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Whatever the type or size of your business, ensuring information security must be one of the most significant management aspects for protecting the data and confidentiality of your stakeholders.

Information security has lately become a main concern for businesses because of increasing reports of data breaches, cybercrimes, and malicious attacks. Any kind of violations in a business’s data is not only damaging to the company’s reputation but also can result in the loss of trust of clients, investors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. The ISO 27001 certification is the biggest achievement that a business needs to make sure their information is safe and sound.
ISO 27001 is the international standard designed by ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) which specifically focuses on the information security management system (ISMS). It defines the requirements or best practices required for establishing an effective ISMS that can take care of all the information assets of a business.

To better understand the importance of ISO 27001 for your business, you first need to understand the data security concerns that trouble businesses today and the potential risks and damages that they can inflict upon your business.

Common Information Security Concerns for Businesses

Data security breaches can affect any area or agent of your business. Here are some of the common types of breaches you should be aware of.

Technological Breaches

The first form of breaches includes technical breaches which happen due to failure of IT systems, malfunctioning computers, website hacking, server hacking, and access issues. These breaches can totally or partially disrupt the operations of a business and expose private confidential data such as clients’ payment details to outsiders/hackers.
To protect from technological breaches, you need to ensure the installation of anti-virus software, malware, and firewalls of the latest versions on your computers, mobile devices, and IT systems. For protection of customers’ confidential information and preventing any data theft during online transactions, use proper encryption software. Also, you should keep all your computers, IT devices, or information systems updated so that they are equipped with the latest security configurations.

Impacts on Processes

Unrestricted access to specific equipment of a process that should only be handled by experienced personnel is risky. Unauthorised access at any time can disrupt the process and even other processes in line. Anyone from the organisation or outside can try their hands on that equipment experimentally when they come in contact. You need to hence keep the equipment away from general access with restricted authorities.

Unauthorised access to the equipment can be restricted by setting strong passwords, PINs or passcodes, or by using screen locks or patterns. Those security restrictions must be also changed frequently by the actual users or owners of the equipment.

Impact on Personnel

It is important that all vital information or data is available to the personnel at the right time. Members of the organisations usually have uniform access to information systems, IT devices, and equipment. However, proper terms of using the systems and security policies should be communicated to each member to ensure that they never fall into traps of any breaches unintentionally/intentionally.

No information system can be fully secured and so you need to make your personnel wary of that, update their respective systems, assess the risks, and follow appropriate practices to prevent them.

With all these types of data security concerns prevalent in any organisation, it is a prerequisite for them to have a strong formalised ISMS that can protect them.

Why the ISO 27001 Certification for Your ISMS is Important

With stories of information security breaches making rounds in every sector, achieving the ISO 27001 certification helps a business to have a definite management system for treating information security risks.

Achieving the ISO standard not only helps to secure your sensitive information but also demonstrates your organisation’s focus on protecting customers and other stakeholder’s confidentiality.

Here’s a summary of some of the benefits of the ISO 27001 standard so that you can understand why it is a prerequisite for your information security.

• It helps to plug the loopholes i.e. weaknesses in your current information security practices. It helps you integrate a set of best practices and controls in the form of an ISMS.

• It helps in minimising security risks or potential thefts with continuous risks assessment and systematic reporting.

• It helps to achieve compliance with the general legislative regulations regarding data security management. It hence prevents your organisation from landing into lawsuits or penalties for infringing on any regulations.

• It enhances your organisation’s reputation in the industry by demonstrating your ISO 27001 compliance. This subsequently can help you to attract new business opportunities i.e. partnerships, investments, and clients, from both local and international markets.

Key Takeaway!

Achieving the ISO 27001 certification is the most effective route to successful information security management. From helping you to address key security concerns to developing a definite scope of your ISMS, the certification has a lot of roles to play. A part of the certification also involves conducting risk assessment and establishing a methodology for risk treatment.

No business is completely secure from cybercrimes or information theft and so the only way to secure your information is to strengthen your measures. The ISO 27001 standard ensures that! Besides, it can also help to win more potential business, new clients, or partnerships by strongly protecting your organisation’s integrity.

Are you in need of the ISO 27001 certification to strengthen your data security management? Get in touch with compliance experts at Compliancehelp. We are a team of qualified ISO professionals and can help you smoothly adopt an ISMS complying with the ISO 27001 requirements. To get started, feel free to contact us today!