Application life cycle
Consider security from application planning and development through deployment, operation and maintenance.
APPLICATION SECURITY • ISO/IEC 27034
ISO/IEC 27034 Certification in UAE & Dubai
Build a practical application security approach across software development, acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance.
ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011
Current Published Part 1
UAE & Dubai
ISO/IEC 27034
Application Security
APPLICATION SECURITY
Protect applications throughout the software life cycle.
Protect applications throughout the software life cycle.
Strengthen security across every stage.
A multi-part application security reference covering concepts, frameworks, processes and controls.
ISO/IEC 27034:2023 • CYBERSECURITY
A practical reference for application security across the software life cycle.
ISO/IEC 27034 helps organizations establish concepts, processes and controls for application security.
WHAT IS ISO/IEC 27034?
ISO/IEC 27034 supports UAE organizations that want a clearer application security approach across software life-cycle activities.
ISO/IEC 27034 is a multi-part application security series. ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011 remains current after review and confirmation in 2022.
ISO/IEC 27034 is not itself a management-system certification standard. It addresses application security, while ISO/IEC 27001 is the management-system standard used as a basis for information security management system certification.
Current ISO/IEC 27034 status:
ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011 is the current published Part 1, confirmed by ISO in 2022.
ISO/IEC 27034 IN PRACTICE
Use application security principles to protect software throughout its life cycle.
Application security covers more than code testing. Organizations need to consider security across application planning, development, acquisition, deployment, operation, maintenance and relationships with suppliers or service providers.
ISO/IEC 27034 provides a common application security reference built around concepts, organizational frameworks, management processes and Application Security Controls.
For organizations in Dubai and across the UAE, this can be useful where business applications, customer portals, mobile applications, APIs, cloud services and outsourced software are central to operations.
The objective is practical application security improvement. The ISO/IEC 27034 series can help organizations establish clearer security responsibilities and review security activities across the application life cycle.
Security concepts
Build a shared understanding of application security terms, principles, processes and organizational context.
Organizational framework
Establish an organizational structure for managing application security responsibilities and activities.
Security management process
Use a defined application security management process to plan, perform and review security activities.
Application Security Controls
Define and use security controls relevant to the application and its life-cycle activities.
Assurance and improvement
Use review, evidence, testing and lessons learned to strengthen application security over time.
ISO/IEC 27034 IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH
Turn application security concepts into practical life-cycle activities and security controls.
Implementation support should reflect the organization’s applications, development model, technology environment, suppliers, users and security responsibilities.
Define the application landscape
Identify applications, development models, platforms, interfaces, data flows and business services within the assessment scope.
Clarify security ownership
Identify application owners, developers, security teams, suppliers and other parties with responsibilities across the application life cycle.
Establish security activities
Define how application security is planned, performed, reviewed and maintained from development through operation.
Apply security controls
Select and apply Application Security Controls that reflect the application, technology, data and operating context.
Review security evidence
Use reviews, testing, records and other evidence to understand whether application security activities are being performed as intended.
Improve with lessons learned
Use incidents, findings, technology changes and development feedback to strengthen application security practices.
UAE DIGITAL BUSINESS CONTEXT
Keep application security aligned with the organization’s actual software landscape and delivery model.
Organizations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other UAE emirates may rely on websites, customer portals, mobile applications, APIs, cloud platforms, enterprise software and outsourced development. Application security should reflect the actual technologies, data, suppliers and responsibilities involved.
See the ISO/IEC 27034 process
THE FOUNDATION OF ISO/IEC 27034
Key application security practices for organizations that develop or use software.
The ISO/IEC 27034 series provides a structured view of application security across organizational frameworks, management processes and application security controls.
Application life cycle
Address security activities throughout planning, development, deployment, operation and maintenance.
Security concepts
Use consistent application security concepts, principles and processes across relevant teams.
Organizational framework
Clarify the organizational structure used to manage application security responsibilities and activities.
Security management process
Apply a defined process for planning, performing and reviewing application security activities.
Application Security Controls
Identify controls that address security activities relevant to the application and its life cycle.
Security assurance
Use reviews, evidence and assurance activities to understand the strength of application security practices.
Continual improvement
Use findings, incidents, changes and lessons learned to improve application security over time.
ISO/IEC 27034 CURRENT STATUS
Use the active ISO/IEC 27034 parts according to the application security scope.
ISO/IEC 27034 is a multi-part series. Part 1:2011 remains current after confirmation in 2022, while ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 lists a revision work item for the series.
PART 1
Overview and concepts
ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011 remains current and introduces application security definitions, concepts, principles and processes.
PART 2
Organizational framework
ISO/IEC 27034-2:2015 describes the Organization Normative Framework for application security.
PART 3
Management process
ISO/IEC 27034-3:2018 provides a detailed description of the Application Security Management Process.
SERIES
Revision work item
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 lists a work item to review the ISO/IEC 27034 series on application security.
ISO/IEC 27034 APPLICATION SECURITY FRAMEWORK
Key application security areas to consider across software development and operation.
The practical assessment should follow the organization’s application landscape, life cycle, security responsibilities, controls and assurance activities within the defined scope.
LIFE CYCLE
Application security life cycle
Consider security activities across planning, development, acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance.
FRAMEWORK
Organizational framework
Define the organizational structure and responsibilities used to manage application security.
PROCESS
Security management process
Establish a repeatable process for planning, performing and reviewing application security activities.
CONTROLS
Application Security Controls
Identify and apply controls that address security activities appropriate to the application and its context.
DEVELOPMENT
Secure development practices
Consider security activities within application development, acquisition and changes to application components.
ASSURANCE
Security assurance
Use review, verification, testing and other evidence to evaluate application security activities.
IMPROVEMENT
Security improvement
Use findings, incidents, technology changes and lessons learned to strengthen application security.
ISO/IEC 27034 IMPLEMENTATION READINESS
Assessment readiness is about evidence that application security activities work across the real software life cycle.
ISO/IEC 27034 is not itself a certifiable management-system standard. An assessment or advisory engagement should focus on how the organization establishes, performs and reviews application security activities within its actual operating context.
Controlled policies describing application security responsibilities, activities and decision-making.
Evidence showing ownership and responsibilities across application, development, security and supplier teams.
Records showing how security is addressed during development, acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance.
Evidence of controls selected and applied to address relevant application security activities.
Review records, testing information and other evidence used to assess application security activities.
Evidence that findings, incidents, technology changes and lessons learned are used to strengthen application security.
INDUSTRIES WE CERTIFY
ISO certification across the industries we serve.
Address application security across project systems, digital collaboration platforms, portals and software services used by construction and real estate organizations.
Construction & Real Estate
Review application security across production software, supplier platforms, business applications and connected operational systems.
Explore IndustryManufacturing & Production
Consider application security for product platforms, customer portals, supplier systems and software used in building-material organizations.
Explore IndustryBuilding Materials
Protect work-order, building-management, customer-service and contractor applications used in facilities management.
Explore IndustryFacilities Management
Consider application security for operational platforms, customer services, monitoring applications and information systems across water and wastewater operations.
Explore IndustryWater & Wastewater
Support application security across booking systems, guest platforms, payment applications, digital communications and connected hospitality services.
Explore IndustryHospitality & Tourism
Protect booking, tracking, communications, customer and operational applications used by logistics and transport organizations.
Explore IndustryLogistics & Transport
Support secure public-facing applications, citizen platforms, communications systems and software used across government and public-sector services.
Explore IndustryGovernment & Public Sector
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Explore Industry
ISO/IEC 27034 APPLICATION SECURITY SCOPE
Define the application security scope around the organization’s actual software environment.
ISO/IEC 27034 applies to in-house developed applications, applications acquired from third parties and situations where application development or operation is outsourced.
For organizations in the UAE, the scope may involve websites, portals, mobile applications, APIs, cloud applications, enterprise software, development teams, suppliers and operational support. The security approach should reflect the actual application life cycle and responsibilities.
Applications & services
Identify applications, platforms, interfaces and business services that fall within the application security scope.
Life-cycle activities
Understand development, acquisition, deployment, operation, maintenance and change activities relevant to security.
Data & interfaces
Consider application data, APIs, interfaces between systems and other interfaces that affect application security.
Suppliers & ownership
Identify developers, service providers, application owners and other parties whose actions influence application security.
ISO/IEC 27034 IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
Move from application security context to practical review, evidence and improvement.
Veritas Assurance can help organizations review application security practices, assess life-cycle activities, clarify responsibilities and prepare for related information-security management-system certification when appropriate.
Understand the application landscape
Review applications, platforms, development models, interfaces, data flows and the operating environment.
Identify security owners
Clarify application owners, developers, security teams, suppliers and other parties with security responsibilities.
Review security activities
Assess how application security is addressed during development, acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance.
Evaluate security controls
Review policies, practices, controls, testing and other evidence used to address application security.
Review assurance evidence
Use objective information from development, testing, operations, incidents and reviews to understand current security practice.
Plan improvement
Prioritize practical actions based on findings, incidents, technology changes and application security objectives.
BENEFITS OF ISO/IEC 27034 ADOPTION
Why organizations in Dubai and the UAE use ISO/IEC 27034 as an application security reference.
ISO/IEC 27034 gives organizations a structured reference for managing application security across the life cycle without prescribing one identical software delivery model for every organization.
Clearer application security context
Build a common understanding of how applications, technology and life-cycle activities affect security.
Better security ownership
Clarify responsibilities across application owners, developers, security teams and service providers.
Structured security controls
Use Application Security Controls that reflect the application and its operating context.
Focused security review
Use a structured reference when reviewing application security activities and evidence.
Continual improvement
Use findings, incidents, testing and management review to strengthen application security practices.
Stronger secure development awareness
Improve awareness of application security responsibilities, dependencies and changes across the software life cycle.
AFTER ISO/IEC 27034 IMPLEMENTATION
Keep application security practices current as software, platforms and threats change.
Application security is not static. Regular review helps organizations keep security responsibilities, controls and development practices aligned with the software environment.
Application security review
Review applications, configurations, security activities and responsibilities as the environment changes.
Development review
Use findings, testing and lessons learned to identify weaknesses and improvement priorities in development activities.
Technology review
Consider changes in frameworks, platforms, cloud services, APIs and application architectures that affect security.
Continual improvement
Use monitoring, assessments and management review to strengthen application security practices over time.
ISO/IEC 27034 FAQ
Frequently asked questions about ISO/IEC 27034 application security in UAE.
Clear answers about the ISO/IEC 27034 series, application security life-cycle practices, controls, current status and practical use in the UAE.
Discuss ISO/IEC 27034What is ISO/IEC 27034 in the UAE?
ISO/IEC 27034 is a family of application security standards that provides concepts, frameworks, components and processes to help organizations address security throughout the application life cycle.
What is the current ISO/IEC 27034 standard?
ISO/IEC 27034 is a multi-part series. ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011, Overview and concepts, remains current after ISO reviewed and confirmed it in 2022. ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 also lists a revision work item for the ISO/IEC 27034 series.
Is ISO/IEC 27034 a certification standard?
No. ISO/IEC 27034 provides application security concepts and practices and is not itself a management-system certification standard. Organizations seeking certifiable information security management systems can consider ISO/IEC 27001.
What does ISO/IEC 27034 cover?
The series addresses application security from organizational concepts and frameworks through application security management processes, application security controls data structures, case studies and assurance-related topics.
Who can use ISO/IEC 27034?
ISO/IEC 27034 can be relevant to organizations that develop applications internally, acquire applications from third parties, or outsource application development or operation.
What is ISO/IEC 27034-1?
ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011 provides an overview of application security and introduces definitions, concepts, principles and processes involved in application security.
What is ISO/IEC 27034-2?
ISO/IEC 27034-2:2015 describes the Organization Normative Framework and provides information for organizations applying that framework to application security.
What is ISO/IEC 27034-3?
ISO/IEC 27034-3:2018 provides a detailed description and implementation guidance for the Application Security Management Process.
What are Application Security Controls in ISO/IEC 27034?
Application Security Controls, or ASCs, are used within the ISO/IEC 27034 framework to describe application security activities and control information relevant to the application life cycle.
Does ISO/IEC 27034 apply to outsourced software development?
Yes. ISO states that ISO/IEC 27034 is applicable where application development or operation is outsourced, as well as to in-house developed and third-party acquired applications.
Can ISO/IEC 27034 support secure software development?
Yes. The series provides application security concepts, processes and controls that can help organizations address security throughout application development and operation.
Can ISO/IEC 27034 support DevOps environments?
It can provide an application security reference for organizations using contemporary development and delivery practices, while the specific implementation should reflect the organization’s application life cycle and operating model.
Is ISO/IEC 27034 mandatory in the UAE?
ISO/IEC 27034 is not universally mandatory for every organization in the UAE. Its use may be influenced by customer expectations, contracts, procurement, internal policy or sector-specific information-security obligations.
What evidence can be reviewed when assessing ISO/IEC 27034 adoption?
Depending on the engagement, evidence can include application security policies, roles, secure development practices, security controls, application risk information, testing records, review records and evidence of security activities across the application life cycle.
How does ISO/IEC 27034 relate to ISO/IEC 27001?
ISO/IEC 27034 focuses specifically on application security, while ISO/IEC 27001 specifies criteria for an information security management system that can be independently certified. The standards can be used together for complementary purposes.
What happened to ISO/IEC 27034 Part 4?
The ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 application security standards table lists Part 4, Validation and verification, as deleted. The current series should therefore be considered using the active parts and technical specifications listed by ISO.
Is ISO/IEC 27034-5 still current?
ISO/IEC 27034-5:2017 is listed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 as confirmed in 2023. It addresses protocols and application security controls data structure.
Does ISO itself issue ISO/IEC 27034 certificates?
No. ISO develops and publishes standards but does not perform ordinary management-system certification. Where certification is sought, organizations engage an independent certification body for the applicable certifiable standard.
Can ISO/IEC 27034 be used with cloud applications?
Yes. Application security principles can be applied to cloud-hosted applications and services, with the organization defining the relevant application life cycle, responsibilities, suppliers and security activities.
How can Veritas Assurance support ISO/IEC 27034 adoption in the UAE?
Veritas Assurance can support application security review, gap assessment, policy and control review, implementation support, internal assessment and preparation for related certifiable standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 in Dubai and across the UAE.
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AUTHORITATIVE ISO REFERENCES
ISO/IEC 27034 application security information and references.
Technical information about ISO/IEC 27034, its application security scope and current publication status has been referenced against official ISO publications and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 information.
ISO.ORG · OFFICIAL SOURCE
ISO/IEC 27034-1:2011 — Overview and concepts
Official ISO page confirming the current published Part 1 and its 2022 confirmation.
Open official source
COMMITTEE.ISO.ORG · OFFICIAL SOURCE
ISO/IEC application security standards table
Official JTC 1/SC 27 document listing active ISO/IEC 27034 parts and the series revision work item.
Open official source
ISO.ORG · OFFICIAL SOURCE
ISO/IEC 27034-3:2018 — Application security management process
Official ISO page for the current published Part 3 and its 2023 confirmation.
Open official source
ISO.ORG · OFFICIAL SOURCE
ISO/IEC 27034-7:2018 — Assurance prediction framework
Official ISO page for the published Part 7 assurance-related application security framework.
Open official source
ISO/IEC 27034 APPLICATION SECURITY IN UAE
Strengthen your application security approach across the software life cycle.
Discuss ISO/IEC 27034 application security assessment and implementation support for your organization in Dubai and across the UAE.
Discuss ISO/IEC 27034
