ISO 27001 Compliance: 2024 Complete Guide
ISO 27001 certifications prove the adherence to a collection of security guidelines, recognised globally.
Validating the assessment and management of potential data security risks, the aim of ISO 27001 is to reduce overall risk exposure through an information security management framework.
ISO 27001 outlines the guidelines for businesses to effectively manage confidential data and safeguard intellectual property and information assets from online security threats.
Becoming ISO 27001 certified is the ultimate step in establishing your security posture. This blog will help guide you through the intricacies of ISO 27001 compliance in 2024.
Understanding ISO 27001 Compliance
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised standard that defines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Involving several steps, ISO security standards require participation from everyone in your business. We’ll cover the necessary stages in the following sections.
2022 saw key updates and changes – one of the most important being:
- All new certifications starting Nov 1, 2023, should be to the new ISO 27001:2022 version, after this date all recertification audits are recommended to utilise the ISO 27001:2022 version.
Navigating the Latest Version of ISO 27001
All transition audits should be conducted by July 31, 2025.
At DigitalXRAID, we always recommend performing a gap analysis against the 2022 new clauses. You will then have a much clearer view of the work you need to do to comply within the deadline date.
Implementing ISO 27001 Compliance
What follows is your 9-step ISO 27001 requirements checklist for ISO 27001 compliance.
1. Create an implementation team
Designate a project leader. This person should have a thorough understanding of information security and hold the authority to lead a team. They also need to direct managers, as their departments will undergo assessment.
The appointed project leader will require a team to support their efforts. Senior management can either handpick the team or the team leader can choose their staff.
The first task is to create a project mandate.
This usually answers the following questions:
- What are the objectives we aim to achieve?
- What is the projected timeline for completion?
- How much will it cost?
- Is there support from management for this project?
2. Develop the implementation plan
Now it’s time to start planning for the implementation.
Your implementation team will use their project mandate to generate a more detailed outline of their information security objectives, plan, and risk register.
This includes setting out high-level policies for the ISMS that establish:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Rules for continual improvement
- How to raise awareness of the project
3. Choose the methodology
ISO 27001 doesn’t specify a particular method. You are required to follow a “process approach”.
This means that you can use any model – as long as the requirements and processes are clearly defined, implemented correctly, and reviewed and improved regularly.
You also need to create an ISMS policy to outline what your implementation team wants to achieve and how they plan to do it. The board will need to approve your policy.
It’s at this stage that you can develop the rest of your document structure.
A four-tier strategy works well, such as:
- Policies at the start define your business’s position on specific issues – such as password management.
- Procedures to enact the policy requirements.
- Instructions describing how employees should meet those policies.
- Protocols tracking the procedures and work instructions.
4. Define the scope
The next step is to define the scale of your ISMS in terms of your daily operations. To do this, identify where all your information is stored – across physical and digital files, systems, and portable devices. This step ensures the ISMS can meet your needs effectively.
If your scope is too small, your information can potentially be exposed to security breaches. If it’s too wide, the ISMS will be too complicated to manage.
5. Secure your baseline
Your security baseline is the minimum level of activity you must meet for your business to operate securely. Your ISO 27001 risk assessment gives you the information you need to identify your security baseline.
6. Set a risk management process
Your security system revolves around identified and prioritised threats, so risk management is pivotal for successful ISO 27001 implementation.
The Standard permits organisations to set their own risk management processes. Focusing on scenario-based risks or specific asset risks is key – with your results arising from a risk assessment:
- Establish a risk assessment framework
- Identify risks
- Analyse risks
- Evaluate risks
- Choose a risk management option
Defining risk acceptance criteria is crucial to outline any potential damage and the likelihood of threats. Managers often use a risk matrix to score and prioritise risks, setting thresholds for action.
Four approaches can address risks:
- Tolerating the risk
- Applying controls to treat the risk
- Avoiding the risk entirely
- Transferring the risk through insurance or agreements
ISO 27001 mandates a Statement of Applicability (SoA), documenting chosen controls, exclusions, and reasons for these selections.
7. Introduce a risk treatment plan
This step is the process of building the security controls that will secure your business’s information assets.
It’s important to ensure these controls are effective. To do this, check that staff can interact or operate with the controls and understand their information security responsibilities.
You’re also required to create a procedure for identifying, assessing, and sustaining the skills essential to meet your ISMS goals.
This includes performing a needs assessment and establishing the targeted competency level.
8. Set up review processes
Regular reviews are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of your ISMS. Conducting annual reviews allows you to monitor evolving risks closely and align them with your project mandate objectives.
The review process involves defining criteria based on your project mandate goals. Quantitative analysis (assigning numerical values) is a common approach. You can also use qualitative analysis (relying on judgments). The latter is useful for categorisations such as ‘high’, ‘medium’, and ‘low’.
Additionally, you should carry out regular internal audits to ensure ISMS efficiency. While there’s no fixed method for an ISO 27001 audit, department-wise assessments prevent productivity loss.
9. Certify your ISMS
Obtaining your business’s ISO 27001 certification involves preparing for an external audit across two stages.
The initial audit assesses if your ISMS aligns with ISO 27001 requirements. A successful initial audit leads to a more comprehensive investigation. Bear in mind that this process is time-consuming, and charges apply even if the certification attempt fails initially.
Selecting a certification body is crucial. Choose an accredited body recognised by a national certification body. Accredited bodies uphold integrity compared to uncertified entities – which can promise certification without ensuring compliance.
Benefits of ISO 27001 Compliance
Becoming ISO 27001 compliant boosts your business’s overall security posture by instilling a structured approach to information security.
It mandates risk assessments to enable the identification, prioritisation, and mitigation of potential threats to sensitive data. Implementing security controls and continual monitoring not only protects against breaches but also fosters a proactive defence strategy.
This strategic approach ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your business’s critical information assets.
It’s common for businesses with ISO 27001 certifications to gain significant market recognition together with competitive advantages. If you own a small or medium-sized business, becoming certified delivers a strategic advantage when you’re pitching to enterprise clients.
The robust process instils confidence in your customers, partners, and stakeholders and showcases your commitment to robust security practices.
Paving the Way to Robust Information Security
ISO 27001 is more than just a certification; it’s a compass to guide you through information security processes most efficiently and securely.
If you’re looking at a new ISO 27001 implementation, DigitalXRAID’s fully managed ISO 27001 certification service will relieve you of the complexities of the process.
Our expert team will take you through, step-by-step – until your business reaches certification. The managed service includes an initial gap analysis and implementation, right up to the certification stage 2 audit.
Not only that but once you’ve achieved certification, we continue to provide support and advice to ensure you remain compliant with ISO 27001 requirements into the future.
