ISO 27000 Family Standards

Does your business regularly handle sensitive data? If so, you’re going to need to prove to your customers and industry regulators that you comply with a series of cybersecurity standards.

Thankfully, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) set up a family of standards you can follow to make sure you’re safeguarding data effectively.

The ISO 27000 family of standards is a series of international standards that companies can follow to make sure their information security controls are robust and compliant. This is especially important in a world where cyberattack risks are constantly evolving.

In this guide, we’ll take you through what you need to know about ISO standards that fall under 27000, why they matter, and how you can get certified.

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What are the ISO 27000 Standards?

The ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards is internationally recognized as a set of best practices that companies can take to protect the sensitive data they hold.

Over the years, the ISO has expanded its list of standards to help businesses across all industries tighten up their security postures. Naturally, there will always be the need for custom security standards and data management.

However, the ISO 27000 family helps to simplify what’s expected by different regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data protection acts.

Let’s take a look at the implementation guidance offered by each of the 27000 standards, and what they could mean for your business.

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ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 specifically refers to information technology and security management systems. Under this standard, businesses learn about the best techniques and tools to build an ISMS, or information security management system.

ISO 27001 also breaks down a comprehensive list of 114 controls you can implement to strengthen your security (and, therefore, gain an ISO 27001 certification).

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ISO/IEC 27002

ISO 27002 goes into more detail about the different controls outlined in ISO 27001. It’s a supplemental standard that business owners use to help filter out which controls are relevant to the data they keep. Essentially, it can help you narrow down choices in access control and threat management.

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ISO/IEC 27003

ISO 27003 is a useful standard that helps business operators understand how to physically implement ISO 27001, which can be a complex management process. It’s a helpful guide to follow before taking on an internal audit, and can help you find vulnerabilities and gaps to fix before certification.

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ISO/IEC 27004

ISO 27004 works hand-in-hand with ISO 27003. This standard helps operators learn more about the different ways they can monitor their ISMS’ data security and can also help narrow down choices made within ISO 27002. ISO 27004 helps users understand how to measure the effectiveness of controls set within their ISMS.

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ISO/IEC 27005

ISO 27005 covers information security risk management – specifically, it helps operators understand the best practices for measuring information security risk and implementing controls. ISO 27005 can help you make firm decisions regarding which risks are worth accepting or avoiding altogether. It also helps you learn how to monitor them on an ongoing basis.

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ISO/IEC 27006

ISO/IEC 27006 specifies the requirements for organizations that certify others to the ISO 27001 standard. While general businesses may not need to comply with this standard, it is crucial for firms that offer certification services. It outlines the necessary rules and measurements for conducting ISO 27001 certification audits in a consistent and reliable manner, ensuring credibility in the certification process.

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ISO/IEC 27007

Following on from ISO 27006, ISO 27007 establishes how to carry out audits. This standard also lays out what competent auditors look like, and what’s expected of them.

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ISO/IEC 27008

ISO 27008 is paired with ISO 27007, and is a technical document business owners refer to with regard to auditing procedures. Specifically, this standard maps out a review framework, and makes suggestions on how to carry out audits effectively.

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ISO/IEC 27017

ISO 27017 specifically refers to data stored via cloud services. In particular, it’s aimed at cloud service providers and customers, offering guidance on how to set up security controls. It’s considered a supplementary standard to ISO 27002.

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ISO/IEC 27018

ISO 27018 is paired alongside ISO 27017. This standard concerns different controls, objectives, and guidelines that apply to cloud services and how providers and users can protect PII, or personally identifiable information. Complying with ISO 27018 helps cloud companies establish transparency with customers, and how they intend to protect personal data.

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ISO/IEC 27033

This standard focuses on network security, pairing with control suggestions outlined in ISO 27002. Replacing the older standard ISO/IEC 18028, this newer standard helps operators understand how to effectively set up compliant, robust networks and devices.

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ISO/IEC 27034

ISO 27034 is a series of notes that guide operators on how to set up and manage application security controls and protect the data their apps use. It’s useful in exploring IT security needs and how to implement them.

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ISO/IEC 27035

Operators rely on ISO 27035 to establish an information security incident management plan. Specifically, this standard helps users explore which measures are most useful when responding to breaches and cyberattacks.

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ISO/IEC 27701  

Finally, ISO 27701 is a standard that aims to support user data privacy. It’s particularly helpful in guiding companies to be more transparent and careful in line with measures set up by the GDPR. Essentially, ISO 27701 helps companies keep private data close in mind.

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What is the Purpose of ISO/IEC 27000 Series?

The main purpose of ISO 27000 is to help companies ensure the data they keep is safe and secure in an ever-changing threat landscape.

By following the standards within the ISO 27000 family, business operators can rest assured they’re keeping compliant with international laws and protecting their users.

Businesses that handle sensitive information, locally and overseas, need to adhere to multiple compliance standards. These standards aren’t always easy to follow and manage without frameworks in place. Ultimately, that’s where ISO’s guidelines become incredibly useful.

By following ISO 27000, your business can:

• Set up and establish a sustainable ISMS
• Simplify security management
• Learn new security techniques
• Prevent further breaches
• Get second and third opinions on your security posture
• Boost security controls and reduce vulnerabilities
• Establish a clear code of practice and incident response plan
• Reduce costs and streamline spending
• Foster trust in customers and clients
• Enhance its reputation
• Save money on loss of business and repair
• Discover problematic security gaps
• Become more competitive

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Who Should Consider ISO 27000 Standards?

All companies that handle sensitive information, and that must adhere to international compliance regulations, should consider ISO 27000 standards.

Becoming ISO 27001 compliant or following the broader family of standards is not a legal requirement. However, following the standards can help business operators make complex decisions about data and cybersecurity.

For example, business owners who might not know the best ways to protect their information can narrow down the best security measures for their specific setups.

Following ISO 27000 standards could help company owners make decisions regarding penetration testing services and hardware investment.

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How do I Get ISO 27000 Certified?

You can get ISO 27000 certified by following a general six-step plan.

The certification process associated with the ISO/IEC series can be lengthy and complicated but for a good reason. Auditors want complete assurance  that you are protecting information assets as outlined by ISO’s best practices – from your business continuity plan to your choice of information security controls.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to get ISO 27000 certified – but, keep in mind that the full process is a little more involved, and will vary depending on your firm.

1. Read and understand the standards set out by each of the family entries in detail
2. Draft, prepare, and build a complete ISMS to be industry-compliant
3. Assess risks that could impact data held within your company, and develop a risk treatment plan
4. Establish the specific controls you need to manage security continuously
5. Define how you intend to continually improve your information security standards – auditors want to see that you’re realistic and prepared
6. Conduct internal audits – have a third party review all your documentation, control choices, and measure your on-site practices

If successful, your organization will receive ISO 27001 certification, which verifies that your ISMS complies with internationally recognized standards. This certification enhances your public reputation by demonstrating a strong commitment to information security. Additionally, it ensures your processes are robust, well-documented, and capable of managing security risks, helping to protect your organization from potential threats.

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Conclusion

Following ISO 27000 means being meticulous and measured about how you protect your data, and how you intend to meet any future challenges.

That’s a good thing. After all, the threat landscape is always changing, and the ISMS family of standards above will help you stay prepared and vigilant.

Right now, it’s wise to start planning how you intend to meet ISO 27000 standards.

Doing so will give you more confidence that you can protect sensitive information, and will open up a world of controls and measures to set. For example, you can ensure pen testing leads to security standards your clients can rely upon.

While it's possible to maintain compliance and security without adhering to ISO 27000 standards, it's increasingly challenging in today's cybersecurity landscape. Partnering with cybersecurity professionals to establish a robust ISMS not only strengthens your defenses but also instills greater confidence in your customers.