ISO IEC 27039-2015 (2016) PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Security techniques — Selection, deployment and operations of intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS). This International Standard gives guidance to organizations on selecting, deploying and operating intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and provides background information on the principles and trade-offs involved in IDPS use.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 27039:2015 offers practical guidelines for preparing for and implementing an IDPS capability, including selection criteria, deployment strategies, operational practices (monitoring, tuning, alert management) and considerations for integration with incident response and wider security management. It is intended to help organisations make informed decisions about IDPS technologies and their operational use.

General information

• Status: Published; current (review confirmed in 2020).
• Publication date: Edition 1 — February 2015; corrected/reprinted version (English corrigendum) issued April–May 2016.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in conjunction with IEC (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27).
• ICS / categories: 35.030 — IT security.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2015) with a published corrigendum/reprinted edition in 2016.
• Number of pages: 48 pages.

Scope

The standard provides guidance for organizations planning to include an intrusion detection and/or prevention capability within their information systems and networks. It covers lifecycle aspects from selection (requirements and evaluation), through deployment (architecture, placement, configuration), to operations (monitoring, alert handling, tuning, maintenance and legal/privacy considerations). It is applicable to both commercial and open-source IDPS technologies and to organizations aiming to integrate IDPS outputs into incident response and security operations processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Selection criteria: defining functional and non-functional requirements for IDPS products and services (detection methods, coverage, scalability, interoperability).
• Deployment strategies: placement options (network-based, host-based, hybrid), sensor positioning, and architecture trade-offs.
• Configuration and tuning: reducing false positives/negatives, signatures/rule management, baseline and profiling techniques.
• Operations and monitoring: alert management, logging, correlation, retention and integration with Security Operations Centers (SOC) and incident response workflows.
• Testing and validation: verification of detection coverage, performance testing and acceptance criteria.
• Privacy, legal and organisational considerations: handling of monitored data, cross-boundary information sharing and compliance aspects.
• Maintenance and lifecycle: updates, patching, performance monitoring and periodic review of detection effectiveness.

Typical use and users

Primary users include security architects, network and systems engineers, SOC analysts, incident response teams, procurement specialists evaluating IDPS products, and consultants responsible for designing and operating intrusion detection/prevention capabilities. The guidance is also used by security managers to establish operational processes and by auditors and assessors reviewing IDPS deployment and operation.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 27039 is part of the broader ISO/IEC 27000 family (information security management and supporting techniques) and supersedes ISO/IEC 18043:2006. It is commonly used alongside ISO/IEC 27001/27002 (ISMS and controls), ISO/IEC 27033 (network security) and ISO/IEC 27035 (incident management) for integrated security programs.

Keywords

IDPS, intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, IDS, IPS, selection, deployment, operations, SOC, incident response, network security, tuning, alert management.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: An ISO/IEC standard giving guidance for the selection, deployment and operational use of intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS).

Q: What does it cover?

A: Guidance on defining IDPS requirements, choosing suitable technologies, deployment architectures and placement, ongoing operations (monitoring, tuning, alert handling), testing and privacy/legal considerations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Security architects, network engineers, SOC and incident response teams, procurement and compliance staff, and consultants involved in deploying or assessing IDPS capabilities.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published as ISO/IEC 27039:2015 (Edition 1, Feb 2015) with an English corrected reprint in 2016; the version is published and was confirmed in ISO’s 5-year review process (remains current as of the last ISO record).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO/IEC 27000 series (information security management and related techniques) and is intended to be used alongside standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, 27002, 27033 and 27035.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: IDPS, IDS, IPS, intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, deployment, selection, operations, SOC, incident response.