CISSP Study Plan – Day 36 of 55 | ISO 27001 and Control Frameworks
- Luke Ahmed
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
“Control frameworks not only provide a guide for the organization, but are essential to know for a high-level certification such as the CISSP!” – Luke Ahmed
Today is Day 36 of Yihenew’s CISSP study plan, focusing on ISO 27001, one of the most respected international standards for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
If you understand how ISO 27001 fits into the CISSP mindset, you’re already thinking like a manager — it’s about governance, not configuration. Frameworks like ISO 27001 allow security to scale across business processes, compliance requirements, and technical controls.
Key Areas Covered in the CISSP Study Plan
What Is ISO 27001?A globally recognized standard outlining how organizations should manage information security through a structured ISMS.
Core Components:
Risk Assessment & Treatment Plan — Identify, analyze, and mitigate risks.
Security Policies — Define expectations and responsibilities.
Asset Management & Access Control — Protect information assets.
Incident Response, Continuity, and Compliance — Establish resilience and accountability.
Annex A Controls (ISO 27002)
Contains 93 security controls grouped into 4 major themes:
Organizational Controls
People Controls
Physical Controls
Technological Controls
Relationship to Other Frameworks:
ISO 27001 = International standard (governance-focused)
NIST SP 800-53 = U.S. federal framework (control catalog)
COBIT = IT governance and management
CIS Controls = Practical implementation guidance
CISSP Exam Tie-In
Expect exam questions about frameworks that ask which one focuses on governance and continual improvement — that’s ISO 27001.If the question references certification or ISMS, ISO 27001 is the correct answer.CISSP expects you to differentiate between strategic standards (ISO, COBIT) and technical guidance (NIST SP 800-53, CIS Controls).
Quick CISSP Practice Question
Which of the following best describes the purpose of ISO 27001?
A. It provides detailed technical controls for securing network devices
B. It establishes a management framework for information security governance
C. It is used primarily for software development lifecycle guidance
D. It defines cryptographic standards for data-at-rest protection
✅ Correct Answer: B. It establishes a management framework for information security governance
Explanation:ISO 27001 defines how organizations should structure their information security programs, focusing on governance, risk management, and continual improvement — not technical configuration.
Think Like a Manager:You don’t protect systems in isolation — you build systems of accountability. ISO 27001 is how management ensures those systems stay consistent and auditable.
👉 Can you take the Yani Challenge?
55 days of consistent CISSP prep, tackling one domain at a time, using only the resources below:
Course
Luke's CISSP Course (2 months access, $89.98)
One-to-one Zoom sessions with Luke Ahmed (2 weeks before exam)
Books, Notes, and Practice Questions
All-In-One Study Guide by Shon Harris (Around $45)
Sybex 10th Edition (Around $52.55)
Total Cost: approxiamately $250 depending on your geographic location. Yani is located in East Africa.
📚 Study Plan (55 Days of Dedication):
- Weekdays: 2–3 hours of focused study—late nights and early mornings (5 AM).
- Weekends: 5–6 hours of deep study sessions.
Pass CISSP in first attempt within 100 questions.
Yani's biggest expense was his time, committment, consistency, and dedication! It was worth it because he passed first attempt in 100 questions using the above resources only.
If Yihenew could do it, so can you.
All the best Future CISSP. You can feel free to contact me anytime as well.
Thank you.
Luke Ahmed
