Competence & Training (Clause 7.2)
Your ISMS is only as strong as the people operating it. Clause 7.2 ensures that everyone has the competence needed to perform their information security responsibilities effectively.
Understanding Clause 7.2
ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.2 requires:
The organization shall:
- Determine necessary competence of persons doing work that affects ISMS performance
- Ensure these persons are competent based on appropriate education, training, or experience
- Take actions to acquire necessary competence and evaluate effectiveness
- Retain documented information as evidence of competence
Key Concepts
Competence = Knowledge + Skills + Behavior
- Knowledge: Understanding of information security principles and your organization's ISMS
- Skills: Ability to apply security practices, use tools, perform procedures
- Behavior: Consistently following security requirements, recognizing and reporting issues
Role-Based Competence Matrix
Different roles require different levels of security competence:
| Role | Level | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Management | Strategic | Business risk understanding, compliance awareness |
| ISMS Manager | Expert | Deep ISO 27001 knowledge, risk management, audit skills |
| IT Security Team | Advanced | Technical controls, incident response, tools |
| IT Staff | Intermediate | System security, secure configuration |
| All Employees | Basic | Awareness, policies, reporting procedures |
Training Programs
Induction Training (All New Hires):
- Information security policy overview
- Acceptable use policies
- Password requirements and incident reporting
- Duration: 30-60 minutes
Annual Refresher Training (All Staff):
- Policy updates and threat landscape changes
- Recent incidents and lessons learned
- Duration: 30 minutes annually
Role-Specific Training:
- Targeted to specific job functions
- Technical or procedural focus
- Duration: varies by role
Specialized Training:
- ISO 27001 Lead Implementer courses
- Internal auditor certification
- Technical security certifications
- Risk assessment and incident response training
Evaluating Effectiveness
You must verify that training actually improved competence:
Level 1: Reaction - Post-training surveys Level 2: Learning - Training quizzes or tests Level 3: Behavior - Observation of work practices Level 4: Results - ISMS performance improvements
Documentation Requirements
Maintain records of:
- Individual training records (name, role, training completed, assessment results)
- Training program documentation
- Competence evidence (qualifications, certificates, performance evaluations)
Next Lesson: Conduct a Training Needs Analysis to identify specific training requirements.