GOV-020 Independent Security Review
Description
The organization's information security posture is assessed independently, either through internal audit teams separate from the security function or external third-party assessors, at defined intervals and when significant changes occur. Assessment results are reported to management and acted upon.
Rationale
Self-assessment by security teams cannot provide the independent assurance that management and customers require. Independent review identifies blind spots and provides credible evidence of control effectiveness.
Framework Mappings (4)
| A&A-03 | Risk Based Planning Assessment | partial |
| 5.35 | Independent review of information security | full |
| CA-1 | Policy and Procedures | partial |
| MEASURE 1.3 | Independent AI Risk Assessment | partial |
Evidence (2)
Third-party assessment report or external audit report providing independent assurance of the organization's information security controls.
Example: SOC 2 Type II report, ISO 27001 audit report, penetration test report, or third-party security assessment report (PDF) — issued within the last 12 months by an accredited or qualified independent assessor.
Test: Request the most recent independent security assessment report. Verify: (1) the assessor is independent of the security function being assessed (different team or external firm), (2) the report is dated within the defined assessment interval, (3) scope covers the organization's production environment and key controls, (4) findings are addressed to management and include a management response.
Management response record showing findings from the independent review are tracked to remediation.
Example: Management letter responses (PDF) or remediation tracker (Jira / GRC platform) linked to the assessment report findings, with named owners and target dates.
Test: Request the management response or remediation tracker for the most recent independent assessment. Verify: (1) all findings from the report are represented, (2) each finding has a named owner and target remediation date, (3) critical or high findings are assigned the shortest target dates, (4) closed items have documented evidence of remediation.
Questions (2)
Does your organization undergo independent security assessments (internal audit teams independent of the security function, or external third-party assessors) at defined intervals?
The assessor must be independent of the function being assessed. Reports should be dated within the defined interval and addressed to management.
What form does your most recent independent security assessment take?
A SOC 2 Type II report or ISO 27001 audit provides the strongest third-party assurance for enterprise customers. All options above should include a management response to findings.