Scenario 3: Socket Inc is a telecommunications company offering mainly wireless products and services. It uses MongoDB. a document model database that offers high availability, scalability, and flexibility.

Scenario 3: Socket Inc is a telecommunications company offering mainly wireless products and services. It uses MongoDB. a document model database that offers high availability, scalability, and flexibility.

Last month, Socket Inc. reported an information security incident. A group of hackers compromised its MongoDB database, because the database administrators did not change its default settings, leaving it without a password and publicly accessible.

Fortunately. Socket Inc. performed regular information backups in their MongoDB database, so no information was lost during the incident. In addition, a syslog server allowed Socket Inc. to centralize all logs in one server. The company found out that no persistent backdoor was placed and that the attack was not initiated from an employee inside the company by reviewing the event logs that record user faults and exceptions.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, Socket Inc. decided to use an access control system that grants access to authorized personnel only. The company also implemented a control in order to define and implement rules for the effective use of cryptography, including cryptographic key management, to protect the database from unauthorized access The implementation was based on all relevant agreements, legislation, and regulations, and the information classification scheme. To improve security and reduce the administrative efforts, network segregation using VPNs was proposed.

Lastly, Socket Inc. implemented a new system to maintain, collect, and analyze information related to information security threats, and integrate information security into project management.

Socket Inc. has implemented a control for the effective use of cryptography and cryptographic key management. Is this compliant with ISO/IEC 27001′ Refer to scenario 3.

A. No, the control should be implemented only for defining rules for cryptographic key management

B. Yes, the control for the effective use of the cryptography can include cryptographic key management

C. No, because the standard provides a separate control for cryptographic key management

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

According to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, Annex A.8.24, the control for the effective use of cryptography is

intended to ensure proper and effective use of cryptography to protect the confidentiality, authenticity, and/or integrity of information. This control can include cryptographic key management, which is the process of generating, distributing, storing, using, and destroying cryptographic keys in a secure manner. Cryptographic key management is essential for ensuring the security and functionality of cryptographic solutions, such as encryption, digital signatures, or authentication.

The standard provides the following guidance for implementing this control:

A policy on the use of cryptographic controls should be developed and implemented.

The policy should define the circumstances and conditions in which the different types of cryptographic controls should be used, based on the information classification scheme, the relevant agreements, legislation, and regulations, and the assessed risks.

The policy should also define the standards and techniques to be used for each type of cryptographic control, such as the algorithms, key lengths, key formats, and key lifecycles.

The policy should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the changes in the technology, the business environment, and the legal requirements.

The cryptographic keys should be managed through their whole lifecycle, from generation to destruction, in a secure and controlled manner, following the principles of need-to-know and segregation of duties.

The cryptographic keys should be protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, loss, or theft, using appropriate physical and logical security measures, such as encryption, access control, backup, and audit.

The cryptographic keys should be changed or replaced periodically, or when there is a suspicion of compromise, following a defined process that ensures the continuity of the cryptographic services and the availability of the information.

The cryptographic keys should be securely destroyed when they are no longer required, or when they reach their end of life, using methods that prevent their recovery or reconstruction.

Reference: ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Course Guide1

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Info Kit2

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management Systems – Requirements3

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Code of Practice for Information Security Controls4

Understanding Cryptographic Controls in Information Security5