ISO 27001: Definition and Its Benefits for IT Companies

ISO 27001

anglumea.com - Data, which is fundamentally an integral part of an information system, must have its security continuously protected.

If a company is unable to safeguard the security of its information and customer data, the consequences can be serious. For this reason, ISO 27001 standardization becomes essential.

By obtaining ISO 27001 certification, a company demonstrates to its customers that it takes information system security seriously, understands potential risks, and knows how to address existing security challenges effectively.

What Is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that defines specific requirements for an Information Security Management System, commonly referred to as ISMS.

An ISMS consists of procedures, policies, and various controls that involve technology, people, and complex organizational processes.

The foundation of ISO IEC ISMS is risk management. Its primary objective is to identify which security controls must be maintained and implemented based on real and relevant risks.

The latest version of the ISO 27001 standard was released in September 2013, replacing the previous version issued in 2005.

With ISO 27001 certification, companies utilize this standard as a framework to manage, control, and protect information security risks that cover confidentiality, availability, and integrity.

The development of ISO 27001 aims to enable organizations to implement, establish, monitor, operate, maintain, review, and continuously improve their information security management systems.

This globally accredited and widely recognized certification serves as a clear indicator that a company’s ISMS aligns with internationally standardized information security best practices.

Benefits of ISO 27001

For businesses of all sizes, ISO standards have become a recognized benchmark of excellence.

Regardless of the industry, adopting ISO as a standardization framework is highly advisable because it offers substantial benefits, both for organizational management and for customers.

The general benefits of ISO 27001 include the following:

• Protecting sensitive information belonging to employees and customers.
• Anticipating and mitigating cyber attacks.
• Managing information system security risks more effectively and accurately.
• Reducing information security costs by implementing only necessary security controls while achieving optimal results.
• Improving operational compliance through clearly defined standards.
• Enhancing company credibility and brand reputation.
• Helping attract new customers while retaining existing clients.

Controls in ISO 27001

To assess information security risks, appropriate controls must be identified and verified as part of the ISMS.

Below is a list of controls outlined in Annex A of ISO 27001.

1. A.5 Information Security Policies

These controls ensure that security policies are properly monitored and comprehensively documented in accordance with organizational information security directives.

2. A.6 Organization of Information Security

This section defines specific roles and responsibilities and is divided into two parts:

• A 6.1 ensures that the organization has established a framework capable of maintaining and implementing effective information security.
• A 6.2 addresses issues related to remote working and mobile devices, ensuring that employees working from home or while traveling comply with established security rules.

3. A.7 Human Resource Security

Human resource security ensures that employees and contractors understand their rights and responsibilities within the organization.

4. A.8 Asset Management

Asset management focuses on how a company identifies information assets and determines appropriate protection measures in line with applicable standards.

This annex generally consists of three main sections:

• A 8.1 covers the identification of information assets within the ISMS scope.
• A 8.2 addresses information classification to ensure assets are protected according to defined standards.
• A 8.3 concerns media handling, ensuring that data is not modified, deleted, destroyed, or disclosed for unauthorized purposes.

5. A.9 Access Control

Access control ensures that employees can only view and manage information relevant to their roles and responsibilities.

This section includes four areas: user access management, business requirements for access control, user responsibilities, and access control for systems and applications.

6. A.10 Cryptography

Cryptography addresses data encryption and the management of sensitive information.

It also ensures that cryptographic methods are used appropriately and effectively to protect data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

7. A.11 Physical and Environmental Security

This section covers physical and environmental security within an organization or company.

8. A.12 Operations Security

Operations security ensures that information processing facilities operate securely and in a controlled manner.

9. A.13 Communications Security

Communications security focuses on how organizations protect information within client-owned or internal networks.

10. A.14 System Acquisition, Development, and Maintenance

These controls ensure that information security remains a central and integral component of system acquisition, development, and maintenance.

11. A.15 Supplier Relationships

This section addresses contractual agreements between the organization and third parties.

It ensures that all parties maintain appropriate levels of information security and deliver services as agreed.

12. A.16 Information Security Incident Management

This section focuses on reporting and managing information security incidents.

The process clearly defines which employees are responsible for specific actions, enabling more consistent and effective incident handling.

13. A.17 Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management

This section aims to establish systems that effectively manage business disruptions.

14. A.18 Compliance

Management must ensure that the organization identifies and complies with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Appropriate policies must be in place to help understand legal and contractual obligations, minimize noncompliance risks, and avoid potential penalties.

ISO 27001 Management System Clauses

ISO 27001 includes ten management system clauses, which are as follows:

1. Scope.
2. Terms and definitions.
3. Organizational context.
4. Normative references.
5. Support.
6. Leadership.
7. Planning and risk management.
8. Performance evaluation.
9. Operation.
10. Improvement.

Meanwhile, information security areas that must be evaluated within information management include:

• Information security governance.
• Information security risk management.
• Information security management frameworks.
• Information asset management.
• Information security technology.

Conclusion

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard designed to implement, establish, monitor, operate, review, maintain, and continuously improve an organization’s information security management system.

The adoption of ISO 27001 delivers substantial benefits for companies by strengthening information security practices, reducing risks, and building organizational credibility.

As clients and customers become more aware of data security issues, ISO 27001 serves as a clear signal of trustworthiness. It reassures stakeholders that their information is handled responsibly, creating a safer and more confident foundation for long-term collaboration.