ISO 27001 Consultants: Who they are and what they do?

Improving your organisation’s information security with an ISO 27001 certification is not just useful for helping you maintain compliance to legislation like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or compulsory standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS); it is also a strategic move that can enhance security, expand your customer base, and shield you from potential legal consequences. While obtaining ISO 27001 certification without help is possible, the process can be complicated and time-consuming. In this article, we delve into essential tips for selecting an ISO 27001 consultant, highlighting their roles and the advantages of engaging their expertise.

What is an ISO 27001 Consultant?

ISO 27001 consultants are seasoned professionals who specialise in assisting organisations with their implementation of an information security management system (ISMS) in adherence to ISO 27001 guidelines. Their expertise plays a key role in expediting the certification process and ensuring that your organisation’s information security measures align seamlessly with the stringent standards set by ISO.

What do ISO 27001 Consultants do?

Understanding the duties of ISO 27001 consultants is vital before deciding to enlist their services.

Developing ISMS documentation, policies and guidelines:

One of the primary responsibilities of an ISO 27001 consultant is the creation of comprehensive ISMS documentation, policies, and guidelines. Given the extensive paperwork involved in successful certification to ISO 27001, consultants assist organisations in implementing controls and establishing rules and procedures to mitigate risks to their ISMS from data security threats. Their professional consulting experience allows for the customisation of these policies to suit the unique requirements of your company.

Creating and implementing your ISMS:

ISO 27001 consultants can also help with the creation and implementation of your ISMS. With their impartial expertise, they guide you in determining the nature, design, and execution of your security management system, aligning it with both your organisational needs and the ISO framework.

Formulating the Statement of Applicability:

Another critical task is aiding in the preparation of the Statement of Applicability (SOA), an essential document for ISO 27001 certification. As well as the management system clauses in chapters 4-10 of ISO 27001, the Standard includes a long list of security controls in Annex A which organisations can deploy, however not all of these controls will be applicable to every organisation. The SOA is a comprehensive list of the controls from Annex A that are relevant to your organisation, including a mapping of these controls to identify risks and justifications for their inclusion or exclusion. ISO 27001 consultants contribute significantly to this process, ensuring a thorough and accurate representation of your organisation’s adherence to ISO’s standards.

Performing Risk Assessments

Additionally, ISO 27001 consultants excel in conducting risk assessments, a fundamental aspect of conformance to the Standard. Through internal risk assessments, these experts identify threats to the accessibility, security, and reliability of your information assets. Their involvement is instrumental in pinpointing vulnerabilities and devising strategies to fortify your organisation’s overall security posture.

Choosing the Right ISO 27001 Consultancy Provider

For organisations looking to certify to ISO 27001 with the help of a consultant, it is incredibly important that they select a trustworthy and reliable consultancy service provider which will give them the right advice. URM is one such provider; having helped hundreds of organisations implement ISO 27001 since the Standard was established in 2005, without a single failed certification project, URM is ideally placed to help your organisation certify. URM’s consultants are highly experienced in supporting organisations through every stage of the Standard’s lifecycle, from conducting gap analysis and risk assessment, helping with ISMS development and implementation, through to ongoing audits following certification.