Let’s be honest: nobody wakes up excited to build an asset register. But if you’re serious about ISO27001 (or just serious about protecting what matters), you can’t dodge it. An asset register isn’t just a checklist — it’s the foundation of your entire Information Security Management System (ISMS). Get it right, and everything else becomes easier. Get it wrong, and you’re in for a world of administrative pain.
Over the years, I’ve seen asset registers done well, done badly, and — maybe worst of all — ignored until the auditor shows up. So, let’s break it down. Here are five practical tips to keep your asset register simple, strong, and genuinely useful.
1. Start with “What Would Hurt to Lose?”
Forget jargon for a second. Instead, ask: if this disappeared tomorrow, would it hurt the business? Would customers notice? Would operations grind to a halt? Starting with emotional or operational impact makes it easier to identify the assets that actually matter. Your list will include obvious things (like laptops) but also less visible assets (like customer databases, source code, contracts, or brand reputation).
2. Assign Clear Ownership — Every Time
An asset without an owner is like a stray dog — it’s everyone’s problem and no one’s responsibility. For ISO27001 compliance (and for sanity), every asset needs a named, accountable owner. Not a team. Not a department. A person. Ownership drives updates, risk assessments, and incident response. Without it, the register quickly becomes outdated and useless.
3. Keep the Categories Lightweight
It’s tempting to create 20+ categories and sub-categories and nested spreadsheets. Resist. Focus on just a few fields: Asset Name, Type, Location, Owner, Value, Risk Level, Protection Measures. That’s it. Simplicity encourages maintenance. Complexity invites neglect.
4. Update as Part of Business-As-Usual, Not an Annual Chore
An asset register shouldn’t live in a dusty folder reviewed once a year out of guilt. Build updates into everyday processes: onboarding (new laptop = new entry), offboarding (employee leaves = asset check), major projects (new system = register update). If you embed it into workflows, it stays alive. If you treat it like a one-off project, it withers.
5. Link Assets Directly to Risks and Controls
This is where good registers turn into great ones. Don’t just list assets — connect them. Identify what risks each asset faces, and what controls you have (or need) to protect it. It’s not about creating more paperwork. It’s about building a system where your register feeds directly into your risk assessments and security improvements. It shows auditors (and yourself) that you’re not just tracking stuff — you’re protecting value.
Building a clean, effective asset register isn’t about perfection. It’s about visibility, accountability, and smart protection. Keep it simple. Keep it live. Keep it human.
And remember: an asset register isn’t just an ISO requirement. It’s a reflection of what you care about protecting — and that’s worth getting right.
