What is the ISO 27001 series of standards?

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is the international benchmark for information security. It defines the requirements for creating, maintaining and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS), i.e. an organised structure that effectively protects an organisation's sensitive data.

The three fundamental objectives

ISO 27001 aims to guarantee :

1. Confidentiality: only authorised people can access information.

2. Integrity: data remains accurate, complete and unaltered.

3. Availability: information remains accessible when your organisation needs it.

These three principles form the basis of any robust cyber security strategy.

What an WSIS really covers

An ISO 27001-compliant ISMS encompasses :

• People: awareness, roles, responsibilities and cybersecurity culture.

• Technologies: access, backups, systems protection, monitoring, infrastructure security.

• Processes: policies, procedures, incident management, business continuity, governance.

The aim is to create a coherent environment, where every element of your organisation contributes to information security.

The PDCA cycle (Plan - Do - Check - Act)

ISO 27001 is based on the PDCA cycle, a continuous improvement approach widely used in management systems.

Plan - Plan

Identify risks, define objectives, choose controls and draw up policies.

Do - Implement

Deploying safety measures, training teams and applying processes.

Check - Vérifier

Auditing, measuring, monitoring and analysing ISMS performance.

Act - Improve

Correct discrepancies, adjust controls and continuously improve processes.

This logic ensures that the company never stands still. It evolves in step with technologies, threats and business needs.

The tangible benefits of an ISO 27001-compliant company

Reducing risk and improving resilience

An ISMS based on ISO 27001 enables you to adopt a proactive approach to security. Rather than reacting after an incident, your organisation identifies its vulnerabilities, implements preventive measures and establishes a clear plan for responding to threats.

fewer interruptions, fewer unforeseen events and a more resilient organisation in the face of cyber-attacks and technological breakdowns.

Better protection for sensitive data

ISO 27001 provides a proven framework for protecting your organisation's critical information, including :

• Customer data;

• HR information;

• Financial data;

• Confidential documents;

• As well as operational and strategic information.

The controls put in place (access management, back-ups, monitoring, employee training) significantly reduce the risk of leakage, theft or mishandling of this essential data.

Better structured organisational processes

One of the major benefits of ISO 27001 is that it helps organisations to clarify their roles, responsibilities and internal processes.

For example:

• Documentation of procedures;

• Standardised incident management;

• Tracking of access and authorisations;

• Business continuity process.

This structuring improves both safety and operational efficiency.

Contributing to digital transformation and automation

A well-established ISMS reinforces an organisation's digital maturity. By clarifying processes and improving data governance, it facilitates :

• The automation of certain tasks;

• The integration of new digital tools;

• The adoption of solutions such as Power BI, Power Apps or other management technologies.

ISO 27001 then becomes a lever for digital transformation, not just a cybersecurity framework.

Reducing incident-related costs

Cyber incidents (even minor ones) can result in high costs for businesses: business interruption, loss of data, IT recovery, damage to reputation.

With ISO 27001, these risks are reduced, resulting in fewer incidents, less downtime and fewer unexpected expenses.

For an SME or an organisation, this often represents substantial savings over the long term.

A commercial advantage in calls for tender

More and more public and private tenders include information security requirements. Having an ISO 27001-compliant ISMS means you can :

• Demonstrate your professionalism.

• Reassure potential partners.

• More easily meet evaluation criteria.

• And gain credibility in competitive sectors.

For Quebec organizations, it is a strategic asset (on par with compliance frameworks like SOC 2) that can make the difference in winning new contracts.

How do you implement ISO 27001 in a company?

Implementing ISO 27001 may seem complex, but in reality the process unfolds in structured, logical stages. Here's how a Quebec SME, NPO or public body can move towards effective compliance.

1. Maturity diagnosis and risk analysis

Before changing processes or technologies, you need to understand the current state of information security in your organisation.

The diagnosis makes it possible to :

• Assess digital and security maturity.

• Identify existing practices.

• Detect gaps with ISO 27001.

• Understand priority risks.

This is the basis that will guide all decisions and avoid unnecessary or costly measures.

Commonly used tools

• Information mapping: where sensitive data is located, who accesses it, how it flows.

• Data classification: public, internal, confidential, highly sensitive.

• Risk analysis according to ISO 27005: threats, vulnerabilities, impacts, probabilities.

2. Definition of security objectives and perimeter

On the basis of the diagnosis, the organisation chooses :

• The perimeter of ISO 27001 (departments, processes, systems);

• The security objectives (incident reduction, compliance, customer requirements);

• The roles and responsibilities.

This stage ensures a realistic implementation, adapted to the size and resources of the organisation.

3. Documentation and internal policies

ISO 27001 requires clear and consistent documentation. Policies and procedures serve as a guide for employees and demonstrate the rigour of the organisation.

Essential policies

• Information security policy;

• Access management policy;

• Backup policy;

• Incident management policy;

• Data classification and acceptable use policy.

Procedures to be put in place

• Management of user accounts;

• Backup and restore process;

• Response to security incidents;

• Periodic review of access;

• Management of third parties and suppliers.

4. Implementation of ISO 27001 controls (Annex A)

The standard proposes 93 controls grouped into categories. The aim is to implement the necessary measures according to the risks identified.

Organizational controls

• Roles and responsibilities;

• Safety related to suppliers;

• Continuity of activities;

• Legal compliance (e.g. Bill 25).

Technical inspections

• Access management and authentication;

• Encryption;

• System monitoring;

• Network protection

• Regular backups.

• .

Human controls

• Awareness;

• Training;

• Role-based access management;

• Employee confidentiality.

Concrete examples for an SME.

1. Implement multifactor authentication for sensitive accounts.

2. Configure automated backups with periodic verification.

3. Define a clear incident management process.

4. Conduct quarterly reviews of access.

5. Secure workstations (encryption, anti-virus, locking).

6. Control access for suppliers and consultants.

5. Employee training and motivation

No system can be secure without the commitment of the people who use it, and ISO 27001 places a strong emphasis on cyber security culture. A well-informed team is always the best defence.

Organisations therefore need to make their staff aware of the risks, train them in good practice, integrate security into their day-to-day tasks and maintain constant vigilance in the face of phishing and risky behaviour.

6. Internal audit and management review

Once the measures are in place, the organisation must carry out an internal audit to verify compliance with the requirements of ISO 27001.

The internal audit enables :

• Identify deviations;

• Validate the effectiveness of controls,

• Recommend improvements;

• Prepare for external audit, if desired.

The management review then confirms that the ISMS meets the business objectives and the new risks.

7. External audit and certification (if required)

For organisations seeking certification, an independent auditor carries out a two-phase audit:

Phase 1: Literature review

Verification of policies, procedures and risk analyses.

Phase 2: Operational verification

Validation that processes are actually applied on a day-to-day basis.

Typical duration and costs

• Timelines: 3 to 12 months depending on the size and complexity of the organisation.

• Cost of certification: typically $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the organisation and scope.

• Cost of overall implementation: variable depending on internal resources.

It is also possible to implement ISO 27001 without aiming for certification, simply to structure information security.