ISO/IEC 27001 in Consulting and Distribution

When it comes to Consulting and Distribution there are a number of ISO certifications available to you, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. But the one we are focusing on in this article is ISO/IEC 27001. This ISO certification is the ISO standard for Information Security Management. 

By being ISO certified in this area, businesses will have the guidance they need for running an effective information security management system. This article will help highlight ISO/IEC 27001’s role in Consulting and Distribution and why this particular certification can be beneficial for this line of work.

What Is ISO/IEC 27001?

ISO/IEC 27001 sets out the requisite standards that an information security management system must meet to be deemed ISO compliant. The ISO information security management certification is concerned with the security and managed processes that govern data owned by or processed by the business. 

Why Is ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Important?

Recent reports show that cyberattacks increased by 38% over a period of just 12 months, which highlights how prevalent they are. From ransomware and phishing to social engineering and malware, there are endless ways that companies can succumb to cyber threats – all with very damaging results. 

The integrity and security of the data that a business holds are of the utmost importance, which is why cyber security and data protection is so relevant to today’s companies. Any type of data loss or breach can have operational, reputational and financial effects and some businesses may struggle to recover from the fallout. 

When you are ISO certified and hold an ISO/IEC 27001 certificate, however, you can ensure that you have a compliant and effective information management security system in place. This elevates your data security and makes your organisation less vulnerable to the risk of data breaches and data loss. In turn, achieving the ISO/IEC 27001 standard protects the integrity and reputation of your business as a whole. 

ISO/IEC 27001 in the Consulting and Distribution Sector

There are many ISO certifications that are applicable to the consulting and distribution sector, but ISO/IEC 27001 is particularly important. If you’re operating a distribution company, for example, you’re likely to hold and/or process both B2B and B2C data. As such, you’ll need an effective information security management system in place to keep this data secure and the ISO certification will enable you to achieve this. 

Organisations operating within the consulting, distribution and logistics industries can face particular data threats and risks, such as:

• Lack of visibility over third-party data and data management
• Shared systems with third-party partners
• Increased automation powered by software, technology and AI 
• Necessary data sharing across teams and by employees
• Targeting by hackers and data theft

How Does ISO/IEC 27001 Help?

ISO/IEC 27001 directly correlates to the data risks that consulting and distribution companies face on a day-to-day basis. Covering information management, risk management, incident management and more, ISO/IEC 27001 sets out a framework that is used to create a custom information security management system that is tailored to the needs of your business and your sector while achieving international quality standards. 

ISO/IEC 27001 covers a number of areas relating to information security, including:

• Risk assessment
• Information security policies and procedures
• Access control
• Asset management
• Communications security
• Business continuity
• Information security compliance

When you become ISO/IEC 27001 certified, you’ll be showing that your organisation has met the international standard that covers these areas and more, thus highlighting your commitment to the highest possible standards of information security. 

What Are the Benefits of ISO/IEC 27001 Certification?

Achieving the ISO/IEC 27001 certification can offer a number of benefits to businesses across a range of sectors, including:

Regulatory Compliance

In today’s interconnected world, businesses are subject to a wide range of information security and data regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences, including financial sanctions and reputational damage. 

By obtaining the ISO/IEC 27001 certificate, you can ensure regulatory compliance at the same time. Indeed, many of the steps you will need to take to achieve regulatory compliance can be undertaken as part of the ISO/IEC 27001 preparation process, so why not maximise the ROI and achieve an acknowledged standard as you make your business compliant with necessary legal, security and financial regulations? 

Win More Contracts

As businesses across all sectors are necessarily concerned with information security, many will only work with or partner with companies that are ISO/IEC 27001 compliant. By obtaining the ISO/IEC 27001 certificate you can, therefore, increase your eligibility for a wider range of contracts and secure more opportunities for your business. 

Avoid Reputational Harm

Recovering from a data breach can be difficult in operational terms but it can be impossible to recover from the reputation harm it can cause. As you’ll be required to notify affected persons if a breach occurs, the harm to your brand can be unavoidable. Fortunately, a robust information security management system and ISO/IEC 27001 certificate will give you the greatest protection against a data breach and, therefore, reduce the risk of reputational harm damaging your brand. 

Respond to Emerging Threats

Technology is evolving all of the time and, unfortunately, this includes cyber threats. As new types of threats emerge, it’s vital that businesses are vigilant about the risks to their data and information. As ISO/IEC 27001 puts an emphasis on continuous improvement, you’ll find that a compliant information security management system will enable you to modify your strategy and system to protect against new and emerging threats that could put your data and business at risk. 

Educate and Empower Your Staff

Many cyberattacks succeed because employees unintentionally provide access to secure systems, which means that educating employees is critical to maintaining a secure digital environment. This is incorporated into the ISO/IEC 27001 certificate, so you can empower your teams with enhanced knowledge and user-friendly security protocols that increase information security while strengthening corporate culture. 

Start Preparing for the ISO 27001 Certificate Now

To learn more about the benefits of ISO certifications or to find out how we can support your company in becoming ISO 27001 compliant, get in touch with our team now.