ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). In plain terms, it is a structured, audited way to prove you manage information security on purpose rather than by accident.

What it actually involves

Certification looks at how you identify risk, the controls you put in place (the Annex A control set), and the evidence that those controls operate over time. An accredited certification body runs a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit, then surveillance audits each year.

Who it is for

Any organisation that needs to demonstrate trustworthy security to customers, partners, or regulators, especially when handling sensitive or third-party data.

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