ISO 27001 Certification FAQ

That’s why more organizations are looking to get ISO 27001 certified to show they’re aware of their potential risks and have a plan in place to mitigate them. In this post, we will discuss the benefits of an ISO 27001 certification, how organizations get certified, and how Preparis can help.

FAQ

• What Is ISO 27001?
• What Is an ISO 27001 Certification? 
• What Are the Benefits of an ISO 27001 Certification?
• How Does an Organization Become ISO 27001 Certified?
• How Preparis Can Help Your Organization

What Is ISO 27001? 

ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management. It’s a well-recognized standard across the world and is seen as a global norm for information security management systems. ISO 27001 sets out a comprehensive set of requirements and best practices that organizations must follow in order to ensure their sensitive data is secure. The standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and first published in 2005. 

What Is an ISO 27001 Certification? 

An ISO 27001 certification means that an organization has implemented the necessary measures to protect its data from unauthorized access, destruction, loss, or modification. All personnel involved in the management of information must be trained and qualified regarding the standards established by ISO 27001.  
 
Organizations that become certified adhere to a set of rigorous controls and procedures designed to protect customer data, intellectual property, contracts, and other important documents from external threats as well as internal vulnerabilities. An ISO 27001 certification also provides assurance that the organization has carried out an appropriate assessment of potential risks and identified suitable controls to address them. The certification process involves several steps, including a review of existing security policies and procedures, implementation of new policies where needed, regular assessments on how well these policies are being followed, training programs for staff members who handle confidential data, and more. Once all these steps have been completed satisfactorily, the organization can apply for an official ISO 27001 certificate from a third-party certification body.  
 
Achieving this certificate demonstrates compliance with international standards for information security management systems and provides assurance to customers that their data is being handled securely according to industry best practices. By becoming certified, organizations are able to show customers they take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to protecting confidential information - which builds trust between them both. 

What Are the Benefits of an ISO 27001 Certification? 

Organizations around the world are increasingly seeking to gain ISO 27001 certification as a way of demonstrating their commitment to information security and data privacy. With an ISO 27001 certification, organizations can have confidence that they are taking the necessary steps to protect their valuable data and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.  
 
The benefits of achieving ISO 27001 certification are numerous, but some of the most cited include increased trust among customers and partners, improved operational efficiency, and reduced risks associated with data handling and storage. By obtaining an ISO 27001 certification, companies demonstrate that they have established appropriate security measures for their operations in terms of both organizational and technical controls. This, in turn, helps them meet industry standards as well as legal requirements for protecting sensitive data.  
 
For customers or partners who seek assurance from businesses that they take information security seriously, ISO 27001 provides a tangible measure of trustworthiness. Organizations certified by ISO 27001 also benefit from enhanced credibility when it comes to dealing with customers or vendors who require assurance about the company’s security policies and procedures.  
 
In addition to improving customer trust, organizations certified under ISO 27001 may also experience improvements in operational efficiency due to better risk management processes. The standard sets out several best practices for managing information security risk, which can help companies identify potential threats quickly and implement controls more effectively. This helps reduce the chances of suffering costly data breaches or other incidents related to the mishandling of confidential information.  
 
Finally, being certified under ISO 27001 can be an important factor in helping organizations comply with various regulations related to data protection, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA. Customers often require third-party assurance that a company is compliant with these laws before entering into any agreements involving personal data exchange – having an ISO 27001 certification gives them this assurance while reducing any associated liabilities for the company itself.  
 
Overall, achieving an ISO 27001 certification offers numerous advantages for businesses looking to build trust among their stakeholders while also improving operational efficiency and reducing risks associated with handling sensitive information. 

How Does an Organization Become ISO 27001 Certified? 

The process of becoming ISO 27001 certified is complex and requires a significant commitment from the organization. It begins with an awareness of the requirements for certification and an understanding of what it takes to meet them. The next step is to develop a comprehensive information security management system (ISMS), which must cover all aspects of data security. This includes outlining processes, policies, and procedures that will be used to protect information assets, as well as identifying any potential risks that could arise from data handling or storage. 
 
Once the ISMS has been developed, organizations must then conduct internal audits to ensure that they are meeting the requirements for certification. During these audits, organizations should review their existing policies and procedures related to data protection and security, as well as check if any new risks have arisen since the initial implementation of the ISMS. Organizations should also assess how well their employees are following security protocols and identify areas where additional training may be necessary. 
 
After completing its internal audit process, an organization can then seek out third-party certification from an accredited body such as UKAS or ANAB (formerly RABQSA). This involves submitting documentation such as policies and procedures for review by the certifying body. It’s important to note here that some certifying bodies may require further evidence in order to approve an organization’s application for ISO 27001 certification; this could include onsite visits or follow-up interviews with key personnel at your organization.  
 
Finally, once all these steps have been successfully completed, your organization will be awarded its ISO 27001 certification – provided all requirements are met during the ongoing maintenance phase of certification. As part of this maintenance phase, organizations need to ensure that their ISMS remains up to date with changes in technology or legislation to remain compliant with industry standards over time. 

How Preparis Can Help Your Organization 

Organizations looking to become ISO 27001 certified can benefit from Preparis’ comprehensive suite of services and resources. Preparis Planner’s easy-to-use, intuitive workflow helps your organization develop its ISMS in accordance with ISO 27001 requirements. 

This includes building the framework for the ISMS, developing the necessary policies and procedures, and conducting internal audits to ensure compliance. In addition, we offer expert guidance on how to best implement an effective security program, as well as access to a library of relevant information security documents. 

With Preparis Planner, users can conduct a business impact analysis (BIA) and simplify continuity planning, including performing risk assessments, with a workflow that empowers them to build a plan that makes sense. Planner also allows you to pinpoint risks and threats faced by the company, locations, and departments; rank which threats need to be mitigated; and then create initiatives to address challenges, all in one platform. 

Preparis also supports your organization during the certification process by providing advice on best practices and helping to prepare for assessments or audits by third-party certifiers with Planner. Furthermore, Preparis offers ongoing support after certification is achieved in order to help maintain compliance with ISO standards and other applicable regulations through Preparis Incident Manager. 

With Incident Manager, you can exercise, test, and mobilize your organization’s continuity plans when it matters most. Go through the incident processes for each risk outlined in the plan, test and review corrective actions, meet regulatory requirements, and produce audit-ready reports. 

With Preparis’ expertise and resources in data security management systems, we can provide your organization with invaluable support through the ISO 27001 certification process. 

Interested in obtaining an ISO 27001 certification for your law firm, but don’t know where to start? Reach out to us today for a free demo to see how Preparis can help.