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.
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