Determining whether you need to become ISO 27001 certified requires knowing:
- What the ISO 27001 framework is and why it exists
- Which locations the framework primarily applies to
- Which industries require or suggest ISO compliance
What options are available for comprehensive compliance
What is the ISO 27001 Framework?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is responsible for publishing guidelines and frameworks that collect global experts’ opinions on a given field, concern, or practice. ISO creates consensus about the best, safest, or most efficient ways to do things. ISO frameworks span many industries, such as healthcare, environmentalism, transportation, and IT security.
ISO co-authored 27001 with the International Electrical Commission (IEC); its full name is ISO/IEC 27001. It’s a global unified standard for cybersecurity best practices across industries, organizational maturity, and other factors. It’s intended to be implemented by any organization.
However, ISO 27001 is not necessarily required for all organizations.
Unlike some other regulatory frameworks, ISO 27001 is not presently required by law in any jurisdiction in the US. It is fairly prevalent across several industries domestically, however, and there are other international business contexts that require or incentivize ISO compliance.
Industry-based ISO 27001 Applicability
Operating in certain industries requires working with large sets of highly sensitive data. It also often means meeting industry-based compliance regulations related to that information. ISO may not be a specific mandate within an industry, but implementing it could help an organization meet or surpass the existing requirements or expectations in an efficient, adaptable manner.
For example, consider two compliance frameworks that are fairly industry-dependent:
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires organizations in and around healthcare to safeguard protected health information (PHI).
- The System and Organization Controls (SOC) standards, like SOC 2, apply to service organizations and require them to provide security assurance to potential partners.
Note that, while HIPAA is a hard legal requirement, SOC 2 is a best practice that is more often demanded contractually or otherwise by current and potential partners rather than by law.
Implementing 27001, and ISO 27001 risk assessment specifically, can help organizations meet the needs of these and other compliance frameworks. It’s especially helpful in these two cases specifically, as both HIPAA and SOC 2 feature somewhat vague guidance on specific controls.
Location-based ISO 27001 Applicability
Another major concern for overall compliance is the applicability of local data privacy and protection laws. There are state- and provincial-level laws and ordinances, along with national and international mandates that apply to organizations operating in an area or collecting data from its residents (no matter where it’s located). ISO can help you comply with them.
For example, consider these two location-based compliance frameworks:
- In the US, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires organizations that operate in CA or collect personal data from its residents to protect their privacy.
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires similar privacy assurances from organizations that operate in the EU or collect information from or about residents.
As with HIPAA and SOC 2, ISO 27001 risk assessments can help organizations meet the granular requirements of these location-based frameworks. ISO specifications may not overlap perfectly with a given regulation, but mapping exercises help ensure all requirements are met.
Additional Compliance Considerations
Another major consideration that drives organizations to implement the ISO standard is the fact that multiple regulations often apply simultaneously. B2B providers whose clientele straddle multiple industries often have to comply with standards even if they do not primarily conduct business within a given niche. For example, HIPAA applies both to covered entities within healthcare and their business associates outside of it, as long as they contact PHI. And location-based frameworks tend to apply on top of and irrespective of other rulesets.
ISO 27001 can be seen as an omnibus framework that facilitates all compliance.
Another option is implementing the HITRUST CSF framework, which similarly covers other compliance frameworks’ requirements without being legally mandated itself. HITRUST is even more comprehensive and flexible than ISO 27001, with thousands of potential specifications and Levels tuned to the specific needs of other regulations (i.e., HIPAA-specific controls).
Implementing frameworks like these allows organizations to streamline their compliance.
Streamline Your Compliance Today
The ISO/IEC 27001 framework is not legally mandated, at present. However, it is a globally recognized security standard that many prospects and partners may expect an organization to meet. And, even if it is not explicitly required, implementing the framework can facilitate other compliance requirements based on industry and location—or a combination of several rulesets.
RSI Security helps countless organizations meet their compliance obligations efficiently with advisory, implementation, assessment, and other services. We know that discipline unlocks greater freedom, and we’re committed to helping you rethink your security for compliance.
To learn more about ISO 27001 and its applicability, along with other omnibus approaches to comprehensive compliance, like HITRUST CSF Certification, contact RSI Security today.
