Is a crucial concern for any company worldwide, regardless of its size or industry sector. This is because information is one of the most valuable assets of a company, and its protection is essential for ensuring the organization's continuity and maintaining the trust of customers/users or business partners.

Considering this context, it is important to discuss the standards that can be applied to protect the information within organizations, which is why we have standards such as ISO 27001. This standard is a key tool for establishing an effective and efficient Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Information security can be defined as a set of preventive and reactive measures that safeguard and protect information. In other words, it encompasses all policies and measures that affect the handling of data within an organization. It is also an integrated process that allows for the protection of identification, information management, and the risks that information may face.

This management is carried out through strategies and mitigation actions to ensure and maintain a company's data confidentially. For example, at rnmotion, the decision was made to implement an ISMS leading to ISO 27001 certification, always aiming to lead by example for those around us.
Information security may involve various aspects, but they all revolve around information; communication, issue identification, risk analysis, and confidentiality are examples of this.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), through the standards outlined in ISO/IEC 27000, established an effective implementation of corporate information security, which was developed in the ISO 27001 standard. This is an international standard that sets requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

This standard is intended to provide a framework for organizations worldwide to identify, assess, and manage risks related to information security, with the sole aim of protecting it from potential internal and external threats.

Organizational processes, such as policies, procedures, processes, etc., detail how to plan, implement, verify, and control an Information Security Management System, based on risk analysis and the planning and implementation of responses to mitigate them. In other words, any company or organization can deploy an ISMS following this standard.

This standard also aims to primarily fulfill three principles: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of information, all of which are known in the world of information security as CIA:
• Confidentiality: Only authorized individuals can access the information.
• Integrity: Protects the integrity of the information, and processing is carried out correctly.
• Availability of information: Allows information to be available to authorized users and associated assets.

To obtain certification in ISO 27001, we went through the fulfillment of some specific requirements for information security management, including risk assessment, selection of security controls, and management of security incidents.

Requirements:
• Develop an Information Security Management System in accordance with ISO-27001 standard.
• Gather documentary evidence of the developed procedures, as well as associated records.
• Define and communicate an information security policy.
• Develop objectives aimed at continuous improvement of the system.
• Ensure management commitment.
• Appoint a responsible person for the Information Security Management System.
• Conduct an information security risk assessment.
• Carry out a risk treatment process.

To obtain ISO 27001 certification, the company must go through the process of implementing the standard and then undergo an external audit through a certified organization.
Steps for implementing the 27001 standards:
Step 1: Initial Assessment
An initial assessment of the company is conducted. This involves evaluating the maturity of information security in the organization, identifying areas of risk, and determining existing security controls.
Step 2: Development of Implementation Plan
Once the initial assessment is completed, the next step is to develop an implementation plan. This plan should include a detailed schedule and a set of activities to be carried out to implement the ISMS. It should also include a list of necessary security controls.
Step 3: Implementation of the Information Security Management System
This part involves implementing the security controls identified in the plan and developing the necessary procedures to maintain and improve the ISMS. During this step, it is important that all employees are involved and ensure they understand the importance of information security.
Step 4: Internal Audit
Once the ISMS is implemented, the company must conduct an internal audit to ensure that all security controls have been implemented correctly and that the ISMS functions as planned. The internal audit should be conducted by an auditor who has not been involved in the implementation of the ISMS.

The external certification audit is the final stage in obtaining ISO 27001 certification. This certification audit is conducted by an independent certification organization, which evaluates whether the ISMS complies with the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard and consists of the following phases:

Phase 1: Analysis
Here, external auditors verify whether the procedures and controls of the ISO 27001 standard have been implemented. Additionally, they share the results in case they detected any gaps, which must be addressed.

Phase 2: Formal Evaluation
Once all requirements have been met and the analysis conducted by the external auditor indicates that the process can continue, the second phase begins. This phase involves evaluating the implementation of the organization's procedures and controls to certify that they are effectively functioning as required by the certification.
The auditor(s) typically visit the company to verify that all activities within the organization comply with the ISO 27001 standard. Records and documentation related to the ISMS will be reviewed, staff will be interviewed, and physical inspections will be carried out.

Phase 3: Reporting and Certification
After the external certification audit has been conducted, the company should receive an audit report that includes any findings and recommendations for improvement. If the organization has met all the requirements of the standard, it will be awarded the ISO 27001 certification.

Phase 4: Monitoring
After confirming that everything is in order and granting the ISO 27001 certificate, the company will receive periodic visits from auditors to ensure that the management system continues to comply with the requirements and is continuously improving. For example, at the end of 2023, at rnmotion, we closed the year with a positive result in the external ISO 27001 audit, which must be conducted annually, and through which we managed to obtain our certification.

Having ISO 27001 certification is highly beneficial for companies aiming to enhance their information security. The standard provides a detailed guide for implementing an ISMS, enabling companies to assess and manage information security risks.
Implementing ISO 27001 in companies exponentially aids in reducing the risk of cyberattacks, which remain a global threat. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations holding valuable or personal confidential information. By implementing an ISMS according to ISO 27001, all companies can identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, thereby reducing the likelihood of cyberattacks and minimizing the impact of any digital security incidents. Risk analysis and action planning allow for the implementation of controls to prevent exploitation of system weaknesses.

Another benefit of ISO 27001 is its assistance in helping organizations comply with information security regulations and standards. In Mexico, there are specific regulations regarding privacy and data protection, such as the Federal Law on Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties (LFPDPPP). This law regulates the handling of personal data by companies, and ISO 27001 implementation helps companies comply with these regulations and demonstrate their commitment to data privacy and security.

Furthermore, adhering to ISO 27001 practices and obtaining certification demonstrates a company's commitment to information security. This can enhance customer trust in the company, potentially leading to increased business opportunities, as many companies demand that their suppliers or partners hold such certifications as a guarantee of legal compliance.

Moreover, with a well-structured risk analysis, resources are typically used to reduce risks generally rather than focusing on specific areas, resulting in cost savings in these processes. Additionally, ISO 27001 emphasizes the organization's commitment to continually improving its management processes. Therefore, internal audits must be conducted to review and analyze areas for improvement, allowing for adjustments to processes if necessary. It's essential to establish internal organization and clarify responsibilities and roles to eliminate uncertainties regarding decision-making and process oversight, as mandated by the standard.