What is ISO 27001 and why is it important? 

ISO 27001 is an international standard for managing information security. It provides a framework for businesses to establish, implement, monitor, and continually improve their Information Security Management System (ISMS). 

First published in 2005 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it has since been updated twice, in 2013 and 2022. 

Key Elements of ISO 27001: 

• Risk Management: Identifies, assesses, and mitigates security risks. 

• Annex A Controls: Includes 93 security controls (ISO 27001:2022) across four key areas—organisational, people, physical, and technology. 

• Documentation Requirements: Establishes policies, procedures, and records to prove compliance. 

• Continuous Improvement: Ensures security practices evolve with emerging threats. 

All our data centre locations comply with ISO 27001, ISO 9001, PCI DSS, GDPR, and more. Our US data centre also meets HIPAA, HITRUST CSF, NIST CSF, and NIST 800-53 standards. 

What does this mean for 20i Resellers? 

As a 20i reseller, you can provide hosting that meets the highest security and compliance standards, including ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA. 

Many industries such as healthcare, finance, legal, and public sector require compliant hosting.  

By offering secure, accredited hosting, you can expand your client base, build trust, and ensure your customers’ data is protected. 

With 20i, your clients get a secure, reliable platform while you grow your business. 

Importance of ISO 27001 in Cybersecurity 

Information Security 

Information security also known as InfoSec, provides a systematic, risk-based approach to managing information security and ensures a comprehensive focus on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.  

This guarantees that only authorised parties have access to relevant data and that all modifications to the data are explicitly permitted and clearly documented. 

Compliance & Global Standards 

The compliance and standards set out in ISO 27001 help organisations comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.   

This ensures that the organisation’s security practices are consistent and compatible with international best practices. ISO 27001 also aligns with other standards including GDPR, HIPAA, NIST CSF and HITRUST CSF. 

Enhanced Risk Management 

Enhanced risk management enables organisations to identify potential threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts, ensuring proactive risk responses.  

By registering assets, a company can categorise each asset into classifications of technology, people and processes.   

Once categorised, this can help companies identify their assets and outline what can be done to protect them. 

Customer Trust 

ISO 27001 certification demonstrates a strong commitment to information security; boosting client, partner and stakeholder confidence.  

Some businesses and clients will only look for businesses that are ISO 27001 accredited for security and reputational purposes, meaning ISO 27001 accredited companies stand out amongst non-accredited companies. 

How ISO 27001 supports GDPR Compliance  

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a data protection law introduced by the European Union (EU) in 2018.  

It establishes strict rules for how organisations collect, store, process, and protect the personal data of individuals within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA).  

GDPR also applies to organisations outside the EU if they process or monitor the personal data of EU residents, making compliance essential for global-scale companies. 

Breaching GDPR can result in a company receiving a fine of up to €20 million or 4% of the company’s global annual turnover, whichever is higher. 

ISO 27001 and GDPR are closely tied because they both support protecting sensitive information, particularly personal data, and ensuring accountability and transparency in data management. 

While ISO 27001 is a voluntary standard for information security, GDPR is a legal regulation for data protection in the EU. However, implementing ISO 27001 greatly assists organisations in complying with many GDPR requirements. 

ISO 27701: A Bridge Between ISO 27001 and GDPR 

Organisations seeking even further alignment with GDPR can implement ISO 27701, a privacy-specific extension to ISO 27001.  

ISO 27701 helps establish a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) to manage personal data and comply with data protection laws like GDPR. 

How ISO 27001 supports HITRUST CSF compliance  

HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) is a comprehensive risk management and compliance framework designed to help organisations effectively manage regulatory and security requirements.  

It was developed by the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) and is widely used in industries that handle sensitive data, such as healthcare, finance, and technology. 

HITRUST CSF was Initially released in 2007 and has been updated numerous times, most recently in 2022. It provides a flexible and repeatable approach to cyber security that organisations of any size or industry can implement. 

HITRUST CSF and ISO 27001 align closely, as both are structured to help organisations improve their cyber security posture and manage risks.  

While ISO 27001 is an international standard for establishing Information Security Management Systems, the HITRUST CSF provides a flexible framework for managing cyber security risks.  

Organisations often integrate the two to maximise the benefits of both. 

How ISO 27001 supports HIPAA compliance  

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a U.S. federal law introduced in 1996 to ensure the protection and secure handling of sensitive health information.  

It applies to healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and their business associates that handle sensitive health information.  

HIPAA establishes requirements for safeguarding electronic protected health information (ePHI) to ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. 

ISO 27001 and HIPAA share common goals of protecting sensitive information and ensuring robust security practices.  

Although they are distinct in scope and application, ISO 27001 can be used as a framework to achieve and demonstrate compliance with HIPAA requirements as both focus on ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information (ePHI for HIPAA; information assets for ISO 27001). 

Closing thoughts 

ISO 27001 serves as a foundation for achieving and demonstrating strong information security practices.  

Its alignment with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and NIST CSF enables organisations to meet various compliance requirements while building trust with clients.  

By adopting ISO 27001, businesses can not only enhance their security posture but also set themselves apart as adept in cybersecurity and data protection.