How to Achieve and Maintain ISO 27001 Compliance Using a RACI Matrix

ISO/IEC 27001 is one of the most globally recognized information security standards. It provides a structured, risk-based approach to managing information security—but turning the standard into real-world practice requires more than just documentation.

It requires operational clarity.

And one of the best tools to bring clarity to ISO 27001 implementation is the RACI matrix—a simple way to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for every control and process.

In this deep dive, we’ll show you how to apply a RACI model across ISO 27001 requirements, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to use ezRACI to simplify the entire journey—from implementation through annual audits.

Chapter 1: What is ISO 27001 and Why Does It Matter?

ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an organization’s ISMS.

At the heart of ISO 27001 is Annex A—a set of 93 controls across 4 control themes introduced in the 2022 revision:

1. Organizational Controls

2. People Controls

3. Physical Controls

4. Technological Controls

ISO 27001 requires risk-based thinking, documentation of processes, assignment of responsibilities, and ongoing monitoring—making it one of the most operationally intensive certifications to pursue.

But unlike SOC 2 or NIST, ISO 27001 is globally accepted, making it essential for companies doing business internationally or handling sensitive customer or partner data.

Chapter 2: Why RACI is Critical to ISO 27001 Success

While ISO 27001 tells you what needs to be done, it doesn’t define who should do it.

That’s where the RACI model comes in. By clearly assigning roles across ISO 27001 requirements and controls, a RACI matrix helps organizations:

• Eliminate ownership gaps

• Streamline evidence collection

• Reduce audit prep time

• Improve cross-functional collaboration

• Maintain compliance over time

A RACI matrix supports your ISMS in both implementation and day-to-day operation, ensuring that controls are managed—not forgotten.

Chapter 3: Applying RACI to Clause 5 — Leadership

Clause 5 of ISO 27001 emphasizes leadership commitment and top-level oversight.

This includes:

• Defining roles and responsibilities

• Establishing an information security policy

• Aligning information security with strategic direction

Example RACI mapping:

Using ezRACI, these high-level tasks can be assigned to executives, tracked over time, and shared during audit walkthroughs.

Chapter 4: Applying RACI to Clause 6 — Planning

Clause 6 covers how your organization plans to meet security objectives, manage risks, and define action plans.

This includes:

• Risk assessment methodology

• Statement of Applicability (SoA)

• Risk treatment planning

RACI example:

ezRACI helps version-control your RACI matrix as your risk register evolves, ensuring ownership stays aligned as new threats are identified.

Chapter 5: Clause 7 — Support and Internal Resources

This clause focuses on ensuring sufficient resources, competence, and awareness within your ISMS.

Key requirements include:

• Security training and awareness

• Internal communications

• Documentation control

RACI in action:

With ezRACI, you can assign training responsibilities and deadlines across departments, integrating with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams for accountability.

Chapter 6: Clause 8 — Operations

This clause deals with the execution of your ISMS, including:

• Change control

• Operational planning and control

• Risk mitigation in action

RACI breakdown:

ezRACI allows you to reuse RACI templates across operational projects, ensuring repeatable control ownership without starting from scratch each time.

Chapter 7: Clause 9 — Performance Evaluation

Clause 9 focuses on monitoring, measurement, and evaluation of the ISMS, including:

• Internal audits

• Management reviews

• Metrics tracking

Sample RACI:

With ezRACI, auditors can see live ownership, status, and history—reducing friction during interviews and evidence requests.

Chapter 8: Clause 10 — Improvement

This clause ensures your ISMS continues to evolve.

Tasks include:

• Logging nonconformities

• Performing root cause analysis

• Issuing and tracking corrective actions

RACI matrix:

ezRACI’s dashboard helps your team prioritize and resolve corrective actions before your next surveillance audit.

Chapter 9: Mapping Annex A Controls with a RACI Matrix

Annex A is the real meat of ISO 27001, containing 93 individual controls. These span across:

• Organizational: Asset management, supplier relationships, policies

• People: Background checks, termination procedures, awareness

• Physical: Facility access, equipment security

• Technological: Logging, monitoring, encryption, secure coding

You can map RACI at the control level or group them by department.

For example:

• Assign all asset management controls to IT and procurement

• Assign HR controls to People Ops

• Assign logging and monitoring to Security Operations

ezRACI offers a pre-built ISO 27001 RACI template that covers all control groups—so you can plug in your stakeholders and start assigning ownership fast.

Chapter 10: Continuous Compliance with ezRACI

Achieving ISO 27001 is a major milestone—but maintaining it is the real challenge.

You’ll need to:

• Update policies regularly

• Review risks and SoA

• Collect and tag evidence

• Track corrective actions

• Stay aligned across teams

With ezRACI, you can:

✅ Use ISO-aligned templates with built-in controls
✅ Assign live roles with audit logs
✅ Get notified when tasks are overdue or incomplete
✅ Integrate your ISMS workflow with Slack, Teams, and Jira
✅ Export your RACI matrix for auditors in seconds

Whether you're preparing for your first ISO 27001 audit or managing your annual surveillance cycle, ezRACI helps you scale your compliance operations without the spreadsheet chaos.

👉 Try ezRACI free at www.ezraci.com