ISO/IEC 27001, an international standard, was created to help organizations strengthen their Information Security Management System (ISMS). This standard includes all policies and procedures related to data control and use. This standard was first published in 2005, and it was then revised in 2013.
Although the ISO 27001 standard doesn’t require specific tools, it serves as a checklist that organizations can follow. You can find out more about ISO 27001 in our guide. This guide focuses on the key benefits and how they can help your company stand out from its competitors.
Why Does An ISO 27001 Standard Need To Be Adopted?
ISO 27001 certification is required in certain industries that handle sensitive data. Customers, stakeholders, governments, regulators, and other bodies will be able to verify that your organization has ISO 27001 certification. ISO 27001 certification is a valuable asset for any organization that deals with sensitive data.
This certification will add value to your company and improve your market reputation. It serves as an official document that demonstrates your strict compliance standards and strong security systems. It helps to avoid any financial penalties or damages that may be incurred as a result of data breaches or other security incidents. Organizations that want to work in a secure environment will prefer ISO 27001 Certified organizations. This certification is a requirement and not an advantage.
The Benefits Of ISO 27001 Certification
Below are some of the benefits that ISO 27001 implementation can bring to your company.
- Helps Customers Retain And Win New Businesses
Cyber Security risks and data breaches are on the rise. There is a growing number of stakeholder who is concerned about how their information is handled and protected. It is a sure way to build trust and keep customers by demonstrating ISO 27001 certification. Internationally accredited ISO 27001 certification means new clients will see that you have an established information security management process and can be trusted with their data.
- Enhances Information Security Processes And Strategies
ISO 27001 refers to a standard that places Cyber Security at the forefront. Auditors who are highly qualified in Information Security (preferably outside consultants) will examine your organization’s security practices, and attempt to strengthen or replace them with industry best practices to reduce security breaches.
They will assist in defining goals and objectives and provide actionable information to your organization that will establish data security measures and responsibilities. The certification process will allow you to compile professional reports and documents which will enhance your information security strategies. This will serve as a trusted guide for many years.
- Ensures Implementation Of Best Practices
The ISO 27001 certification is a framework that outlines key operational elements and processes for Information Security Management. This standard defines key operational elements and practices such as anti-virus protection and data storage and backups, IT Change Management, and event logging. This standard provides clear guidelines and documentation that all employees can follow. This helps to keep the organization safe and resilient against cyber attacks. Organizations have policies that include clear guidelines for external drives, internet browsing safety, and password protection.
Cyber-attacks, data breaches, and other cyber-attacks will always be a possibility. However, the planning required by ISO 27001 shows that you have assessed the risks and considered business continuity and breach reporting in the event of an emergency. This allows your organization to remain functional and minimizes the damage.
- Promotes Compliance With Commercial, Contractual, And Legal Requirements
This annex aims to prevent breaches of legal, regulatory, contractual, or statutory obligations related to information security. The organization must ensure they have the latest documentation, legislation, and regulation to help them achieve their business objectives.
As most of these requirements are already covered by ISO 27001, as a result of the Risk Management process organizations don’t usually need to put in place secondary processes to comply with these requirements.
- Monitor And Prevent All Risks
Implementing an ISO-compliant ISMS can help you create robust, tested policies and processes for information protection. You will be able to dig into every communication channel and storage space in your organization as you develop a policy or process to address each identified risk.
This will give you a clear picture of the company’s security process and current status. It also gives you an outline of what it needs to meet customer, functional, legal, regulatory, and regulatory requirements. These results will allow you to develop action items to meet your evolving threats. These processes will function properly if they are monitored regularly.