Introduction to ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is an international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), jointly developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
It provides a risk-based framework for managing confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets, helping organizations prevent security incidents and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Built on a risk management structure, ISO 27001 enables organizations to identify, assess, and manage information security risks while protecting their information assets from internal and external threats through a systematic approach.

Benefits of ISO 27001

Organizations implementing ISO 27001 can expect the following benefits:

Protection of Information Assets
● Ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data
● Protects information assets from internal and external security threats

Compliance with Legal Requirements
● Supports compliance with data protection laws such as GDPR and local privacy regulations
● Reduces legal risks and the likelihood of financial penalties

Prevention of Cyberattacks and Security Incidents
● Shields the organization from ransomware, hacking, data breaches, and other cyber threats
● Enables swift response and recovery through established incident handling procedures

Business Continuity
● Minimizes operational disruptions caused by security incidents
● Supports business continuity planning (BCP) and disaster recovery (DR) frameworks

Enhanced Customer Trust and Corporate Image
● Strengthens trust in the organization's information security measures
● Improves credibility with clients, partners, and stakeholders

Increased Competitiveness and Global Market Access
● Enables international expansion by meeting global information security standards
● Provides a competitive edge in bids and tenders through recognized certification

Scope of Application for ISO 27001

This standard is applicable to organizations of all sizes and industries, and is especially valuable for:
● IT companies and software developers
● Financial institutions and insurance providers
● Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies
● Public institutions and educational organizations
● Manufacturers and distributors
● Cloud service providers and data centers

Summary of Key Features of ISO 27001

● Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets
● Establishes a preventive and responsive system for cybersecurity incidents
● Supports compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
● Enhances organizational credibility and competitiveness
● Serves as a critical certification for accessing global markets

PDCA Cycle of ISO 27001

ISO 27001 operates based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle.

Table of Requirements - ISO 27001

4. Context of the Organization

4.1 Understanding the organization and its context

4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties

4.3 Determining the scope of the Information Security Management System (ISMS)

4.4 Information Security Management System

5. Leadership

5.1 Leadership and commitment

5.2 Establishing the information security policy

5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities, and authorities

6. Planning

6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities

6.2 Information security objectives and planning to achieve them

6.3 Change management

7. Support

7.1 Resource management

7.2 Competence development

7.3 Awareness

7.4 Communication

7.5 Control of documented information

8. Operation

8.1 Operational planning and control

8.2 Information security risk assessment

8.3 Information security risk treatment

9. Performance Evaluation

9.1 Monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation

9.2 Internal audit

9.3 Management review

10. Improvement

10.1 Nonconformity and corrective action

10.2 Continual improvement

Conclusion

The success of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) depends on the leadership of top management and the active involvement of all levels within the organization. By leveraging a well-defined information security strategy, organizations can prevent cyber threats, ensure business continuity, and enhance their competitiveness.

Top management must integrate information security into business processes, strategic planning, and decision-making, treating it with equal importance as other key management components.
The complexity, level of documentation, and resource requirements of an ISMS vary depending on several factors, including the organization's size, operational methods, level of security risk, legal obligations, and the nature of its services and products.
An ISMS plays a critical role in continuously improving the protection of information assets and adapting to the evolving security landscape.