Benefits of Building an ISO 27001 Information Security Management System

Benefits of an Information Security Management System

Before covering the benefits of building an information security management system, let us set out what ISO 27001 is. Organisations that hold ISO 27001 demonstrate that they take information security seriously, that they have put the required stages in place, and that they keep those stages under review. The benefits of certification go beyond that baseline.

The benefits of building an information security management system are set out below.

Awareness of information assets. The organisation learns which information assets it holds and what they are worth. It protects those assets through defined methods, controls, and processes. That awareness also gives customers, shareholders, employees, business partners, and solution partners confidence in the security of the organisation's information systems.

It improves the organisation's credit standing and its reputation in the market. Starting with suppliers, all parties know their information will be protected.

Under this system, information is protected and no detail is left to chance. The organisation also gains the resilience to continue operating through a security event.

A small security lapse can cause major cost. Applying the ISO 27001 controls brings those costs down over time.

• It raises staff motivation and removes the risk of legal exposure.
• It is evidence of compliance with regulations and with the law, which lifts the reputation of the organisation.
• It shows that the value of information is recognised at every level of the organisation.
• It delivers competitive advantage.
• Higher profitability over time.
• A better brand image.
• Alignment with laws, contractual requirements, and regulations.
• Security controls are in place.
• Risk awareness across the organisation.
• Information systems, decision-making information flows, and processes (formal and informal) are visible.
• Capabilities and resources that come with the information base: systems, capital, time, people, and technologies.
• Protection of information assets in a way that fits the actual need.
• Protection against threats to information assets, which supports business continuity.
• The form and scope of contract-related relationships are clarified.
• Key drivers and trends that affect the organisation's objectives become visible.