Training Module
Training Module
Operational Control in Information Security
Understand operational planning, controlled change, and day-to-day control operation in an ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS
Understand
Implement
Manage
Audit
Training module overview
Many ISMS implementations get stuck between design and reality: policies exist, controls are “selected”, and risk treatment is documented — but day-to-day operation is inconsistent, changes bypass security checks, and outsourced services create blind spots. The result is a system that looks complete yet fails under routine change, incidents, and handovers.
This module applies ISO/IEC 27001 expectations to the operational layer: how security controls and ISMS processes are planned, executed, controlled, and kept coherent over time. It does not teach risk management methodology, scope/SoA development, or control fundamentals; instead it focuses on operationalising agreed outcomes (e.g., risk treatment decisions and selected controls) into managed work, roles, routines, and evidence.
Many ISMS implementations get stuck between design and reality: policies exist, controls are “selected”, and risk treatment is documented — but day-to-day operation is inconsistent, changes bypass security checks, and outsourced services create blind spots. The result is a system that looks complete yet fails under routine change, incidents, and handovers.
This module applies ISO/IEC 27001 expectations to the operational layer: how security controls and ISMS processes are planned, executed, controlled, and kept coherent over time. It does not teach risk management methodology, scope/SoA development, or control fundamentals; instead it focuses on operationalising agreed outcomes (e.g., risk treatment decisions and selected controls) into managed work, roles, routines, and evidence.
Target audience
Information security managers and ISMS managers responsible for day-to-day operation
ISMS implementers and coordinators translating ISMS design into operational practice
Control owners and process owners accountable for running ISO/IEC 27001 controls
IT operations / service management leads interfacing with security governance
Supplier / outsourcing managers who manage operational delivery with security dependencies
Information security managers and ISMS managers responsible for day-to-day operation
ISMS implementers and coordinators translating ISMS design into operational practice
Control owners and process owners accountable for running ISO/IEC 27001 controls
IT operations / service management leads interfacing with security governance
Supplier / outsourcing managers who manage operational delivery with security dependencies
Agenda
What “operational control” means in ISO/IEC 27001 practice
Operational control as the bridge between ISMS design and consistent execution
Typical failure patterns: drift, informal exceptions, unclear ownership, and “silent” changes
Planning and controlling ISMS operations
Translating selected controls and requirements into operational routines (owners, triggers, frequencies)
Defining operational boundaries and interfaces (processes, teams, locations, services) without re-scoping the ISMS
Controlled change in information security operations
Security-relevant change types (technology, process, suppliers, organisation) and where they typically enter
Practical integration points with change processes (approval logic, separation of duties, emergency change handling)
Operating Annex A controls without re-teaching the controls
What “operated and maintained” looks like: runbooks, check evidence, and minimum operational traceability
Handling exceptions and compensating measures without creating a parallel control system
Outsourced and supplier-operated controls
Making supplier delivery auditable and manageable: interfaces, responsibilities, and operational verification points
Common pitfalls: shared responsibility gaps, unmanaged sub-processors, and missing operational visibility
Operational deviations, incidents, and corrective follow-up
Distinguishing: operational deviation vs. incident vs. nonconformity vs. improvement opportunity
Escalation, containment decisions, and feeding operational learning into corrective action mechanisms
Workshop (case-based)
Build an “operational control map” for a sample ISMS service: owners, routines, change triggers, supplier touchpoints
Identify the minimum operational evidence set and the top operational weak points to stabilise first
What “operational control” means in ISO/IEC 27001 practice
Operational control as the bridge between ISMS design and consistent execution
Typical failure patterns: drift, informal exceptions, unclear ownership, and “silent” changes
Planning and controlling ISMS operations
Translating selected controls and requirements into operational routines (owners, triggers, frequencies)
Defining operational boundaries and interfaces (processes, teams, locations, services) without re-scoping the ISMS
Controlled change in information security operations
Security-relevant change types (technology, process, suppliers, organisation) and where they typically enter
Practical integration points with change processes (approval logic, separation of duties, emergency change handling)
Operating Annex A controls without re-teaching the controls
What “operated and maintained” looks like: runbooks, check evidence, and minimum operational traceability
Handling exceptions and compensating measures without creating a parallel control system
Outsourced and supplier-operated controls
Making supplier delivery auditable and manageable: interfaces, responsibilities, and operational verification points
Common pitfalls: shared responsibility gaps, unmanaged sub-processors, and missing operational visibility
Operational deviations, incidents, and corrective follow-up
Distinguishing: operational deviation vs. incident vs. nonconformity vs. improvement opportunity
Escalation, containment decisions, and feeding operational learning into corrective action mechanisms
Workshop (case-based)
Build an “operational control map” for a sample ISMS service: owners, routines, change triggers, supplier touchpoints
Identify the minimum operational evidence set and the top operational weak points to stabilise first
Course ID:
HAM-OCIS-1
Audience:
Manager
Domain:
Information Security
Available in:
English
Duration:
7 h
List price:
CHF 550
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
What you get
Learning outcomes
Translate risk treatment decisions and selected controls into clear operational routines with named ownership
Define operational interfaces and handovers so controls stay consistent across teams and suppliers
Integrate security-relevant change into operational change processes without creating parallel workflows
Specify what “operated and maintained” means for controls in practical, reviewable terms
Establish a workable approach to handling exceptions and compensating measures with traceability
Identify common operational failure modes in ISO/IEC 27001 implementations and stabilise them pragmatically
Produce a minimum operational evidence set that supports governance and readiness without overengineering
Translate risk treatment decisions and selected controls into clear operational routines with named ownership
Define operational interfaces and handovers so controls stay consistent across teams and suppliers
Integrate security-relevant change into operational change processes without creating parallel workflows
Specify what “operated and maintained” means for controls in practical, reviewable terms
Establish a workable approach to handling exceptions and compensating measures with traceability
Identify common operational failure modes in ISO/IEC 27001 implementations and stabilise them pragmatically
Produce a minimum operational evidence set that supports governance and readiness without overengineering
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Certificate of completion
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Certificate of completion
Templates & tools
ISMS operational control map (owners, routines, triggers, interfaces)
Operational routine specification template (what / who / when / how / evidence)
Security-relevant change impact checklist (technology, process, supplier, organisation)
Exception and compensating measure log template (decision, scope, expiry, verification)
Supplier control interface worksheet (responsibilities, visibility points, operational assurances)
Minimum operational evidence set guide (by routine / control operation type)
Optional AI prompt set for summarising operational deviations and drafting structured follow-up actions (supporting, not replacing judgement)
ISMS operational control map (owners, routines, triggers, interfaces)
Operational routine specification template (what / who / when / how / evidence)
Security-relevant change impact checklist (technology, process, supplier, organisation)
Exception and compensating measure log template (decision, scope, expiry, verification)
Supplier control interface worksheet (responsibilities, visibility points, operational assurances)
Minimum operational evidence set guide (by routine / control operation type)
Optional AI prompt set for summarising operational deviations and drafting structured follow-up actions (supporting, not replacing judgement)
Prerequisites
This module assumes general familiarity with management system implementation and basic information security concepts. It also assumes operational control basics (planning, execution control, and maintaining controlled conditions) and focuses only on ISO/IEC 27001-specific application.
Helpful background includes:
Understanding of management system roles, responsibilities, and documented information in practice
Basic familiarity with common information security controls (e.g., access control, logging, backup, vulnerability handling)
Awareness of how operational change and supplier delivery typically work in IT-enabled organisations
This module assumes general familiarity with management system implementation and basic information security concepts. It also assumes operational control basics (planning, execution control, and maintaining controlled conditions) and focuses only on ISO/IEC 27001-specific application.
Helpful background includes:
Understanding of management system roles, responsibilities, and documented information in practice
Basic familiarity with common information security controls (e.g., access control, logging, backup, vulnerability handling)
Awareness of how operational change and supplier delivery typically work in IT-enabled organisations
Strongly recommended preparatory modules
Operational Control Foundations: Translating Plans into Controlled, Repeatable Processes
Learn the fundamentals of designing and running controlled operational processes with clear roles, controls, records, and change handling.
7 h
Operational Control Foundations: Translating Plans into Controlled, Repeatable Processes
Learn the fundamentals of designing and running controlled operational processes with clear roles, controls, records, and change handling.
7 h
Operational Control Foundations: Translating Plans into Controlled, Repeatable Processes
Learn the fundamentals of designing and running controlled operational processes with clear roles, controls, records, and change handling.
7 h
Risk Management Foundations: Consistent Risk and Opportunity Logic Across Management Systems
Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
7 h
Risk Management Foundations: Consistent Risk and Opportunity Logic Across Management Systems
Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
7 h
Risk Management Foundations: Consistent Risk and Opportunity Logic Across Management Systems
Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
7 h
Information Security Risk Management – Applying the Risk Process to Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
Understand ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for information security risk assessment, risk treatment, and traceable risk decisions
7 h
Information Security Risk Management – Applying the Risk Process to Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
Understand ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for information security risk assessment, risk treatment, and traceable risk decisions
7 h
Information Security Risk Management – Applying the Risk Process to Assets, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
Understand ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for information security risk assessment, risk treatment, and traceable risk decisions
7 h
Helpful preparatory modules
The modules below prepare for an optimal learning experience – but are not strictly necessary for participants to follow.
System Foundations: Context, Stakeholders, and System Boundaries
Understand organisational context, stakeholders, and system boundaries
7 h
System Foundations: Context, Stakeholders, and System Boundaries
Understand organisational context, stakeholders, and system boundaries
7 h
System Foundations: Context, Stakeholders, and System Boundaries
Understand organisational context, stakeholders, and system boundaries
7 h
Policy Management: Policy Architecture, Drafting, and Lifecycle Control
Build a coherent, auditable policy framework that aligns with strategy, scales across entities, and stays current without bureaucracy.
7 h
Policy Management: Policy Architecture, Drafting, and Lifecycle Control
Build a coherent, auditable policy framework that aligns with strategy, scales across entities, and stays current without bureaucracy.
7 h
Policy Management: Policy Architecture, Drafting, and Lifecycle Control
Build a coherent, auditable policy framework that aligns with strategy, scales across entities, and stays current without bureaucracy.
7 h
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Follow-up modules
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen the participant's competence.
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen the participant's competence.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.