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Annex A 8.29 verified ISO/IEC 27001:2022

Security testing in development and acceptance

Ensure security tests are part of the development process to find issues early.

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Plain language

This control is about making sure computer systems and software are tested for security problems before they're used in real life. If this isn't done, a company could end up with systems that hackers can easily attack, leading to data breaches and loss of customer trust.

Framework

ISO/IEC 27001:2022

Control effect

Preventative

ISO 27001 domain

Technological controls

Classifications

N/A

Official last update

24 Oct 2022

Control Stack last updated

19 Mar 2026

Maturity levels

N/A

Official control statement

Security testing processes shall be defined and implemented in the development life cycle.
verified ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A 8.29
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Why it matters

Without security testing during development and acceptance, vulnerabilities can reach production undetected, increasing breach likelihood, rework cost and stakeholder trust loss.

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Operational notes

Incorporate security tests into every sprint; ensure all findings feed directly into the bug-tracking system for prompt action.

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Implementation tips

  • The IT manager should integrate security testing as a core part of the software development process. This means planning security checks right from the start and ensuring these tests meet specific safety standards laid out in ISO 27002:2022. The checks should not only cover how the software is supposed to work but also consider any ways it could be attacked or misused.
  • Developers should perform secure coding and code reviews to catch security issues early. They need to follow secure coding practices and undergo training to spot common vulnerabilities. Peer reviews should be conducted regularly where developers check each other's work for potential security weaknesses before it's sent for further testing.
  • Security officers should ensure that any changes or updates to systems are tested in an environment that mimics the real setup as closely as possible. This involves setting up test environments that use the same configurations as production systems, based on guidelines from the ASD Essential Eight.
  • The procurement team should include security requirements in contracts with software suppliers. They need to clarify that the supplier must perform and document thorough security testing on their products, which should be evaluated against the Australian Cyber Security Centre guidelines before any purchase or implementation.
  • IT staff should employ automated security testing tools to identify vulnerabilities efficiently. These tools, like vulnerability scanners, should be used alongside manual tests to provide a comprehensive overview of potential security issues, ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and APRA CPS 234.
fact_check

Audit / evidence tips

  • AskThe security testing plan for recent software projects GoodPlan will show structured testing at each development stage with specific goals and security checks
  • AskEvidence of security training given to developers
  • AskSupplier contracts for outsourced software. Review whether contracts specify security requirements and testing obligations. Good contracts include specific clauses for security testing and compliance with applicable Australian cybersecurity standards
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Cross-framework mappings

How Annex A 8.29 relates to controls across ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, Essential Eight, and ASD ISM.

ASD ISM

Control Notes Details
layers Partially meets (12) expand_less
ISM-0401 Annex A 8.29 requires organisations to define and implement security testing processes within the development and acceptance life cycle
ISM-0402 ISM-0402 requires comprehensive software vulnerability testing using SAST, DAST and SCA before initial release, subsequent releases, and ...
ISM-0971 ISM-0971 requires web applications to be developed against OWASP ASVS, which defines verification requirements and associated testing exp...
ISM-1240 ISM-1240 requires software to validate and sanitise all internet-sourced input to reduce the likelihood of vulnerabilities such as inject...
ISM-1524 ISM-1524 requires that content filters used by Cross Domain Solutions (CDSs) are subjected to rigorous security testing to confirm they w...
ISM-1780 Annex A 8.29 requires security testing processes to be embedded in development and acceptance
ISM-1851 ISM-1851 requires that OWASP API Security Top 10 issues are mitigated as part of building web APIs
ISM-2032 ISM-2032 requires the build solution to gate software artefact creation until all automated tests complete with no warnings, alerts or er...
ISM-2042 Annex A 8.29 mandates defining and implementing security testing processes throughout development and acceptance
ISM-2057 ISM-2057 focuses on ensuring input validation is specified, implemented, and tested using positive and negative unit or integration tests
ISM-2062 ISM-2062 requires unit and integration testing (including positive and negative use cases) to assure code quality and security
ISM-2102 ISM-2102 necessitates the periodic testing of software artefacts using SAST, DAST, or SCA throughout the SDLC
sync_alt Partially overlaps (8) expand_less
ISM-1791 ISM-1791 requires assessing the integrity of delivered IT and OT products and services as part of acceptance
ISM-1922 ISM-1922 requires development teams to use OWASP MASVS as a security standard for mobile application development
ISM-2026 ISM-2026 requires scanning software artefacts for malicious code before they are imported into the authoritative software source
ISM-2028 Annex A 8.29 requires implementing security testing processes in development and acceptance
ISM-2031 ISM-2031 requires organisations to use security features in compilers, interpreters and build pipelines to improve executable file security
ISM-2055 ISM-2055 requires using third-party build provenance (when available) during development to validate that imported components meet approp...
ISM-2060 ISM-2060 requires code reviews to validate Secure by Design and secure programming practices in software
ISM-2061 ISM-2061 requires developer-supported security-focused peer reviews on critical and security-focused software components to identify secu...
handshake Supports (12) expand_less
ISM-0400 Annex A 8.29 requirements for embedding security testing in development life cycles are supported by ISM-0400, which prescribes environme...
ISM-1238 ISM-1238 requires threat modelling during the SDLC to identify potential risks and likely attack paths
ISM-1239 ISM-1239 requires the use of robust web application frameworks to reduce common web application security weaknesses by design
ISM-1419 ISM-1419 requires software changes to be performed only in development environments rather than directly in production
ISM-1597 ISM-1597 requires credentials to be obscured as they are entered into systems, implying the organisation must implement and validate secu...
ISM-1850 ISM-1850 requires the OWASP Top 10 to be mitigated in web application development
ISM-2029 ISM-2029 requires that third-party libraries and components are only imported from trustworthy sources to reduce the likelihood of malici...
ISM-2033 Annex A 8.29 stipulates defining and executing security testing processes within the SDLC
ISM-2039 ISM-2039 requires reviewing the threat model throughout development so identified threats and assumptions remain accurate as the software...
ISM-2040 ISM-2040 requires the use of secure programming practices to reduce the introduction of vulnerabilities during implementation
ISM-2054 ISM-2054 requires using an available SBOM for third-party components to identify and avoid known vulnerabilities during software development
ISM-2059 ISM-2059 requires organisations to restrict uploaded/input file types and scan for malicious content before files are accessed, executed ...

ISO 42001

Control Notes Details
sync_alt Partially overlaps (1) expand_less
Annex A 6.2.4 Annex A 6.2.4 requires defining and documenting verification and validation measures for an AI system, with criteria for when they are ap...

These mappings show relationships between controls across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.

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