Are documented procedures necessary for minor incidents under ISO 27001?

Documented procedures are essential for managing information security incidents, regardless of their perceived severity. However, ISO 27001 emphasizes a risk-based approach, which means that organizations should focus on identifying and managing risks that could have a significant impact on their information security.

In the case of minor incidents, while it is important to have a process to handle them, the level of documentation required may not be as extensive or formalized as it would be for major incidents. The rationale is that major incidents typically have a higher potential for impact and therefore benefit from comprehensive documentation and procedures to ensure consistent and effective management.

ISO 27001 encourages organizations to differentiate the handling of incidents based on their impact and risk. For minor incidents, organizations might opt for simpler, less formal procedures or rely on informal processes that allow for quick resolution. This flexibility supports operational efficiency while still addressing security concerns.

In contrast, major incidents require a more robust response, which justifies the need for well-documented procedures to guide the organization's response and ensure accountability. Therefore, while procedures are necessary for all incidents, the intensity and formality of documentation can be scaled based on the incident's magnitude.