Management system according to ISO 27001

The standard for ensuring information security within the company.

KVINNE GmbH advises medium-sized companies in Dresden on the implementation of ISO 27001.

What is the difference between information security and data protection?

Information security

Protects all confidential information in your company, such as:

• Business strategies
• Passwords
• Vulnerability analyses
• Records of developments
• Developer code
• Price lists
• Accounting data – business management reports (BWA), salaries, cash flow statements
• Personal data

Data Protection

It is an EU-wide regulation that protects all personal data. Data protection is a part of information security.

The technical and organizational measures of the EU GDPR include some parts of ISO 27001.

In both management systems, a risk analysis must be conducted.
Learn here how to carry out a risk analysis.

Who should implement ISO 27001 in the company?

Today, ISO 27001 is the most widely used standard worldwide for information security in data centers. Companies can obtain the certification by having their own security assessed by independent auditors and maintaining that security over the coming years. But it’s not only data centers that face pressure to implement this standard. Due to requirements linked to subcontractors and the general demand for information security, more and more industries around the world are adopting the standard.

• Data centers
• Software companies
• IT service providers
• Automobile manufacturers and suppliers
• Healthcare industry

How ISO 27001 works

Three core aspects of information are at the heart of ISO 27001. These are to be ensured:

• Confidentiality
• Integrity
• And availability

Of information within an organization or data center. To achieve these goals, an audit committee conducts a risk assessment in the mentioned areas and thereby identifies potential issues. Subsequently, it precisely defines how the identified problems can be eliminated or mitigated.

Which specific security measures are implemented depends on the type of risks identified in the data center. Typically, certain policies and procedures are established in a data center that govern the technical implementation of security. This includes, for example, the hardware and the software used in the data center.

Usually, both hardware and software are already present in the data center, but the company uses them in a way that does not comply with ISO 27001. A large part of implementing ISO 27001 in the data center therefore involves adhering to organizational rules to minimize security vulnerabilities both for the company itself and for its customers.

Overall, ISO 27001 is a standard that not only covers general IT security in the form of applications such as firewalls and antivirus software in a data center but also includes personnel matters, legal issues, and other aspects.

The benefits of ISO 27001

Compliance with ISO 27001 offers advantages on several levels:

Costs: By complying with ISO 27001 in the data center, the likelihood of minor and major disruptions also decreases. The costs for the ISO 27001 certificate are significantly lower than those incurred by a failure of important systems or processes. In the long term, companies thus save money through ISO 27001.

Organization: All important processes within the company, as well as their assignment to the respective employees, are precisely defined by ISO 27001. In the data center, everyone knows exactly when and what to do. This saves time and ensures that employees experience less downtime (also outside of actual IT security).

Competitive Advantage: The handling of customer data is made significantly more secure by ISO 27001. Customers who might be undecided between your company and another provider that is not ISO 27001 certified will usually trust you.

Regulations: Contractual obligations, laws, and regulations make it complex to run a company with legal certainty. Organizations that rely on ISO 27001 already fully comply with most regulations, both in the data center and beyond, thereby ensuring they are on the legally safe side.

ISO 27001 in Detail

The current version of ISO 27001:2024 continues to include a clear structure to effectively implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS). The standard is divided into ten sections as well as an Annex A, which contains the specific security controls. The sections of the standard provide a comprehensive overview of the requirements that must be met for certification.

Structure of ISO 27001:2024:

• Sections 0 to 3: These sections include the introduction to the standard, the scope, normative references, and definitions of terms. They provide a framework for the further implementation of the guideline and establish that the standard is applicable to any type of organization—regardless of size or industry.
• Abschnitte 4 bis 10: Diese Abschnitte enthalten die zentralen Anforderungen an die Umsetzung eines ISMS:
  • Abschnitt 4: Kontext der Organisation – Die Organisation muss den Umfang ihres ISMS bestimmen und den internen und externen Kontext verstehen, der die Informationssicherheit beeinflusst.
  • Abschnitt 5: Führung – Die Leitung muss sich verpflichten, das ISMS zu unterstützen und zu fördern, einschließlich der Festlegung von Rollen und Verantwortlichkeiten.
  • Abschnitt 6: Planung – Risiken und Chancen in Bezug auf Informationssicherheit müssen identifiziert und entsprechend gemanagt werden, einschließlich der Definition von Zielen für die Informationssicherheit.
  • Abschnitt 7: Unterstützung – Es müssen Ressourcen, Schulungen und Kommunikation bereitgestellt werden, um das ISMS effektiv zu betreiben.
  • Abschnitt 8: Betrieb – Die Organisation muss die notwendigen Maßnahmen ergreifen, um die identifizierten Risiken zu behandeln und die geplanten Sicherheitsmaßnahmen umzusetzen.
  • Abschnitt 9: Bewertung der Leistung – Regelmäßige Überwachungen, Messungen und interne Audits sind notwendig, um die Effektivität des ISMS zu bewerten.
  • Abschnitt 10: Verbesserung – Die Organisation muss kontinuierlich an der Verbesserung ihres ISMS arbeiten, um nicht nur Schwachstellen zu beheben, sondern auch Chancen zur Optimierung zu nutzen.

Annex A – Security Measures (Controls)

Annex A has also been updated in ISO 27001:2024. It now lists 93 specific security controls (compared to the previous 114), which are divided into various categories. These security controls cover areas such as access control, physical security, network security, emergency management, and more. However, these controls are only relevant if they are identified as necessary based on the company’s risk assessment.

Conclusion:

All sections of ISO 27001:2024 must be fully implemented according to the specific requirements of the organization in order to obtain the certification. The standard provides a flexible framework that enables organizations to tailor their Information Security Management System to their individual needs while ensuring that all security requirements are met.

Implementation of ISO 27001 in the Data Center

16 individual steps are responsible for ultimately implementing ISO 27001 in the data center. First, the support of top management must be secured, and the scope of the Information Security Management System must be defined.

Furthermore, a top-level IT security policy must be established for the data center. Companies are required to submit a risk management plan by definition and draft a statement of ultimate applicability. All measures and procedures defined in ISO 27001 must be implemented in the data center.

In addition to technical measures, the personnel in the data center are also included in ISO 27001 compliance. Training programs are therefore part of the plan. Regular internal audits by external or internal service providers must be conducted, both within the data center and externally. All the mentioned steps represent only a small part of the implementation of ISO 27001. It may take months for a data center to ultimately receive the certification.

ISO 27001 for Individuals and Organizations

To obtain the ISO 27001:2024 certificate for your company, you go through a clear and proven process. We support you step by step throughout this process:

1. Application: You start by submitting an application to an accredited certification body. We assist you in compiling all the necessary documents.
2. Stage 1: Document Review: First, the auditors review your documentation. This ensures that your internal processes and security measures comply with the requirements of ISO 27001:2024. In this phase, you demonstrate how you have set up your Information Security Management System (ISMS).
3. Stage 2: On-Site Audit: This is followed by the on-site audit. Here, the auditors visit your company to see how you implement the security measures in daily practice. The aim is to demonstrate that your processes work not only on paper but also in reality.
4. Certificate Issuance: Once you have successfully passed both audits, you will be awarded the ISO 27001:2024 certificate. This certificate is valid for three years and documents that you meet the highest standards of information security.
5. Surveillance Audits: To ensure that you continue to meet all requirements, regular surveillance audits take place—usually annually. This helps you stay up to date and maintain your certification.

After three years, you can renew the certificate by undergoing a recertification process. We support you throughout the entire process and ensure that you are certified safely and successfully.

Email: info@kvinne.de
Tel: +49.351.21971182

We look forward to hearing from you!

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