Today information security is a major concern for any organization irrespective of the type or size of the organization. ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized Information Security Management framework and it is also known as the Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). However, what ISO 27001 certification means is as good as the certification agency that grants the company certification. Another important point is the correct selection of the certification body to obtain high credibility and efficiency of your ISMS.
This article looks at some of the key factors to consider when choosing the right ISO 27001 certification body and is intended to help you make the correct decision that will suit your organization’s requirements.
1. Accreditation and Experience
When selecting an ISO 27001 certification body there is only one thing that must be considered and that is accreditation. Accreditation is a formal recognition of the certification body with regards to the standards of ISO 27001 with an option of the audits and certification of the organizations. These should be certification bodies that are from accredited national accreditation bodies. This accreditation simply indicates that the certification body is by international standards and is very capable of auditing exercises.
Experience is equally important. In this regard, the services of a certification body that already has experience in ISO 27001 certifications are useful. They understand the differences that exist in the standard and this makes it possible for them to come up with ideas beyond the checklists that would apply to patients. Some of the certification bodies of practice for a certain period must have encountered a wide range of conditions and fields, thus they can advise comparatively depending on the circumstances of your business.
When evaluating the experience of the certification body, you should not be afraid to ask for similar enterprises or references. This can help you determine the level of awareness of their company with your industry’s standards and how they have supported other organizations in achieving certification.
2. Comprehensive Scope of Services
The ultimate goal is the achievement of the ISO 27001 certification; however, the proper certification body should be able to offer several services that will assist in the introduction of the ISMS program. Make sure that you seek the services of a provider who does not only offer the last part of audit and certification. A comprehensive scope of services might include: A comprehensive scope of services might include:
Certification services to meet the needs of your organization are critical. This may require knowing the business operations the size of your business, and other needs that are specific to the industry for which the ISMS is being implemented.
Gap analysis is a very useful service that can illustrate the differences between your current ISMS and the requirements of ISO 27001. A proper gap analysis will help in identifying an effective plan as to how the required changes should be made because it indicates which processes should be altered and when. This service may be very useful if you are at the starting point of ISMS or if you have changed to this standard.
As pointed out earlier, training and awareness are some of the essentials that facilitate the implementation of an ISMS. Look for certifying bodies that also offer programs to your employees: internal audit, risk, and ISMS aspects. To ensure that people keep on receiving the certification, and improving their information security, recurrent assistance is offered. This might include advice on the existing specialist views, information on changes to the standard as well as how to address new varieties of security threats.
3. Reputation and Customer Satisfaction
Another criterion that can be used to start evaluating the performance and credibility of a certification body is its reputation within the industry. Talk to other organizations who have transacted with the certification body and look for testaments, case studies, or reviews in the form of recommendations. Some of the things that should be listened to by the auditors were how professional the auditors were, how effective their communication was, and the quality of the certification.
Satisfaction achieved by customers is one of the factors that define the effectiveness of a certification body. Look for details regarding their performance in answering questions, capability based on the timelines, and the support provided throughout the certification process. A certification body that has been recommended by other clients is also perhaps to offer a convenient and beneficial certification exercise for your organization.
It is acceptable to reach out to other organizations in your industry or your acquaintances to ask them about their experience with the different certification organizations. I think it’s convenient that you can get this information from the lips of these experts to assist you in your decision-making process.
4. Balancing Cost and Value
However, although the cost is one of the key factors that define the choice, it cannot be the main factor in choosing an ISO 27001 certification body. It is also important because the low-cost solution for your business might not be experienced, helpful, and reputable enough. However, it is imperative to assess the value that is offered by each of the certification bodies.
The costs of certification include the overall cost of the initial audit as well as the surveillance audit and any other services that you may need in the future. This should be compared to the benefits received in terms of the quality of the audits, the auditors’ experience, additional assistance, and resources provided.
An ISO 27001 consultant that is cheaper and involves high cost, but provides useful assistance, useful information, and a more effective certification process may be more beneficial to the cost than a certification body that is cheaper but provides almost no help. Remember that the achievement and maintenance of the ISO 27001 certification is a journey that assists in protecting the company’s data and its image.
5. Industry Expertise
If your organization belongs to a specific industry and has some specific regulatory requirements or security concerns, then you may wish to look for the certification body that operates in that industry. Such kind of knowledge is very useful during certification, particularly concerning the needs of the industry.
Hiring auditors with knowledge of your industry will assist them in understanding the environment in which your ISMS operates. They can give more precise recommendations, assess the risks for your organization in the given sector more effectively, and ensure that your ISMS does not violate any sector-related requirements.
It also leads to faster and cheaper certification since the auditors will be in a position to focus on the relevant areas of your industry without having to be briefed on the overall picture of your business.
6. Geographic Location and Global Reach
The physical location of the ISO 27001 consultant can be a pragmatic concern if one requires the auditor to visit the premises or set a face-to-face meeting. A certification body that operates locally can afford to accommodate the schedules for the audits and might also have a better understanding of some of the local laws and regulations.
However, if your organization is an international one, then you might want to look at an international certification body. It can also assist you in ensuring that all your branches have the same level of certification and assist your international business.
However, it is important to ensure that the certification body is easily contactable and available to respond to any queries or assistance at the time of certification. Today some aspects of the certification can be completed on the Internet but communication is a key factor.
7. Communication and Accessibility
Communication is crucial throughout the certification process. Make sure that you look for a certification body that will respond to you professionally from the time that you contact them to the time that they have made their certification decision.
Consider how easy it is to get help from the certification body or if one has to explain something to the body. What do employees have, if not a separate focus? The other aspect that the company may need to consider is if they have developed multi-channel communication with their clients. The way your questions are answered defines the experience you get with certification to a large extent.
It also refers to the documents and the equipment used in the process by the certification body. Some may provide an online portal to upload the documents or to track your application while others may frequently remind you of the status of your certification. They can enhance the degree of openness and enable you to make the process of certification less problematic for your team.
Conclusion
Choosing the right ISO 27001 certification body is one of the important considerations that will determine not only the efficiency of the ISMS certification. Therefore, when assessing the accreditation, experience, range of services, reputation, cost, and specialization in your industry and location, one can select the certification body that not only offers the necessary technical certification but also the most suitable for your company.
Remember that ISO 27001 certification is an ongoing journey of continuous improvement, and the right certification body can be a valuable partner in this process. As you embark on this important decision, consider reaching out to experienced partners like ISO R US. We are a certified ISO consultant and we are here to help you with your ISO 27001 certification.
