ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a systematic framework for managing sensitive company and customer information, making it secure and demonstrably well-protected.
Unlike Cyber Essentials which focuses on basic technical controls, ISO 27001 is a comprehensive management standard covering people, processes, and technology. It requires you to identify information security risks, implement appropriate controls to manage those risks, and continuously monitor and improve your security posture. The standard includes 114 security controls across 14 domains, from access control and cryptography to supplier relationships and business continuity.
ISO 27001 certification is achieved through independent audit by an accredited certification body. The auditors verify that you’ve implemented an effective ISMS, documented your security policies and procedures, conducted risk assessments, and established a programme for continuous improvement. Certification typically lasts three years with annual surveillance audits.
For UK businesses, ISO 27001 offers several advantages: it’s recognised globally (valuable for international trade), often required by large enterprises and government departments when selecting suppliers, demonstrates the highest level of information security commitment, can significantly reduce cyber insurance premiums, helps meet GDPR requirements, and provides a structured approach to managing security that scales with your business.
However, achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 certification requires significant commitment. You’ll need to document extensive policies and procedures, conduct regular risk assessments, provide ongoing security training, and continuously monitor and improve your ISMS. For this reason, it’s typically pursued by organisations handling particularly sensitive data or those requiring certification for commercial reasons.
GoodChoice IT supports London and Surrey businesses pursuing ISO 27001 certification. We conduct gap analyses to identify what needs implementing, help develop your ISMS documentation, implement necessary technical and organisational controls, train your team, prepare you for certification audits, and provide ongoing support to maintain compliance. We also hold our own ISO 27001 certification, demonstrating our commitment to information security best practices.
« Back to Glossary Index