-overlooked components like:
- Mobile devices used for work
- Network infrastructure equipment
- Cloud services and virtual machines
- Removable storage devices
- IoT devices connected to your network
2. Gather Essential Information
For each asset, document the following:
- Asset ID and name
- Description
- Asset type (hardware, software, etc.)
- Location (physical or virtual)
- Owner and custodian
- Classification level
- Access control mechanisms
- Retention period and disposal method
3. Assign Ownership
Every asset must have a specified owner who will be responsible for safeguarding and controlling the asset. In accordance with ISO 27001 Annex A.8.1.2 ownership is described as “ownership should be assigned when the assets are created”7 and may shift over the course of the asset’s life.
The asset owner is responsible for:
- Implementing proper safeguards and security measures.
- Monitoring permission levels and access controls.
- Conducting periodic asset appraisal and inventory examination.
- Controlling the asset through its appraisal and management lifecycle.
4. Classify Information Assets
Each piece of asset information should be classified according to its sensitivity and relevance towards the organization. The classification shall assist in establishing the degree of protection needed as well as consideration for investment into security infrastructure.
5. Implement an Asset Register Tool
Spreadsheets might suffice for smaller entities, but dedicated asset management software is more appropriate for larger or more complex structures. An ISO 27001 Asset Register template usually has fields for all relevant information making it simple to augment and alter.
6. Maintain and Review Regularly
An Information Asset Register should be treated as a living document; it should be refreshed continuously as assets are procured, adjusted, or retired. Put in place a system for timely appraisal and modification of the register to guarantee it is complete and accurate.
Why The IT Asset Register Is Important In ISO 27001
The importance of IT Asset Register in ISO 27001 goes beyond compliance. Here’s why:
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Risk Management: The asset register is the foundation of your risk assessment process. As per ISO 27001 guidelines, "an asset inventory is an essential part of the risk assessment process, because it’s a constituent element of identifying and evaluating information security risks".Without knowing what assets you have, you can’t identify vulnerabilities, assess threats or implement security controls.
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Compliance: An up-to-date register ensures compliance with ISO 27001 requirements which states "any assets associated with information and information processing facilities need to be identified and managed over the lifecycle".
- Operational Benefits: Beyond compliance, an effective asset register gives you:
- Visibility of your information ecosystem
- Better resource allocation
- Improved incident response
- More effective vulnerability management
- Easier audit preparation
How To Keep Your ISO 27001 Asset Register Updated
To keep your ISO 27001 IT Asset Register current:
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Understand that this is not an accounting register. An information security asset register is not an inventory or accounting register; for example, when compiling the register, you should indicate only "assets that process, store or transmit data" and NOT "screens, chairs, desks, computer mice."
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Automatic register is possible. Based upon discovery and assets located, an automatic upload into your asset register saves time compiling all assets.
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Include virtual and non-physical assets. Include cloud resources, virtual machines, etc.; anything processing/storing information that is non-physical should still be recorded.
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Review regularly. Access and upkeep are regularly encouraged.
- Used with other processes. This is used with the vulnerability management process, change control, etc., and other security efforts.
Conclusion
An ISO 27001 IT Asset Register is not only about compliance. Establishing and maintaining an effective Information Asset Register allows the organization to understand what it possesses, who its owners are, and the necessary security controls. This ultimately creates the foundation for effective information security management and ISO 27001 compliance.
