ISO 27001 Certification is the accredited standard that sets security management companies apart. It proves that the company you are dealing with take data security seriously and are fiercely protecting it.
What is ISO 27001 Certification and why is it a trusted accreditation to have?
ISO 27001 Certification, formally known as ISO/IEC 27001:22005 is a specification for an information security management system (ISMS) and is an externally audited certification. It is a structure of policies and procedures including legal, physical and technical controls involved in a company’s information risk management process. ISO 27001 is an international standard on how to manage information security, not only in the first instance, but also with a view to continuously improving the processes and procedures on the information security system (ISMS). The certification provides a framework for the storage and management of data and can also help to reduce the possibility of cyber-attacks.
By being ISO 27001 accredited Xynomix can assure that any data stored with us is subject to stringent and robust procedures to guard against data leaks or breaches. The training that our organisation and staff have undergone to achieve this certification is rigorous and thorough to ensure that our client’s data is stored with the highest level of security. With the introduction of GDPR regulations of 2018, infallible data protection has never been so vital to protect personal and sensitive information. Because Xynomix are ISO 27001 compliant, you can be sure that we are closely monitoring and scrutinising our IT data.
We work closely with clients who deal with some of the most sensitive data that can be stored, such as organisations in the legal, financial and public sector. Penalties in this sector for data breaches or privacy leaks are high and stringently regulated. The information they need to store is highly personal and traceable and needs to be handled with the utmost professional care. When choosing an IT provider to manage such data in terms of hosting, designing or managing applications, you need to ensure that failsafe security measures are in place.
How does an organisation become ISO 27001 compliant? What is involved and how are organisations validated?
To obtain ISO 27001 Xynomix was required to commit to a lengthy process. It usually entails a large amount of documentation gathering and can take some time to prepare in order to pass an audit. To then become fully compliant, an organisation is required to look back at its previous practices to ascertain whether they comply with the current ISO 27001 standards. The methods applied also need to work for the company in a practical sense. The initial process can take as long as 6 months to implement. Staff training is also a major consideration for ISMS as it is imperative that there is a company-wide culture on data handling processes and procedures to guarantee consistency within the organisation.
What is the ISO 27001 audit process?
There are 3 stages to the audit process. The first stage is an internal audit; this is in preparation for an external audit. The internal audit is imperative to determine any areas in which an organisation is clearly lacking, or has weak points in its practices and procedures. At this point any areas for concern can be pulled up to standard in advance of the external audit.
Following the internal audit, stage one of the external audit commences. This is a preparation stage for the auditors. They can take an initial look to survey whether the organisation has effectively complied with the projected scope of terms and fulfilled the requirements of certification standards.
The final stage of the external audit is more of an extensive survey of current company procedures and practices. Evidence is required to support the investigation that would typically span 3-6 months. This evidence can indicate to the auditor whether the company is able to meet with the certification standards and that all procedures and policies followed by the organisation are practical and are being carried out with full compliancy.
The auditor will look back at the initial stage of the audit to ensure that any anomalies from the audit have been addressed and rectified. Any other non-conformities that are discovered during stage 2 will be evaluated to ascertain their impact on the organisation. There is still a chance certification will be awarded if anomalies are only minor, with the recommendations to resolve them.
Why is finding a company with ISO 27001 certification so important to your organisation?
Outwardly, the ISO 27001 certification shows a solid obligation and intention to perform to high level international standards of data security. The certification sends a clear message to potential clients of Xynomix that we have taken all of the necessary precautions to protect sensitive and personal data and to future proof against potential leak and breach risks.
ISO 27001 is a company-wide training experience, bringing staff up to date with the current standards and expectations regarding the protection of data. By ensuring that the certification training is a shared experience across the organisation, Xynomix can be confident that there are no areas of weakness within the ISMS. Once accredited with the ISO 27001 certification, the hard work does not stop there. Any certified organisation knows that having the certification and adapting to the new procedures and practices is an ongoing process. With annual audits to ensure that processes remain secure and continuous improvements in between audits, you can trust a company that has achieved the ISO 27001 standard. Once an ISO 27001 certification is in place it must be reapplied for every 3 years which is another way to ensure that certification standards are fully maintained.
Knowing that Xynomix has ISO 27001 certification gives our clients peace of mind when choosing a professional IT provider. This highly acclaimed accreditation is a testament to our commitment to the highest standard of compliance with regulations.
If you would like to know more about how our ISO 27001 certification gives clients confidence in achieving their security policies in more detail, Xynomix welcomes your enquiries so please get in touch.
