In today’s digital age, where data breaches are common and the integrity of data is often compromised, the importance of a robust information security management system (ISMS) cannot be overstated. ISO 27001 stands out as a beacon of trust and security in this chaotic digital landscape. Here are five essential things you need to know about ISO 27001 to understand its impact and how it can transform your organisation’s approach to information security.
1. What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). It is part of the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards which are designed to help organisations secure their information assets. By implementing ISO 27001, organisations can manage the security of assets such as financial information, intellectual property, employee details, and information entrusted to them by third parties. Being international (compared with some other Cyber Standards) means it is internationally recognised. By following ISO 27001, organisations commit to a framework that’s essentially good cybersecurity practice, aligning with the best in the field to protect against data breaches and other cyber threats.
2. Good Cyber Security
ISO 27001 is fundamentally about good cyber security practice with Risk Management that has been broken into 123 controls and categorised into four overarching groups:
- People Controls
- Technology Controls
- Organisational Controls
- Physical Controls
The reason there are so many controls is because Cyber Security is hard, which is why most organisations use Cyber Security experts to help them achieve ISO27001.
3. Time and Effort
ISO 27001 time to implement can vary depending on organisation size or department size and their focus, with it often taking between 6 to 18months. The costs for ISO27001 certification can vary depending on size, scope, structure but are typically between $50k to $200k. The organisations that engage Cyber Security Experts at the start are usually able to reduce costs as they are able to leverage the Cyber Experts expertise to make better decisions rather than waste time and money researching and trying multiple options for each control.
4. Certification Can Open Doors
Achieving ISO 27001 certification demonstrates to customers, stakeholders, and legal authorities that your organisation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of information security. This can not only enhance your reputation but also provide a competitive edge in the market. Furthermore, it can help you comply with other regulations, such as the Privacy Act in Australia and GDPR in Europe, by providing a framework to protect personal data.
5. Continuous Improvement is Key
ISO 27001 is not a one-time achievement but a continual process of improvement. The standard adopts the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to ensure that the ISMS evolves with the organisation and the ever-changing threat landscape. This means continuously assessing and updating the security measures to not just maintain but improve information security over time.
Implementing ISO 27001 can be challenging, but the benefits it brings in securing your organisation’s information assets are invaluable. It requires a holistic view of security, involving people, processes, and technology. With the increasing importance of data in today’s business world, ISO 27001 certification is rapidly becoming a necessity rather than an option. Investing in ISO 27001 is investing in your organisation’s future, reputation, and trustworthiness in the digital age.
Vertex Cyber Security is ISO27001 Certified so we understand the challenges of being ISO27001 certified and help many organisations achieve ISO27001 Certification.
Talk to a Cyber Expert about achieving ISO27001 Certification.
