ISO/IEC 27040 focuses on securing the paths between servers and storage devices (e.g., Fibre Channel fabric security or securing iSCSI traffic). 4. Backups and Disaster Recovery
As organizations migrate workloads to hybrid and multi-cloud environments, the standard addresses shared responsibility models:
The latest version reflects modern infrastructure realities. It expands its scope to cover contemporary storage deployments, including:
The standard addresses the protection of data both (stored) and in motion (in transit) within information and communication technology systems. It is designed for anyone involved in managing storage ecosystems, including senior managers, storage operators, and security architects.
: Enforcing the principle of least privilege through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for storage administrators. 2. Data Encryption (At Rest and In Transit) Encryption is a foundational control within ISO/IEC 27040. iso iec 27040 pdf
Recording all configuration changes, access requests, authentication failures, and data transfers within a centralized Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system.
Guarantee that authorized users have continuous access to data when needed.
| Category | Requirements (R) | Guidance (G) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Organizational Controls | 2 | 11 | | People Controls | 0 | 2 | | Physical Controls | 1 | 4 | | Technical Controls | 30 | 137 |
Introduces fundamental storage security concepts and defines the scope of storage security across device, media, management, and application layers. ISO/IEC 27040 focuses on securing the paths between
ISO/IEC 27040 is a specialized international standard that provides detailed technical requirements and guidance for securing data storage systems. First introduced in 2015 and significantly revised in 2024, it moves beyond broad security frameworks and gives organizations explicit, technical guidance for planning, designing, documenting, and implementing storage security.
Searching for an “” is only the first step. The real value comes from translating those 50+ pages of controls into hardened storage configurations, actionable policies, and auditable evidence.
Secure approaches for specialized storage architectures like SAN (Storage Area Network), NAS (Network Attached Storage), and Fibre Channel . 4. Storage Sanitization (End-of-Life)
: To design secure-by-default storage architectures for on-premises data centers and cloud deployments. It expands its scope to cover contemporary storage
The standard prescribes a rigorous risk management approach: begin with comprehensive asset documentation, progress to scenario-based threat modeling, and continue with structured, real-time risk analysis. You cannot secure what you have not identified.
The standard is designed to help organizations achieve an appropriate level of risk mitigation by employing a well-proven and consistent approach to storage security planning, design, documentation, and implementation.
Continuous visibility into the storage environment ensures rapid detection of anomalous behavior.