Organizations should turn to cyber security standards – particularly ISO 27001, which covers information security, and ISO 22301, which covers business continuity. Compliance with these standards is especially important for those involved in critical infrastructure. Many such organizations are required to comply with the Directive on security of network and information systems for which ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 provide ideal frameworks for compliance.

ISO 27001

Organizations that certify to ISO 27001:

*Improve their structure and focus: When a business grows rapidly, it doesn’t take long for confusion to spread about who is responsible for which information assets. ISO 27001 helps organizations become more productive by clearly setting out information risk responsibilities.

Receive an independent opinion about their security posture: Organizations seeking certification will need to pass a review from an external auditor. The auditor will then carry out follow-up reviews at specific intervals to establish whether controls are working as intended.

Demonstrate to clients that cyber security is a top priority: Clients will be more willing to trust an organization that has accredited certification to international standards. This gives the organization a competitive advantage.

Improve company culture: Employees play a major role in ISO 27001 compliance, and if they are made aware of the good work they are doing, they will feel more valued and committed to the cause.

ISO 22301

Organizations that certify to ISO 22301 will experience many of the same benefits as with ISO 27001. They will also be able to:

Maintain the continuity of business operations: Implementing a business continuity management system (BCMS) in line with the requirements of ISO 22301 allows organizations to minimize the disruption to business in the event of a disaster. It can be followed in the event of many incidents, from adverse weather to a cyber attack. It helps staff assess the potential impacts of an operational disruption and take appropriate steps without delay.

Protect assets, turnover and profits: Effective business continuity management means that organizations are able to ensure continuity in the delivery of their products and services, and perform activities that are critical to successfully continuing their operations. These activities protect income streams and reduce the risk of further losses due to an incident or disaster.

Reduce the cost of business interruption insurance: An ISO 22301-compliant BCMS gives organizations better insight into the real effects of a disaster, enabling them to accurately evaluate the type and value of insurance cover they need.