ISO 27001: Information Security Management System

What is ISO 27001?

ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard that sets out the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). Its goal is to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, whether it is digital, on paper or in employees' heads.

The current version is ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and a 2024 amendment added a requirement for the organization to consider whether climate change is a relevant issue for its business. The transition period for certificates issued against the previous 2013 version ended on October 31, 2025, so those certificates are no longer valid.

The standard is part of the ISO/IEC 27000 family, which also covers guidance on applying controls (ISO/IEC 27002), information security risk management (ISO/IEC 27005) and privacy protection (ISO/IEC 27701).

Key requirements of the standard

• Context and scope — the organization determines which information, processes, locations and systems the ISMS covers and who the interested parties are.
• Risk assessment and treatment — information security risks are identified, assessed and treated using a defined methodology, not gut feeling.
• Statement of Applicability — a document listing which controls are applied, which are not, and why. The certification audit is based on it.
• Annex A controls — 93 controls grouped into four themes: organizational, people, physical and technological.
• Leadership and continual improvement — management approves the policy and accepts residual risks, and the system is measured, audited and improved.

Who is ISO 27001 for?

ISO 27001 is not just for IT companies. It is meant for any organization for which information matters to the business: IT and outsourcing companies, financial institutions, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, logistics and the public sector, regardless of size.

It is especially important for companies whose customers, particularly in the EU, ask suppliers for proof of information security, and for those that handle personal data on a larger scale. The standard also helps meet obligations under the Law on Personal Data Protection and information security regulations, as well as the requirements of the EU NIS2 directive that EU partners pass on to their suppliers.

Benefits of implementing ISO 27001

• lower risk of unauthorized access, data leaks or data loss and the costs that follow,
• greater resilience to cyberattacks and faster recovery after an incident,
• easier compliance with legal obligations and customer information security requirements,
• more confidence among clients, partners and employees that their data is safe,
• a competitive edge in tenders and in working with large, especially international, companies,
• clear information security responsibilities at every level of the organization.

What implementing ISO 27001 looks like

1. Gap analysis — we compare how the company currently protects information with the requirements of the standard.
2. Scope and risk assessment — together we define what the ISMS covers, inventory information assets and assess risks.
3. Risk treatment plan and Statement of Applicability — we select the controls that reduce the risks and document which controls apply and why.
4. Policies, controls and training — we put policies and procedures in place and train employees to recognize risks, because human error is the most common cause of incidents.
5. Internal audit and management review — we check whether the system works as intended and resolve nonconformities, and management evaluates the results and decides on improvements.
6. Certification audit — an accredited certification body carries out a two-stage audit. We are with you throughout the audit and help you address any findings.

For most companies the whole process takes three to six months, depending on the scope of the system, the number of locations and how well technical measures are already in place.

If you are interested in implementing an ISO 27001 information security management system in your company, you can request a quote or contact us by phone or by email at office@eqsint.com.