ISO 27001

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 (officially ISO/IEC 27001) is the internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It comes from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), giving organizations a structured way to protect sensitive information through systematic risk management. The current version, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, has been updated to address modern security realities like cloud computing, remote work, and the constantly shifting landscape of cyber threats.

What sets this standard apart is its holistic view of information security. It looks at people, policies, and technology together rather than zeroing in on technical controls alone. When organizations implement ISO 27001, they build processes for spotting security risks, picking the right controls, and continuously watching and improving their security stance. This risk-based thinking helps make sure security spending matches actual threats instead of just ticking boxes on a generic checklist.

Getting ISO 27001 certification signals to customers, partners, and regulators that your organization genuinely prioritizes information security. Meeting regulatory compliance requirements like this involves external audits from accredited bodies, which makes it a credible third-party stamp of approval. Many companies go after certification because contracts demand it, because it helps win new deals, or simply to build confidence with stakeholders who trust them with sensitive data.

Key Characteristics of ISO 27001

• Risk-Based Approach: Organizations must identify, assess, and address information security risks based on their particular context and threat environment
• Comprehensive Control Framework: Annex A includes 93 controls spanning four domains: organizational, people, physical, and technological security
• Continuous Improvement: The standard follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, pushing for ongoing evaluation and refinement of security measures
• Management Commitment: Leadership needs to actively shape security objectives, allocate resources, and set organizational direction
• Documentation Requirements: A thorough compliance manual with documented policies, procedures, and records is mandatory to show compliance and support consistent implementation
• Internal Audit and Review: Regular internal audits and management reviews are required to confirm the ISMS is working as intended

ISO 27001 Examples

Example 1: SaaS Technology Company

A cloud-based project management software company decides to implement ISO 27001 to safeguard customer data and satisfy enterprise client demands. They document access control policies, encrypt data at rest and in transit, run regular vulnerability assessments, and put all employees through security awareness training. Once they earn certification, they find themselves closing deals with Fortune 500 companies that had ISO 27001 compliance on their vendor checklist.

Example 2: Healthcare Services Provider

A medical billing company that handles protected health information pursues ISO 27001 certification alongside HIPAA compliance. They put in role-based access controls, implement data encryption, create incident response procedures, run background checks on employees who can access data, and keep thorough audit logs. The ISMS gives them a systematic way to cover security requirements from both frameworks while lowering their exposure to expensive data breaches.

ISO 27001 vs SOC 2

Both frameworks tackle information security, but they have different purposes and audiences.

How Glitter AI Helps with ISO 27001

Keeping up with ISO 27001 compliance means documenting a lot of security policies, procedures, and work instructions. Glitter AI makes this easier by helping teams quickly capture, create, and update security procedures with visual step-by-step guides. Whether you are documenting access management workflows, incident response procedures, or employee security training, Glitter keeps documentation current and easy to find.

The platform's version control and approval features line up directly with ISO 27001's document control requirements. Teams can track document revisions, set up review and approval workflows, and make sure employees always see the latest versions of security procedures. This audit trail becomes especially valuable during certification audits when auditors want to verify that documented procedures actually reflect what happens day to day.