ISO/IEC 27014:2020 - Governance of Information Security

Introduction

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, organizations across all sectors are facing critical challenges in safeguarding their information assets. Information security these days, is strategic governance issue that must be addressed at the highest levels of organizational leadership. In this context, ISO/IEC 27014:2020 serves as a vital framework, guiding organizations in establishing effective governance over their information security programs. Designed to align security initiatives with business objectives, this standard ensures that risk and performance are managed strategically rather than reactively.

Need to establish governance over your information security? Start by assessing your leadership’s role. Contact support@pacificcert.com to schedule a governance readiness review.

What is ISO/IEC 27014:2020?

ISO/IEC 27014:2020,"Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection - Governance of information security," provides guidance on how organizations can evaluate and monitor information security efforts within a governance framework. It emphasizes the role of top management and governing bodies (such as boards of directors) in driving information security priorities that support strategic outcomes.

This standard complements ISO/IEC 27001 by elevating the focus from operational controls to strategic oversight, helping leaders take ownership of security initiatives and ensure alignment with business strategy and regulatory obligations.

What is the purpose of ISO/IEC 27014?

The core purpose of ISO/IEC 27014 is to embed information security governance into overall corporate governance. It aims to:

Establish accountability and leadership over information security risks and opportunities
Ensure that security strategies support business objectives
Provide a structure for evaluating and monitoring the performance of the ISMS (Information Security Management System)
Drive continuous improvement through strategic oversight

This standard addresses a gap often found in organizations—where technical teams implement controls without senior leadership actively guiding or supporting the broader governance objectives.

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Scope and Applicability of ISO/IEC 27014

ISO/IEC 27014 is applicable to organizations of all types and sizes, including those with:

Complex information ecosystems across departments, subsidiaries, or countries
Regulatory obligations related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and IT controls
High-value or sensitive data assets (e.g., financial, health, legal, or defense information)

It is especially relevant for:

Financial institutions
Government agencies
Tech firms and cloud service providers
Healthcare providers and hospitals
Critical infrastructure operators

Whether your organization already has a certified ISMS (such as ISO/IEC 27001) or is building one from the ground up, ISO/IEC 27014 helps you establish top-down governance, ensuring that security outcomes are guided by executive vision, not isolated technical actions.

Unsure if your organization qualifies or needs ISO/IEC 27014? Email support@pacificcert.com and our team will help you evaluate your scope and next steps!

Core Governance Processes

ISO/IEC 27014 defines five core governance processes that senior leaders must oversee:

Evaluate – Assess current and future information security strategies and capabilities.
Direct – Set strategic goals, define policies, and guide implementation priorities.
Monitor – Track performance metrics, regulatory compliance, and risk exposure.
Communicate – Ensure clear messaging on security priorities throughout the organization.
Assure – Confirm that security efforts are delivering value and remain aligned with business needs.

These processes are governed by six principles that guide decision-making:

Responsibility
Strategy
Acquisition
Performance
Conformance
Human behaviour

Schedule an internal governance audit with Pacific Certifications by emailing support@pacificcert.com.

What are the requirements and implementation steps?

Organizations implementing ISO/IEC 27014 should ensure:

Clear assignment of roles and accountability at the executive level
Establishment of an information security governance committee or structure
Integration of governance processes into corporate strategy and risk management
Inclusion of information security in board-level reporting and reviews
Ongoing evaluation and performance metrics tied to organizational outcomes

Practical implementation often includes:

Mapping ISO/IEC 27014 principles to existing ISO/IEC 27001 policies
Adding governance KPIs to management reviews
Educating leadership teams on cybersecurity responsibilities

We can help map your governance posture against ISO/IEC 27014 standards. Reach out now at support@pacificcert.com!

What Documentation are required for ISO/IEC 27014?

To ensure transparency and accountability in line with ISO/IEC 27014, organizations should maintain:

A formal Information Security Governance Charter
Defined roles and responsibilities for governing bodies
Evaluation reports and governance review minutes
Communication strategies for stakeholders and internal teams
Records of performance monitoring metrics and improvement actions

These documents ensure that leadership can demonstrate oversight during internal audits or external reviews

What are the benefits of ISO/IEC 27014?

Helps leadership drive cybersecurity as a business enabler, not a cost center
Establishes executive-level ownership over security strategy and risks
Integrates security into enterprise governance frameworks and risk assessments
Demonstrates to auditors and regulators that governance processes are in place
Enhances the maturity and credibility of your ISMS through strategic oversight

Cost of Implementation of ISO/IEC 27014

The cost of implementing ISO/IEC 27014 depends on several factors:

Organization size and complexity
Current information security maturity
Integration with other standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 9001)
Need for executive training and cultural transformation

Costs include internal resources, governance advisory, awareness programs, and performance monitoring tools. However, when integrated with existing ISO/IEC 27001 systems, incremental costs remain manageable.

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Implementation Timeline

Phase	Estimated Duration
Executive awareness and gap review	1–2 weeks
Governance structure design	2–4 weeks
Policy and role alignment	2–3 weeks
Integration with risk/governance systems	3–5 weeks
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation	Continuous

Implementation is smoother when built upon an existing ISO/IEC 27001 framework, although standalone governance can also be initiated by boards or audit committees.

Who Needs ISO/IEC 27014?

Any organization that handles sensitive or regulated data, operates in a high-risk digital environment, or is subject to board-level scrutiny over cybersecurity will benefit from ISO/IEC 27014. This includes:

Large enterprises with distributed IT infrastructure
Government institutions and public sector departments
Financial institutions and insurance companies
Healthcare providers and research labs
Tech companies and SaaS providers
Energy, utilities, and telecom providers

In particular, executive teams, risk committees, and compliance officers should drive the adoption of this governance framework to ensure accountability at the top.

Unsure if your leadership team is engaged in your security efforts? Let us help you bridge that gap. Email support@pacificcert.com today!

How Pacific Certifications Can Help?

Pacific Certifications, as an accredited certification body, provides structured, independent support for organizations seeking to strengthen their governance through ISO/IEC 27014. It can be integrated with your existing certified systems and evaluated during ISO/IEC 27001 audits.

We support your organization by:

Conducting gap assessments against ISO/IEC 27014 governance practices
Providing independent review and reporting for board-level governance
Assisting with alignment to ISO/IEC 27001 for holistic security governance
Offering governance audit checklists and documentation templates
Supporting periodic reviews during surveillance and recertification audits

Training Programs on ISO/IEC 27014:2020 at Pacific Certifications

At Pacific Certifications, we offer globally recognized Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer training programs specifically focused on ISO/IEC 27014:2020. These training programs are designed for professionals who are responsible for developing and auditing information security governance frameworks within their organizations.

Lead Auditor Training – ISO/IEC 27014:2020

This 5-day intensive course is designed to equip participants with the skills to:

Understand the ISO/IEC 27014 governance framework
Evaluate and audit the governance of information security systems
Perform third-party and internal audits of governance controls
Report governance gaps and recommend strategic improvements
Align audits with ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27002, and ISO 37301 principles

Lead Implementer Training – ISO/IEC 27014:2020

This practical program is ideal for professionals involved in designing and deploying governance frameworks. The course covers:

Interpretation and application of ISO/IEC 27014 principles
Development of governance policies and structures
Integration of governance with ISO/IEC 27001 and broader ISMS controls
Leadership engagement and board-level reporting
Change management and governance maturity assessment

To enrol in ISO/IEC 27014:2020 Lead Auditor or Implementer training, email our training team at support@pacificcert.com!

FAQs

Is ISO/IEC 27014 certifiable?

No, it is a guidance standard. However, its principles can be applied and reviewed as part of a certified ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS.

Can ISO/IEC 27014 be used alone?

Yes, especially by executive teams seeking to establish governance frameworks—even before or without ISO 27001 certification.

Who should lead ISO/IEC 27014 implementation?

Board members, C-level executives, GRC teams, and audit committees should take ownership, supported by IT and information security leaders.

How does it support regulatory compliance?

By providing clear governance structures, performance monitoring, and accountability mechanisms, it supports U.S. and global cybersecurity laws.

Ready to get ISO 27014 certified?

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