What is ISO 27001 certification?
ISO 27001 certification is an international model which delineates the conditions necessary for the implementation of an information security management system (ISMS). It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) between 1995 and 2005. ISO 27001 certification is a standard that aims to help organizations protect their sensitive data and manage information security risks effectively.
How to obtain ISO 27001 certification?
To obtain ISO 27001 certification, an organization must first implement a security and information management system (SGSI) that complies with the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard. Once this step has been completed, it is appropriate to contact an accredited certification body to carry out the evaluation of this security and information management system (SGSI). When the assessment is carried out and if the certification body is satisfied with the results obtained, it then issues ISO 27001 certification.
The steps to follow to obtain the ISO 27001 standard are as follows:
- Analyze and understand the requirements of ISO 27001 certification
- Define the organization’s information security objectives and a detailed plan
- Implement a compliant security and information management system (SGSI)
- Use an accredited certification body to assess the security and information management system (SIMS)
- Obtain ISO 27001 certification
The advantages provided by ISO 27001 certification
Improve information security
ISO 27001 certification requires specific requirements regarding information security management. This allows an organization to better protect potentially sensitive information and reduce the risk of data leaks or loss.
Better reputation of the organization
Having the ISO 27001 standard significantly improves an organization’s reputation with its customers, partners and shareholders. Indeed, it is proof that the organization takes the importance of good information security seriously.
Improve regulatory compliance
ISO 27001 certification helps organizations comply with multiple regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Improve risk management
The ISO 27001 standard promotes organization in the identification and assessment of information security risks. This allows for better anticipation of these risks and therefore minimization of their impact.
Business Opportunities
Having such certification opens up new business opportunities for any organization, as some clients now require their service providers/suppliers to have ISO 27001 certification.
The negative aspects of the ISO 27001 standard
Cost of implementation and maintenance
Implementing a security and information management system (SGSI) that complies with ISO 27001 regulations can represent a very high cost, especially for small businesses. In addition, it is imperative to hire an information security manager, train staff and implement various procedures and controls to protect the most sensitive data.
Compliance time
Implementing a security and information management system (SIMS) is a task often considered time-consuming, especially for organizations that have no basis in security management. information.
Lack of flexibility
ISO 27001 certification requires a strict framework for information security management. This framework is difficult to adopt for some companies, which need some flexibility in managing their data.
The cost of certification
Obtaining a certification such as the ISO 27001 standard can be expensive, especially for smaller companies because this certification requires certification fees and costs linked to regular audits which will maintain the certification obtained by the company.