Information security Archives

The use of AI within business is starting to become more common place. With major applications like Microsoft Teams and Word integrating many new features designed to make our lives easier.

However, we still need to exercise caution with this new technology and consider what we can put in place to mitigate any potential security risks while developing or utilizing it. Which is precisely what today’s guest, Monolith, has done.

Monolith provide a machine learning program that engineers can adopt to build highly accurate self-learning AI models that instantly predict the performance of systems in a wide variety of operating conditions.

In this weeks’ episode Mel is joined by Æsc George, Senior Software Engineer at Monolith, to discuss why they have adopted ISO 27001, explain their implementation journey and the benefits of having an Information Security Management System.

You’ll learn

Who are Monolith?
What was their main driver behind obtaining ISO 27001?
What was the biggest Gap identified in the initial Gap Analysis?
What benefits did Monolith gain from implementing ISO 27001?

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:25] An introduction to Monolith and Æsc George – Monolith is all about empowering engineers to develop self-learning models from their engineering test data. With this they can develop machine learning models to really accelerate new product introductions and get these new products to market much more quickly, primarily by using these models to accelerate and streamline their testing.

They are currently recommended for ISO 27001 certification, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their physical certificate.

Æsc George is a Senior Software Engineer of this web browser based software. He is also the interim security officer, which is why he was tasked with obtaining ISO 27001.

Fun fact about Æsc: He was a proud owner of a colony of 8 rats! He currently takes care of 4 cats, which have access to a plethora of enrichment in his home 😊

[03:35] What was the main driver for Monolith to obtain ISO 27001? – There were a few drivers, the most obvious being that they want to display their commitment and credibility when it comes to Information Security.

Acquiring ISO 27001 makes it easier to show their clients and prospects that their engineering data is in safe hands.

Monolith also know that there’s a lot of buzz about artificial intelligence and machine learning at the moment, and that buzz covers both sides of the coin. What good it can do for the world and the harms it can do, so aligning with ISO 27001 shows that they’re trying to use AI in a responsible way.

[05:10] The start-up is getting a head start! – Monolith is a start-up company, only a year in and already leading the way for AI development by ensuring security is a priority from the start.

[05:40] How long did it take to implement ISO 27001? Nine months from the point of contacting Blackmores to assist to being recommended for certification.

Æsc recounts his experience: “My perception is that the effort was quite front loaded, so the amount of effort involved in the process almost wound down towards the end – even with the external audit happening towards the end.

I think once the information security management had been established and we’d worked it into our day-to-day, the perceived effort was lower. So I felt pretty confident going through our audit processes because I’ve experienced the system working already.”

[08:15] What was the biggest gap identified at the Gap Analysis?: There wasn’t a formal approach to information security risk and risk treatment.

There were already a number of existing systems and ad-hoc arrangements to mitigate information security risks – but they had been framed in terms of risk.

They hadn’t gone through a process where risks were quantified and weighed against each other.

So following the gap analysis, one of the many actions Monolith took was to make sure they were consistently and regularly assessing information security risk in various dimensions.

They now have the right framework in place to allocate the appropriate time and resources towards information security, and to prioritise the biggest risks.

[10:10] What difference has Implementing ISO 27001 made? – It’s given Monolith more confidence in their understanding of Information Security risks, and assurance that there aren’t any massive, unidentified risks that may cause trouble later down the line.

It’s also made it easier to discuss information security risk and policy decisions. Monolith AI are a remote first company, allowing their staff the freedom to experiment with new technologies, and be in an environment where they feel comfortable. Having formal risk treatment in place means they can maintain this highly flexible, highly innovative and productive way of working – but with their eyes wide open.

[11:40] What has Æsc learned from the experience of Implementing ISO 27001? Æsc is not new to ISO Management Systems, having been involved with the maintenance and implementation of a few in the past.

However, he has gained an appreciation for the nuance in ISO 27001. For example, the knowledge that the standard uses words like ‘should’ and ‘shall’ that have particular intentions – ‘shall’ being mandatory and ‘should’ being recommended.

His previous experiences with Management systems had more available resource than at Monolith, so learning this nuance has been important in the prioritization of focus and resources in his current position.

[13:30] What have been the main benefits from Implementing ISO 27001? Having a holistic and formal approach to Information Security and risk management compared to the ad-hoc approach they had prior.

It’s brought the company together on a really important issue, and helped everyone to understand the role they play in Information Security.

Personally, Æsc has enjoyed reaching out to people he may not ordinarily get the chance to work with, as a result of this unifying issue that everyone at Monolith cares about.

[17:00] Once Monolith formally receive their ISO 27001 certificate, what benefits will that bring? – Currently Monolith AI are recommended for Certification, and are simply waiting on the delivery of their physical certificate.

Once received, they will be able to present it to prospects and clients if they are questioned on information security credentials – to show that they are serious about their commitment to security.

It will also open doors to new prospects that may bother considering them as a supplier due to the lack of ISO 27001 certification.

They are also a leading example in the relatively new industry of AI, those with ISO 27001 certification at this stage stand out from other competitors.

[19:15] What tips does Æsc have for those starting out on their ISO jorney? – Speaking from experience, Æsc recommends hiring a specialist in ISO to assist with your implementation.

In his case, Blackmores helped to organise the process, drive a lot of the early gap analysis and gave him confidence in going through internal and external audits.

Having someone with experience acting as a guiding hand makes the whole process go a lot more smoothly. This could be a consultant, or someone you train within your own business.

These projects are the sort of thing that turn passion into action. Whether that’s information security or environmental management ect, it’s better to have someone experienced or trained in the nuances of the Standard to ensure it’s implemented in a way that truly benefits your business.

[21:20] Æsc’s book recommendation – Nature’s Calendar: The British Year in 72 Seasons by Kiera Chapman, Rowan Jaines, Lulah Ellender and Rebecca Warren. It’s Inspired by a traditional Japanese calendar which divides the year into segments of four to five days, this book guides you through a year of 72 seasons as they manifest in the British Isles.

As Æsc describes: “Lots of the seasons will be very familiar to people who’ve lived in this country their whole life, but they may not have necessarily thought about the context of it.

So I think is really grounding. Time and the way we measure it can seem so arbitrary and abstract sometimes, and measuring minutes and hours is responsible for so much stress and anxiety, so taking a breath, thinking about how nature moves at a different, slower, more deliberate pace, and finding the time to synchronise with that move with nature can be a really rewarding experience”

[24:15] One of Æsc’s favorite quotes – “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” – Henry David Thoreau (from his book ‘Walden’)

[26:10] Need help with your ISO 27001 transition? – We have an ISO 27001 Transition Gameplan available on the isologyhub. This Gameplan provides a step by step guide for you to transition to the latest 2022 Standard.

If you’d like to learn more about Monolith, check out their website.

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Anyone with a current ISO 27001:2013 certificate will be required to update and add certain elements in their existing Information Security Management System to ensure compliance to ISO 27001:2022 ahead of the October 2025 deadline.

Over the past few weeks, our mini-series has covered the fundamental changes to the Standard, along with tips on how to plan and Implement the required updates.

Join Mel this week as she explains the final few stages of an ISO 27001 transition, including the Internal Auditing and final preparation ahead of a Certification Body visit.

You’ll learn

What needs to be audited?
What do I need to do to prepare for the Certification Body visit?
How can you get a free copy of ISO 27001:2022?

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:44] Catch up on the last two episodes before listening to this one: What you need to know to transition to ISO 27001:2022 / What changes need to be Implemented to transition to ISO 27001:2022

[01:00] The last stages are all about gathering evidence of compliance against new and updated clauses and controls

[01:28] Make sure you plan your transition visit well in advance – If you leave it too late you may incur additional fees for more days or possibly even for a full certification if you miss the deadline.

[02:15] This process for transition is fairly consistent among Certification Bodies. It typically includes a Readiness Review and a transition visit where they will review evidence of compliance against the new controls.

[02:45] You can get a free copy if you sign up to our Transition Programme by April 1^st 2023)

[02:55] The last stage ahead of the transition visit is Internal Auditing. For those still planning their 2023 Internal Audits, you may wish to Implement the changes earlier in the year with a view to audit the changes in the later half of 2023. Ensure that you allow time to build evidence of compliance ahead of a transition visit.

[03:45] If you need a bit of extra help, we include Internal Auditing within our transition programme – this will typically take 1 day.

[04:30] We can also support you during your transition visit – this could be on-line or on-site, which would depend on your Certification Bodies preference.

[05:20] Currently many Certification Bodies are suggesting a half day for the Readiness Review and another day for the transition. Some may choose to include this transition as a part of their annual Surveillance visit to help save on costs. If you have a Surveillance coming up, it’s worth getting in contact with them to see what they would recommend regarding your transition.

[05:43] We advise that you also ask your Certification Body, when they will be UKAS accredited for ISO 27001:2022 – they may not be ready complete a transition visit until the later half of 2023.

[06:35] For our global listeners, your Certification Body will have an Accreditation Body that needs to verify their ability to conduct transition visits. For the UK this is UKAS, but it may differ for other countries.

[07:15] Don’t leave this until last minute! Based on previous experience with transitions, we’ve found companies that leave it until a few months before the deadline often can’t transition in time, and end up having to pay up for a full Stage 1 and 2 Assessment in order to keep their certification.

Grab a copy of our ISO 27001:2022 Guideline to the changes here:

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ISO 27001 2022 is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about starting the transition process. While the deadline is set at December 2025, it’s never too early to start!

If this is all news to you, check out our previous three episodes, where we reviewed all the major changes to ISO 27001, including clause updates and the 11 completely new controls added.

Join Mel this week as she explains what you need to know before embarking on your ISO 27001 transition journey, in addition to a summary of our transition programme.

You’ll learn

How to plan for your ISO 27001 transition
How can Blackmores help you?
How can you get a free copy of ISO 27001:2022?

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:44] Businesses have until October 2025 to transition to the updated version of ISO 27001:2022 – but don’t wait until the last minute! Certification Bodies get really booked up in the last year, and you could risk losing your certification and paying for another Stage 1 and 2 Assessment.

[01:30] We recommend that you start thinking about your transition in 2023 so you have everything in place to start the process in 2024.

[02:28] As a recap – the major changes to ISO 27001:2022 are: 56 controls have been merged into 24 newly titled controls, the addition of 11 completely new controls and controls are now categorised into just 4 groups instead of the 14 from the previous version.

[03:00] ISO 27001:2022 Guide to the changes available – Simply fill out the form available at the end of the show notes to grab a copy!

[04:25] Over the next few episodes, Mel will talk through the process of planning, implementing and preparation for the Certification Body transition visit.

[05:51] All steps of the transition process are laid out in our Transition Programme, which includes: an awareness video, a transition action plan, Implementation of changes, Internal auditing of the changes and some optional support during the Certification Body visit.

[08:45] The Planning Phase: We recommend trying to combine your transition visit with your next Surveillance visit – you can have a chat with your CB to see if that’s possible. This may not be possible if your Surveillance is coming up very soon, as you need time to implement the changes needed. Those that have it in say 6 or more months’ time would be in a good position to make the request.

[09:30] Certification Bodies are recommending an extra half day for transition – some may require a desktop review ahead of the actual visit. Combining this visit with your Surveillance is a good way to reduce costs.

[10:30] When planning out your timescales for transition, don’t forget to inform Leadership and key personnel involved in the running of the Management System about the expected changes to come – and plan in time for them to help with the implementation.

[11:10] Understanding the changes: We gave a high-level overview of the 11 new controls in our last episode. We will also have 11 Coffee Break Training courses covering the controls in more detail, available from March 31^st 2023 on the isologyhub.

[12:11] Offer: We’re including a free copy of ISO 27001:2022 for those that sign up to our Transition Programme before April 1^st 2023.

[12:34] You may get asked for a copy of the Standard at your transition visit – as having a copy can come under ‘other’ legal requirements.

[13:10] Discovery Phase: We have a transition checklist which can help you identify where the gaps are in terms of compliance with the new controls. You may already have some of it in place!

Grab a copy of our ISO 27001:2022 Guide to the changes here:

Keep an eye out for next weeks episode where we dive into how to Implement the changes…

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The long-awaited update of ISO 27001 arrived in October 2022, having gone 9 years since its previous 2013 iteration. Needless to say, it was much overdue.

The new 2022 version of the Standard includes 11 new controls and sees around 56 other controls combined into 24 newly titled controls.

In order to cover every aspect of the new Standard, we’ll be running a mini-series through January and February on the updated ISO 27001:2022 in addition to how you can transition to the new version.

Starting off the series strong, Mel is joined once again by Steve Mason, our very own Information Security guru, to broadly discuss the changes to ISO 27001:2022.

You’ll learn

Who is ISO 27001:2022 applicable to?
An overview of the changes to ISO 27001:2022
What is Steve’s favorite change to ISO 27001:2022?
What are the challenges involved with updating to the 2022 version?

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:50] Steve Gives an overview of what’s new in ISO 27001:2022 – The updated version of ISO 27001 was released on the 26^th Oct 2022. The new version included 24 changes and clarifications within the main clauses.

[02:50] The controls for the new standard are now categorised into 4 groups: Organisation, People, Physical and Technology

[05:50] We covered some of the new controls in more detail in previous episodes: #109, #110, #111, #112, #113 and #114

[06:17] The 24 changes and clarifications to Clauses include older existing clauses which have been tidied up to be more transparent. We recommend reviewing to ensure that you are complying in a way that aligns with the Standard.

[06:35] There are 11 new Controls. 56 controls from the 2013 version have been reduced to 24 with 58 remaining unchanged. So, in short, Annex A has been simplified with less duplication of controls.

[07:44] Steve highlights section A.9 for Access Control as one of the much-improved controls – due to the lack of repetition and simplified requirements for compliance.

[08:35] Steve’s favourite update to the Standard: The whole Standard now collectively encourages incorporation into your business. Your ISMS should not feel like a bolt on, it should be a part of your businesses DNA.

[10:36] Steve’s favourite update to the Standard #2: It’s not a static Standard, it encourages development and continual improvement.

[13:45] For those completely new to ISO 27001 – check out our 3-part Steps to Success series which explains the Implementation process from start to finish.

[14:38] Listen to some of our client interviews to hear the challenges others faced when Implementing ISO 27001 in addition to the benefits gained as a result of adopting the Standard:

[14:50] Why would the business continuity elements of ISO 27001:2022 pose a challenge? There used to be a clause in the 2005 version of the standard which documented the need for a business impact analysis – this was removed in the 2013 version. The new ‘ICT readiness for business continuity’ control will require at the very least, a risk assessment.

[16:48] Steve recommends checking out the Plan, Do, Act, Check diagram in ISO 27031 (Guidelines for information and communication technology readiness for business continuity). It also includes some great guidance on business impact analysis.

[18:40] The ICT readiness control is not designed to be an all encompassing business continuity strategy – it’s designed to work in tandem with as existing one (you may already be certified to ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management).

[19:50] It’s highly recommended that if you don’t have a Business Continuity Plan or strategy – at least have a framework in place. Disasters by their nature are unpredictable, as is the resulting damage to an extent. You will not know the full extent until you’ve lived it – so don’t write an exhaustive 80+ page manual that no-one will read, document the what, who and how of getting yourself back up and running again.

[21:11] There has also been an update to ISO 27005 (Risk assessment in relation to info sec). It includes a new set of threat categories: physical threats, natural threats, infrastructure failures, technical failures, human actions, compromised services or functions and organisational threats. These may help you when putting a business continuity framework in place.

[22:05] Above all else – ISO 27001:2022 has modernised and aligned itself more with the likes of cyber essentials and NIST.

Keep an eye out for next weeks episode where we dive into the clause updates…

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Data breaches have risen by 70% globally in Q3 of 2022, reinforcing the requirement for many to seek out Information Security solutions, especially those within the tech space.

Today we speak to Triaster, who have been in operation since 1994, providing businesses with process mapping and execution software to help drive business improvement.

Triaster’s Business Operations Manager, Jane Duncan, explains why they sought to implement ISO 27001, what challenges they faced and what they learned during their certification journey.

You’ll learn

Who are Triaster?
Why Triaster Implemented ISO 27001
What did they learn from their experience?
What benefits have they seen as a result of Implementing ISO 27001?

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:54] Get to know Jane Duncan – Triaster’s Business Operations Manager who has recently started fostering dogs for a local charity.

[01:41] Who are Triaster? In short, they build software solutions that drive business improvement. They are a thought leader in their field and strive to create new software to meet business needs.

[02:25] What was the main driver for achieving ISO 27001? In 2020, they had certified to the Quality Standard, ISO 9001, and saw the many benefits that come with ISO certification. They saw ISO 27001 as both an opportunity and a necessity due to their work within the IT industry. ISO 27001 is seen as a mark of trust and provides a central framework to improve data security.

[04:28] How long did It take to implement ISO 27001? They started looking at certification bodies and consultants to help with implementation in March 2021. The project overall lasted six months, with their assessments taking place in September and October of the same year. They also chose to recertify to ISO 9001 at the same time – this aligned both Standards under one Integrated Management System.

[06:35] If you are considering implementing multiple ISO’s, it’s recommended to integrate them into a single Management System. This reduces the costs of implementation and is overall easier to maintain.

[07:17] What was the biggest gap identified in Triaster’s initial Gap Analysis? They had a lack of security policies in place in addition to a lack of processes that would have mitigated potential data security risks.

[08:00] What was the biggest difference ISO 27001 made? They now do regular annual SWOT and PESTLE’s that are evaluated at Management Reviews. Risks identified during those reviews are added to a risk register and are used to develop the necessary objectives and controls needed to mitigate future risk.

[08:38] Other differences include the ability to track non-conformities, security risks and opportunities for improvement. They also have the confidence to prove their data security credentials to clients and have the required documentation to back it up. Tendering processes are also made easier by having ISO 27001 as it is often a requirement that can now be ticked off.

[09:25] Triaster use Infrastructure partner (who are also ISO 27001 certified) and can now hold them accountable for the services they provide.

[09:50] Jane states that they are now a much better business following the Implementation of both ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 – continually improving their processes and scrutinising working practices.

[10:54] All of the same security practices can be done by those who are homeworking at Triaster

[11:05] What has been the main lesson learned? The process if certification is a journey – it’s about continually improving and truly adopting the ethos of Information Security into every aspect of the business.

[11:52] What are the main benefits? They hope their clients can see their efforts and have confidence in Triaster’s ability to keep their data secure. They also now have the processes in place that drive continual Improvement.

[12:33] Jane’s top tip: Document what you do as a business and look for gaps. Also, certification is a journey, and you shouldn’t stop striving to improve once you achieve certification.

[13:00] What book would you recommend and why? Internal Auditing in plain English: A simple guide to super effective ISO Audits by Craig Cochran

[14:15] Jane’s favorite quote: “No one is you, and that is your superpower”

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Today we’re joined by Philip Bailey, Managed Services Director at PMC Retail, to talk about PMC’s experience with ISO 27001, from implementation to on-going maintenance.

PMC is a leading retail IT services and solutions provider, who recognised the growing need for formal Information Security certification. They succeeded in achieving certification to ISO 27001 in 2021, now almost a year down the line, we catch up with Phil to find out what they’ve learned, benefits of certification and some tips for those looking to implement ISO 27001.

You’ll learn

Who are PMC retail?
How do PMC currently manage their ISO 27001 certification?
How has the ISO Support Plan helped?
What have they learned from implementing the standard?
What are the benefits of implementing ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 Top tips from Phil

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:03] An interesting fact about Phil – He started in electronic engineering and was involved the build of a system designed to measure the mirrors used in a telescope that was carried on the Discovery shuttle!

[01:44] Who are PMC Retail?

[03:49] An example of one of PMC’s projects – Pulling together legacy systems, updating them to newer technologies while maintaining the legacy data.

[04:40] Learn about Phil’s role at PMC

[05:45] PMC now certified to ISO 27001 – One of the most popular ISO’s globally in recent years. It’s becoming something of a mandatory requirement in the tech space when bidding for contracts

[06:31] How do PMC manage their ISO 27001 certification – Created a small team dedicated to the task of achieving certification – along with some help from us 😊 Following certification they onboarded a Compliance Governance Manager to keep up with Internal Audits and other ISO maintenance.

[08:25] How has the ISO Support plan helped? – Blackmores helped to implement the standard, and were very familiar with their system and way of working. Great to have a wealth of knowledge to tap into.

[09:00] PMC managed to implement the standard in just 6 months!

[10:25] What did PMC learn from their experience? It wasn’t an easy task! Getting leadership commitment from the start made a huge difference.

[11:50] The benefits PMC have experienced by implementing and maintaining ISO 27001: Being able to identify risks and put actions in place to mitigate them. Certification demonstrates a robust security infrastructure to third parties. Establishes more credibility to customers and partners. They are able to see a pathway for business growth, utilising the certification.

[14:30] ISO 27001 has helped to collate and bolster their existing Information Security structure – Having a library of resources, unified policies and procedures, company wide Objectives, and better understanding of measuring & managing risks.

[16:15] PMC ensure that staff complete annual training – as required by the Standard.

[17:10] Phil stresses that you can’t just stay still with Information Security is concerned, you need to be aware of new risks and make sure those in your business are also aware and know how to react.

[18:00] Top tips from Phil: Get Leadership commitment early on. Build yourself a Management Team. Get help from an experienced external party. It’s not a walk in the park, and needs focus to achieve in a reasonable amount of time.

[19:42] Phil’s book recommendation: The magic of thinking big by David J. Schwartz.

[21:42] Phil’s favorite quote: “You’re never too old to set a new goal, or too old dream another dream”

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ISO 27002 was recently updated this year – along with a reduction of overall controls, 11 completely news ones were added to keep up with new and emerging technology.

One of the new controls added under the organisational category, is something called threat intelligence. But what does this mean exactly?

Steve Mason joins us again today to delve deeper into threat intelligence to explain what it is, gives examples of the different types and shares some tools and activities that will help you develop threat intelligence

You’ll learn

What is threat intelligence?
What does threat intelligence actually do?
The different types of threat intelligence
What tools can you implement to help with threat intelligence?
What activities can you do to help develop threat intelligence?

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:19] The definition and purpose of threat intelligence

[03:01] Threat intelligence doesn’t have to factor into your scope and context – you can integrate findings in later

[03:50] Threat intelligence is about being aware of not only internal threats, but global threats that could impact your business

[04:50] Threat intelligence is not only about IT (i.e. viruses)

[05:19] That being said – cyber threats are still a big factor. So ensure you have tools, training and measures in place to reduce cyber attacks and breaches.

[06:30] Types of Threat intelligence, including: Cyber, Strategic and Tactical

[07:58] What threat intelligence actually does – Firstly ensure that you are collecting relevant data. That data can be analysed and used to reduce risk, to help you be proactive instead of reactive to threats.

[09:51] Threat intelligence is very appliable to Business Continuity (ISO 22301)

[10:35] The different types of tools you could consider, including: Security information and event management (SIEM) and CSOC – Cyber Security Operation Centres

[12:30] Types of threat intelligence activities you can do. This includes: Establishing objectives, collection of information from selected sources, analysing information to understand how it relates and is meaningful to the business and communicating information to relevant individuals.

[15:10] Ensure your threat intelligence is dynamic – and use it to inform and update your Risk Assessments at regular intervals

[16:30] Threat intelligence works with the Plan-Do-Act-Check cycle that is commonly seen in most ISO’s

[17:10] Threat intelligence can be used by any business regardless of any ISO certification you may or may not have.

[18:05] Keep an eye out for our ISO 27001:2022 migration support offering!

Download our ISO 27002 changes Quick Guide here:

Just a reminder, we’re offering 6 months free access to the isologyhub for anyone who signs up to an ISO Support Plan!

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Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin
Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

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ISO 27002 was recently updated this year – along with a reduction of overall controls, 11 completely new ones were added to keep up with new and emerging technology.

As a reminder, ISO 27002 (Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Information security controls) is a guidance document which provides further best practice advice to strengthen your IT Security.

Today, Steve Mason explains the changes made to the 2022 version of ISO 27002, gives a summary of the 11 new controls and gives examples of some key considerations and actions you can take to implement them.

You’ll learn

What changes have been made to ISO 27002:2022
Why ISO 27002 has been updated in 2022
An overview of the 11 new controls added to ISO 27002
Examples of actions you can take to implement the new controls

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:28] A brief summary of the changes to ISO 27002:2022, including new controls, new structure and attribute types

[05:30] Controls in ISO 27002 now have a defined purpose to avoid misinterpretation

[06:29] A summary of the 11 new controls by name and category

[08:10] Threat intelligence – What tools do you have in place to identify threats? How do you monitor your threat intelligence effectiveness?

[11:20] Information Security use of Cloud Services – A reminder that ISO 27017 covers this in more detail! Do you have a cloud policy in place? Does it align with your clients security requirements?

[13:10] ICT readiness for Business Continuity – Focus on recovery of IT services following a disaster. Do you have Business Impact Assessments in place? If you’re certified to ISO 22301 – this area is most likely covered

[14:36] Physical Security monitoring – Are you monitoring physical security? i.e. keycard access, CCTV ect

[16:23] Configuration Management – Are you IT systems working well together? Do you have an established configuration for passwords? (i.e. how many characters, alpha numerical, symbols ect)

[18:13] Information Deletion – If data needs to be deleted, that it’s deleted in a secure manor and can’t be recovered.

[21:48] Data Masking – Make sure that any data that shouldn’t be shared is masked in some way i.e. obfuscated or anonymized.

[23:31] Data Leakage – Put measures in place to stop data being leaked through i.e. USB’s, people sending business information to personal email addresses ect

[26:55] Monitoring Activities – You could monitor network traffic, software access ect. Be selective in your monitoring, only do so if it will be of benefit to the business.

[28:04] Web Filtering – Ensure that employees can’t access any nefarious / high risk websites that could cause a security breach

[30:15] Secure Coding – Make sure that coding is done securely – making sure that any software developed is secure and free of as many vulnerabilities as possible.

Download our ISO 27002 changes Quick Guide here:

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Did you know there were 80 identified security incidents, resulting in 34,908,053 compromised records in June 2022 alone!

Standards such as ISO 27001 can help you put measures in place to reduce risk and help set up procedures for data recovery. However, not as many adopt the guidance document ISO 27002 which provides further best practice advice to strengthen your IT Security.

ISO 27002 has recently been updated with 11 new controls that tackle recent emerging technology not covered in ISO 27001:2013.

Today, Mel explains ISO 27002 (Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection – Information security controls), why it’s been updated and gives a high-level overview of the changes.

You’ll learn

The purpose of ISO 27002
How ISO 27002 works with ISO 27001
Why ISO 27002 has been updated in 2022
A basic overview of the changes to controls within ISO 27002:2022

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:30] A reminder to keep an eye out for future episodes on the upcoming updated version of ISO 27001:2022

[00:52] An introduction to the guidance document ISO 27002

[02:02] Controls from the updated version of ISO 27002 can be implemented right now – not a requirement of ISO 27001 but recommended.

[02:25] Why ISO 27002 has been updated – To bring it up-to-date with the latest technologies and simplification of controls

[03:15] What this means for your Information Security Management System

[03:50] We expect to see the new controls in ISO 27002 to be reflected in the updated version of ISO 27001 coming out later this year.

[4:27] Reminder: ISO 27002 is not a certifiable standard but it is best practice.

[05:00] ISO 27002 had its last major update in 2013 – think how much technology has changed since then!

[06:00] A summary of the changes to controls in ISO 27002

[07:25] New controls added to ISO 27002 highlight that the standard is more then just IT Security – A trait shared with ISO 27001

[09:13] A summary of what categories the 11 new controls fall under

Just a reminder, we’re offering 6 months free access to the isologyhub for anyone who signs up to an ISO Support Plan!

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Download our ISO 27002 changes Quick Guide here:

Today, we’re joined by Morgan Sindall’s Head of Information Security and Compliance Neil Binnie, to discuss the Information Security Standard ISO 27001.

Morgan Sindall has been ahead of the curb when it comes to information security having been certified to ISO 27001 for almost 3 years, but with information breaches becoming more common it’s even more vital to get ISO 27001 certified to prove you have a robust information security framework.

Neil explains the importance of information security, the new cloud security standards that are coming out, and the benefits of using ISO 27001.

You’ll learn

The importance of information security in the construction industry.
The benefits of using ISO 27001 as your information security framework.
How to implement ISO 27001 within your business.
The recent shift in mindset around data usage.
How hackers are using supply chains to attack businesses.
The new standards that are coming out to tackle cloud security.

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[02:27] Why information security is so important in the construction industry.

[03:34] The benefits of having the ISO 27001 framework in place.

[05:28] Why supply chain security is so important.

[06:20] How a construction company can help to secure their supply chain.

[08:34] Neil’s experience implementing ISO 27001 in Morgan Sindall.

[12:43] The cloud security standards that are coming out.

[14:52] The benefits of having ISO 27001 in place prior to the Covid lockdowns.

[17:21] The incorrect assumptions people have about ISO 27001.

[18:37] The importance of having a collaborative approach when implementing ISO 27001.

If you need assistance with implementing ISO 27001 – Contact us!

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Today we’re joined by Senior Information Security Consultant, Steve Mason to discuss how working from home has affected our online security.

Remote working has become the norm during the pandemic and it’s proven that it can be an effective way for people to have a good work-life balance.

But with working from home comes many security risks, we need secure Wi-Fi connections, virus-free laptops, and to be working in environments where we can’t be listened in to.

Steve is an information security expert and as data security risks for homeworkers have shot up, he’s here to explain what we can do to negate this risk.

We talk about the general security risks of working remotely, and the importance of businesses taking this seriously and creating effective processes to mitigate that risk across their business…

You’ll learn

How our approach to technology is changing.
The increased security risks involved with working from home.
The necessity of training your staff in home security.
How to access our policy around virtual meeting room security.
How to improve your home security and safety.
How to reduce the chances of getting a virus or trojan.

Resources

Isology Hub
The Virtual Meeting Room Policy – Email us for a copy!

In this episode, we talk about:

[02:30] The added difficulties involved with improving remote client’s security.

[04:06] The benefits of using company devices and the security risks of using your own device and working from home.

[05:47] How to know you’re using a good VPN and adequate virus protection.

[06:36] Using a working from home policy and the benefits that can have.

[09:30] How to monitor employee’s software usage if they are working remotely.

[10:50] Issues some remote workers have with backing up their documents securely.

[12:17] The ways working from home affects your home insurance.

[14:09] The importance of fixing all security weaknesses you become aware of.

[16:56] The necessity of proper security training being given to staff working from home.

[18:38] Security in virtual meeting rooms and the policy we created around that.

[21:10] The main risks involved with working in public places like a coffee shop.

If you need assistance with implementing ISO 27001 – Contact us!

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Dinesh Sharma, Director of Information Security Governance at Epiq, joins us on the ISO Show today. He discusses ISO 27001, his in-depth experience of this standard, how it’s working for Epiq, lessons learned, and how he manages this globally for Epiq Global.

We are so excited to interview Dinesh! He has a wealth of experience in terms of implementing frameworks like ISO 27001 and PCI DSS. He’s got plenty of experience ranging from developing information security policies, procedures, managing risk assessments, to delivering security training and awareness, and overseeing internal audits. He also has expert experience in security management and governance as his last 15 years focused on information security.

You’ll learn about:

What Epiq does
What it means to be Director of Information Security Governance
Setting up a security team and managing it in terms of global responsibilities
Continual improvement at Epiq
Dispelling ISO 27001 myths
What has worked well for Epiq in relation to ISO 27001

First and foremost, let’s dive into what Epiq is and does…

What does Epiq do?

Epiq, primarily based in the U.S, is a global professional services company, operating in approximately 25 countries including Germany, Belgium, India, London and so many more.

Epiq primarily provides support to the legal industry (so to law firms and the legal departments within large organisations). Their key service is around E-discovery. This is where there is potentially an investigation, or if two parties are about to enter a litigation. Some processes need to happen around data collection, data review, forensics, processing and document review. Epiq can make all of this so much more efficient and cost-effective for clients! Another core service Epiq provides is court reporting and transcription services. Other services include business transformation services, class-action and a range of other services.

Now, let’s find out more about Dinesh’s role…

Role at Epiq

Dinesh is part of the Global information security function at Epiq. They have a dedicated Global information security team to support the business.

Dinesh’s specific role is to lead the security governance side of things. This means that he manages and helps to define the information security policy set and Information Security Management System (ISMS) within Epiq. He also leads and coordinates the internal security assessments (part of which is internal ISMS audits as well as internal security audits across Epiq). He even reviews and provides input on contracts of clients and vendors around security clauses to ensure they align with the policies of Epiq. His team also delivers staff security awareness and training. Finally, his team manages security certifications including ISO 27001 (very relevant for today!).

So, let’s explore how a mature ISMS is managed…

How to go about setting up a security team and manage it in terms of global responsibilities?

At Epiq they have a dedicated team within their information security function for security operations. This team oversees the security toolset, they monitor the alerts from this toolset, such as their end-point detection and the logging and alerting around network security. This security operations team also takes the lead on defining their processes and handling any security incidents. So, they have a separate team for this specifically.

They also have a separate team for security architecture and security engineering. These teams work very closely with the business to make sure that security is considered and embedded within the projects and new offerings Epiq has as a business, as well as developing their tools. So, if Epiq is looking to implement a new security tool, this team will be very involved in looking at the different vendors that provide that offering, how that would be embedded and work within the infrastructure of Epiq, and the environments with which they serve their clients. So, Epiq has got the structure of sub-teams within the security function well defined!

Of course, sitting on top of this, Epiq is very fortunate to have some very experienced and very qualified leadership come into that team. The governance and operations side is managed by a gentleman called Jason. He has lots of experience and brings experience from other industries he’s worked with. He has a peer called Andrew, who looks after the engineering and architecture side. Epiq also has a new Chief Security Officer (CSO) who is very knowledgeable and savvy. He is doing a really good job of lifting the profile of not only security within the organisation, but also Epiq’s security functions. So, they are fortunate to have that leadership as well.

This is fantastic…when organisations are starting with implementing an ISMS, we always find that leadership commitment is so key! It’s great to hear that Epiq has got a mature management system yet are still continuing to focus on leadership commitment and bringing that in from various angles across the organisation as well.

In terms of the ISMS then…

Epiq has got many other security standards, so what we want to know is how their ISMS helps them to manage all their activities.

Well, looking at the requirements of ISO 27001 and setting up an ISMS that works, Dinesh thinks the most important thing it gives an organisation, regardless of what level of maturity it is at, is what the basic components and principles are in terms of a framework that you should be having in place or that you should consider having. This is because if you want to go for certification to ISO 27001, then you must have some of these things in place.

Dinesh very much sees this as a baseline!

Once, you establish that baseline and you’ve got the documentation, the processes which support the documents and the staff in place who can deliver on those processes. You then think…‘what can you do to increase the maturity’?

A big part of ISO 27001 is continual improvement. This is something Dinesh thinks is very important and puts a lot of focus on in his role. So, that’s all tied with the kind of internal security reviews that they do with the internal assessments that happen. But any feedback they get from the business, or any input or discussions they have with the business which can raise or flag something, e.g., as a potential block, are put onto their continual improvement register to work with the team or the business area. It might be something they have to work on themselves. The important thing is to always look out for these kinds of things. That’s why this is a key area of focus for Dinesh, in his role, as he thinks about what can improve each step of the ISMS in Epiq.

However, a lot of companies, once they’ve completed the assessment, think that’s the job done. But you can’t put your feet up just yet! This is only the beginning of the journey, which is why Dinesh identifies this as the baseline and the foundation to be used for continual improvement.

So, let’s look at what Epiq has implemented in relation to continual improvement, which has been above and beyond this baseline.

Epiq and continual improvement

Epis has implemented a Critical Asset Reviews. They identified their 15 most critical assets and instead of doing a full security review, they pick the 10 most important controls and other controls they think would deliver the highest level of security if they had it in place. So, they have done a very focused security review, based on risk and what they think their most important assets are. They dig deep into what are the risks and issues and by acting on these, it moves Epiq to another level.

Now, let’s move onto the part where we dispel myths around ISO standards!

Dispelling ISO 27001 myths

Dinesh believes that a good understanding of ISO 27001 is needed to know what the standard actually means. There is a difference between being aligned and being certified to ISO 27001. So, an independent review of your ISMS is really important as it shows you haven’t just picked and chosen which parts of the core standard you’re going to implement. It shows that you’ve had to do them all and have had that verified and tested. This would provide a level of assurance to your organisation and stakeholders. That’s why there is such a big difference between being aligned to the standard and being compliant with it.

Finally, I’m sure our audience would love to know…

What has worked well from an information security perspective in relation to ISO 27001?

Dinesh identifies the top-level management commitment within a business as the most crucial thing in any implementation of a standard. The business needs to understand the importance of information security. So, everyone needs to be aware of what the benefits are, what’s going on and what is important…having this conversation in your business really makes everything easier according to Dinesh. Epiq does this during their management reviews, where all four of their CEOs attend. They take the management review section of ISO 27001 and cover most of it in their quarterly meetings, and because this is visibly supported by their CEO, the business leaders reporting to the CEO and all their directors attend the management reviews as well. So, they all understand what’s going on, what’s important and what the key risks are from the security team’s perspective. Having this conversation just makes everything a lot easier according to Dinesh.

That’s it from Dinesh! We hope you enjoyed learning about Epiq’s journey…it’s inspirational to hear how Epiq is still developing, evolving, improving and still getting such fantastic commitment from the very top as well. It clearly demonstrates Epiq Global’s commitment to information security without a shadow of a doubt!

Contact details for Dinesh, if you have any enquires or would simply like to connect with him, you can get in contact using one of the ways below:

Email: dsharma@epiqglobal.co.uk

Website URL : Epiqglobal.com

LinkedIn handle: uk.linkedin.com/in/dineshcsharma

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:

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Today, we’re joined by the Director of Corporate Assurance at Totally PLC, Falu Bharmal.

Falu plays a key role in working with NHS England and has in-depth knowledge and understanding of ISO implementation, Legal Policy relating to corporate governance, health and safety, and integrated Risk Management. He has extensive experience in establishing new corporate governance structures, systems, and processes to ensure organizations are fit for purpose.

Today, Falu is here to discuss ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), and why it’s so important to have consistent practices throughout a company.

Falu explains how he’s able to implement new ISO’s so effectively and some of the biggest improvements ISO 27001 has allowed him to make.

We talk about how best you can prepare before implementing a new standard, and how ISO’s can help systemise your way of working across a company.

Visit the Totally PLC website to learn more about their services.

You’ll learn

The benefits of working as a group with consistent practices throughout a company.
How to effectively prepare for and implement new standards.
How ISO 27001 is used as a best practice mechanism.
How implementing standards can help to systemise the ways of working across a company.
How many people you need to be involved with the implementation of new standards.

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:29] The services Totally PLC supplies and how they support the NHS and reduce A&E waiting times.

[03:30] The different divisions that makeup Totally PLC.

[05:36] The ways Falu as Director of Corporate Assurance is involved with ISO implementations.

[06:34] How Falu implements ISO standards effectively.

[07:21] How ISO 27001 is used as a best practice mechanism for Totally PLC.

[08:20] Some of the biggest improvements Falu’s made through using ISO 27001.

[09:25] How ISO standards help to systemise ways of working across a company.

[10:14] The different roles Totally PLC has dedicated to ISO implementation.

[12:18] The best things you can do before implementing a new standard.

[13:46] The extra pressures Totally PLC has faced due to the pandemic, and the new opportunities this has brought.

If you need assistance with implementing ISO 27001 – Contact us!

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:

Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin
Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

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Steve Mason is a Senior Consultant at Blackmores (UK) Ltd, and has a 100% success rate of supporting clients in achieving their ISO 9001 & ISO 27001 certifications on their first time.

With over 38 years of experience working with standards, Steve is incredibly knowledgeable about how to ensure companies get the best benefits when implementing new standards. Steve has never stopped advancing himself and continues to broaden his knowledge of new standards as they come into existence.

Today, Steve is back to discuss the new ISO 27017 (Information Security Controls for Cloud Services Standard), and why it is needed in addition to ISO 27001.

The current publication of ISO 27001 was released back in 2013 before cloud security was as big of a concern. Due to this, it does not adequately cover cloud security and hence the new standard ISO 27017 was released.

It is wise not to assume that the cloud is secure on its own, you need a provider that can demonstrate protection from hacking and guarantee you security.

There are 7 new controls that the standard brings –

6.3.1 Shared roles and responsibilities within a cloud computing environment
8.1.5 Removal of cloud service customer assets
9.5.1 Segregation in virtual computing environments
9.5.2 Virtual machine hardening
12.1.5 Administrator’s operational security
12.4.5 Monitoring of cloud services
13.1.4 Alignment of security management for virtual and physical networks

In this episode, Steve talks through some of these new controls, explains why they’re so important, and describes who can benefit from implementing this new standard.

You’ll learn

How the standard works for both customers and providers.
How ISO 27017 works as a unique selling point for businesses.
The new controls and how it demonstrates security within the cloud.
The benefits of adopting ISO 27017.
How doing a gap analysis can help you to understand what cloud controls you already have in place.

Resources

Blackmores

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:30] Why it’s important to have a standard for cloud security when we already have ISO 27001.

[02:46] The type of new controls and how they make the standard ‘cloud effective’.

[05:37] Some examples of the new controls.

[07:20] The prerequisites you need before implementing ISO 27017.

[08:37] The type of certificate you get with ISO 27017.

[10:22] How ISO 27017 can set companies apart from their competitors.

[11:03] What the future for ISO 27001 and ISO 27017 looks like.

[13:03] Advice for anyone thinking of implementing the standard.

[14:20] The main benefits there are from implementing ISO 27017.

If you need assistance with implementing ISO 27017 – Contact us!

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:

Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin
Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

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Steve Mason is a Senior Consultant at Blackmores (UK) Ltd, and has a 100% success rate of supporting clients in achieving their ISO9001 & ISO27001 certifications on their first time.

Today, Steve is here to discuss ISO 27701 (Data Privacy), and why it’s so important to have so that you can prove you are GDPR compliant.

Since the new European Data Privacy Laws were introduced in May 2018 there have been over 150,000 personal data breaches within Europe, and the estimated total of GDPR fines total a little over 220 million euros.

Steve explains why GDPR is so important, how companies can avoid having data breaches, and what makes ISO 27701 different from previous standards.

You’ll learn

How ISO 27701 can help companies demonstrate compliance with the requirements of GDPR.
The ways ISO 27701 is different from ISO 27001 and why you need both standards.
Who you can share PII with while still maintaining GDPR compliance.
The correlations ISO 27701 has with ISO 27002.
The potential impact implementing ISO 27702 can have.

Resources

Blackmores

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:29] The big personal data breaches that have happened in the last 2 years, and the fines the companies received for not being compliant with the data protection laws.

[04:11] Why we have General Data Protection Regulations and what they are there to protect.

[06:36] What ISO 27701 is and how it helps companies be GDPR compliant.

[09:26] What PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is.

[11:41] An overview of ISO 27701 and what its main clauses are.

[14:04] What the two control sets of the standard are and what the difference between a data controller and a data processor is.

[17:20] How this standard helps companies know what needs to be put in place to be GDPR compliant.

[18:51] What makes ISO 27701 better than BS 10012 and why it will eventually completely replace it.

[22:14] What you already need in place to get ISO 27701 certified.

[24:10] The main benefits for companies implementing this standard has.

If you need assistance with implementing ISO 27701 – Contact us!

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:

Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin
Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

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This episode we are joined by Mark Frudd, Managing Director and Founder of Security and Software Development at company TriplePs.

Mark’s here to tell us about the information security Standard ISO 27001. It’s brought his business countless benefits, allowed them to expand, and win government contracts. But it hasn’t been all easy sailing, the ISO has brought up some unique challenges for Mark to overcome. He explains what these are, how he tackled them, and what he wishes he knew before embarking on this journey…

Mark Frudd is the Managing Director and Founder of Security expert at software development company TriplePs. His work history revolves around the cybersecurity industry and delivering high profile public sector projects.

With a personal motto that IT and security doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective, Mark now focuses on providing affordable security, and software solutions, that meet the needs of both his clients and their end-users.

This episode, Mark is here to talk about his experience implementing and managing the information security standard ISO 27001. After putting the ISO into place his company quickly expanded in size and Mark soon realized that the standard wasn’t being effectively implemented across his business.

He explains why this was, what he did to rectify it, and how he could have avoided that happening in the first place.

In his own words ‘An ISO isn’t just for Christmas, it’s there every single day. You don’t just manage it, you adopt it.’

Mark explains how having ISO 27001 helped expand his business and why it’s so important when trying to gain government contracts.

Finally, he explains how following this standard has shaped TriplePs business strategy and the different benefits that it has brought to his business…

Website: https://www.triplepsltd.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TriplePsLtd

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triplepsltd

You’ll learn

How Mark ended up implementing ISO 27001.
Why ISO 27001 is important for maintaining a high information and security standard.
The challenges involved in implementing ISO 27001.
The benefits of following ISO 27001 and how it can help with expansion.
How Mark manages ISO 27001 across his business.
The importance ISO 27001 has when gaining government contracts.
Why Mark decided to bring in a specialist to help implement the standard properly.

Resources

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:33] Who Mark Frudd is and how he ended up implementing ISO 27001.

[01:04] Who TriplePs are.

[01:51] Mark’s history working in Butlins, and what he learnt there.

[02:51] The type of security work TriplePs does.

[05:35] Why TriplePs decided to work with Blackmores when implementing the ISO 27001 procedure.

[07:22] What Mark’s role in TriplePs is and what his daily work life looks like.

[09:00] What the process for implementing ISO 27001 looked like.

[11:16] The importance of maintaining the right ISO standards when your company goes through rapid growth.

[13:18] The importance of adopting ISO’s into the heart of your businesses culture.

[15:52] How ISO 27001 has shaped TriplePs business strategy.

[18:57] The best way to implement a new ISO standard.

[20:51] The benefits involved with following the ISO 27001 standard.

[23:34] Mark’s favorite book.

[24:36] How ISO’s are a constant and not ‘Just for Christmas’.

[25:27] How to find out more about TriplePs.

If you need assistance with implementing ISO 27001 – Contact us!

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:Share the ISO Show on twitter or Linkedin

Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

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Yousif Rajah is the Head of Info Sec at dotdigital, a UK-based tech company that builds software service solutions to help customers engage with their clients. He coordinated most of the work involved with creating the ISO 27001 system, and recently has contributed to DotDigital becoming ISO 27001 certified.

« It sounds dauting and it feels daunting, but if you have a program in place already, chances are you’re quite a long way down the road already. » – Yousif Rajah

Picture this: Your digital marketing company is expanding, and you know you need to comply with data protection requirements, protect your reputation and demonstrate to customers that you have taken the steps to protect your business and their personal information. You’ve heard of the importance of becoming ISO 27001 certified but are unsure where to start. Join us today as our guest, Yousif Rajah, explains his company’s journey in becoming ISO 27001 certified, the changes he has noticed since implementing this ISO standard, and how you can get started on becoming certified today.

Website: https://dotdigital.com/contact-us/

You’ll learn

What dotdigital is, what it provides, and what Yousif’s role is
The company’s main driver behind implementing ISO 27001
How long it to become ISO 27001 certified
The scope of the ISO 27001 certification
Gap analysis after becoming ISO 27001 certified, and reaching the standard
The benefits and risks associated with expanding globally, while maintaining the ISO 27001 standard
The benefits, in general, of implementing ISO 27001
Tips of implementing ISO 27001

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:13] What does dotdigital do?

[02:14] Something not many people know about Yousif

[03:34] Main driver behind implementing ISO 27001

[04:57] The journey of becoming certified and going through the assessment

[05:52] What is the scope of the certification?

[7:56] What was the biggest gap in the gap analysis?

[9:16] Reaching the gaps and the difference it made within dotdigital

[11:04] The benefits of certification on a global scope

[12:35] What Yousif has learned since implementing ISO 27001

[13:28] Main benefits to dotdigital in achieving certification

[15:30] If you could give any tips to someone implementing ISO 27001, what would they be?

[16:11] If you could gift a book to somebody what would it be and why?

[16:49] Favorite quote to leave listeners with

Need assistance with ISO 27001? – Contact us!

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:

Share the ISO Show on twitter or Linkedin
Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

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There are many misconceptions around the well know ‘Clear Screen Clear Desk’ Policy used in IT Security. Join Mel and Steve Mason on this week’s episode as they discuss some top tips and share some of their own stories.

When Looking at Clear desk in an assessment it is important not to focus purely on individual desks but on the broader work areas to which employees have access.

Top Tips:-

Clearing all white boards of information if it is no longer require (take a photograph to prevent loss)
Checking all flip charts and removed sheets that have already been used
Checking all photocopiers and printers (and the surrounding areas) for any forgotten or discarded documents
Checking all confidential waste bins for any that are overflowing; if items can be removed put them in a new bin
Checking for any confidential documents left on desks or in trays on desks
Checking empty and unoccupied rooms for confidential waste
Checking all cabinets to see that they are locked; if they are unlocked check to see that there is no confidential documentation in the cabinets
Checking to see that keys are securely locked away; if they are in pedestal drawers ensure that there is no confidential information stored in the drawers.
Checking Riser doors which are labelled ‘Keep Locked’ to ensure that they are locked
Checking that all ‘mail’ pigeon holes have been cleared from previous ‘out of hours’ work

Clear Screen is much more than just locking your screen when you walk away from your desk, it is about making sure that you do not store information on your laptop and PC desktop screen. Whilst it is there it is at risk of being lost if hard drive fail as it is not backed-up; also, there is the inconvenience that others who need access to the information cannot get to it, impacting Integrity and Availability of security.

We’d be happy to assist you with ISO 27001 (Information Security) or BS 10012 (Personal Information Security), or you can contact us for a Clear Desk Clear Screen prompt sheet.

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Is it okay to ever use a personal e-mail account address for business, or send business e-mails to my personal e-mail address?

The short answer is ‘No!’ This is because it opens your business up to security, legal and professional risks that may lose you customers and can damage your reputation.

All businesses have the capability to access their emails on all sorts of equipment, smartphones, tablets, PCs and laptops (the latter two through the use of a secure VPN back to the business itself. So, there is no reason to resort to personal e-mail accounts for business use.

However, there are far greater risks to the business in terms of Security, Legal Compliance and Business Reputation that should be enough to deter employees from using such risky methods in the corporate environment.

What are the security risks of using a personal account for business?

Personal email accounts exist outside of the IT department’s control, therefore, they are not subject to backup, archiving, security or governance so using them for business purposes, is a clear violation of compliance regulations. Furthermore, as they are beyond the bounds of the IT department’s control there is no guarantee that e-mails are secure or will remain free of any viruses.

If e-mails held in personal accounts are not back-up there is a loss of auditable trails and opens the business and employees up to losing important information that the business must, by law retain as business evidence of good business practices – this opens the company up to suspicions of fraud.

Employees sending e-mails to their personal e-mail addresses can not guarantee the security of their e-mails, particularly if they use systems such as Hotmail and Gmail, which are notoriously vulnerable e-mail systems and have been hacked on many occasions. How would it look if you lost company information because of a data breach in an employee’s personal e-mail account? It would damage you reputation and may result in lawsuits.

Whilst you may have appropriate antivirus protection in place, can the same be said of employees on home computers? Typically, the answer is no, either because the antivirus has not been kept up to date or the type being used is not as effective as those used within the business. If an employee sends an e-mail to a client from their home system it could be infected by a virus (that you have not been able to control) and the reputation of the company is impacted.

And since personal emails are not stored on company servers, discovery for DPA/GDPR and Freedom of Information requests are seriously compromised presenting legal risks to your organization.

If you are concerned about your organisations’ data security then you may want to consider ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) or BS 10012 (Personal Information Management).

If you would like to learn more about ISO 27001, we do have a 2 part Podcast series discussing the journey to certification. Listen HERE.

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A question we often get asked at internal audits is ‘Have I passed?’ The question is irrelevant, as we are auditing a sample of the business processes, not the individual, and in the real world, no business is perfect. It is not about pass or fail. Is just a ‘pass’ even good enough? It’s about making sure you’ve got robust systems in place to meet your clients’ requirements and reduce risk, so you don’t fail your clients’ or your business’ own high standards.

Embedding an information security system doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to establish a system, so it becomes part of an organisation’s DNA.

In our final Podcast episode on how to implement ISO 27001, Steve Mason, Senior Consultant at Blackmores takes us through the last few months of an ISO 27001 project. This stage generally takes three months because it is a UKAS requirement that the system is ‘established’ prior to the assessment.

It is helpful to audit all aspects of the ISMS before your assessment; however, you need to take a risk-based approach and align the audits with the organisation’s needs.

Steve Mason talks us through a typical internal audit and what to expect. Although each auditor may have different styles, and each business is unique, so it can never be a tick box or one size fits all exercise. Each company will interpret the standard differently and assumptions cannot be made.

A typical audit of Human Resources in relation to information security could take 45 minutes. Questions could cover new employee screening, information security training records, and responsibilities, i.e. job descriptions. In some cases, even looking at an example of your employees’ terms and conditions to see if the disciplinary section covers the scenario of a security breach made by an employee (which is one of the most common breaches, either accidental or intentional).

Avoiding ‘death by audit’

Although it is essential for internal audits to be completed prior to an assessment, Steve also recommends planning the audits over a three-year cycle to avoid ‘death by audit’ and align this with the period that the certificate is valid for (3 years from assessment)

Information Security Health Check

The final step is to ensure that top management are available for the Information Security Management Review Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together expertise within the business on information security, ready for senior leaders to be informed on the ‘health’ of the business and make decisions, so improvements can be made.

ISO 27001 provides an agenda which needs to be covered at the meeting. Some companies take the approach where all parties need to be involved for the duration, however, a more time efficient approach is to have the key players present, but then bring in the specific expertise as and when needed for a short period i.e. 10 – 15 minutes. The Management Review Meeting shouldn’t be seen as an arduous task, but a useful exercise to review the effectives of the system i.e. security incident trends, What are IT monitoring? Is the monitoring analysed and effective? i.e. anti-virus, penetration tests. Have actions/non-conformances been addressed? and has this action been effective? By bringing together your organisation’s technical skills and data, you will have a thorough ‘Security Health Check’ so management can understand what needs to be done in order to try and prevent any damaging incidents and continue to empower a positive culture of security.

Join us on the Podcast to hear more about the final stages of an ISO 27001 project including the last, but not least clause – ‘Continual Improvement’ and how Steve uses the ‘5 Ys’ on root cause, to get to the root of a business’ problems.

Click HERE for further information on our ISO 27001 Steps to Success programme.

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Creating an Information Security Policy – begin with the three principles in mind.

Where do you begin with creating your Information Security Management System?

A key document to begin with is the Information Security Policy. This provides a focus and commitment to Information Security, in particular Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA).

Many people think of Information Security from the point of view of keeping information confidential. However, ISO 27001 is based on three principles – Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability (CIA). Many often overlook integrity and availability.

Integrity is quite simply about the accuracy of information. What happens when an email containing sensitive data is accidently sent to the wrong person? What happens when shared data on a server gets overridden accidently? What happens when someone uses the wrong form or document from a shared server? These are all key considerations when considering how data is handled in your organisation.

Availabilty is the principle that is most overlooked, yet one may argue is the most critical. If your systems and data are not available, how could this impact your business? It may be due to IT systems/Servers being down, access rights denied or simply that company/client information is stored in someone’s head/personal phone or on the desktop on their laptop – so in effect it is useless to the business because it’s not accessible.

How to create your Information Security Policy…

An Information Security Policy does not need to be a huge document. Typically, it is a one-page (A4) document – it needs to be succinct, and to the point, after all, a Policy is a statement of intent from the leadership team, so it should not include lots of procedures.

There is guidance within the standard which stipulates that the Policy should be:-

Aligned with your Information Security objectives
Compatible with the purpose and strategic direction of the organisation;
Includes a commitment to satisfy applicable requirements related to information security i.e. legal requirements, ISO 27001 requirements and your stakeholder requirements.
Includes a commitment to continual improvement of the information security management system.

The Information Security Policy then needs to be communicated to employees – this can be done via email (with a link to the document and location) and possibly having it displayed in a common area i.e. in Reception so that it is visible to employees and other stakeholders. The Policy also needs to be made available to other interested parties i.e. IT Managed Service Provider, clients.

Listen to our previous 13 episodes by subscribing to us on iTunes or Soundcloud

And click HERE for further information on how we can help you with ISO 27001.

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In our first episode in the ISO 27001 Steps to Success podcast series, we take you through how to implement ISO 27001 with Steve Mason, Senior Information Security Consultant with Blackmores. Steve shares his experience and provides tips on how to implement ISO 27001 within your organisation covering the key aspects – IT, employees and physical security. Steve provides an overview of the structure of the standard which sections of the standard you need to implement and why.

The Gap Analysis is the beginning of your Information Security journey. This helps you to understand which controls you’ve got in place (both documented and non-documented). Steve typically finds that companies tend to have an asset register and anti-virus, fire-walls and back-ups, however what is usually missing are documented controls to support them.

So for example you may back-up data, but you may not necessarily have any controls that clearly state:-

What data are you backing-up?
When is the data backed-up?
How is the data backed-up?
Who is responsible for making sure that the back-ups happen and can retrieve data?

Who should be involved with the Gap Analysis? Ideally, a cross-representation of functions to understand what type of data assets are received, processed, protected and communicated within your organisation. This can include a representative from operations, HR, Office Management, IT, procurement and supplier/contractor management.

What is the scope of your Information Security Management System? Is it the entire business, or only certain locations or services?

Once the scope is understood, the next stage is the Information Security Risk Assessment to understand the type of information assets your business has, owners of the assets and the risks associated. At Blackmores, we have a simplistic but very effective approach to Risk Assessment which Steve explains the methodology behind it and how it rates the risks in your business.

To hear about the Risk Assessment methodology and other interesting information such as Why can CCTV footage let you down in an assessment? Download our ISO Show Podcast and join Steve and I on our ISO 27001 Steps to Success Journey.

Listen to our previous 12 episodes by subscribing to us on iTunes or Soundcloud

And click HERE for further information on how we can help you with ISO 27001.

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Banner image - Top Tips on implementing BS 10012 to meet GDPR requirements

BS 10012 is a British standard that outlines the specifications for a Personal Information Management System (PIMS). This was introduced in 2009 to help organisations manage personal information and comply with data protection laws.

The standard was updated in 2017 to reflect the GDPR’s requirements, making it an ideal framework for regulatory compliance. For example, it includes specific guidance on each principal, helping organisations meet the requirements of BS10012 and GDPR.

After implementing BS 10012 for a number of organisations, here are our Top tips on implementing BS 10012.

Establish a PIMS team – this is not a one-person job. You will need to have input from all areas that are involved with personal data.
Carry out a Privacy Impact Assessment – It is important to understand where all the personal identifiable data is within the organisation, how it is collected and how it is disposed. (remember this is all Data – soft and hard copies – get in to all the drawers and cupboards)
Data mapping – collate the information on a data matrix, this would show all the information in one place.
Carry out a risk assessment – the data matrix will flag up any risks that need addressing
Update documentation – Ensure all documents are updated i.e data protection policies, cookie policy and privacy policy.
Training, training and more training – people are the weakest link, ensure ALL staff have had BS 100012 training
Conduct Internal Audits – to verify compliance and check your systems are effective.

Implementing a PIMS can be challenging so if you would like assistance please contact us for further information on: enquiries@blackmoresuk.com

What is data subject consent?

This is clearly defined by GDPR, what the data subjects wishes are in processing their data.

What is a freedom of information request?

Under the GDPR, individuals will have the right to obtain:

confirmation that their data is being processed;
access to their personal data; and
other supplementary information – this largely corresponds to the information that should be provided in a privacy notice

You must provide a copy of the information free of charge. However, you can charge a ‘reasonable fee’ when a request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly if it is repetitive.

You may also charge a reasonable fee to comply with requests for further copies of the same information. This does not mean that you can charge for all subsequent access requests.

In order to provide the information you must verify the identity of the person making the request, using “reasonable means”. If the request is made electronically, you should provide the information in a commonly used electronic format.

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