ISO 27001 Clause 4.2

ISO 27001:2022 establishes a framework for managing information security through an Information Security Management System (ISMS). After understanding your organisation’s context under Clause 4.1, the next step, outlined in Clause 4.2, is to identify and understand the needs and expectations of interested parties.

To get customised support specific to your organisation, please get in touch with us.

What is ISO 27001 Clause 4.2?

Clause 4.2 requires organisations to determine which stakeholders (or “interested parties”) are relevant to the ISMS, what their needs and expectations are, and which of these requirements must be addressed within the ISMS.

Interested parties may include:

• Customers and clients
• Employees and contractors
• Regulators and certification bodies
• Suppliers and partners
• Shareholders or investors
• The general public (in cases of public data handling)

Understanding these parties ensures that the ISMS meets both compliance obligations and business expectations.

Why It Matters

Information security isn’t only about internal controls, it’s also about meeting external expectations. If your ISMS fails to consider the requirements of key stakeholders, it risks non-compliance, reputational damage, and operational inefficiency.

By engaging with interested parties, your organisation can:

• Identify regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Strengthen customer and partner trust.
• Align the ISMS with real-world expectations.
• Prevent potential gaps between compliance and stakeholder needs.

How to Address Clause 4.2

To comply with Clause 4.2, organisations should:

1. Identify all relevant interested parties. Start with those who influence or are affected by your information security activities.
2. Determine their requirements. This may include legal, regulatory, contractual, or customer-specific expectations.
3. Assess which needs become compliance obligations. Not every expectation must be met, but relevant requirements must be integrated into your ISMS.
4. Document and review regularly. As stakeholder relationships and regulations evolve, so should your list of interested parties and their needs.

Example

For instance, a managed IT provider may identify its customers, data protection regulators, and software vendors as key interested parties. Each will have specific expectations, such as GDPR compliance, data breach notification procedures, and secure configuration requirements, that the ISMS must address.

Final Thoughts

Clause 4.2 ensures that your ISMS is responsive to both internal and external expectations, creating a foundation of trust and compliance. Regular engagement with stakeholders keeps your organisation’s security strategy aligned with evolving obligations.

Need expert support mapping out your organisation’s interested parties and compliance requirements? Candy Management Consultants can help you build an ISMS that meets stakeholder expectations and achieves ISO 27001 certification with confidence.

Get your free quote today!