Facts you should know about ISO/IEC 27001
Information the backbone of most modern companies, and so should be the security measures they embed into their systems. With sensitive data and assets commonly stored online, information security management systems such as ISO 27001 provides a framework of safety and intelligence to protect the future of the company. To protect sensitive information from deliberate or accidental loss, or compromise or destruction, ISO 27001 is the baseline security framework for your business.
This compliance strategy has been designed off real risks that companies of the past have faced, and without this system, would still be facing. Made to an international standard, if you want to get serious about your online security, this is where to start.
How people are using ISO 27001
There are a variety of institutions, such as industries and Government agencies that are using ISO 27001 as the base standard for security of their information. At the State Government level in Australia, ISO is widely used, as well as for data centre hosting industries and ICT.
Why ISO 27001 is important
With ISO meeting international standards, it means that this security framework is applied across many businesses and boarders. This is increasingly important due to the world becoming more intertwined and connected and allows for many organisations worldwide keep their information safe, secure and accessible.
For personal privacy, financial confidentiality and security of health information, there needs to be an effective framework in place to ensure smooth functioning. This is where ISO 27001 is your management risk system, giving you international safety of information and compliance to world standards. It is a source of credibility that shows a complex and detailed understanding of security. To use and understand this system is to show an interest in continued improvement and commitment to information security management in any organisation.
By having the system based off past risks faced, it allowed for a comprehensive framework where risks are appropriately prioritised, costs are managed and programs to avoid risks are implemented. With this approach, it is about complying or explaining, whereby an organisation complies with systems that help with risk management, or provides explanations as to why they are not relevant to their business model.
Is Certification, or compliance necessary for your situation?
In order to qualify for the implementation of ISO 27001, you may need to gain certification. However before you start this, it may be valuable to understand the reasons as to why you may need certification, or if straight compliance will be sufficient as for many organisations, certification is actually not required.
For those that do require certification, the means of achieving this should not be treated lightly. To maintain a successful level of security over an extensive period, emphasis is needed on investment, resources and dedication made to support ongoing compliance.
A good place to start with the implementation of the ISO 27001 model is to conduct an analysis of the current framework to identify your individual gaps and needs.
Every stage of certification process
There are a variety of requirements needed at each level of the process for certification. In order to understand this, we have outlined each stage below.
1. Before Certification
It goes without saying, but you do need to consult stakeholders in your organisation before implementing ISO 27001. In larger organisations, management of stakeholders is a large requirement of business compliance reaching a successful level. In order to make the process easier, businesses should look into partnerships with information security providers who understand the technical elements behind the process. Investing in the appropriate measures up front allows for fewer roadblocks along the way, and allow for larger levels of long-term benefits.
2. During Certification
If there is any provider that offers guarantees of certification within a one-month period, avoid them at all costs as they can’t. Avoid anybody who guarantees certification within 1 month. There is a requirement in Certification Bodies of at least 3 months of evidence needed in stage 2 of the auditing process, which then moves to bodies of accreditation. Under another ISO standard, being 19011, Certification bodies are prevented from performing certification and advisory due to some conflicts of interest. There are certification bodies out there, however, that avoid this by providing pre-assessment gap analysis. Although they do come across as a cheaper option, there are provisions to the amount of actionable advice they are able to provide.
3. After Certification
There is a requirement to display ISO 27001 Certification mark which acts as tangible proof to your level of information handling, and that you have a commitment to the protection of data that has been, or will be, intrusted in you. With this, you would be fulfilling you responsibilities in information security commercially, contractually and legally. In order to put yourself ahead of competitors, display the certification mark on your website so that there is an immediate affiliation with an internationally trusted framework.
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