What Is ISO 27001 & How To Be Compliant

If you are looking for a framework that can help you manage your data and information security, then you certainly need to get properly acquainted with ISO 27001. While it is most commonly used by banks, brokers and insurance companies, the truth is that every single firm that contains sensitive and financial information can actually benefit from this particular framework. So, regardless of the niche you are in, you should consider using these standards to your advantage. Go here to get a clear definition on ISO 27001.

You might have already done your fair share of thinking and research here, and you might have realized that the ISO 27001 framework is pretty important. Yet, before you can take the relevant steps towards being compliant, you first want to get a completely clear idea on what the framework really is. After all, you don’t want to spend time trying to be compliant with something if you don’t even know what it is in the first place.

Well, this is completely logical. So, what we are going to do right now is help you understand precisely what ISO 27001 is, and then proceed towards teaching you how to comply. Once you learn those two things, the entire process will be much easier for you, and you’ll have a better idea about how everything works and what your role in the actual process is. Thus, let’s start answering your questions.

What Is ISO 27001?

Created by ISO in cooperation with IEC, ISO 27001 is a set of information security standards. It provides best practices for those security management systems, and both small and large organizations use it with the aim of protecting their data. Now, it is important to understand that implementing these standards isn’t mandatory. But, it can be highly beneficial.

Here’s more relevant info: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/ISO-27001

This combination of policies that companies can use to their advantage will help them keep their data safe in a cost-effective and a systematic manner. Apart from providing companies with those best protection practices, it also serves to help customers and users feel more at ease when collaborating with those companies. This is because the firms will have proof that they can perfectly protect the customers’ data.

How To Comply?

Now, if you want to be in compliance with these standards and, thus, get ISO 27001 certified, you will need to take some important steps first. Of course, you should always keep in mind that you’ll have to cooperate with certain professionals in this process, because you may easily make some wrong moves if you decide to go through everything alone. Since you want everything to be done perfectly, let me take you through those important steps and explain which firms you should cooperate with in the actual process.

  1. Do An Assessment

After you have developed your security program, you will need to have it properly assessed in order to be sure that it complies with the ISO 27001 rules and regulations. As I’ve hinted at above, you won’t be able to do this alone, meaning that you need to find a qualified third party to do an audit for you. The purpose of the audit is to determine the quality of the developed program and to propose any changes if necessary.

  1. But Do It With A Great Partner

So, I have made it clear that you need to find a third party to do the assessment for you. Here is what you should know, though. Your task here is not to simply hire the first company you come across that can offer services like those. Since you want to be absolutely sure that you are ISO 27001 compliant, you will need to find the perfect partner to help you along the way. Thus, take all the time you need to research several different companies and take a look at what they can offer, so as to understand which firm could be best for you.

  1. Get Relevant Feedback

The purpose of working with those companies is to get relevant feedback on the security programs that you have created. When you partner up with a great firm, you’ll certainly get great and detailed feedback. You will learn what it is that you’ve done the right way, as well as which aspects might need to be improved in one way or another.

  1. Follow The Instructions For Improving

Getting the feedback won’t be of any help, though, if you decide not to follow through with the improvement instructions. In other words, if you don’t make the changes and improvements that the company you’re working with will recommend, you are highly unlikely to get ISO 27001 certified. So, listen to the experts and follow those instructions. That’s how you’ll achieve your goal.