ISO 27001 is an international standard set to strengthen the security system of organizations with the aim to keep their data and information safe. It offers a management framework to effectively implement Information Security Management System (ISMS). This system maintains confidentiality of company’s data such as employee details, financial reports and intellectual property. This makes ISO 27001 certification essential for every big and small organization.
Now the question is how to qualify this certification? In this article, you will learn the step by step procedure to qualify ISO 2001 certification. Companies that are applying for this certification should especially benefit from this information. It clearly explains the initial steps involved in the process as well as the way forward although it is recommended to seek help from professional ISO consultants in Chennai to boost your chances of clearing the certification.
A Brief about ISO 27001 Certification
ISO 27001 is the one and only certifiable information security standard that has been recognized globally. It came into being in the year 2013. It hails from the ISO 27000 group of standards and has been published jointly by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The procedure to qualify ISO 27001 certification in Chennai can be quite complex. Only professional ISO consultants with adequate experience in the field can manage the process in a systematic manner and complete it successfully.
Step 1 – Planning
The first step in the process is to plan the project. You must begin by identifying who will oversee the whole process. Only someone who is intelligent, trustworthy and dedicated would be able to handle the process well. He must learn all about the ISO 27001 standard and explain the same to others involved in the process. You should also assess the need to hire an ISO 27001 consultant. If you are undergoing the certification for the first time then it is better to hire one.
Step 2 – Define Objectives and Assess the Scope
Write down the ISMS objectives and its scope. You should figure out whether you require ISMS for the entire organization or only for certain departments and locations. Consider the internal and external factors impacting your company’s information security while identifying the scope of ISMS.
Everything from the approximate cost of the project to the timeframe to complete it must be on the paper to move ahead systematically. You must also identify whether you will require professional help all through or just during the initial phase.
Step 3 – Establish the Framework
This framework provides a clear understanding of the essential processes a firm requires to meet ISO 27001 implementation objectives. There are a series of processes including assessing the accountability of ISMS, conducting regular audits to ensure constant improvements and scheduling different activities among others.
Step 4 – Assess and Mitigate the Risk
Risk assessment is a crucial part of ISO 27001. Your baseline security criteria should be set before conducting risk assessment. It is a good idea to use reliable risk assessment software to carry out the extensive ISO 27001 compliant risk assessment. Once you know the risks, it is time to decide whether you want to take the risk or transfer or terminate it. You may even work upon reducing the risk. It is important to jot down all the risk responses. This is because your auditor will review them all at the time of audit registration.
Step 5 – Training
Another crucial step in the process is training your staff members. In order to qualify the certification your staff members should have a thorough knowledge about information security. As per the standard, you should run staff awareness programs. In addition to this, you should implement policies encouraging employees to inculcate good practices such as locking their computers when not in use, keeping their desktop clean and even setting passwords for files including confidential data.
Step 6 – Check and Update the Documentation
All your documentation must be up to date while applying for the ISO 27001 Certification in Bangalore. Thus, you must collate and review all the necessary documentation that supports essential ISMS processes and policies. Among the essential documentation the Standard demands are the scope of the ISMS, information security risk assessment process, information security policy, operational planning and control, information security objectives, the statement of applicability, evidence of competence, information security risk treatment results, evidence of management review results, proof of the nature of non-conformities and action taken in this regard and proof of results of corrective actions taken by the organization.
Step 7 –Monitor and Review
You must monitor ISMS performance closely and continuously. You must review its performance to understand its effectiveness and identify the scope of improvement. ISO 27001 encourages constant improvement in organizational policies to strengthen information security. This can be brought about only with constant monitoring, reviewing and identifying loopholes.
Step 8 – Internal Audit
Conducting ISO 27001 internal audits at different intervals is a necessary part of the ISO process. It instills confidence in your staff members and helps them tackle the certification better. They become better equipped to face the auditor and answer the questions asked during the final audit.
Step 9 – Registration
It is time now to register for the ISO certification. Once you register, your auditor will check the documentation to see whether you meet the certification criteria or not. He shall explain the areas of improvement to help you perform better. The certification will take place after you make the necessary changes and are ready for it.
Thus, thorough knowledge about ISO 27001, proper planning and implementation is required to qualify this stringent certification. We are sure the step by step procedure given above will help you follow a systematic approach while applying for the certification and managing the various tasks to complete it successfully. If you are going for this certification for the first time then it is best to seek professional assistance from a reliable ISO consultant. Do let us know if you require further information in this regard. We shall be glad to provide the same. https://blogrig.com/
