Introduction to Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)

Every technology-driven business process is exposed to security and privacy threats. Sophisticated technologies are capable of combating cybersecurity attacks, but these aren’t enough: organizations must ensure that business processes, policies, and workforce behavior minimize or mitigate these risks.

Because this path is neither easy nor clear, companies adopt frameworks that help guide towards information security (InfoSec) best practices. This is where information security management systems come into play—let's take a look.

What is an ISMS?

An information security management system (ISMS) is a framework of policies and controls that manage security and risks systematically and across your entire enterprise—information security. These security controls can follow common security standards or be more focused on your industry.

For example, ISO 27001 is a set of specifications detailing how to create, manage, and implement ISMS policies and controls. The ISO doesn’t mandate specific actions; instead, it provides guideline on developing appropriate ISMS strategies.

The framework for ISMS is usually focused on risk assessment and risk management. Think of it as a structured approach to the balanced tradeoff between risk mitigation and the cost (risk) incurred.

Organizations operating in tightly regulated industry verticals, such as healthcare or finance, may require a broad scope of security activities and risk mitigation strategies.

(Consider InfoSec management within your overall IT security policy.)

Continuous improvement in information security

While ISMS is designed to establish holistic information security management capabilities, digital transformation requires organizations to adopt ongoing improvements and evolution of their security policies and controls.

The structure and boundaries defined by an ISMS may apply only for a limited time frame and the workforce may struggle to adopt them in the initial stages. The challenge for organizations is to evolve these security control mechanisms as their risks, culture, and resources change.

According to ISO 27001, ISMS implementation follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PCDA) model for continuous improvement in ISM processes:

Popular ISMS frameworks

ISO 27001 is a leader in information security, but other frameworks offer valuable guidance as well. These other frameworks often borrow from ISO 27001 or other industry-specific guidelines.

ISMS security controls

ISMS security controls span multiple domains of information security as specified in the ISO 27001 standard. The catalog contains practical guidelines with the following objectives:

These components and domains offer general best practices towards InfoSec success. Though these may vary subtly from one framework to another, considering and aligning with these domains will provide much in the way of information security.

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