The journey to data security in the age of change
Imagine an environment where digital data is always safe, where every piece of information is handled and protected with the utmost care. This is the improvement that the ISO 27001 information security management standard has brought to our processes. In this article, we discuss how this standard has refined the way we work, challenged us and helped us become even better protectors of digital integrity.
Why ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is an information security management standard, a framework that helps parties like us adopt policies and measures to secure the information we store and process. The intrinsic motivation to ensure information security for our users, along with the growing demand from our customers, has inspired us to pursue ISO 27001 certification. We see that users' awareness of information security is increasing significantly, and legislation has also become significantly stronger, such as the Network and Information Systems Security Act (Wbni) and AVG, for example. With the ISO 9001 and 27001 certification, customers can be sure that we take this seriously, and take appropriate measures for this.
Challenges and implementation
Our biggest challenge was not so much in implementing measures, but rather in avoiding excessive disruption to daily operations. One of our starting points was to avoid having too much impact on our employees' work. In addition, the information you can find online is often quite superficial and not very practical, or, on the contrary, goes into enormous depth. We sought support from QVOX to get practical guidance in this process, and Brand Compliance helped us with the certification.
Changes in data security
ISO 27001 has strengthened our approach to data security by providing more intensive oversight of our policies. The introduction of an incident register promotes transparency and encourages improvements based on identified deficiencies. An example of technical measures is our "mobile device management," where all our laptops are part of a system that allows us to remotely disable or erase devices in case of loss or theft. To keep our systems and processes up-to-date, we actively monitor developments in security standards and implement policies that are continuously reviewed and updated.
Employee engagement
We involve our employees by sharing relevant documents and organizing regular knowledge sessions where we share our findings and changes with them. We work with so-called "Golden Rules" that are known to every employee. We also organize Kahoot sessions to make our employees aware of our policies in a fun way. Our corporate culture aligns seamlessly with our data security goals. Everyone, including our customers, has an intrinsic motivation to be committed to privacy and data security.
To ISO or not to ISO
For digital agencies considering becoming ISO 27001 certified, it is crucial to set aside the necessary time and resources for effective implementation and maintenance. It is an investment that provides structure and security, but it requires significant dedication. Outsourcing or hiring expertise may be an option, but make sure it is integrated into your business processes and not just an isolated component. The focus should not be on the certificate per se, but on striving to create a secure and structured environment.
ISO 27001 certification has not only improved our data security standards, but has also strengthened our position as a trusted advisor to clients. It is a continuous journey towards improvement, as we strive to ensure the best possible protection of information in an increasingly digital world. This policy is also included in our Impact Report. Have questions about how to become an ISO certified company? Come and have a cup of coffee!