4 REASONS FOR THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF ISO 27001

The constant evolution of security threats and the increased regulatory demands mean that adhering to standards such as ISO 27001 is not optional but essential. A security breach can have far-reaching effects, and ISO 27001 acts as a reassuring shield against such risks. Whether you are a small or a large organisation, these numbers reflect the standard’s effectiveness and the growing necessity for its adoption.

‍ISO 27001 encourages organisations to continuously improve, as seen in requirement 10.2. It states that “the organisation needs to continually improve the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the information security management system.” This continuous improvement approach helps organisations stay proactive, adaptive, and resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Here are some of the areas where ISO 27001 supports the organisation’s defences through continuous improvement:

• Adaptive risk management – Continuously assesses and mitigates emerging cyber threats, reducing vulnerabilities to cybercriminal tactics.
• Regular security updates, patching, and continuous monitoring – Ensures timely software updates, vulnerability management, and proactive threat detection to minimise exploitable weaknesses.
• Incident response and recovery – Strengthens detection, response, and recovery capabilities to minimise damage from cyberattacks.
• Security awareness and training – Reduces human-related security risks through ongoing employee education and awareness programs.
• Strengthening supply chain security – Enforces security standards for third parties to prevent supply chain cyber threats.

A study by CyberArk reveals that around 49% of participants confessed to using the same login credentials across various work applications.

Organisations still struggle with poor information security skills among personnel. An organisation’s information security is only as good as its weakest link, and when it comes to poor information security skills within organisations, it’s clear that human error remains one of the biggest vulnerabilities. Many breaches are the result of inadequate training and awareness around cybersecurity practices. Employees might unknowingly click on phishing emails or fail to update passwords, creating entry points for attackers. These gaps in knowledge can be detrimental, but they also represent an opportunity for improvement.

A key component of ISO 27001 is ongoing employee awareness and training, reducing human errors that often lead to cyber incidents (e.g., falling for phishing scams or weak password practices). By adopting ISO 27001, businesses can enhance their cyber security posture, reduce human-related security risks, and align with best practices to protect sensitive information.

Regular training and improving employee skills can greatly reduce these gaps. Providing staff with proper knowledge about information security not only strengthens an organisation’s defences but also creates a proactive culture focused on security. This makes sure everyone helps protect sensitive information, reducing the risk of threats.

As digitalisation and cybercrime evolve, new requirements and legislation will continuously emerge. The regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with stringent data protection laws like the GDPR and legislations to more critical sectors, like NIS2 and DORA, along with hefty fines for non-compliance. Supply chains may also require compliance in multiple requirements by these legislations, so it’s important that organisations have structured solutions in place for compliance. 

So how is ISO 27001 relevant here? ISO 27001:2022 provides a framework that aligns with many of these regulations, helping organisations demonstrate compliance and avoid hefty fines and legal repercussions.  As many regulations  require robust security measures, implementing ISO 27001 helps organisations meet these requirements by ensuring structured controls, e.g. for data protection, risk management and access management.

Companies with ISO 27001 certification see a 30% increase in customer trust.

Previously a handshake and promise of “taking good care of your data” might have been enough for many customers. Not anymore.

Today, it’s more important than ever for organisations to really demonstrate they can protect information. When people know their data is protected, they feel more confident to engage with you, which strengthens your place in the market. For this, a relevant compliance or certification can be enough to reassure that the sensitive data is handled securely, strengthening relationships and loyalty.

ISO 27001 is internationally accepted proof of strong cyber security practices and unlike regulations like GDPR or NIS2, ISO 27001 offers a possibility to certification. ISO certification is recognised worldwide as a mark of trust and reliability, facilitating smoother business transactions and partnerships by providing confidence in an organisation’s commitment to information security.

So overall, ISO 27001 certification not only strengthens cyber resilience but also enhances trust, compliance, and business efficiency.