Even the smallest organizations and freshly founded businesses must comply.
The number of enterprises attaining ISO 27001 certification has surged in the last decade. If your firm fails to appreciate the importance and weight of its information security obligations, it will almost certainly fall behind the businesses with whom it competes.
To protect sensitive data, the vast majority of firms use a variety of security measures, such as multi-factor authentication regulations and keycard-only access to offices. When you initially start out, it’s easy to believe that “moving fast and breaking stuff” is more important than adhering to basic security protocols and regulations. However, if you want your business to grow in the long run, your prospects and customers must be convinced that the information they share with you is secure.
Below is a basic explanation of what ISO 27001 is, why businesses need it, and how to obtain ISO 27001 certification.
ISO 27001 is the leading international standard that shows how an organization’s information security management system (ISMS) should be set up. It gives a set of rules and general principles for starting, putting in place, maintaining, and improving information security.
“ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for information security. It sets out the specification for an effective ISMS (information security management system).
ISO 27001’s best-practice approach helps organisations manage their information security by addressing people, processes and technology.
Certification to the ISO 27001 standard is recognised worldwide to indicate that your ISMS is aligned with information security best practices.
Part of the ISO 27000 series, ISO 27001 sets out a framework for organisations to establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve an ISMS.” 1
It demonstrates that your organization has implemented the required safeguards to protect sensitive data. This is important for those organizations that handle sensitive information on behalf of others, as ISO 27001 is an international security standard that can assist businesses with international expansion by attracting customers who desire to do business with companies that adhere to stringent security practices.
Why Comply?
Many organizations decide to develop an ISO 27001 compliant cyber security program to supplement and validate their existing security program. Compliance with ISO 27001 is a good way to ensure that your organization has built and is maintaining a strong security program because of its emphasis on continuous improvement, risk management, and the 114 security controls. This can help reassure your organization’s leaders and other interested parties that you’re following good security practices.