ISO cyber security standards: how does your business compare?
Data breaches can cause serious damage to your business’s reputation. Regardless of your size or sector, information security management should be a priority for your organisation. Read more about your cyber security responsibilities and the benefits of implementing ISO IT security standards.
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What are my cyber security responsibilities as a business owner?
As a business owner you have an obligation to meet certain cyber security standards. You are expected to protect customer data in line with your company’s privacy policy and to undertake reasonable efforts to ensure the security of both your customers’ and your workers’ personal information and data. It’s your responsibility to protect your company’s reputation, your employees and your customers from cyberattacks, data leaks and malicious data theft.
Popular ISO standards for cyber security
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) offers over a dozen information security standards in the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards. The most widely adopted standard in this family is ISO 27001, the ISO standard for information security management systems (ISMS). Other important standards include the ISO standard for cloud computing, ISO 27017 and IS 27002, the ISO standard for information security controls.
#1. ISO 27001 – Information security management
ISO 27001 is the ISO standard governing information security management systems. It sets out the parameters and requirements for an effective ISMS, focusing on continuous improvement. An ISMS allows your organisation to manage information security risks, monitor control measures, create action plans and nominate designated security personnel from a single, centralised hub. ISO 27001 certification ensures that your business is using an internationally recognised ISMS which meets all required standards.
#2. ISO 27002 – Information security controls
ISO 27002 operates concurrently with ISO 27001, providing a catalogue of security controls which can be implemented in an ISMS. There are a number of changes expected to ISO 27002 and 27001 in 2022 which will remove and consolidate a number of security controls as well as add some additional controls.
#3. ISO 27017 – Cloud computing
One of the ISO standards for cloud computing, ISO 27017 covers security standards for both providers and users of cloud-based computing. It aims to reduce security risks by setting out standards and best practice recommendations around information security through security controls such as virtual machine configuration, cloud customer monitoring, and end-of-contract removal and return of assets.
The benefits of implementing ISO IT security standards
From minimising the risk of operator error to optimising overall efficiency, there are many known benefits to obtaining ISO 27001 certification. An ISO 27001 ISMS provides clear definitions of risk responsibilities and roles within an organisation, ensuring employees are aware of both potential threats to security and what to do in case of a breach.
Like other management systems in the ISO family, an ISMS is designed to scale with your organisation and grow with you as your business evolves.
ISO 27001 along with other popular standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, is globally recognised, giving your organisation instant international clout.
How to meet ISO IT security standards
The simplest way to meet IT security standards is to implement an information security management system with the help of an ISO 27001 consultant. This will enable you to keep on top of all your information security requirements by ensuring your company is following cyber security best practices and keeping your team up to date with the latest training requirements.
Once you’ve implemented your ISO 27001 security management system, you’ll need to obtain certification from an ISO certifying body.
Take control of your cyber security with BusinessBasics
At BusinessBasics, our trained ISO 27001 consultants can bring your business up to speed and ensure you’re 100% compliant with information and cyber security standards.
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