In today’s digital landscape, implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) is vital for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring regulatory compliance. The ISO 27001 and 27002 standards provide a robust framework for establishing an effective ISMS. To ensure a successful implementation, organizations must consider several best practices. These practices not only set the groundwork for a secure environment but also align with international standards, enhancing overall information security posture.

What is ISMS?

An information security management system (ISMS) is a set of policies and procedures for systematically managing an organization’s sensitive data. The goal of an ISMS is to minimize risk and ensure business continuity by proactively limiting the impact of a security breach.

An ISMS typically addresses employee behavior and processes as well as data and technology. It can be targeted toward a particular type of data, such as customer data, or it can be implemented in a comprehensive way that becomes part of the company’s culture.

How does ISMS work?

An ISMS provides a systematic approach for managing the information security of an organization. Information security encompasses certain broad policies that control and manage security risk levels across an organization.

ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for information security and for creating an ISMS. Jointly published by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission, the standard doesn’t mandate specific actions but includes suggestions for documentation, internal audits, continual improvement, and corrective and preventive action. To become ISO 27001 certified, an organization requires an ISMS that identifies the organizational assets and provides the following assessment:

  • the risks the information assets face;
  • the steps taken to protect the information assets;
  • a plan of action in case a security breach happens; and
  • identification of individuals responsible for each step of the information security process.

The goal of an ISMS isn’t necessarily to maximize information security, but rather to reach an organization’s desired level of information security. Depending on the specific needs of the industry, these levels of control may vary. For example, since healthcare is a highly regulated field, a healthcare organization may develop a system to ensure sensitive patient data is fully protected.

Benefits of ISMS

ISMS provides a holistic approach to managing the information systems within an organization. This offers numerous benefits, some of which are highlighted below.

  • Protects sensitive data. An ISMS protects all types of proprietary information assets whether they’re paper-based, preserved digitally or reside in the cloud. These assets can include personal data, intellectual property, financial data, customer data and data entrusted to companies through third parties.
  • Meets regulatory compliance. ISMS helps organizations meet all regulatory compliance and contractual requirements and provides a better grasp on legalities surrounding information systems. Since violation of legal regulations comes with hefty fines, having an ISMS can be especially beneficial for highly regulated industries with critical infrastructures, such as finance or healthcare.
  • Provides business continuity. When organizations invest in an ISMS, they automatically increase their level of defense against threats. This reduces the number of security incidents, such as cyber attacks, resulting in fewer disruptions and less downtime, which are important factors for maintaining business continuity.
  • Reduces costs. An ISMS offers a thorough risk assessment of all assets. This enables organizations to prioritize the highest risk assets to prevent indiscriminate spending on unneeded defenses and provide a focused approach toward securing them. This structured approach, along with less downtime due to a reduction in security incidents, significantly cuts an organization’s total spending.
  • Enhances company culture. An ISMS provides an all-inclusive approach for security and asset management throughout the organization that isn’t limited to IT security. This encourages all employees to understand the risks tied to information assets and adopt security best practices as part of their daily routines.
  • Adapts to emerging threats. Security threats are constantly evolving. An ISMS helps organizations prepare and adapt to newer threats and the continuously changing demands of the security landscape.
ISMS best practices

The ISO 27001, along with the ISO 27002 standards, offers best-practice guidelines for setting up an ISMS. The following is a checklist of best practices to consider before investing in an ISMS:

  1. Define Scope and Objectives: Determine which assets need protection and the reasons.
  2. Identify Assets: Create an inventory of critical assets using a business process map.
  3. Recognize Risks: Analyze and score risks, considering their impact and likelihood.
  4. Identify Mitigation Measures: Develop clear plans to avoid or mitigate risks.
  5. Make Improvements: Monitor and audit the ISMS, making necessary adjustments for effectiveness and adapting to new risks.
Implementing ISMS

There are various ways to set up an ISMS. Most organizations either follow a plan-do-check-act process or study the ISO 27001 international security standard which effectively details the requirements for an ISMS.

  1. Define Scope and Objectives: Determine which assets need protection and the reasons.
  2. Identify Assets: Create an inventory of critical assets using a business process map.
  3. Recognize Risks: Analyze and score risks, considering their impact and likelihood.
  4. Identify Mitigation Measures: Develop clear plans to avoid or mitigate risks.
  5. Make Improvements: Monitor and audit the ISMS, making necessary adjustments for effectiveness and adapting to new risks.

The successful implementation of an ISMS requires careful planning, strategic implementation, and ongoing management. By following these best practices, our Guardian CyberWatchtower™ Escalation Center can create a resilient, secure information environment that not only protects against current threats but is also adaptable to future challenges. This approach ensures not only compliance with ISO 27001 standards but also fosters a culture of security readiness and continuous improvement, which is crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of information security.