Security in the Cloud: ISO 27001 Explained

Cloud computing is no less at risk than an on-premises environment. That said, adopting an Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a great starting point to protecting your information against cyber threats. However, the use of cloud services introduces additional considerations, particularly when working with third-party cloud providers.

Many business owners often find themselves stuck on where to start. If information security is of crucial concern, ISO 27001 can serve as an excellent guideline.

What Is ISO 27001?

Formerly known as ISO/IEC 27001:2005, ISO/IEC 27001-Information technology-Security techniques-Information security management systems-Requirements, is a specification for an ISMS.

An ISMS is a framework of policies and procedures developed to handle information security and includes all legal, physical, and technical controls involved in an organization’s information risk management process. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), in collaboration with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO 27001 focuses on establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving an information security management system.

What is the Purpose of ISO 27001?

Whenever you store your information online using cloud services, there is always the issue of security. How do you ensure your data is safe from attacks by cybercriminals? The ISO standard helps organizations protect their information cost-effectively by developing a set of policies and guidelines. Additionally, companies also get an internationally recognized certificate that they can use to build a reputation, as well as increase business opportunities.

Some countries require industries to implement it to avoid security non-compliance. Laws differ in each country, so it’s always advisable to check with your region’s regulations beforehand.

Both businesses and individuals can get ISO 27001 certified. Certification for companies is easy. All the business needs to do is maintain an ISMS that covers all aspects of the standard, then invite an accredited certification body to perform the certification audit.

For individual certification, one can enroll in training, demonstrating acquired skills by passing an exam. Once issued, the certificate lasts for three years, during which the certification body will be regularly performing surveillance audits to evaluate implementation.

Failure to comply with the policies and procedures outlined in the standard risks failing a future audit, resulting in non-conformities that could lead to losing certification. In some regions, you might not even be allowed to operate without certification.

The CIA Triad

The CIA triad comprises three ISMS security objectives:

• Confidentiality: Only authorized persons should have access to information, especially classified data. File and volume encryptions, role-based access control, and Unix file permissions are some means companies can manage confidentiality.
• Integrity: Data integrity is crucial in information security, ensuring that only authorized persons can alter the data. Guaranteeing data integrity also involves ensuring unauthorized modifications or deletions can be undone.
• Availability: Information should be available upon need by authorized persons. Power outages, network failure, and sabotage are some of the risks facing information availability.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to information security. Those managing information security risks must apply security controls based on their risk assessment, especially in a multi-cloud environment.

How Does ISO 27001 Work?

ISO 27001 attaches utmost importance to protecting the CIA triad by assessing potential risks and implementing mitigation measures to prevent incidents. This process strengthens an organization's security posture.

The standard follows a risk-based approach to information security, defining a six-step planning process:

1. Define a security policy
2. Define the scope of the ISMS
3. Conduct a risk assessment
4. Manage identified risks
5. Select the control objectives and controls to be implemented
6. Prepare a statement of applicability

Additionally, the specification includes details on internal audits, management responsibilities, and documentation. As this standard provides a checklist of controls for businesses to follow, companies should consider adopting it alongside ISO/IEC 27002:2005. This standard includes a comprehensive set of information security control objectives and generally accepted security controls.

One common question is whether ISO 27001 ensures GDPR compliance. Since ISO 27001 only offers a framework for developing an ISMS, it does not fully cover GDPR requirements. However, pairing this standard with ISO 27701 ensures compliance with data protection regulations.

What are the ISO 27001 Controls?

Also known as safeguards, these are the practices implemented to reduce risks to acceptable levels. These practices include:

• Technical: These controls are implemented in the IT department and include anything from software and hardware to firmware components. Examples include installing antivirus software or enabling multi-factor authentication.
• Organizational: These controls define expected behavior from users and the system. Role-based access control policies and BYOD policies are common examples.
• Legal: Legal controls ensure compliance with regulations and industry requirements to prevent non-compliance issues.
• Physical: Physical controls involve using devices humans interact with, such as CCTV cameras, alarm systems, or locks.
• Human Resource: These controls involve security awareness training, internal auditor training, and other educational measures.

Laboratory monitoring is crucial for flexibility and agility in daily operations. With many pharmaceutical, life science, biotech, and healthcare industries migrating to cloud services, security in the cloud is essential. Organizations must ensure that their cloud service provider follows ISO 27001 best practices to avoid security vulnerabilities.

The good news is that organizations can strengthen their security posture and protect digital information by implementing ISO/IEC 27001. This is the best-known compliance standard within the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards. Working with certified cloud providers ensures data integrity, availability, and security.

Given the thousands of cloud systems available today, it’s prudent to conduct extensive research when selecting the right solution for your business.

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