---
notetype: reference
standard: ISO 27002
version: 2022
language: EN
type: control
id: "A.6.3"
title: "Information security awareness, education and training"
theme: People
control_type: [Preventive]
information_security_properties:
  - Confidentiality
  - Integrity
  - Availability
cybersecurity_concepts: [Protect]
operational_capabilities: [Human_resource_security]
security_domains: [Governance_and_Ecosystem]
tags:
- iso27002/2022/EN
- sourcetext
status: active
---

## 6.3 Information security awareness, education and training

### Control
Personnel of the organization and relevant interested parties should receive appropriate information security awareness, education and training and regular updates of the organization's information security policy, topic-specific policies and procedures, as relevant for their job function.

### Purpose
To ensure personnel and relevant interested parties are aware of and fullfil their information security responsibilities.

### Guidance

<u>General</u>
An information security awareness, education and training programme should be established in line with the organization’s information security policy, topic-specific policies and relevant procedures on information security, taking into consideration the organization’s information to be protected and the information security controls that have been implemented to protect the information.

Information security awareness, education and training should take place periodically. Initial awareness, education and training can apply to new personnel and to those who transfer to new positions or roles with substantially different information security requirements.

Personnel’s understanding should be assessed at the end of an awareness, education or training activity to test knowledge transfer and the effectiveness of the awareness, education and training programme.

<u>Awareness</u>
An information security awareness programme should aim to make personnel aware of their responsibilities for information security and the means by which those responsibilities are discharged.

The awareness programme should be planned taking into consideration the roles of personnel in the organization, including internal and external personnel (e.g. external consultants, supplier personnel). The activities in the awareness programme should be scheduled over time, preferably regularly, so that the activities are repeated and cover new personnel. It should also be built on lessons learnt from information security incidents.

The awareness programme should include a number of awareness-raising activities via appropriate physical or virtual channels such as campaigns, booklets, posters, newsletters, websites, information sessions, briefings, e-learning modules and e-mails.

Information security awareness should cover general aspects such as:

  

a\) management’s commitment to information security throughout the organization;

  

b\) familiarity and compliance needs concerning applicable information security rules and obligations, taking into account information security policy and topic-specific policies, standards, laws, statutes, regulations, contracts and agreements;

  

c\) personal accountability for one’s own actions and inactions, and general responsibilities towards securing or protecting information belonging to the organization and interested parties;

  

d\) basic information security procedures \[e.g. information security event reporting (6.8)\] and baseline controls \[e.g. password security (5.17)\];

  

e\) contact points and resources for additional information and advice on information security matters, including further information security awareness materials.

  

<u>Education and training</u>

  

The organization should identify, prepare and implement an appropriate training plan for technical teams whose roles require specific skill sets and expertise. Technical teams should have the skills for configuring and maintaining the required security level for devices, systems, applications and services. If there are missing skills, the organization should take action and acquire them.

  

The education and training programme should consider different forms \[e.g. lectures or self-studies, being mentored by expert staff or consultants (on-the-job training), rotating staff members to follow different activities, recruiting already skilled people and hiring consultants\]. It can use different means of delivery including classroom-based, distance learning, web-based, self-paced and others. Technical personnel should keep their knowledge up to date by subscribing to newsletters and magazines or by attending conferences and events aimed at technical and professional improvement.

  

### Other information

When composing an awareness programme, it is important not only to focus on the ’what’ and ’how’, but also the ’why’, when possible. It is important that personnel understand the aim of information security and the potential effect, positive and negativ e, on the organization of their own behaviour.

  

Information security awareness, education and training can be part of, or conducted in collaboration with, other activities, for exa mple general information management, ICT, security, privacy or safety training.