Facing the digitalization of their activities, companies must now deal with a growing risk of cyber threats. Financial losses, theft of sensitive data, damage to brand image… the impacts of an incident are numerous. In 2024, the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) observed a 15% increase in security events handled by their teams. In this context, compliance and cybersecurity risk management are becoming strategic.
Regulations are becoming stricter: GDPR, DORA, NIS2, Cyber Resilience Act… Among them, the ISO/IEC 27001 standard stands out as an international benchmark for structuring a robust cybersecurity policy, suitable for organizations of all sizes.
What is the ISO 27001 standard?
Cybersecurity and IS resilience
The ISO/IEC 27001 standard defines the requirements related to the implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a methodological framework to structure security policies, protect sensitive information, and establish effective governance processes for the information system.
“The ISO/IEC 27001 standard provides companies of all sizes, regardless of their industry, with guidelines for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving an information security management system.”[1]
It covers three main areas:
- confidentiality (preventing unauthorized access);
- integrity (ensuring data accuracy);
- availability (ensuring proper access to resources);
A company compliant with ISO 27001 means it has deployed a risk management system related to the processing and security of the information it handles. It therefore complies with the best practices and processes indicated by the standard.
Evolutions of the ISO 27001 standard
Published in 2005, ISO/IEC 27001 is inspired by the British BS 7799 standard. It was updated once in 2013 and more recently in 2022 to integrate new requirements linked to cyber threats and technological risks.
ISO 27001 is used in dozens of countries and has become a global standard, adopted by private-sector companies and public institutions alike.
Scope and field of application of ISO 27001 certification
ISO 27001 certification sets requirements for the confidentiality, integrity and availability of corporate information and data. Its scope does not only cover the information system but also organizational, human, and decision-making processes.
Moreover, it enables an organization to certify the integrity of its information system—or only part of it—depending on risks and exposure. Certification may therefore concern a subsidiary, a department, or a specific process.
This is why ISO 27001 is not only intended for large companies with a structured IT department. Smaller organizations can also pursue ISO 27001 certification to help formalize, manage, and optimize their information risk management.
What are the objectives of ISO 27001?
Strengthen your cybersecurity procedures
ISO/IEC 27001 helps organizations adopt and structure an information security approach. It provides a methodology enabling them to:
- identify vulnerabilities and potential threats;
- assess risks;
- define cybersecurity rules and procedures;
- implement measures within teams;
- ensure continuous monitoring.
Implementing an Information Security Management System allows these requirements and procedures to be formalized and managed regularly. It requires defining an Information Security Policy (ISP), ensuring its regular review, and adopting a clear organization with defined roles. The ISMS is accompanied by ongoing monitoring to detect and be better prepared for attacks.
Improve your digital resilience
Regardless of their size or activity, organizations face recurring cyberattacks: phishing, ransomware, attacks via third parties… The goal is to identify, assess, and counter these threats, while anticipating risks.
ISO 27001 therefore provides a normative framework that evolves practices within a continuous improvement approach. CISOs are aware of the threats. They must strengthen correction and protection mechanisms, especially in business continuity and recovery. Certification requires a proactive approach based on analysis, control, correction, and reassessment from the early stages of projects: specifications, choice of service providers, impact on the IS…
Engage your teams toward compliance
Implementing ISO 27001 does not rely solely on technical tools. It requires strong involvement from employees and management: vision, resources, budget, decision-making… It encourages clear governance with defined responsibilities and role allocation. It structures internal procedures regarding access, third-party risk management, document sharing, and incident handling.
ISO 27001 also requires evolving practices, systematic documentation, and adopting a cybersecurity culture. This collective momentum is based on cooperation and employee involvement and becomes a performance driver.
Build trust with your clients and partners
ISO 27001 certification can become a powerful sales argument, demonstrating a company’s cybersecurity posture. It reassures clients and commits partners to a relationship built on trust.
In the public sector or finance, ISO 27001 has become a prerequisite in specifications and calls for tenders. It demonstrates the procedures and actions taken in terms of cybersecurity and information protection.
Who is ISO 27001 for?
Sectors concerned by ISO 27001
Certain industries are more exposed due to the critical nature of the data they process. Companies in IT, finance, or healthcare face strong regulatory requirements (GDPR, DORA, NIS2…). Obtaining ISO/IEC 27001 certification helps them mitigate cyber risks and move toward compliance.
Technical service providers (managed services, hosting…) also rely on ISO 27001 as a standard of trust. Handling sensitive data on behalf of their clients requires robust protection procedures and systems.
Types of organizations targeted by ISO 27001 certification
For large corporations, ISO 27001 fits within a global compliance framework, helping harmonize practices between subsidiaries. It demonstrates cybersecurity maturity, optimizes procedures and audits, and aligns with international standards.
For smaller organizations, ISO 27001 helps initiate a cybersecurity approach. It supports business growth through procedures that meet client security requirements.
What are the requirements of ISO 27001?
Structure an Information Security Management System (ISMS)
The ISMS is at the heart of ISO 27001. It is a structured, documented, and adaptable management framework designed to protect an organization’s critical information.
The ISMS relies on four key pillars:
- defining clear security objectives based on risk analysis;
- deploying appropriate policies, procedures, and protection measures;
- verifying the effectiveness of measures through audits, evaluations, or performance indicators;
- continuous improvement by adapting procedures to evolving threats to correct deviations.
Analyze cybersecurity risks
Risk analysis is central to ISO 27001 requirements. It requires organizations to:
- identify their information assets (sensitive data, software tools, network infrastructures, business applications...);
- assess technical, human, organizational vulnerabilities and potential threats;
- prioritize risks according to impact and criticality;
- define treatment actions (mitigation, acceptance, transfer, elimination).
This risk analysis must lead to a global action plan and proper allocation of human, technological, and budgetary resources.
Formalize the cybersecurity policy
Certification structures security actions and defines roles and responsibilities. It also sets objectives and actions for access definition, data processing and storage, supplier risk management or incident handling.
ISO 27001 controls and remediation plan
To ensure ISMS effectiveness, ISO/IEC 27001 relies on 93 security controls defined in Annex A. They cover four major domains:
- Organizational: definition and management of internal policies, assignment of responsibilities, compliance with legal requirements…
- Human: employee training and awareness, procedure documentation and enforcement…
- Technological: access control, data encryption, malware detection and prevention…
- Physical: premises access, equipment and workstation security…
These controls must be adapted to the organization’s context and identified risks. They form a reference base for building an effective remediation plan.
How to obtain ISO 27001 certification?
Step 1: scope evaluation and ISMS audit
This involves mapping the organization’s information assets and documenting activities, services, and processes included in the ISMS scope. This analysis must define internal and external issues and stakeholders: human resources, IT, software tools, external suppliers, supply chains…
Step 2: risk and cyber threat analysis
This phase aims to produce an accurate analysis of the organization’s cyber risks. What threats could compromise security? What would be the consequences of an actual attack (production, legal, financial, reputational…)? How likely is it?
Particular attention must be given to third-party risks and the impact of a supplier failure.
Step 3: cybersecurity risk treatment
The risk treatment plan details the actions required to reduce threats. It must rely on the 93 security controls proposed by ISO 27001, each of which must be justified, documented, and integrated into internal processes. These controls cover organizational, human, physical, and technological aspects.
This roadmap outlines priority actions: continuous supplier evaluation, establishing an ISP, access control…
Step 4: team training for ISO 27001
The human resources component is essential in the ISO 27001 standard. Employee involvement is key to success. This requires regular training, clear role definitions, and ensuring proper understanding and implementation of procedures.
This goes beyond awareness: it is a genuine skills development plan. It must include documentation, training materials, and establishing a security culture led by management.
Step 5: ISO 27001 certification audit
The certification audit is conducted by an accredited body (AFNOR, Bureau Veritas…). Its purpose is to verify ISMS compliance with ISO 27001 requirements.
A thorough examination of documentation, procedures, and the remediation plan results in an assessment of potential deviations. In case of non-compliance, a corrective action plan is established.
Step 6: continuous monitoring and improvement
Obtaining ISO/IEC 27001 certification commits the organization to a continuous improvement process. Regular audits, ongoing risk assessments, documentation updates, performance dashboards… Certification requires evaluating ISMS effectiveness to ensure cybersecurity posture and operational excellence during the 3-year certification cycle.
ISO 27001 certification: benefits and limitations
Improve compliance and digital resilience
An organization seeking ISO 27001 certification primarily aims for compliance. This approach helps companies professionalize their cybersecurity practices and strengthen resilience against attacks.
Beyond compliance, it helps structure internal processes for risk analysis and vulnerability identification. ISO/IEC 27001 enables the deployment of working methodologies within teams and supports CISOs in securing the information system.
Commercially, ISO 27001 certification builds trust among clients and partners. It can become a major competitive advantage, especially in sensitive industries.
A form of ISO 27001 complexity?
- Cybersecurity costs and resources
ISO 27001 certification is a significant investment in human and financial resources. It requires team mobilization and structured governance. Success depends on strong leadership to prioritize actions, make technical decisions, and evolve practices.
This investment must come from top management, which drives decision-making, awareness, and budget validation.
- ISO 27001 documentation management
ISO 27001 requires centralized documentation management: security policies (ISP), risk treatment plans, audit reports, procedures, management reviews…
Tools such as EDM solutions and automated workflows help structure and streamline normative documentation.
- A scope limited to the standard
ISO 27001 is a management standard, not a technical solution. It provides a methodology for structuring cybersecurity policy. It must be complemented by operational tools and expert decision-making.
ISO 27001 fits into a broader cybersecurity strategy combining governance, technological solutions, and continuous improvement.
However, implementing ISO 27001 requires deploying risk assessment tools, supplier scoring systems, and security action monitoring. Board of Cyber supports companies in improving their cybersecurity performance and compliance through SaaS solutions designed by and for CISOs.
[1] Official definition from the iso.org website.
