ISO 27001 Information Security Management System Certification

The recently updated ISO IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard, which replaced ISO 27001:2013, offers a strong framework for managing information security risks in your company. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for information security and is applicable to companies of all sizes and industries globally, protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information through calculated risk management procedures.

The acronym ISO stands for International Organisation for Standardization – the peak body that develop and publish International Standards.

The protection of data is crucial for organisations in the twenty-first century. Strong information security guidelines and controls not only maintain expectations but also boost stakeholders’ confidence. We make sure your information security measures adhere to best practices through our certification process, reducing risks and safeguarding your assets. All industries and business sizes can use ISO 27001, the internationally recognised standard. Citation Certification is committed to certifying your company in information security, enabling you to be ready for internal audits.

• Improved data protection measures.
• Streamlined supply-chain information security management.
• Protection against online threats using cutting-edge techniques.
• Increased information and system security and dependability.
• Improved internal information security measures.
• Compliance with customer data protection requirements.
• Risk assessments mitigation of digital threats.
• Information security controls with a risk-based approach.

Businesses that follow certification audits can demonstrate to key stakeholders that they’re committed to protecting their information assets from cyber criminals by strengthening their set of information security controls ustilising (ISO 27001 and ISO IEC 27002).

Customers, stakeholders, and interested parties are reassured by your organisation’s ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification that you adhere to the standard’s requirements. By earning this recognised certification, a company demonstrates its dedication to improving information security, lowering risks, and adhering to global management system standards. By guaranteeing business continuity, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of customer data, and offering a future-proof strategy against information security threats, ISO 27001 inspires confidence in important stakeholders. The overall benefit to the organisation is increased by using a risk-based thinking approach to decision-making in accordance with customer demands for data protection.

In the age of increasing digital threats, ISO 27001 is crucial for demonstrating your commitment to information security, complying with industry best practices as well as potential legal requirements in specific fields. Along with providing tailored controls that are frequently required for big projects and government contracts, certification not only ensures compliance with international standards. The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification guarantees adherence to industry standards, regular risk assessments, and strong information security controls while prioritising customer and regulatory demands. The ISO 27001:2022 standard assesses your organisation’s ability to manage information securely address risks, and certify unwavering commitment to the highest security standards.

Before you can be certified, your system must satisfy the prerequisites. The steps for developing your management system for certification in Australia are described here.

1. Recognise the purpose of ISO 27001. Read the standard and become familiar with the terminology.
2. Understand the specifications outlined in ISO 27001. Create your management system in accordance with the guidelines.
3. Analyse your gaps to determine your level of certification readiness. This will draw attention to any areas that require additional development. View our ISO 27001 PDF Gap Analysis Checklist by clicking here.
4. Take part in the certification process. To make sure your company is in compliance with ISO 27001:2022, we will need to evaluate it using best practices. Visit this page for more details on the procedure.

The most recent version of ISO 27001 is ISO/IEC 27001:2022, which replaces ISO/IEC 27001:2013. In order to address the demands of today’s quickly expanding information security risks, the standard was updated in 2022. By implementing risk management procedures, it offers a framework for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of information.

As information risks and threats increase in frequency, this standard is emerging.

If you are currently certified against ISO 27001:2013, we can help you to transition to ISO 27001:2022 through a transition audit at any point throughout your cycle.

Your information security policy is the most significant internal document in your information security management system (ISMS) also known as ISMS certification. The framework that will be used to establish, implement, maintain, and guarantee the ongoing improvement of your ISMS should be demonstrated in this document. Additionally, your framework ought to include pertinent references and data to back up the following documentation:

• Information Security Objectives.
• Leadership and Commitment.
• Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities.
• Your Strategy for Assessing and Treating Risk.
• Management of Documented Information.
• Communication.
• Internal Audit.
• Management Review.
• Remedial Action and Continual Improvement.
• Policy Violations.

You’ll also be expected to establish supplementary policies and procedures on top of the ones mentioned above. The ISO 27001 requirements for your ISMS and the Annex A controls (an archive of security controls) will be supported by these policies and procedures.

Your company conducts an internal audit to make sure the ISMS is operating effectively and in compliance with ISO 27001 standards prior to the arrival of the external ISO auditor. This self-verification also verifies compliance with Annex A requirements, which are crucially stated in the Statement of Applicability for the ISMS. Both the initial and ongoing maintenance of ISO 27001 certification rely on the audit. Whether the investigation is done by one of your employees or by a third party, it is crucial to ensure objectivity, competence, and qualification. For effective issue resolution, results and nonconformities must be communicated right away to the ISMS governing body and upper management.

There are two stages to achieve ISO certification:

• Stage One: to ensure compliance with ISO standards and your organisation’s ISMS, an external ISO 27001 auditor reviews your documentation in-depth and assesses your policies and procedures. The auditor then offers feedback and, if satisfied, provides the okay to move on to Stage Two. If your ISMS is found to be lacking, problem areas are highlighted, and moving forward requires proof that the problems have been fixed.
• Stage Two: during this phase, known as the Stage 2 Audit or Certification Audit, the auditor tests the framework and operation of your ISMS. The auditor evaluates the fairness and appropriateness of controls, ensuring their application complies with the requirements of ISO standards.

Upper management is essential to the Information Security Management System (ISMS) of the organisation’s success, actively leading routine management reviews to maintain effectiveness and achieve goals. In order to address the dynamic nature of information security threats and regulatory changes, ISO 27001 recommends that these reviews be conducted more frequently, such as quarterly, and ideally at least once a year during the external audit period. By ensuring that the ISMS is effective, relevant to organizational goals, and in line with changing information asset landscapes, the management review establishes expectations for efficient information security practices within the company.

The ISO 27001 standard’s Annex A, also known as ISO/IEC 27002:2022, can help your organisation increase the security of its information assets. There is a list of security requirements and controls in Annex A or ISO/IEC 27002:2022. 14 sections/domains make up the 114 controls in the standard. These sections concentrate on organisational, legal, IT, and physical security issues. Only the controls that are relevant to your company’s requirements should be implemented; the rest can wait.

The 14 sections are:

• Information security policies (A.5).
• Organisation of information security and assignment of responsibility (A.6).
• Human resources security (A.7).
• Asset management (A.8).
• User access control (A.9).
• Encryption and management of sensitive information (A.10).
• Physical and environmental security (A.11).
• Operational security (A.12).
• Communications security (A.13).
• System acquisition, development, and maintenance (A.14).
• Supplier relationships (A.15).
• Information security incident management (A.16).
• Information security aspects of business continuity management (A.17).
• Compliance (A.18).

You can download the list of documents and records required for ISO 27001 here. Please note that even though some of these documents are not mandatory, auditors frequently request them to confirm that the organization’s ISMS is well-defined, established, and capable of managing risks.

According to the ISO standard, nonconformity refers to a failure to satisfy a given requirement. Nonconformity risks arise when ISO standard requirements are disregarded, documented processes are not followed, or agreements made with third parties are broken. If a nonconformity is found during your audit, the auditor explains the necessary corrective measures, references the clause pertaining to the unmet requirement, and provides evidence. Major nonconformities, such as missing or insufficient documentation, process flaws, or the improper use of a certification mark, can prevent certification. Minor nonconformities that build up indicate a bigger problem, and issues that aren’t fixed within the allotted timeframe can jeopardise certification.

After being approved for ISO 27001 certification, your certification is valid for three years. Regular surveillance audits are required to maintain your certification and keep it valid. This only applies to certifications issued by the International Accreditation Forum.

Your current ISO 27001 certification can be seamlessly transferred to Citation Certification.

We’ll keep up with your existing certification schedule; get in touch with us for a cost estimate without commitment.

We take the time to understand your company’s operations and goals, supporting your business on its compliance journey.

The team at Citation Certification go above and beyond certification – we offer you dedicated support services such as training, webinars, additional resources and materials from our Group of companies that provide workplace compliance solutions.

We are upfront and transparent – we provide all-inclusive pricing and there are no hidden costs like reporting or preparation fees.

ISO 27001 certification and accreditation are often confused, but they serve different purposes. Certification refers to the process where an organisation’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) is audited and validated against the ISO 27001 standard by a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). This provides formal assurance that the organisation meets the ISO 27001 requirements.

On the other hand, accreditation applies to the certification bodies themselves. Accreditation is the process where bodies like JAS-ANZ evaluate and approve certification bodies, ensuring they are competent to perform ISO 27001 certification audits.

For example, Citation Certification, formerly known as Best Practice and QMS Certification Services, is accredited by JAS-ANZ, allowing them to conduct ISO 27001 certification audits through both site-based and digital methods, streamlining the certification process for organisations.