ISO/IEC 27001:2022 · Technological control
ISO 27001 Annex A 8.18: Use of privileged utility programs
Quick answer
ISO 27001 Annex A 8.18 (Use of privileged utility programs) is a technological control. Restrict and tightly control utility programs that can override system and application controls.
What auditors look for
Auditors check that 8.18 is either justified as not applicable in your Statement of Applicability or implemented and working. Typical evidence includes:
- List of restricted utilities
- Access restrictions
- Usage logs
How to implement 8.18 in practice
- Limit admin tools to privileged accounts
- Use application control
- Log use of powerful utilities
- Name an owner for 8.18, decide how often it runs and file evidence each time, so the control is audit-ready all year.
Recording 8.18 in the Statement of Applicability
List 8.18 with whether it applies, the reason (usually the risks it treats or a legal or contractual requirement), its implementation status and where the evidence lives. If you exclude it, explain why none of your risks or obligations require it.