The need for organizations of all sizes to secure and protect their information assets cannot be over-emphasized, but what exactly is Information Security?
Information Security is the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction in order to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability. There are three basic attributes or tenets of Information Security, collectively known as the CIA Triad. They are:Confidentiality: These are measures put in place by an organization to safeguard against unauthorized disclosure. The aim is to ensure that information is accessed only by those who should have access to it.
Integrity: This seeks to guarantee the reliability of an organization’s data by protecting against wrong or incorrect modifications to the information.
Availability: This ensures that data is fully available when needed by users to make decisions by protecting and enabling systems and subsystems that house this data.
Organizations operate with data at every point of business operations. Some of these data are sensitive, hence the need to limit the number of users who have access to it; this applies the principle of confidentiality.
The growing spate of user information leaks and data breaches on various digital platforms and storage services such as websites, social media, cloud storage providers, etc. give credence to the need and necessity of information security management systems for enterprises. In the first half of 2018 alone, there were 945 data breaches that led to the compromise of approximately 4.5 billion data records worldwide. This is but a fraction of the worrisome reality.
The proliferation of data breaches may leave you wondering how you can possibly control the sensitive information in your organization. We believe this article will provide helpful advice. Before we dive in, it is important to understand that the whole concept of information security focuses on the protection of a given set of data to preserve the value it has for an organization.
Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a set of policies, standards, and procedures followed to systematically manage an organization’s sensitive data. It is based on the standards of the ISO/IEC 27000 series, which includes ISO/IEC 27001 and the entire institutional approach used to protect information according to its principles and attributes of confidentiality, availability, integrity, responsibility, authenticity, and criticality.
ISO/IEC 27001 is a certifiable standard that certifies that your company meets the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for information security management. Its content describes what is needed to implement a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Information security management establishes information security policy and objectives based on a business risk analysis approach in order to define, plan, implement, operate, monitor, maintain and improve the security of the information. The purpose of an ISMS is to minimize risk and ensure business continuity by proactively limiting the impact of a security breach.
The model adopted for the ISMS structure is based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and includes four fundamental parts:
Planning: standardization and documentation of processes and procedures
Execution: implementation of planning actions
Evaluation and correction: to determine if the execution was carried out according to plan and identify needs for improvement
Registration: focus on lessons learned from occurrence registration and the practice of trend analysis for prevention, in addition to the dissemination of results
Information Security Management Objectives
The following are part of the objectives of information security management:
- Identify, analyse and assess information-related risks.
- Plan and implement measures to mitigate and control the assessed risks.
- Establish and disseminate the Security Policy and Procedures
- Disseminate, raise awareness, and motivate good safety practices
- Monitor and evaluate the implemented security measures
- Propose corrective or preventive measures
- Provide adequate conditions for the existence of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information
Why Organizations Need ISMS?
Firstly, the reduction of risks to which the organization may be exposed.
Information security management implies the adoption of more robust practices to protect sensitive information, which brings several benefits to the organization.
It also promotes an alignment and integration of the IT area with the other areas of the organization and with the company’s business strategies.
With more security to operate in the market, it is possible to establish even healthier commercial partnerships to achieve the strategic objectives of the organization. Currently, more and more organizations and individuals seek to do business only with companies that guarantee the integrity of shared data.
What Kind of Organization Needs ISMS?
Any business that wants to support its organizational growth and development and protect its information assets while working to meet short- and long-term goals needs an ISMS to stay ahead of the information security risks that can affect it in the short or long term. Irrespective of the size of your organization, there is an information security management system ISO/IEC 27001 solution that suits you. Talk to the experts!
____________________________Taopheek Babayeju - CEO, iCentra. Taopheek Babayeju is an author, visionary leader, and transformation expert with over 25 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning strategy execution, project, program, and portfolio management, PMO delivery, technology consulting, information security, change and risk management, business agility, as well as organizational and digital transformation. His broad expertise positions him as a leading force in innovation and enterprise transformation. A proud alumnus of Lagos State University and Lagos Business School, Taopheek has furthered his education through executive programs at Harvard Business School and IESE Business School, and holds several globally recognized certifications — a testament to his commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. Passionate about developing people and transforming organizations for impact and sustainability, Taopheek’s influence has been felt across sectors and continents. In 2024, he made history as the first African to be named PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year — a prestigious global recognition for leadership and strategic business excellence. Taopheek is a member of the Forbes Business Council, a startup advisor, and an angel investor. He is also a contributor at Forbes Magazine and a columnist at BusinessDay newspaper amongst others. @taopheek on all platforms
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