Published 8 Jul 2022
What is the ISO 27001 Standard?
The ISO 27001 standard is an internationally-recognized set of guidelines that focuses on information security and provides a framework for the Information Security Management System (ISMS). Adhering to ISO 27001 standards can help the organization to protect their data in a systematic way and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets to stakeholders.
ISO 27001 Checklist
An ISO 27001 checklist is used by chief information officers to assess an organization’s readiness for ISO 27001 certification. Using this checklist can help discover process gaps, review current ISMS, and be used as a guide to check the following categories based on the ISO 27001:2013 standard:
- Context of the Organization
- Leadership
- Planning
- Support
- Operation
- Performance evaluation
- Improvement
You can also download this ISO 27001 checklist as PDF.
What is an ISO 27001 Checklist?
An ISO 27001 checklist is used by Information security officers to correct gaps in their organization’s ISMS and evaluate their readiness for ISO 27001 certification audits. An ISO 27001 checklist helps identify the requirements of the international standard for implementing an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS).
This article covers:
- what is ISMS;
- 7 practical tips for implementing an ISO 27001-aligned ISMS and preparing for certification;
- technology to help implement and maintain ISO 27001 standards; and
- featured ISO 27001 templates.
What is ISMS?
ISMS is the systematic management of information in order to maintain its confidentiality, integrity, and availability to stakeholders. Getting certified for ISO 27001 means that an organization’s ISMS is aligned with international standards. Even if certification is not the intention, an organization that complies with the ISO 27001 framework can benefit from the best practices of information security management.
Preparing for ISO 27001 Certification in 7 Steps
It takes a lot of time and effort to properly implement an effective ISMS and more so to get it ISO 27001-certified. Here are some steps to take for implementing an ISMS that is ready for certification:
Step#1: Review processes and ISO 27001
Familiarize staff with the international standard for ISMS and know how your organization currently manages information security.
Step#2: Get employee buy-in
Help employees understand the importance of ISMS and get their commitment to help improve the system.
Step#3: Conduct risk assessments
Determine the vulnerabilities and threats to your organization’s information security system and assets by conducting regular information security risk assessments and using an iso 27001 risk assessment template.
Step#4: Implement controls
Information security risks discovered during risk assessments can lead to costly incidents if not addressed promptly.
Step#5: Conduct gap analysis
Use an ISO 27001 audit checklist to assess updated processes and new controls implemented to determine other gaps that require corrective action.
Step#6: Do internal audits and employee training
Regular internal ISO 27001 audits can help proactively catch non-compliance and aid in continuously improving information security management. Information gathered from internal audits can be used for employee training and for reinforcing best practices.
Step#7: Contact your auditor for certification
Prepare your ISMS documentation and contact a reliable third-party auditor to get certified for ISO 27001.
ISO 27001 Auditing Tool to Streamline Your ISMS
Getting certified for ISO 27001 requires documentation of your ISMS and proof of the processes implemented and continuous improvement practices followed. An organization that is heavily dependent on paper-based ISO 27001 reports will find it challenging and time-consuming to organize and keep track of documentation needed as proof of compliance—like this example of an ISO 27001 PDF for internal audits.
iAuditor by SafetyCulture, a powerful mobile auditing software, can help information security officers and IT professionals streamline the implementation of ISMS and proactively catch information security gaps. With iAuditor, you and your team can:
- Conduct ISO 27001 gap analyses and information security risk assessments anytime and include photo evidence using handheld mobile devices.
- Automate documentation of audit reports and secure data in the cloud.
- Observe trends via an online dashboard as you improve ISMS and work towards ISO 27001 certification.
- Forget about using Excel spreadsheets
To save you time, we have prepared these digital ISO 27001 checklists that you can download and customize to fit your business needs.
ISO 27001 is not universally mandatory for compliance but instead, the organization is required to perform activities that inform their decision concerning the implementation of information security controls—management, operational, and physical. An example of such efforts is to assess the integrity of current authentication and password management, authorization and role management, and cryptography and key management conditions.
Featured ISO 27001 Checklists
ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Template
An ISO 27001 risk assessment is carried out by information security officers to evaluate information security risks and vulnerabilities. Use this template to accomplish the need for regular information security risk assessments included in the ISO 27001 standard and perform the following:
- Determine sources of information security threats and record photo evidence (optional)
- Provide possible consequences, likelihood, and select risk rating
- Identify current controls and provide recommendations
- Enter as many information security risks found as necessary