ISO 27001 Certification Information Security Controls

 Security of information and data assets is a big concern in today’s digitized world. For businesses, it’s a critical area of performance where they need to assure the customers that all their personal, financial, and other sensitive information is safe with them. To demonstrate their commitment to the highest levels of information safety, organizations adhere to global benchmarks and standards.

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is a set of standards for Information Security Management System (ISMS). It looks at information security in terms of risks and sets out a detailed list of controls that an organization should have in place. All these controls are not required for every organization. Rather, each organization can decide what controls apply to their business and can select only those that are relevant to them. ISO 27001 is also referred to as ISO/IEC 27001: 2013. It was introduced jointly by the International Organization for Standard (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 2005. It was last updated in 2013 whereas a 2017 European update is also available.

Information security controls

Information security controls constitute a major part of ISO 27001. These controls in information security management systems aim at detecting, minimizing, and avoiding information security risks. These risks could be unauthorized access, system breaches, and data theft.

The controls are implemented after an evaluation of information security risk assessment. Information security controls relate to software, devices, procedures, and plans. They are intended to bolster the cybersecurity of the system or network. There are three categories of information security controls:

• Preventive security controls: These controls try to prevent the breach of cybersecurity in a system or network. As the name suggests, they are preventive measures.
• Detective security controls: These controls try to detect an attack on cybersecurity and foil such attempts while they are in process.
• Corrective security controls: These controls try to minimize the damage to the system in case of a breach of cybersecurity. They also try to restore critical processes after they have been compromised.

ISO27001 sets out 114 controls under 14 categories. These controls are contained in Annex A of ISO 27001.

Benefits of ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 Certification

ISO 27001 is the global benchmark in information security. It has been prepared in collaboration with the International Electrotechnical Commission, which formulates standards for electronics and technology sectors. This exhaustive set of standards is revised and updated regularly. It identifies risks in information security architecture and asks organizations to prepare and deploy suitable controls. There are many advantages of ISO 27001 certifications. Some of the benefits include the following:

• Assures continuity of data-driven internet-enabled businesses
• Demonstrates commitment to highest standards of information security
• Ensures compliance with national and international laws
• Ensures compliance to standards required by various industry bodies
• Saves cost by upgrading systems, processes, and controls

How is the certification obtained?

An ISO 27001 certification is awarded by ISO certification bodies. For this, an organization has to choose an accredited certification organization and make a formal request. The certification body conducts an audit of the organization in terms of information security.

It points out the gaps and shortcomings in its processes, systems, and controls and gives the organization time to upgrade them to meet ISO 27001 standards. If the organization meets the standards, the certification body awards the certificate. It is an assurance from the certification body that the organization meets the ISO 27001 standards.

Concluding Thoughts   

ISO 27001 is a global benchmark for information security. An ISO 27001 certificate demonstrates that the organization has gone through a rigorous and detailed process of compliance to the highest standards of information security.