What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is a specification for the management of Information Security. It is applicable to all sectors of industry and commerce and not confined to information held on computers. It addresses the security of information in whatever form it is held.

The information may be printed or written on paper, stored electronically, transmitted by post or email, shown on films, or spoken in conversation. Whatever form the information takes, or means by which it is shared or stored, ISO 27001 helps an organisation ensure it is always appropriately protected.

Information security can be characterized as the preservation of:

Confidentiality	- ensuring that access to information is appropriately authorized
Integrity	- safeguarding the accuracy and completeness of information and processing methods
Availability	- ensuring that authorized users have access to information when they need it

ISO 27001 contains a number of control objectives and controls. These include:

• Security policy

• Organizational security

• Asset classification and control

• Personnel security

• Physical and environmental security

• Communications and operations management

• Access control

• System development and maintenance

• Business continuity management

• Compliance

Why is Information Security Needed?

Information is now globally accepted as being a vital asset for most organizations and businesses. As such, the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of vital corporate and customer information may be essential to maintain competitive edge, cash-flow, profitability, legal compliance and commercial image. ISO 27001 is intended to assist with this task. It is easy to imagine the consequences for an organisation if its information was lost, destroyed, corrupted, burnt, flooded, sabotaged or misused. In many cases it can (and has) led to the collapse of companies.

How do you start to implement ISO 27001? What is involved?

Developing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that satisfies the requirements of ISO 27001 involves three steps:

1	Creation of a management framework for information	This sets the direction, aims, and objectives of information security and defines a policy which has management commitment
2	Identification and assessment of security risks	Security requirements are identified by a methodical assessment of security risks. The results of this assessment will help guide and determine the appropriate management action and priorities for managing information security risks.
3	Selection and implementation of controls	Once security requirements have been identified, controls should be selected and implemented. The controls need to ensure that risks are reduced to an acceptable level and meet an organisation’s specific security objectives. Controls can be in the form of policies, practices, procedures, organisational structures and software functions. They will vary from organisation to organisation. Expenditure on controls needs to be balanced against the business harm likely to result from security failures.

One section of the actual standard provides guidance on its use.

Adopting ISO 27001 cannot make your organisation immune from security breaches. But, it will make them less likely and reduce the consequential cost and disruption if they do occur.

Being Audited to ISO 27001

Once all the requirements of ISO 27001 have been met, you can apply for an external audit. This should be carried out by a third party, accredited certification body. In the UK, the body should be accredited by UKAS (look for the 'crown and tick' logo).

The chosen certification body will firstly review relevant documentation. This should include the declared policy, scope of the ISMS, documents covering the risk assessment, risk treatment plan, Statement of Applicability and documented security procedures. The auditors will also be checking that you have identified and implemented the controls that are appropriate to your size and type of business. This process is normally carried out at your premises, being more beneficial to both parties.

This is followed at a later date by a full on-site audit to ensure that working practices observe these procedures and stated objectives, and that appropriate records are kept.

After a successful audit, a certificate of registration to ISO 27001 will be issued. There will then be surveillance visits (usually once or twice a year) to ensure that the system continues to work.

What are the Benefits of Certification to ISO 27001

Obtaining a certificate from a third party certification body demonstrates that you have addressed, implemented and controlled the security of your information. But the benefits don’t stop there. Certification also:

• Comforts customers, employees, trading partners and stakeholders – in the knowledge that your management information and systems are secure.

• Demonstrates credibility and trust.

• Can lead to cost savings. Even a single information security breach can involve significant costs.

• Establishes that relevant laws and regulations are being met.

• Ensures that a commitment to Information Security exists at all levels throughout an organisation.