In the era of Industry 4.0, organisations face the challenge of protecting their valuable information and data from a multitude of risks. From external disruptions to technical errors and industrial espionage, the threats to information security are complex and ever evolving. Recognising these challenges and implementing effective measures to protect information assets is crucial for the success and sustainability of any organisation. This is where the ISO 27001 standard and DQS as a renowned certification body come into play, offering a comprehensive approach to information security management. In this blog, we will explore the importance of ISO 27001 and how DQS can support organisations in their journey towards information security excellence.
What is information security?
Information security refers to the protection of an organisation's information assets, which include data and information that hold value. It goes beyond just securing technology and encompasses measures to safeguard the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information. Information security is a multidimensional concept that addresses not only technical aspects but also organisational concerns, access controls, responsibilities, and psychological factors.
The protection goals of information security:
ISO/IEC 27001 outlines three main protection goals for information security:
- Confidentiality: This involves protecting confidential information from unauthorised access, whether due to data protection laws or trade secrets covered by legal provisions. Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to safeguard sensitive information.
- Integrity: Ensuring the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of data and information is essential. Organisations must minimise risks that may compromise the integrity of their information assets.
- Availability: Authorised access to information, buildings, and systems must be ensured to maintain business processes and continuity. Information should be readily accessible and usable whenever needed.
What is changing with the new ISO/IEC 27001:2022
FREE Webinar Recording
In our free webinar recording, we will provide you with details on the essential changes in the certification basis ISO/IEC 27001
Your ISO 27001 Journey With DQS:
These are the crucial steps you will experience during your ISO 27001 journey with DQS:
- Assessing the Current State: Our journey begins with a comprehensive assessment conducted by our team of DQS experts. We closely examine your organisation's existing information security practices, policies, and controls. Through this assessment, we identify strengths and weaknesses, revealing areas that require improvement and aligning them with ISO 27001 standards.
- Establishing the Foundation: We assist organisations in establishing a strong foundation for their information security management system (ISMS). This involves defining the scope of the ISMS, identifying key stakeholders, and establishing a cross-functional team to drive the implementation process. We provide guidance and support in developing necessary policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment (Optional): Our team conducts a detailed gap analysis, comparing your organisation's current information security practices against the requirements outlined in ISO 27001. This analysis helps uncover vulnerabilities and areas that need further attention. Additionally, we perform a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities specific to your organisation. This forms the basis for designing appropriate security controls.
- Designing and Implementing Security Controls: With the insights gained from the gap analysis and risk assessment, we provide in-depth training for your organisation to design and implement a set of security controls internally. These controls are tailored to address your specific risks and align with ISO 27001 requirements. Our facilitators provide guidance on best practices and ensure that the controls are effectively integrated into your processes.
- Training and Awareness: We recognise that information security is a shared responsibility among all employees. To foster a culture of security, we provide training and awareness programs tailored to different levels of your organisation. These programs educate employees about the importance of information security, their roles and responsibilities, and best practices for safeguarding sensitive information.
- Continuous Improvement: Information security is an ongoing process, and we emphasise the importance of continuous improvement. We conduct regular internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the implemented controls and identify areas for enhancement. We guide your organisation in implementing corrective actions and preventive measures to address any identified gaps or vulnerabilities.
- Certification and Beyond: Once your organisation has demonstrated compliance with ISO 27001 requirements, we conduct an independent audit to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented ISMS. If you meet the necessary criteria, we award ISO 27001 certification, providing assurance to stakeholders that your organisation has a robust information security management system in place.
Training on ISO 27001
ISO 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Training
This five-day course teaches you about the various clauses in ISO 27001:2022 and the benefits of implementing them in your organisation.
Partnering with DQS on the ISO 27001 journey empowers organisations to enhance their information security posture. By assessing the current state, designing and implementing security controls, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organisations can mitigate risks, protect valuable information assets, and gain a competitive edge in today's security-conscious landscape. DQS's expertise and guidance throughout the journey ensure a successful implementation of ISO 27001 and a strengthened information security foundation.
Contact us to get started.
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Francois Labuschagne
Standards are valuable ‘confidence builders’, reinforcing assurance that gives meaning to words like: safe, healthy, secure, ethics, quality, environmentally friendly, socially responsible and sustainable.