ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Clause 4.2 is about "Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties." This clause requires organizations to determine the parties relevant to the information security management system (ISMS) and the requirements of these parties. Interested parties can include clients, customers, partners, regulatory bodies, and employees, among others.
The organization needs to identify the legal and regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and other expectations of these interested parties that are relevant to the management of information security. This includes understanding how these requirements and expectations influence the ISMS's scope, the risks to information security, and the management processes needed to address these risks.
Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties is crucial for defining the scope of the ISMS and ensuring that it adequately addresses all relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations. It also helps in aligning the ISMS with the strategic objectives of the organization, ensuring that information security management is comprehensive and effective in protecting assets, and capable of achieving customer and regulatory satisfaction.