Data Breaches
Data breaches… two words nobody ever wants to hear. As a healthcare organisation storing copious amounts of personal data, it’s time to review your existing information security practices. UK GDPR indicates that organisations can receive fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual turnover, whichever is greater, for infringements. In addition, £4.5 trillion is the expected global cost of cybersecurity damage by 2021, only reinforcing the importance of a security mindset, and systems such as ISO 27001 to help prevent data breaches.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is the international standard for managing information security. It sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system. It helps organisations to make their information assets more secure by addressing people, processes, and technology.
Reason 1: ISO 27001 Helps Meet Customer Expectations
ISO 27001 demonstrates to new and existing clients as well as other stakeholders that you take your security seriously.
Not only does it evidence that you are compliant with legislation such as GDPR or the Data Protection Act (2018), it pays to have ISO 27001, with 51% of organisations reporting an increase in customer satisfaction following implementation.
Reason 2: Avoid Data Breaches
Data breaches – they continue to dominate headlines all over the world. The consequences of one can be detrimental and hugely damaging to your organisation’s reputation. Not to mention the financial losses and legal fees…
So, how does ISO 27001 stop breaches from occurring in the first place? In short, the standard comprises many security measures. The exhaustiveness helps to assess any information security risk and ensures the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of your data.
Reason 3: Improved Recovery Time
In the event of a breach, organisations are often heavily disrupted, and such operational downtime can have huge financial implications. In fact, Gartner estimates that on average, downtime costs around £4,082.74 per minute, highlighting that a breach can significantly affect business productivity.
The breach also needs containing and a thorough investigation into how it occurred and what systems were accessed. The process of investigation could be a lengthy process, having a knock-on effect on your ability to recover.
ISO 27001 – The Process of Obtaining Certification Explained
The process of achieving ISO Certification is quick and simple.
- Preparation – one of our expert auditors will be in touch to go through the audit plan in preparation for your Stage 1 assessment, answering your questions and ensuring you have all the information you need.
- Stage 1 assessment – this will involve reviewing the practices you already have in place and identifying any areas that require improvement in order to achieve your certificate. Your auditor will issue a report highlighting areas that need improvement prior to the next step.
- Stage 2 assessment – when you are ready, your auditor will visit again to see whether you have met the requirements of the standard. Your auditor will then highlight any further areas for improvement, if necessary.
- Annual assessment – as part of the ISO Certification, you are required to have an annual surveillance visit to ensure you have maintained compliance.
You can find out more here.
Swift Certification Can Help
ISO 27001 has proven invaluable in fighting online criminal activity, especially data breaches that can be extremely costly. At Swift Certification, our friendly and professional auditors ensure your audit is conducted in a timely manner and is completed within the specified time frame, ensuring outstanding customer service every step of the way.
If you want to protect your information assets and receive certification, Get in Touch!
Click Here to receive a Free, No Obligation Quote today.