Information is one of the most valuable assets in any organisation. Yet, it isn't always easy to protect it from unauthorised access, theft, and manipulation. Sometimes, you may not even know where to start. This is where ISO 27001 can guide you in the right direction.
In this article, we explore 12 benefits of getting the ISO 27001 certification for organisations and why it's important to comply with the ISO 27001 standard.
In this blog post, we'll cover:
- What is ISO 27001 and ISO 27001 certification?
- What are the benefits of ISO 27001 compliance and certification?
- Why is complying with ISO 27001 important for organisations?
- Your practical steps to get ISO 27001 certified
- FAQs
What is ISO 27001 and ISO 27001 certification?
ISO 27001 is a standard that sets out the requirements for an organisation's Information Security Management System (ISMS). It helps you manage your organisation's information security by addressing people, processes and technology.
The main goal of ISO 27001 is to ensure that all organisations have a clear framework for managing their information security, as well as an ability to demonstrate compliance with information security laws and regulations.
To do achieve this, you need to set up an ISMS and then implement its processes throughout the decided scope within your organisation. You will need to create policies and procedures around:
- the use of information technology (IT)
- training staff on how to use IT tools
- monitoring how well the information systems are performing
- reporting any incidents or breaches to improve the effectiveness of your information security efforts
Once the ISMS has been implemented, you can look into getting ISO 27001 certified. The standard is designed to help organisations understand their security needs and then implement measures that reduce the risk of data breaches and loss of personal data or sensitive data.
The ISO 27001 certification can help your organisation demonstrate its compliance with international standards, which makes it attractive to potential client
What are the benefits of ISO 27001 compliance and certification?
1. Avoid financial costs associated with data breaches
ISO 27001 helps reduce financial losses and costs associated with data breaches. These costs can be staggering, from loss of revenue to reputational damage.
2. Attract new business and employees
The ISO 27001 certification process helps your organisation attract new clients and employees by making sure all of its IT systems meet or exceed industry standards.
It shows that you are committed to providing a high level of confidentiality, integrity, and availability to your clients.
3. Comply with business, legal, contractual and regulatory requirements
ISO 27001 helps your organisation meet compliance requirements by requiring a comprehensive risk assessment to achieve certification.
During the risk assessment, you assess current processes and identify gaps that could stop you from meeting regulatory standards. After the assessment, you will have a clearer understanding of how closely your organization aligns with the standard's requirements and identify areas for enhancement.
4. Improve organisational structure and focus
ISO 27001 is designed to assist you in pinpointing the necessary security measures for your organisation, enabling you to prioritise overall improvement, not merely security enhancements. It facilitates better organisational structure and focus, helping you return to what's essential: creating value for your customers.
5. Reduce human errors
ISO 27001 helps you cut down on human errors and keep your organisation safe from the fallout of mistakes or wrong moves. The goal is to keep all kinds of damage at bay, making sure your operations are protected all around.
6. Save time through efficient and tested processes
To keep your organisation safe, it's important to run regular audits. However, this can be costly and time-consuming. The auditing process shouldn't also take away from the day-to-day operations of your organisation.
Implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) can significantly simplify the jobs of many individuals by providing them with written processes that they can follow. With an ISMS in place, individuals no longer have to enquire or assume how something is achieved, as all the necessary procedures and protocols are clearly outlined.
You might also be interested: 4 measures for successful ISO 27001 certification
This can lead to a more efficient and effective workflow, as individuals are able to focus on their core responsibilities without having to worry about information security. Additionally, an ISMS can help to ensure consistency across the organisation and improve the quality of work output.
Overall, an implemented ISMS can be a valuable asset for any organisation looking to streamline its operations and improve its information security practices.
7. Get an independent opinion about your information security status
ISO 27001 helps organisations get an unbiased assessment of how secure they are. This can be conducted by having a third-party Certification Body (CB) evaluate your security readiness or by having your organisation's systems and processes inspected.
These third-party assessments make sure that your organisation has put in place enough security measures. This assessment looks at a number of things, such as how aware an organisation is of threats and weaknesses, how it plans for emergencies, and how it trains its employees to stop cyberattacks.
8. Receive quality assurance
ISO 27001 helps organisations implement quality assurance processes during product development, manufacturing, and installation. The ISO 27001 standard establishes a framework for quality management systems that promotes a comprehensive approach to quality assurance across the organisation.
This framework ensures that organisations have the processes in place to meet the requirements and expectations of their customers.
9. Reduce loopholes in security
ISO 27001 helps organisations address security flaws, which are the most vulnerable aspects of any information security system. Security flaws can lead to catastrophic breaches, highlighting the need to implement ISO 27001.
By incorporating the standard into your security process, you can implement controls within your organisation that adhere to the best information security practices.
10. Gain higher levels of trust
ISO 27001 establishes a baseline for how an organisation should handle data that's stored in their systems. It's intended to be used as a way to increase trust between organisations and their customers so that people are more likely to give up their personal information without fear of being hacked or having their information stolen by malicious hackers.
11. Increase security awareness
ISO 27001 provides requirements for management systems and processes that ensure that an organisation's security policy and practices are implemented, followed, monitored and evaluated. ISO 27001 also shows how an organisation can improve its security awareness management by using the framework.
12. Improve processes and strategies
ISO 27001 makes it easier for organisations to evaluate their current processes and strategies, which helps improve them. This means getting information on what to focus on now and in the future.
Why is complying with ISO 27001 important for organisations?
It's important for organisations to comply with the ISO27001 standard because it provides a framework for increasing the protection of your assets against external and internal threats. This means that you can be confident that your systems are secure, and your data is likely to fall victim to hackers or other malicious actors who may try to steal information or cause damage.
Implementing an ISMS can help reduce the likelihood or impact of a security breach or cyberattack. By having a well-defined and comprehensive ISMS in place, you can identify potential vulnerabilities and take proactive steps to address them before they are exploited.
Download your free guide (no contact details needed): ISO 27001 Implementation Roadmap
The ISMS can also help to ensure that all employees are aware of the potential risks and understand their role in mitigating those risks. It provides a framework for responding to incidents and minimising the impact of any attacks that do occur. By taking these steps, organisations can significantly improve their overall security posture and reduce the likelihood of costly and damaging security incidents.
Your practical steps to getting ISO 27001 certified
ISO 27001 provides a comprehensive approach to securing your organisation's information systems and data. It's more than just a defence against cyberattacks; it guarantees the security and confidentiality of your data.
Achieving this certification boosts your organisation's security measures and its reliability in handling information systems. Interested in enhancing your information security compliance through ISO 27001? Contact our experts today, and we'll guide you through it.
