Advanced, a supplier for the NHS, was attacked on August 4, 2022. NHS 111 and urgent treatment centres went offline, creating severe inconvenience. This attack showed what can happen without typical controls. ISO 27001 protects organisations.

ISO 27001 is an international standard for ISMS (Information Security Management System). First published in 2005, it helps firms develop and maintain an information security architecture to manage cyberattacks, data leaks, and theft.

ISO 27001 was updated on October 25, 2022.

Clauses 4-10 define the management system, and Annex A defines controls. Annex A’s controls include patch management, antivirus, and access control. Not all restrictions are obligatory; firms can choose.

Why upgrade ISO 27001?

Since the last update, the technology world has altered dramatically. Recent technologies have dominated the industry, affecting cybersecurity.

The standard has been amended to reflect the current status of cyber- and information security. ISO 27002 (the Annex A advice) has been amended. From 114 to 93 controls were consolidated and 11 new ones introduced.

Many of the additional controls modernised the standard. New cloud controls are available. In 2013, cloud was just beginning. Cloud computing dominates the tech industry. New controls update the standard.

ISO 27001 was amended in October to match ISO 27002. Businesses can now comply with the updated 2022 controls, rather than the 2013 list.

How may ISO 27001 help your company?

ISO 27001 implementation offers firms immediate information security benefits.

Customers will perceive ISO 27001-certified companies as information security leaders. Companies focused on their consumers’ requirements should address user insecurity.

ISO 27001 is becoming obligatory in many firms’ due-diligence processes. Companies should act early to avert business losses.

Cyber defence is best avoided. Attacks destroy an organization’s reputation and cash, which is costly. ISO 27001 is a sort of cyber-insurance that saves firms money in the long run by taking preventative measures.

Also, education. User is generally an organization’s weakest spot and most targeted. Data breaches and compromised services might result from stolen user credentials. If users knew more about dangers, their credentials would be less likely to be compromised. ISO 27001 provides explicit measures to educate people about risks.

Incorporating ISO 27001’s processes and procedures into daily operations is the key to getting the most out of it.

ISO 27001 certification challenges

Many firms have implemented ISO 27001’s access control, backup procedures, and training. At first sight, it may seem like they’ve improved their organization’s cybersecurity. They lack a thorough management structure to ensure that information security is aligned with company objectives, tied into a continuous improvement cycle, and part of business-as-usual activities.

Many in the computer industry recognise the benefits of ISO 27001, but certification is difficult. Here are some strategies to overcome two of the major difficulties facing ISO 27001-certified organisations:

Time, money, and labour: How can businesses find the extra funding and time for a six- to nine-month project? Trust your company’s specialists. They’ll implement the standard day-to-day and should be in charge.

How can companies without prior experience applying the standard do it right? We recommend bringing in outside help. External experts have done this: They’ve made errors and learned from them, so they can incorporate what works in your company. Getting things right from the start is cost-effective because it speeds up certification.

Future steps

With the correct plan, firms may quickly profit from ISO 27001 certification.

October was not the deadline for enterprises to attain new standard certification. Businesses will have a few months until certification organisations are ready to grant certification, and ISO 27001:2013 will likely be withdrawn after a two-year transition period.

ISO 27001 compliance is invaluable for firms that wish to develop trusted and secure reputations in today’s hyper-connected society.