What is an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?

Information security should be a top priority for any organisation, regardless of the size of your business or the industry in which you operate. From corporate assets to sensitive customer and employee data, failing to safeguard data effectively could result in expensive legal and reputational issues.

Organisations can prepare for and manage cyber-attacks and data breaches by adopting a risk-based approach to identifying potential security issues and planning accordingly.

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) can give your business a plan to follow, help save money, boost stakeholder confidence, help you meet regulations, and keep your business running smoothly.

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a systematic approach to securing an organisation’s sensitive information.

Data security helps organisations guard against information security breaches. From storage to transfer, an ISMS can secure every step of the information process. This involves implementing strategies, processes, utilities and additional safeguards to pinpoint potential risks, reduce data threats and preserve business continuity and operations.

An ISMS tackles every dimension of data security, including personnel, processes and IT infrastructure.

The three main aims of information security, often referred to as the CIA triad, are:

• Confidentiality: Keeps information private so only authorised people can see it, protecting sensitive internal and customer data.
• Integrity: Ensures information is accurate and unchanged so it remains reliable and useful.
• Availability: Ensures that authorised individuals can access protected information, keeping daily business operations running smoothly.

These factors are key for any organisation. They preserve customer trust and loyalty while helping businesses avoid risks that could result in legal or reputational damage.

Several core components create an information security management system, and each plays an essential role in managing information security risks.

The ISO 27001 standard lays out these components in a detailed framework.

Risk assessments

ISO 27001 follows a risk-based approach. This is fundamental to the standard and involves identifying, assessing, and systematically managing potential risks. The approach is used throughout the entire data process to identify:

• Individual assets that could be at risk, such as data, people, hardware, software and processes.
• What the risks are.
• The likelihood of them occurring.
• The potential impacts and consequences.

These insights inform which security procedures and controls are implemented to manage the risks. ISO 27001 provides a detailed risk assessment procedure, leading to a systematic, repeatable process for future recertifications.

Continual improvement

ISO 27001 certification requires the continual management and improvement of an ISMS to remain effective and relevant as the organisation evolves.

Policies, procedures, and risk assessments should be reviewed and updated in accordance with this approach. To drive continual improvements in your ISMS, an organisation must consistently monitor, measure, analyse, and evaluate each step and its output.

ISO 27001 encourages using the Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle as the foundation for a consistent approach to continual improvement.

Documented policies and procedures

An ISMS needs well-defined policies and procedures that are accessible and understood by everyone in the organisation. These documents should outline areas of concern and action in information security, including:

• Access control
• Incident management
• Data backup
• Protocol in the event of a cyber attack
• Roles and responsibilities

These policies and procedures must be clearly documented and available to all relevant employees.

Other elements

Other core elements for a successful and effective ISMS include employee awareness training, incident management procedures and business continuity plans. These are necessary for your organisation to have comprehensive data protection and achieve ISO 27001 certification.

There are many benefits to taking a structured approach to information security with an Information Security Management System. They include:

• Protection of private data: An ISMS helps secure sensitive data (intellectual property, personal data or proprietary corporate information) from unauthorised access and cyber threats, focusing on the integrity, availability and confidentiality of information while mitigating the risks to business operations.
• Regulatory compliance: An ISMS can help support adherence to laws and regulations like GDPR by incorporating legal, physical, and technical controls to secure sensitive information.
• Cost efficiency: An ISMS identifies and mitigates risks proactively, preventing costly data breaches and lawsuits, making it a financially prudent measure in the long run. However, an initial investment may be required to get your ISMS implemented and operational.
• Enhancing customer trust: An ISMS demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to data protection, strengthening customer and stakeholder confidence.
• Business continuity: An ISMS helps organisations handle disruptions, helping businesses with smooth, uninterrupted operations in the face of an incident. It also provides a competitive advantage with excellent customer service.
• Improved reputation: With an ISO 27001-certified ISMS, organisations demonstrate their commitment to internationally recognised standards, enhancing their reputation and credibility.

ISO 27001 is the international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) set by the International Organization for Standardization.

It provides valuable guidelines to organisations of any size looking to enhance their information security and manage information assets and data securely.

The process used is essential for setting up an ISMS in accordance with ISO 27001 requirements, with every stage below accounted for:

• Establishing
• Implementing
• Operating
• Monitoring
• Maintaining
• Improving

Information security is a high-priority topic for both the public and corporations, so ISO 27001 insists on ISMS following a risk management approach. This allows organisations to mitigate potential information security risks.

It also increases stakeholder and client trust, as the organisation demonstrates a proactive approach to information security. ISO 27001 certification is proof that an organisation meets rigorous international standards.

Considering how extensive and thorough the certification process is, it’s also proof that an organisation has taken all necessary steps for robust information protection against unauthorised access and has security threat and breach mitigation procedures in place.

Without a robust ISMS, your organisation won’t be able to become ISO 27001 certified, and without the guidance of ISO 27001, you may find it challenging to implement an effective ISMS.

Achieving ISO certification involves several steps:

1. Understand the Standard Requirements: It is essential to familiarise yourself fully with ISO 27001’s requirements and the commitment required to meet them. You can download a copy of the ISO 27001 standard from ISO’s website.
2. Gather Required Documentation: To demonstrate your ISMS’s performance in accordance with standard regulations, you will need a comprehensive folio of documents. These should include the ISMS’s scope, Statement of Applicability, risk assessment procedures, risk treatment plan, and policies and procedures for managing information security.
3. Action the ISMS: Implement the policies, procedures and controls outlined in your documentation. This includes setting up the necessary IT systems, conducting risk assessments and implementing the identified controls.
4. Train Employees: Your staff members are on the front line of information security as they complete everyday tasks. Make sure all relevant staff are well trained in the policies and procedures and aware of ISO 27001 requirements.
5. Undergo Pre-auditing: Conducting pre-audits before the final certification audit can be beneficial. These are sometimes known as internal audits, and they help you identify any weaknesses or gaps in your ISMS that may impact your certification and fix them.
6. Undertake the Certification audit: The final step is to apply for and undertake the certification audit once you are confident your ISMS complies with ISO 27001 regulations. These are conducted by independent certification bodies, who will award your organisation with the certification once they determine your ISMS meets all necessary requirements.

ISO certifications are not one-time awards. They require ongoing auditing to prove your commitment to improving information security and providing quality service. The initial ISO 27001 certification is valid for three years and requires recertification every three years to verify ongoing compliance, along with annual surveillance audits.

If you’re ready to enhance your organisation’s information security and implement an ISO 27001-compliant ISMS, Amtivo can help.

As an INAB-accredited body, we’re authorised to perform certification audits for several management system standards.

Our team of expert auditors provides comprehensive certification services for ISO 27001 and training in implementing and auditing an ISMS.

Get a quote today or contact our team to discuss your needs.