Information Security
Information Security Management System (ISMS)
Information security as a foundation for reliable business processes
Companies depend heavily on reliable information and communication technology. Business processes, customer data, financial information and internal records are processed, stored and exchanged digitally.
Cloud services, external IT providers and mobile working arrangements add further dependencies. Information-security risks therefore cannot be managed by technical measures alone. Governance, processes, people and technology must work together.
An Information Security Management System (ISMS) provides a structured framework for identifying, assessing and treating security risks. It focuses in particular on:
- Confidentiality: information is accessible only to authorised persons;
- Integrity: information remains accurate, complete and protected against unauthorised alteration; and
- Availability: systems and information are reliably available when required.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 provides an internationally recognised framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an ISMS. The scope and depth must be appropriate to the organisation, its business model and its risk profile.
Managing cyber risks systematically
Cyberattacks, malware, phishing, data loss and the failure of critical systems can materially disrupt operations. The relevant question is therefore not only whether an organisation has already been attacked, but whether it knows its critical information assets, understands relevant risks and has suitable preventive and response measures in place.
An ISMS brings together:
- security policies, roles and responsibilities;
- asset classification and risk assessment;
- security and access-control concepts;
- requirements for service providers and cloud suppliers;
- business continuity and recovery arrangements;
- training and awareness;
- incident response and lessons learned; and
- monitoring, internal audits and continual improvement.
Building and developing your ISMS
Together with our partner company SECaaS GmbH, we support the development of an ISMS that is aligned with your organisation and protection needs.
Our services include:
- assessment of the existing information-security organisation;
- definition of the ISMS scope;
- identification and assessment of information-security risks;
- development or revision of policies and security concepts;
- definition of roles, responsibilities and reporting lines;
- development of a risk-based action plan;
- integration of cloud and IT service providers;
- development of incident, continuity and recovery processes;
- employee training and awareness; and
- preparation and performance of internal audits.
In addition to ISO/IEC 27001, we consider applicable legal, regulatory and contractual requirements. ISO/IEC 27001:2022 was supplemented by Amendment 1:2024 concerning climate-change considerations. Any relevance to the context and scope of the ISMS should be assessed as part of the regular review.
Preparing for ISO/IEC 27001 certification
We support structured preparation for certification, including gap analyses, review of risk treatment and the Statement of Applicability, assessment of policies and evidence, preparation for internal audits and support in addressing identified improvements.
Certification decisions are made by an independent certification body. We provide preparation and professional support but do not make the independent certification decision.
Your benefit
An appropriately designed ISMS can improve transparency of security risks, clarify responsibilities, support risk-based prioritisation, strengthen incident preparedness and provide evidence for customers, business partners and certification bodies.
Contact
Would you like to establish, improve or prepare an ISMS for certification? Contact us to discuss the appropriate next steps.
office(at)collegium-auditores.de