Do you need code review reviews for compliance?

If you are a company targeting ISO 27001 certification or a SOC 2 audit, you’ve probably wondered every time you needed to implement formal code revisions at each drawing request.

Both frameworks avoid making direct mandates, such as “you have to do code revisions”, which creates ambiguity.

Whether you’re navigating the ISO27001 secure encryption requirements or the change management criteria of SOC2, a well-defined code review process can allow you to avoid some controls. Steps to Compliance.

Key takeaways

• It is not explicitly required, but is expected: neither ISO27001 nor SOC2 explicitly mention "code review" as a control, but both expect secure encryption and change management to be applied and verifiable.
• A formal, documented code review process is one of the most reliable ways to demonstrate compliance with safe development and change control expectations.
• Simple Process, High Impact: An easy workflow of requesting drawing with approvals inGitHubor GitLab can meet most audit requirements and improve code quality and security along the way.

Why Code Reviews are Important for ISO27001

ISO27001:2022 includes Appendix A Control 8.28 – Secure Coding, which requires organizations to:

Establish and apply secure encryption principles for software development.

But the standard does not say how to prove it.This is where code reviews come.

What ISO 27001 auditors expect

Auditors don’t just want to see that you have documented the Safe Encryption principles, they want to see that your team follows them in practice.

A code review process that demonstrates:

• Security practices apply to every change in the code.
• Problems are identified and discussed during evaluations.
• No sensitive data (such as secrets or keys) is accidentally entered.
• Reviews are recorded and can be tracked in the version control system.

In other words, code revisions are your audit route.

Why Code Reviews are Important forSOC2

SOC2 does not list specific controls, it is a framework based on principles, but one of its core criteria (CC8: Change Management) requires:

Authorize, test and approve changes before they are implemented.

What SOC 2 auditors expect

From the auditor’s perspective, a code review process demonstrates:

• Documentation: Each change is tracked in a withdrawal request.
• Separation of duties: Changes are reviewed and approved by a person other than the author.
• Proof of Control: Approvals, comments and merger history provide a clear record of oversight.

A consistent code review process gives auditors confidence that your controls are properly designed and work efficiently. penetration test for SOC 2 or for ISO 27001.

How can it look like a simple and effective process

Regardless of the framework, a few elements go a long way:

• A written policy that explains how the code is revised, who revises it, and which reviewers check it.
• A drawing request workflow that requires at least one approval before merger.
• A changelog or audit track** with timestamps, commentary comments and approval records (Githuband cie provide this out of the box).

What if you are a small team?

Even if you’re just a few engineers (or solo), a form of supervision is still to be expected.

Here’s how small teams can meet the requirement:

• Formal testing: Changes are tested in a non-productive environment before merger.
• Automated control: CI/CD pipes to impose controls and block risky changes.
• Reviewing large versions: focusing revisions on big changes and features.

The key is to show intent and structure, even if the process is easy.

Conclusion

Code revisions are not explicitly required, but are functionally essential.They are the only most effective way to demonstrate that the control of security development and change management is real, not just theoretical.

By implementing a formal code review process, you are:

• Meeting ISO 27001’s secure coding requirements.
• Satisfying SOC 2’s change control expectations.
• Improving code quality and reducing bugs.
• Building a safer and more durable product.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if we are a very small team? Auditors are still waiting for supervision. If you can’t separate tasks, make sure you perform the appropriate tests before going to production.

2. What do auditors look for in code reviews?

• Pull requests were created.
• The reviews were made by someone other than the author.
• Formal approval was given.
• The code was merged only after approval.

3. How formal should our process be? Not excessive. Simplicity wins. A withdrawal application process consistently followed with approvals is usually enough.