If your company is aiming for ISO 27001 compliance, it should complete an internal audit first. This will prevent non-conformities from being overlooked during the external audit stage.
An ISO 27001 audit reduces the risk of high fines following a data breach or cyber attack. Additionally, it increases customer trust. This is particularly important for B2B companies.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
There are plenty of people in the world who would love to do harm to your business – hackers, scammers, financial criminals, and many other denizens of the dark web. Being ISO 27001 certified shows that you take information security seriously, which can make it much harder for these types of attackers to succeed.
Aside from the added value that comes with being ISO 27001 certified, it also helps businesses avoid costly fines for data breaches or other security incidents. This saves money that could be better spent on improving the structure and focus of your business.
Once your company is certified, it will need to undergo surveillance audits in order to maintain its status.
Increased Sales
A certified ISO 27001 company can be a selling point for potential customers. Data breaches can lead to major fines, and a customer might prefer working with a business that has already undergone a rigorous audit and is committed to information security best practices.
An ISO 27001 certification process involves a gap analysis, in which an auditor compares your ISMS with the standard. Once you’ve completed the initial stage, you can schedule a full certification audit conducted by a team of experts from an accredited certifying body.
Reduced Risk
Having an ISO 27001 certificate gives businesses a competitive edge when it comes to attracting clients. Clients are increasingly concerned about the safety of their data and are hesitant to trust companies without an ISO 27001 stamp of approval.
The cost of undergoing an ISO 27001 audit depends on the size and complexity of your organisation. The biggest expense is the first phase, which involves creating and documenting your ISMS. This includes conducting a risk assessment and developing policies that adhere to the ISO 27001 standards.
Employee Satisfaction
The ISO 27001 audit is a lengthy and time-consuming process that requires significant effort. Fortunately, compliance automation software can help streamline and expedite the process.
Additionally, the audit provides an excellent opportunity to instil good security habits. For example, employees are encouraged to follow policies that ensure their USBs and other devices containing company data are locked away at the end of the work day.
Employees are more likely to trust a business that is ISO 27001 compliant. As a result, the certification will increase employee satisfaction and potentially boost hiring decisions.
Improved Business Processes
When businesses go through the process of an ISO 27001 audit, they often get a better understanding of their business processes. This can help them identify areas where they can improve their security and make better decisions.
An ISO 27001 audit can also save your business money. The main reason for this is because it prevents security incidents from occurring, which cost money. Additionally, it reduces the need for repeat customer audits, which also costs money.
