You have probably heard of ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, and the many standards for different sectors. Generally, ISO compliance and certification ensure the safety and quality of the products and services available in international trade. The criteria are specific to various disciplines. And with technology becoming a big part of many businesses today, it is understandable that there is an ISO standard for information technology.
What is ISO 27001?
As technology becomes more pervasive and an integral part of business operations, there is an ISO standard for information security. ISO 27001 stands for the framework for any organization’s information security management system. It comprises processes and policies about data control and use. The standard does not require specific methods, solutions, or tools. Instead, it provides a checklist for an organization’s compliance and certification.
What is ISO 27001 compliance?
The spine of information security management is ISO 27001 compliance. It includes a group of considerations, requirements, and criteria for evaluating an organization’s information security controls. The compliance depends on the risk and data management practices of the IT systems of an organization based on the information security policies, procedures, and practices.
Achieving compliance depends on the size of the organization and the factors that affect the requirements. According to a conservative estimate, it could take 12 months before an organization can achieve compliance and certification. Similar to other compliance regulations, using ISO 27001 compliance automation tool will streamline the process.
One good thing about implementing ISO 27001 is that physical security compliance can be accomplished in parts. For example, suppose you want your access control system to be compliant. In that case, you should have a group of advanced electronic software solutions that conforms to the criteria imposed by the ISMS or the Information Security Management Systems.
Starting the ISO 27001 compliance process
The first thing to do to start the compliance process is to build a compliance framework. As compliance is an ongoing process, establishing a framework allows you to keep track of every step. Therefore, you should focus your attention on these:
- Full engagement of the company. Since compliance and certification affect everyone in the business, the entire company should be responsible for all the information security processes.
- Ongoing operation level. This means that there should be continuous risk assessment after you have set the access control compliance standards.
- Risk planning. This involves the core risk assessment and treatment your organization implements.
- Accountability of top management. For the organization to function according to the established standard framework, the compliance should start from the top executives.
- Improvements and reviews – It is vital to run internal audits and conduct proactive compliance checks to determine if all the practices and procedures work and find vulnerable access points.
Within this framework are several procedures and policies that require documentation, evaluation, assessments, the establishment of deliverables, and various processes. Achieving ISO 27001 compliance is a lengthy process. Automation helps an organization conform to the ISO’s standard requirements through tools such as built-in user activity monitoring, data exportation protection, and auditing, reporting, and digital data forensics capabilities.
ISO 27001 compliance is not mandatory, but achieving it will make you ISO 27001 certified, boosting your business and increasing your business reputation. In addition, it helps build trust among customers and business partners. Likewise, complying with ISO 27001 standards can support other standards and business compliances.
