How To Get ISO 27001 Compliance Certification?

The prevalence of data breaches and cyber threats is on the rise in the digital age. IBM’s 2021 Cost of a Data Breach Report, also states that the average cost of a data breach is $4.24 million. To mitigate such risks, businesses are increasingly turning to ISO 27001 certification, a globally recognized standard for information security management.

If you are thinking of getting an intimidating tackle, IS 27001 Compliance Certification is the rigorous standard you need. Gaining knowledge of the ISO 27001 certification process can help you de-stress and get ready for a successful audit.

We’ll go over the steps involved in ISO 27001 certification in this blog, along with what businesses need to know to get ready and what to expect at each stage of the audit.

What Is ISO 27001 Certification?

An international standard for information security management is ISO 27001. It offers a structure for creating, putting into practice, looking after, and continuously enhancing an information security management system (ISMS). This accreditation shows a business’s dedication to safeguarding confidential information and successfully controlling hazards.

According to studies, companies that have obtained ISO 27001 accreditation report 50% fewer data breaches than those that do not.

What Are The ISO 27001 Certification Requirements?

To achieve ISO 27001 certification, your organization must meet several ISO 27001 requirements:

ISMS Scope: Define the boundaries and scope of your Information Security Management System (ISMS) to ensure it covers all relevant aspects of your business operations, including departments, locations, and information assets.
Demonstrated Commitment: Show top management’s commitment to the ISMS by establishing an information security policy, assigning roles and responsibilities, and ensuring adequate resources are allocated for its implementation and maintenance.
Security Objective: Set clear, measurable security objectives that align with your organization’s goals. These objectives should address risk management, compliance, and continuous improvement in information security.
Provision And Allocation Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan detailing the resources (financial, human, technological) required for the implementation and maintenance of the ISMS. This ensures that adequate support is available for all ISMS activities.
Operation And Process Plan: Establish and document operational procedures and processes that support the ISMS. This includes incident management, business continuity, and the handling of sensitive information to ensure consistent security practices.
Measuring Process: Implement a process to monitor and measure the performance of your ISMS against the set objectives. This involves regular internal audits, management reviews, and continuous monitoring of security controls.
Logging Process Improvement: Create a system for logging and analyzing incidents, non-conformities, and improvement opportunities. Use this information to make informed decisions on corrective and preventive actions to enhance the ISMS continuously.

Steps Involved With ISO 27001 Certification Process

To obtain ISO 27001 accreditation, you will have to go through several audits. Here are some things to anticipate while getting ready for and finishing your certification.

The baseline you need to give to the auditor for ISO 27001 Certification-

ISMS Scope
Policy for information security
Process for assessing information security risks
Process for treating information security risks
Summary of relevance
Information security goals
Proof of proficiency
Training program and outcomes for security awareness
Information security risk assessment findings
Information security risk treatment outcomes
Proof of results monitoring and measuring
Internal audit procedure that is documented
Proof of audit initiatives and outcomes
Proof of the management reviews’ outcomes
Proof of non-conformance and corrective actions
Proof of the outcomes of the cleanup
Attachment “A” Annex evidence

Step-1 Planning And Preparation

Begin by securing top management support and allocating resources. Develop a project plan outlining the timeline, milestones, and responsibilities.

Ask yourself- “Within your company, who will be in charge of managing the milestones, expectations, and process? How are you going to win over the company’s executives? Will you be enlisting the aid of an ISO 27001 specialist to guide you through the procedure?”

A crucial step in this procedure is familiarizing yourself with ISO 27001 standards and its 114 controls.

Step-2 ISMS Scope Defining

Every company is distinct and stores various kinds of data. You must decide exactly what kind of information you need to secure before you can begin to develop your ISMS.

Some businesses consider their whole organization to be covered by their ISMS. For others, it solely refers to a certain division or system.

Define the scope of your ISMS, specifying which parts of your organization will be covered. This includes identifying physical locations, systems, processes, and data to be protected.

Step-3 Risk Assessment And Gap Analysis

Compliance with ISO 27001 requires a formal risk assessment. This implies that your risk assessment’s data, analysis, and conclusions need to be recorded.

Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities. Analyze the impact and likelihood of these risks to prioritize mitigation efforts.

Also, think about your security baseline first like what rules, laws, or agreements your business has to follow.

A lot of ISO 27001 Compliance startups choose to work with an ISO consultant to assist with their gap analysis and repair strategy because they lack a specialized compliance team. To assist you in meeting compliance standards, a consultant with prior experience working with organizations similar to yours can offer knowledgeable counsel.

Furthermore, they may assist you in establishing best practices that fortify your security posture as a whole.

Step-4 Implementation Of ISMS Policies

After identifying the threats, your company must decide how to respond. Which dangers do you need to take action on and which are you willing to bear?

Implement the necessary ISMS policies and controls to address identified risks. This includes establishing security procedures, access controls, and incident management protocols.

At the ISO 27001 certification audit, your auditor will want to analyze the choices you want to implement. As part of your audit evidence, you’ll also need to submit a Statement of Applicability and a Risk Treatment Plan.

The controls and policies listed under ISO 27001 that apply to your organization are outlined and explained in the Statement of Applicability.

An additional crucial document for ISO 27001 certification is the Risk Treatment Plan. It documents the reaction that your company will take to the risks that you found during the risk assessment procedure.

The four steps are outlined in the ISO 27001 standard:

Adjust the risk by putting in place measures that lessen the chance it may happen.
Reduce the risk by avoiding the situations that could lead to it.
Assign the risk to a third party by, for example, hiring a different organization to handle security tasks or getting insurance.
Take the chance since fixing it will cost more money than the possible harm.

Security best practices such as mandating staff to utilize multi-factor authentication and locking devices when they leave should be established and reinforced by your policies.

Step-5 Employee Training

ISO 27001 mandates that information security training be provided to all staff members. By doing this, you can be sure that everyone in your company is aware of the value of data security and their part in achieving and upholding compliance.

Ensure that all employees are aware of the ISMS policies and understand their roles in maintaining information security. Conduct regular training sessions to reinforce best practices.

Step-6 Evidence Collection & Documentation

You must demonstrate to your auditor that you have put in place efficient policies and procedures and that they are operating by the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard to receive ISO 27001 certification.

Gathering and classifying all of this information might take a great deal of time. By gathering this proof for you, compliance automation software for ISO 27001 can save you hundreds of hours of laborious effort.

Step-7 ISO 27001 Audit Completion

During this stage, your certification will be granted by an external auditor who will assess your ISMS and confirm that it satisfies ISO 27001 requirements.

Try to perform a complete internal ISO 27001 Audit from an authorized compliance center. The audit typically involves a two-stage process to assess your ISMS design and implementation.

An audit for certification takes place in two steps. The auditor will first finish a Stage 1 audit, during which they will check your ISMS documentation to ensure that the appropriate policies and processes are in place.

Step- 8 Continuous Compliance Monitoring

The core principle of ISO 27001 is ongoing improvement. To ensure that your ISMS is still functioning properly, you will need to continue evaluating and assessing it. Additionally, as your company grows and new hazards appear, you’ll need to keep an eye out for chances to enhance current procedures and controls.

As part of this continual surveillance, the ISO 27001 standard mandates internal audits regularly. Before an external audit, internal auditors review procedures and guidelines to find any potential flaws and opportunities for improvement.

What Is The ISO Certification Audit Process?

The ISO certification audit process is a comprehensive approach to verifying that an organization’s ISMS meets the stringent requirements of the ISO 27001 standard.

The ISO certification audit process is a critical component of achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 certification. This process ensures that an organization’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) is effectively implemented and compliant with the ISO 27001 standard. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the audit process:

Internal Audit Process Explained

Before the external certification audit, organizations must conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness of their ISMS. This helps identify any gaps or non-conformities that need to be addressed.

Stage 1: ISMS Design Review

Objective: To ensure that the ISMS design meets ISO 27001 requirements.
Activities: Review the ISMS documentation, including policies, procedures, and records. Assess whether the scope, objectives, and management commitment are clearly defined and aligned with the standard.
Outcome: Identify any design weaknesses or areas that need improvement before proceeding to the certification audit.

Stage 2: Certification Audit

The certification audit is conducted by an accredited external auditor. It is divided into two main stages:

Stage 1 Audit (Documentation Review):
- Objective: To review the organization’s ISMS documentation.
- Activities: The auditor examines the ISMS policies, procedures, and records to ensure they meet ISO 27001 requirements. This stage assesses the organization’s preparedness for the full certification audit.
- Outcome: Identify any documentation gaps or areas requiring clarification. A recommendations report is further provided for necessary improvements.
Stage 2 Audit (Implementation Review):
- Objective: To verify the practical implementation of the ISMS.
- Activities: The auditor conducts on-site inspections, interviews employees, and reviews evidence of ISMS implementation. This includes checking compliance with security controls, incident management, and risk treatment plans.
- Outcome: Determine if the ISMS is effectively implemented and compliant with ISO 27001. The auditor provides a detailed report highlighting any non-conformities and areas for improvement. With this successful outcome, the ISO 27001 Certification is provided.

Surveillance Audits

Objective: To ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 27001 standards.
Frequency: Typically conducted annually after certification.
Activities: The auditor reviews a sample of the ISMS processes and controls to verify continuous compliance and effectiveness. Surveillance audits focus on changes to the ISMS, incident management, and the implementation of corrective actions from previous audits.
Outcome: Identify any non-conformities or areas for improvement. Surveillance audits help maintain the certification and ensure the ISMS remains effective.

Rectification Audits

Objective: To address and verify the correction of non-conformities identified in previous audits.
Activities: The auditor reviews the corrective actions taken by the organization to address non-conformities. This may include additional documentation review, interviews, and on-site inspections.
Outcome: Confirm that non-conformities have been effectively resolved. Successful rectification ensures the organization maintains its ISO 27001 certification.

Why Do You Need SOA In ISO 27001 Certification?

The Statement of Applicability (SOA) is a crucial document that outlines the controls selected to manage identified risks. It justifies why each control is included or excluded and provides a basis for the certification audit.

Get ISO 27001 Certification-

Enhanced Trust: Builds client and partner confidence in data security.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to legal and industry standards.

Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates information security risks.

Operational Efficiency: Streamlines processes and improves security management.

Competitive Advantage: Differentiates from competitors with certified security practices.

Incident Reduction: Decreases the likelihood of data breaches and security incidents.

Continuous Improvement: Encourages ongoing enhancement of security measures.

Global Recognition: Achieves international recognition for robust security practices.

Get Started With Socurely

Achieving ISO 27001 certification is a significant milestone that demonstrates your commitment to information security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, your organization can effectively manage risks, protect sensitive data, and build trust with stakeholders.

Socurely offers comprehensive support for achieving ISO 27001 certification. From initial planning to audit preparation and continuous compliance monitoring, our experts guide you through every step of the process.

FAQ

How Much Does ISO Certification Cost

The cost of ISO 27001 certification varies depending on the size and complexity of your organization, as well as the certification body you choose. It typically includes costs for training, implementation, and audit fees.

What Is The Duration Of ISO 27001 Certification?

ISO 27001 certification is valid for three years, with regular surveillance audits conducted to ensure ongoing compliance.

What is the validity period of an ISO 27001 certification?

A three-year certification in ISO 27001 is valid. Nevertheless, companies need to carry out yearly external monitoring operations and have external auditors verify the efficacy of the controls they have put in place.