ISO 27001 certification is an internationally accepted standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Implementing it in your organisation will help ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information.
However, this might not be as simple as it may sound, especially if there isn’t an ISO 27001 certification checklist in place. A proper checklist will help streamline the certification process and ensure appropriate resource allocation.
If you’re interested in the standard, we’ve created a 7-step ISO 27001 requirements checklist to guide you.
7 Step ISO 27001 Certification Checklist
1. Assign Roles
First, you need to assemble an implementation team and assign specific roles to each member. Appoint a team leader to manage the implementation of the information security system. The leader must be highly knowledgeable in information security matters and able to lead a team and collaborate with managers.
2. Create the Implementation Plan
The second step involves planning for the implementation of the ISMS. The project manager will lead the implementation team to define the information security objectives and create a risk register as well as an ISMS plan which includes:
- Roles and responsibilitiesCommunication through internal and external channels
- Methodology for its continual improvement
3. Define the ISMS Scope
This involves defining the information security management system (ISMS) framework to help you gain a broader understanding of how the standard works. Create standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines that align with your information security system. Ensure the ISMS scope is correctly defined to avoid making it too small or too complex to manage.
4. Develop a Risk Management Process
The sole concept behind an ISMS is risk management. Most aspects of your ISMS are based upon the risks and vulnerabilities detected, making risk management a key factor for any company seeking ISO 27001 compliance.
Implementing this standard can help define your risk management processes, which technically involve five steps:
- Develop a risk evaluation framework
- Identify risks
- Assess risks
- Evaluate risks
- Choose a risk management approach
5. Implement a Risk Management Plan
Once you develop a working risk management process, you should consider implanting a risk management plan to ensure potential risks are put at bay. This may include developing and implementing appropriate security controls to mitigate the identified risks. These controls should include both technical and organisational.
6. Conduct an Internal Audit
Conducting an internal audit is essential as it helps prepare your organisation for the official audit. It is also an excellent way to test your new system to know if your controls are working appropriately. An internal audit can be conducted by an independent external auditor or an internal team that was not involved in documenting and setting up the ISMS.
7. Engage an accredited certification body
It is important to find an accredited ISO Certification Body like Best Practice Certification. Once you choose a suitable Certification Body, technically known as a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB), they will provide you with an ISO 27001 lead auditor to complete your audit. The auditor will focus on two critical areas. First, they will evaluate your documentation to ensure it’s in good order. Second, they will check your controls to see if they are being followed. Then, you will be given a list of non-conformities that should be addressed before being awarded ISO 27001 certification.
How Best Practice Certification Can Help
Contact Best Practice Certification if you are ready to implement your ISO 27001 certification checklist. We offer exclusive training and support systems to help on your certification journey and ensure maximum information protection.
