The role of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is to facilitate international coordination through defining and managing various standards for different disciplines, including education sector.
When it comes to keeping information assets secure, organizations can rely on the ISO 27000 family, which has been progressively published since 2005. Securing information properly has always been a challenge that requires careful management of people and assets, and ISO 27001 helps to ensure that information security is a reality.
ISO 27001 provides a model for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). An ISMS is a framework of policies and procedures that include all administrative, physical and technical controls involved in securing data. The standard does not mandate specific information security controls, but provides a checklist of measures that should be considered by organizations. These are listed in the accompanying code of practice, ISO 27002. In turn, ISO 27003 outlines the major steps for implementing an ISMS.
Data breaches and cyber attacks are, unfortunately, becoming a regular occurrence and organizations worldwide are continuously recognizing the need for a robust information security management system (ISMS) certified to ISO 27001.
Obtaining a certification brings a wealth of benefits, including:
a) Avoidance of penalties and financial losses due to data breaches.
b) Meeting client demands for greater data security.
c) Compliance with applicable regulations.
d) Protection and enhancement of good reputation.
e) Independently audited proof that information is protected appropriately.
The ISMS based on ISO 27001 methodology is a powerful tool for managing information security within any organization, regardless of its size and nature, and I would like to encourage everyone to learn more about the standard and ways of implementing it.
