ISO IEC 27003-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 27003:2017 — Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Guidance. This guidance standard explains and helps organisations interpret and implement the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Abstract

ISO/IEC 27003:2017 provides practical explanation and implementation guidance for the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2013. It clarifies clause intent, offers implementation options and examples for scoping, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and continual improvement of an ISMS. The document is advisory (guidance) and is not a certifiable specification.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: March 2017
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27
• ICS / categories: 03.100.70, 35.030
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2017)
• Number of pages: 45

Scope

This standard gives explanatory guidance to assist organizations in implementing an ISMS that conforms to ISO/IEC 27001:2013. It covers interpretation of ISO/IEC 27001 requirements, guidance on establishing ISMS scope, roles and responsibilities, planning and risk-related considerations, documentation and implementation approaches. It does not replace ISO/IEC 27001 nor does it provide detailed prescriptive technical controls beyond explanatory guidance.

Key topics and requirements

• Clarification of ISO/IEC 27001 clauses (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement).
• Guidance on determining and documenting the scope of the ISMS and understanding interested parties.
• Roles, responsibilities and leadership commitment for information security.
• Approaches to planning, including addressing risks and opportunities and establishing information security objectives.
• High-level guidance on information security risk assessment and treatment (overview and options rather than prescriptive methods).
• Guidance on documentation, the Statement of Applicability and selection/implementation of controls.
• Advice on monitoring, measurement, internal audit, management review and continual improvement of the ISMS.
• Integration of the ISMS with organizational processes and tailoring guidance for different organisation sizes and contexts.

Typical use and users

Used by information security managers, ISMS implementers, consultants, risk managers, IT and security teams, and senior management seeking practical guidance to interpret and apply ISO/IEC 27001:2013. It is commonly used during ISMS design, implementation, documentation, internal audits and when preparing for third‑party certification against ISO/IEC 27001.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 27001 (ISMS requirements); ISO/IEC 27002 (information security controls code of practice); ISO/IEC 27000 (overview and vocabulary); ISO/IEC 27004 (monitoring, measurement and metrics); ISO/IEC 27005 (information security risk management); ISO/IEC 27006 (requirements for bodies certifying ISMS); ISO/IEC 27007 (guidance on ISMS auditing).

Keywords

ISMS, information security management, ISO/IEC 27001 guidance, implementation guidance, risk assessment, statement of applicability, controls, governance, continual improvement.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 27003:2017 is a guidance standard that explains and helps organisations implement the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 to establish, operate and maintain an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers explanatory guidance for ISO/IEC 27001 clauses (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement), scoping an ISMS, roles and responsibilities, documentation and high-level risk treatment and controls selection guidance. It provides options and examples rather than prescriptive technical solutions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Information security managers, ISMS implementers and teams, consultants, auditors (for understanding intent) and senior management involved in governance of information security typically use this guidance to design and improve an ISMS.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition was published in March 2017 and is the current published edition. As of March 2, 2026, a committee draft for a successor (ISO/IEC CD 27003.2) was under development to update the guidance; organisations should check the latest ISO publications for any formally published revision.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO/IEC 27003 is part of the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards that together address information security management systems, controls and supporting guidance (for example ISO/IEC 27000, 27001, 27002, 27005, 27004).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ISMS, information security management, ISO/IEC 27001, guidance, risk assessment, controls, statement of applicability, governance, continual improvement.