What are the benefits of ISO 27001 for SMEs?
Many small and medium-sized companies keep asking themselves what the real benefits of ISO 27001 can be for SMEs. However, grandiose promises and consultant jargon only lead to even greater confusion among shareholders. We have summarized the 5 most important advantages of the ISO/IEC27001 standard here. If you would like to find out more about the process of an ISO27001 certification project or the costs of certification, we have also put together further clear information for you.
Improvement of Information Security
With the increasing number of cyberattacks, the legal and regulatory requirements for information security are changing, not only for corporations but also for small and medium-sized companies. Shareholders and management are increasingly under pressure to integrate a comprehensive information security system into the organization. The ISO/IEC 27001 standard helps decision-makers implement cost-effective and viable Information Security.
Sustainable Strategies
In order for a company to respond to security breaches more quickly and effectively, information security responsibilities require the clear support of management and staff.
ISO/IEC 27001 certification enables decision-makers to set achievable goals together with security experts. Guidelines are useful aids when developing advanced strategies. This way, employees know immediately how to behave in an emergency. The creation of documents for the ISMS policy also leads to a consolidation of policies, procedures and technical configurations.
supplement to the existing management system
Anyone who has already introduced a quality management system (ISO 9001) in their company knows the long-term benefits of a QM system. ISO/IEC 27001 can be integrated almost seamlessly into the overall structure of the existing QM regulations. Individual required documents usually already exist in the company’s ISO9001 regulations. This ensures that the existing management system can be adapted.
Cost reduction and productivity increase
Today, organizations are facing major economic challenges (economic crisis, pandemic, supply chain bottlenecks, Brexit, shortage of skilled workers). ISO/IEC 27001 certification provides a set of rules to better manage legal or technological updates and obligations. Cybersecurity is designed to relieve the burden on the company’s skills and resources. Continuously improving the way you work leads to long-term cost reduction and productivity increases thanks to the organizational learning curve.
Competitive advantage increases sales
In the age of digital transformation, business customers and consumers have become much more cautious with whom they enter into long-term relationships. As an international quality criterion, an ISO/IEC 27001 certificate creates trust.
Sustainable data security practices have become part of management’s top priorities thanks to the certificate. Other competitors without an ISO/IEC 27001 certificate do not score as highly as your company. Customers are more willing to enter into a new supplier relationship with you because you enjoy a level of trust.