An Overview of ISO 27001: Key Principles, Benefits, and Implementation

Danny Manimbo, Principal and ISO Practice Leader at Schellman, provides a comprehensive overview of ISO 27001 Certification.  

What is ISO 27001 and Why is it Important?  

ISO 27001 is the international standard for outlining the requirements that an organization’s information security management system (ISMS) must fulfill in order to securely protect their information assets. It helps organizations become aware of security risks and proactively identify and address weaknesses by integrating best practices into their people, policies, processes, and technologies.  

ISO 27001 guides organizations in assessing and strengthening their security posture before threats become damaging breaches and costly attacks. Implementing an ISMS based on this standard enhances risk management, cyber resilience, and operational excellence. 

The Benefits of ISO 27001 Certification 

Adoption of ISO 27001 certification leads to numerous notable benefits, including:  

• Increased resilience and reduced vulnerability to cyberattacks 
• Enhanced preparedness of people, processes, and technology to effectively respond to new threats
• Improved data integrity, confidentiality, and availability 
• Centralized framework for securing information across the organization 
• Cost savings through increased efficiency and reduced expenses on ineffective defense technology 

Who should adopt ISO 27001? 

ISO 27001 standard provides guidance for organizations of any size and sector to establish, implement, maintain, and improve a tailored ISMS and risk management process. All organizations should consider the current cybersecurity threat landscape and cybercrime risks and strategically assess their information security needs in relation to their objectives, processes, size, and structure.  

How closely does ISO 27001 align with SOC 2? 

ISO 27001 and SOC 2 are two of the most commonly integrated audits that we perform at Schellman. Both frameworks evaluate an organization’s approach to information security, and their components closely align. 

 The five COSO principles foundational to SOC 2—control environment, risk assessment, control activities, communication, and monitoring—map neatly with the ISMS clause 4-10 framework components of ISO 27001. Additionally, ISO’s Annex A controls often overlap with SOC 2 criteria, making it easier for ISO-certified organizations to pursue a SOC 2 examination.  

 As a result, Schellman clients frequently streamline their compliance efforts by coordinating their ISO 27001 and SOC 2 audits to be combined, which is further enhanced by Schellman’s cross-trained team members who apply a “test once, apply many” approach to auditing across multiple frameworks. 

Ready to Learn More About ISO 27001 Certification?  

Attaining ISO 27001 certification is a significant step in building a culture of security and demonstrating your organization’s commitment to safeguarding information by managing and protecting valuable data and assets. As threats evolve, so must your organization’s ability to adapt, respond, and protect what matters most.  

If you have further questions about the certification requirements or process, contact a Schellman specialist today and we’ll get back to you shortly. In the meantime, discover other helpful ISO 27001 insights in these additional resources:  

• How to Create Efficiencies in Your ISO 27001 Certification 
• ISO 27001: Management’s Role and Strategies to Secure Their Support 
• ISO 27001 Third-Party Risk Management Requirements