How to Prepare for ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 Certification?

ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 is the international standard that provides requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). An organization that is certified by ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 demonstrates that it has implemented best practices for information security, including risk management, security controls, and incident response. Benefits of ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 certification include improved security, reduced risk, and increased customer confidence.

If you’re looking to have your own organization ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 certified, continue reading to learn how to prepare for it.

Learn the prerequisites for the certification

Organizations that want to achieve certification against this standard must meet several prerequisites before they’re considered.

The first prerequisite is that the organization must have an established and effective information security management system (ISMS) in place. The ISMS must be implemented and operated in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001: 2013. Furthermore, the organization's senior management must demonstrate commitment to information security, confidentiality, and a strong code of practice by endorsing and supporting the ISMS.

The second prerequisite is that the organization must have adequate resources to implement and operate an ISMS in line with ISO/IEC 27001: 2013. This includes people, processes, and technology resources. The organization must also have access to sufficient funding to support its information security activities. Further resources include plans for information security risk management and the workflows therein.

Third, the organization must undergo a rigorous assessment against ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 by an accredited certifying body. This assessment will verify that the organization has met all the requirements of the standard. Only organizations that pass this assessment can be certified against ISO/IEC 27001: 2013.

Train your employees on the new requirements

The next best step in preparing for ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 certification is to train your staff on the new requirements. This includes understanding the changes to the standard and how they impact your organization’s information security management system. Staff must also be familiar with the new documentation requirements, including the Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) and risk assessment process.

Preparing your staff includes understanding the ISO/IEC 27002 best practices, which inform the ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 set of best practices. Knowing the basics of best practices increases information security risk management and is one of the most important preventive measures.

Your organization should also review its policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001: 2013. The certification audit by an accredited auditor will evaluate these documents against the standard, so it is important to make sure they are accurate and up to date.

Perform a gap analysis on your system

Finally, your organization should perform a gap analysis to identify any areas where improvements need to be made before seeking certification. The gap analysis should include an assessment of your ISMS readiness, as well as an evaluation of your current security controls.

The first step in performing a gap analysis is to gather all the relevant documentation related to your ISMS. This includes your existing policies and procedures, as well as records of security incidents and corrective actions. You will also need to identify any gaps or deficiencies in your current system.

Once you have gathered all this information, you can begin comparing it against the ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 requirements. The standard has specific requirements for each stage of an ISMS, from planning and design to implementation and continual improvement. You will need to assess how well your organization meets these requirements and determine what changes need to be made.

This process can be time-consuming and challenging, but it is essential for ensuring that your organization meets the latest standards for information security. By performing a gap analysis against ISO/IEC 27001: 2013, you can ensure that your ISMS is compliant with the latest edition of the standard and ready for the certification audit.

The time required to get certified against ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 depends on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of the organization, the extent of ISMS implementation, and the maturity of the organization's security practices. Typically, certification can be achieved within 12-18 months.

Earning ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 certification gives your organization a vote of confidence, and competitive advantage, and ensures your clients that their sensitive data and confidentiality are safe in your organization’s hands. In addition, it provides a framework for organizations to securely manage their information for themselves.