ISO 27001 does much more than prove to new and existing customers that your organisation is dedicated to robust information security.
Read on to discover the benefits of ISO 27001 certification and how it can help your organisation save time, outperform competitors and win new business.
What Is ISO 27001 Certification – and Who Needs It?
ISO 27001 certification proves that your organisation has implemented a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS) that aims to protect the sensitive information of your staff, customers, clients and suppliers.
One key benefit of ISO 27001 is that it boosts customer confidence in your ability to protect their data. This is crucial in the wake of high-profile cyber security scandals, such as the Dell customer portal data breach in 2024.
Any organisation that deals with data will find implementing an ISO 27001-certified ISMS beneficial. Given Ireland’s strict data protection laws and the rising demand for robust data security, ISO 27001 certification is valuable for businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations.
What Are the Benefits of ISO 27001 Certification?
Organisations of all sizes can benefit from ISO 27001 certification. The standard can help your organisation to:
- Plug gaps and loopholes in your security
- Reduce the risk of successful cyber attacks
- Win new business
- Retain existing customers
- Avoid financial penalties and losses
- Easily demonstrate compliance
- Gain an edge over your competitors
- Scale for growth
- Build a sustainable security culture
- Protect and enhance your reputation
- Support employees with clear training and policies
- Give your customers confidence
- Spend less time completing tenders
Plug gaps and loopholes in your existing security system
Part of the implementation of ISO 27001 includes a gap analysis to identify areas of the business that do not currently meet the standards of a quality ISMS. An auditor will visit your organisation, review what you already have in place and help you identify areas that can be improved.
These areas may include encryption, access logging and monitoring, outdated software, employee training and access controls.
Once your ISMS is in place, regular reviews will be required to assess your security and identify any other areas that need improvement, which is part of the ISO 27001 continual improvement requirement.
Together, these two factors help you to find any weaknesses in your security and to take steps to strengthen your defences against an information security incident.
Reduce the risk of successful cyber attacks
An ISMS alone won’t reduce the number of cyber attacks on your organisation, but it can help reduce the chances of those attacks succeeding.
With clear information security policies and processes in place and any gaps in your security identified and plugged, cyber criminals will find it much harder to break through your defences.
Regular audits and continual monitoring would further enhance your ability to detect and respond to threats swiftly, minimising any potential damage. An ISMS also fosters a culture of security awareness among employees, empowering them to recognise and report suspicious activities from the front line.
Read our 10 essential cyber security tips.
Win new business
When potential clients seek organisations to work with, they may prioritise those with a demonstrable commitment to information security.
A key benefit of ISO 27001 certification is that new clients will recognise your dedication to the highest standard of information security. This can help instil confidence that you can be trusted with their information and their business.
With ISO 27001’s focus on continual improvement, the standard demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding assets and reassuring potential new clients.
With an ISO 27001 certification, you could foster stronger, trust-based relationships and find opportunities for growth and collaboration in competitive markets.
Retain existing customers
It’s easier to retain existing customers than to gain new ones.
Take the opportunity to tell your existing customers about your new ISO 27001 certification and highlight the efforts you have invested in achieving it.
Customers who see that you’ve worked hard to commit to the highest standards of information security will appreciate your dedication to protecting their data.
This proactive communication can not only reinforce their trust in your organisation but also demonstrate your commitment to continual improvement and risk management.
Avoid financial penalties and losses
ISO 27001 certification can help organisations avoid financial penalties and losses. As cyber attack technology becomes more complex, data breaches become increasingly worrisome, and the resulting financial implications can be substantial.
These can include steep fines imposed by regulatory bodies such as the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in Ireland, which can give penalties of up to €20 million (or 4% of an organisation’s total annual worldwide turnover, whichever is higher) under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Beyond this, a data breach can cause reputational damage, leading to a loss of business, revenue and profits. If a client decides to sue your organisation, there may also be additional legal costs. There may also be costs associated with the downtime associated with a data breach.
By complying with the rigorous standards of ISO 27001, organisations can bolster their data security, effectively mitigate potential breaches and avoid any costly consequences.
Discover our cyber security checklist for SMEs.
Easily demonstrate regulatory compliance
ISO 27001 certification is internationally recognised proof of an organisation’s compliance with information security requirements. Your certification can help demonstrate to stakeholders that you are GDPR-compliant, and you meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act (2018).
This assurance enhances your credibility and provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
This streamlined approach can significantly reduce administrative burdens, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional value to your clients.
Gain an edge over competitors
Another benefit of ISO 27001 certification is that it can help your business stand out from competitors in a saturated market.
Perhaps your competitors boast stringent information security measures, comprehensive staff training and regular internal audits to ensure their security is always the best.
However, you can demonstrate this and more with your accredited ISO 27001 certification. This is a public statement of your organisation’s commitment to the highest standards of information security with security processes that are subject to regular review by an independent body.
Scale for growth
As organisations grow, information security needs will also evolve.
However, if ad hoc procedures are created as new situations are encountered, this can ultimately lead to a fractured and inefficient approach to information security.
This doesn’t just lead to wasted cost through repeated or unnecessary processes but can also result in vulnerability due to gaps emerging in your security.
Instead, a systematic, holistic approach to information security is the best option.
An ISMS implemented through ISO 27001 can be easily scaled up or down to match your organisation’s growth, so you won’t need to worry about inefficiencies, misused resources or gaps in your security.
Build a sustainable security culture
One of the many benefits of ISO 27001 is its mandatory requirement for top management to demonstrate their support of the organisation’s ISMS and lead by example, encouraging all staff who work with data to be proactive and alert to security risks.
By adhering to ISO 27001, organisations can make security a core focus, creating a culture where everyone understands and routinely practises robust data protection.
With more reliance on data, information security is no longer just an IT or upper management concern, as many employees will have access to customer information.
Not all of your staff will be experts in information security, so they will need to be supported with training and clear policies to help them identify security risks, understand their roles, and respond to suspected information breaches
You will also need to share the documented incident management procedure and business continuity procedure.
ISO 27001 helps you assess staff competence, track development, and identify training gaps. The policies and procedures required by the standard will also serve as a valuable resource that your staff can refer to when necessary.
It fosters vigilance among all employees, promoting a shared responsibility for data security. This helps to ensure that best practices are sustainable and followed consistently, minimising the risk of breaches.
Discover key IT security and cyber safety tips for employees.
Protect and enhance your reputation
Achieving ISO 27001 certification can significantly safeguard and enhance your organisation’s reputation.
News of a cyber attack or data breach can damage an organisation’s professional reputation and image, which can be challenging to repair. ISO 27001 can act as a seal of trust and reliability, reinforcing your reputation as a secure and responsible business before you have to prove it during a security crisis.
Give your customers confidence
Customers will want to know their personal information is safe, not only from external attacks but also from employee error or malicious practices such as selling data. By sharing the news that you are ISO 27001-certified, you can reassure them that your internal practices are geared towards keeping their information safe.
Spend less time completing tenders
Thanks to the international reputation of ISO certification, it acts as a useful shorthand for demonstrating your competence when submitting tenders.
Rather than being forced to prepare evidence that you meet all of the information security requirements set for a tender, you can simply include the details of your INAB-accredited ISO 27001 certification.
Get Started With ISO 27001 Certification
You can enjoy the benefits of ISO 27001 as soon as you have been awarded your certification.
If you want to know more about what ISO 27001 can do for your business, take a look at our
ISO 27001 guide for beginners, which will tell you everything you need to know.
Why You Should Choose Amtivo
Amtivo is an INAB-accredited certification body for ISO certifications, with proven expertise to help guide your business towards successful ISO certifications.
The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is the national body responsible for accrediting certification and inspection bodies.
We can provide your business with expert support throughout the ISO 27001 certification process. Our auditors are with you every step of the way from the initial audit to your recertification audit three years later.
Every new ISO certification customer can enjoy free access to Certify, our ISO certification management system software worth over €1,100 p.a., for the duration of being a client. As a bonus, new customers also get three months of free access to Comply, our legal compliance management software, and Secure, our information security management software.
Enjoy the benefits of ISO 27001 by starting your certification journey with us today – get a quote or contact our team to discuss your needs.
