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ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard for information security management in organizations. The standard was developed by recognized global institutions: the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. The ISO 27001 standard is subject to certification. A company that decides to implement ISO/IEC 27001 can therefore obtain objective proof that it is capable of effectively ensuring the confidentiality of information in its operations.
The ISO 27001 standard is a system so versatile that any organization can benefit from it—regardless of its industry or size. It is a particularly useful tool for businesses where data protection is of critical importance. That is why nearly all large companies operating in the IT or telecommunications industries use ISO 27001 certification. In practice, however, information is an asset that needs to be protected in every private enterprise, government agency, or nonprofit organization.
The information whose security is addressed by the ISO 27001 standard is an extremely broad concept. Currently, information security is often discussed in the context of personal data processing and the risks associated with the electronic circulation of documents. Under ISO/IEC 27001, information refers to all data relevant to a given organization—from customer databases to intellectual property such as know-how—stored on electronic media, in the cloud, on paper, in audiovisual materials, or even communicated orally. This information is extremely valuable, so it must be properly secured. This is precisely what the guidelines of the ISO 27001 standard are designed to address.
ISO/IEC 27001 is undoubtedly the most effective data protection tool available. Implementing the practices described in the standard provides the highest guarantee of security for a company’s intangible assets. If simply implementing ISO 27001 can already ensure this security, is there a need to certify the system? Absolutely! The ISO 27001 certificate is recognized worldwide, and the ISO 27001 standard is a universally applicable standard.
Nowadays, it is increasingly common for customers, suppliers, or subcontractors to require ISO 27001 certification. The certificate guarantees that confidential information disclosed during the course of cooperation will not be used for any purposes other than those specified in the contract. In other words, ISO 27001 certification makes a company a reliable business partner, strengthens its position in a competitive market, and sometimes is even a prerequisite for achieving its goals. ISO 27001 certification may, for example, be a requirement for entities participating in a tender.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of its information security management system, a company must undergo a certification audit, which can be conducted by a body that has been granted the appropriate authorization. An ISO 27001 audit is a procedure during which the system’s compliance with the standard is verified.
Each audit is scheduled well in advance—it is not a surprise inspection, so you can prepare for it. In the initial stage, the auditor familiarizes themselves with the specifics of the organization’s operations and reviews the system documentation. The next step in the ISO 27001 certification process is the auditor’s visit to the company’s premises, during which the specialist assesses the degree of compliance with the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard—based on their own observations and discussions with employees and management.
The auditor prepares a report on the audit. If any non-conformities with the standard are identified in the information security management system documentation or during the on-site visit, the company will receive guidance on how to address them. Once this is done, the company may undergo another ISO 27001 certification audit. Upon a successful outcome, the company will obtain the ISO 27001 certificate.
Every ISO 27001 audit conducted by a certification body involves a significant expense. Before proceeding with certification, it is therefore advisable to ensure that ISO 27001 is implemented correctly. This task is best entrusted to professionals. The experience of consultants who deal with the implementation of management systems on a daily basis guarantees that you will obtain ISO 27001 certification on the very first audit by the certification body.
Specialists in ISO 27001 implementation and system maintenance can be entrusted with:
Implementing ISO 27001 may seem like a complicated and costly process. Some business owners are discouraged by the amount of paperwork they must complete to obtain ISO 27001 certification and maintain it for three years, especially since the certificate must be renewed after that time. However, the cost-benefit analysis always favors implementing ISO 27001.
Obtaining ISO 27001 certification is of immense importance not only in terms of the company’s positive image and the associated marketing benefits. Above all, the company gains a reliable information security management system, which means that:
In light of the above, the implementation of ISO 27001 directly translates into the company’s profitability and contributes to its growth.
DJB DORADZTWO
Marcin Chorąży
