In our increasingly digital world, the term “Information Security Management System” (ISMS) might sound complex and intimidating, but at its core, it’s just a structured and organised approach to keeping an organisation’s information safe.

What is an ISMS?

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a set of rules, processes, and practices that an organisation develops and follows to protect its information from theft, damage, or unauthorised access. This includes both digital and hardcopy information.  Think of it as a comprehensive plan for keeping your valuable data safe, like the locks on your doors and windows at home. An ISMS should typically incorporate employee conduct and procedures, in addition to data and technology.

Why is it Important?

  1. Data Protection: An organisation’s digital information is like a treasure trove. It can be customer data, financial records, trade secrets, or personal information. An ISMS outlines the systems and processes that keeps your information safe from potential intruders.
  2. Legal Compliance: Laws and regulations around data protection are getting stricter. An ISMS helps your organisation follow these rules, avoiding breaches, legal non-compliance and fines.
  3. Customer Trust: People want to know that their data is safe with you. When you have a robust ISMS in place, it sends a clear message to your customers that you take their privacy seriously.
  4. Business Continuity: Unexpected disasters can disrupt your operations. An ISMS includes plans to ensure you can keep running smoothly even in challenging situations.

How Does It Work?

An ISMS does not have to be overly complex and should be developed to suit your organisation using the following few basic principles:

  1. Risk Assessment: Imagine you’re protecting a castle. First, you identify weak points in the castle’s defences, such as a broken wall or a loose gate. In the digital world, this means finding vulnerabilities and risk exposures in your systems that hackers could exploit.
  2. Security Measures: Once you’ve spotted the weak points, you put up controls or defences, like fixing the broken wall or reinforcing the gate. In the digital world, this means installing security software, setting up firewalls, and creating strong passwords.
  3. Regular Monitoring: A good castle doesn’t just protect against one attack and then stop. You need to keep watch to make sure everything stays secure. In the digital realm, this means ongoing monitoring, software updates, and regular checks for security issues.
  4. Incident Response: Sometimes, even with all the precautions, a castle might face an attack. You need a plan for how to respond – whether to call for reinforcements, evacuate, or negotiate. In the digital world, this is your response to a data breach or cyberattack.

Who Needs It?

All organisations that manage data should have some form of ISMS, from small businesses to big corporations, government agencies, healthcare providers, and financial institutions. If you collect, store, or use data, you need to protect it.

In simple terms, an ISMS is your information security strategy. It’s your way of making sure your digital treasure remains safe, your customers trust you, and you’re prepared for any potential threats. Understanding and implementing an ISMS is becoming crucial and expected in our digital age.

ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security. Its framework requires organisations to identify information security risks and then develop appropriate controls to manage these risks. The full name of the standard in Australia is AS/NZS ISO/IEC 27001:2023 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection – Information security management systems – Requirements.  We will explore how to go about implementing an ISMS using ISO 27001 in a follow up article.

Please contact QRMC for more information or assistance.