Creating a Risk Treatment Plan for ISO 27001 Compliance
Developing a risk treatment plan is a pivotal step in achieving ISO/IEC 27001 certification. It turns risk assessments into action by defining how identified risks will be managed, reduced, or accepted.
What Is a Risk Treatment Plan?
A risk treatment plan (RTP) outlines the actions an organization will take to address information security risks identified during the risk assessment process. It forms part of the ISO 27001-required documentation and supports continual improvement of the Information Security Management System (ISMS).
The plan should specify:
The identified risks
The chosen treatment option (e.g., mitigate, transfer, avoid, accept)
Responsible parties
Target timelines
Required resources
Residual risk acceptance
Why It Matters
Without a clear and actionable risk treatment plan, your ISMS lacks teeth. Auditors will look for evidence that risks are not only identified but actively managed through structured planning and accountability. A well-developed RTP:
Ensures regulatory and ISO 27001 clause alignment
Demonstrates due diligence and risk ownership
Provides a measurable framework for continual improvement
Steps to Build a Risk Treatment Plan
Link to Risk Assessment Ensure each risk in the treatment plan corresponds to a finding in your latest risk assessment.
Choose Appropriate Treatments Treatment options typically include:
Reducing the risk through controls (Annex A)
Avoiding the risk altogether
Transferring the risk (e.g., insurance, outsourcing)
Accepting the risk with justification
Map to Annex A Controls When selecting controls, cross-reference Annex A and ensure each control has an implementation owner.
Assign Responsibility Make it clear who is responsible for each action. Accountability drives follow-through.
Track Progress Set review dates and monitor progress to ensure timely implementation.
Accept Residual Risk Where applicable, document justification for accepting remaining risk. This must be formally approved by relevant leadership.
Format Example
An effective risk treatment plan might include the following fields:
Risk ID
Description
Treatment Decision
Control(s) Applied
Owner
Timeline
Status
Residual Risk & Approval
Wintersmith Advisory: Here to Help
At Wintersmith Advisory, we help organizations not only meet ISO 27001 requirements but integrate them into business reality. Our support includes:
Risk assessment facilitation
Custom risk treatment plans
Control mapping and implementation support
Internal audit readiness
If you're pursuing or maintaining ISO 27001 certification, a tailored risk treatment plan is essential. Let us help you turn risks into manageable, measurable actions that stand up to audit and improve your security posture.
