What are the best methods to update and improve your ISMS?

When discussing ISMS, it's crucial to understand your organization's unique business context. An ISMS should be more than a nominal feature; it needs to be deeply integrated into your business framework. Aligning the ISMS with stakeholder interests and recognizing its positive and negative impacts is essential. This alignment boosts stakeholder engagement and underpins strong governance, which is vital for the successful standardization of organizational processes. This strategy ensures the ISMS becomes a dynamic, essential element of your business operations and strategy., not merely a procedural formality.

ISO 27001:2022 has added 2 terms in the title itself, viz.,, (1) Cybersecurity, and (2) Privacy. The standard doesn't have any specific auditable clause mentioning "Cybersecurity" in Clauses 4 to 10 and in Annex A of the Std. In the Annex A, it has just one control where "Privacy" is mentioned. On the other hand, the Std. has plenty of mentions of "Information" all through Annex A. So, how are we going to implement the Cybersecurity and Privacy intent of the Std? Simple! If your biz has a dependence on internet environment, which should be the case in most orgns., the focus of implementation and assessment of applicable Annex A controls of ISO 27001:2022 will have to be considered from "Cybersecurity" only. Sounds good?

Aside from assessing the historical and current situation, look forward: how can the ISMS enable the organisation to manage its information risks and security arrangements even better into the future?

ISMS is a relatively new umbrella term for all the activities and systems deployed within an organization to protect its digital assets from cyber-attacks and threats. Every organization already has an ISMS, it is a matter of identifying it, understanding it, and managing its ongoing development.

Regular assessment and continuous improvement are essential for maintaining an effective ISMS. Utilize established frameworks like ISO 27001 or NIST CSF to guide your assessment and ensure comprehensive coverage. Define clear and concise policies outlining information security procedures, acceptable usage of IT resources, and employee responsibilities. Consider regulatory requirements during ISMS development and implementation such that your ISMS complies with relevant industry regulations and data protection laws (like GDPR or HIPAA).

Prioritize the actions based on the level of risk. Focus on mitigating vulnerabilities which has high impact and potential threats.

There is a subtle challenge, specific to ISO 27001:2022 alone among the Mgt System Stds (MSSs), when it comes to implementing "Change Mgt". ISO MSSs published from 2021 onwards include the clause, "Planning of changes" as a requirement. So, it was included in ISO 27001:2022 also. On the other hand, "Change Mgt." has been a risk treatment control in Annex A of ISO 27001 since long. While A.8.32 of ISO 27001:2022 is a Technology control, Clause 6.3 that contains the requirement of "Planning of changes" is part of the main clauses itself. It is possible that some may consider that this is a duplication, while it is not. The purposes between Clause 6.3 and A.8.32 are different. This needs definite understanding.

Identifying changing competency requirements and keeping organizational competence needs relevant and up to date, thereby ensuring that people remain competent as changes in technology and requirements occur.

We are living in a era of Reels and Shorts so the attention span is very limited. Considering humans being weakest link, we should explore more of simulation based learning, war gaming and adopting more of strength quotient assessments a long with traditional assessments.

Here, again, there is a subtlety manifesting that needs a closer reading of Clause 7.3, "Awareness" of ISO 27001:2022. It is clear that the Std agrees that "One size doesn't fit all", which means it is not just an induction level common "Infosec" awareness session the Std is mandating to be conducted, but imparting awareness session that can be mapped to the roles and responsibilities, in such a way that the employees become aware of their need to contribute to the effectivneess of the ISMS. Obviously, such contribution depends on what are their assigned roles and responsibilites, and, yes, competence they are required to possess. This can't be the same for all. Diff matters and it is blocks of competence that makes an orgn. breathe.

Improving and updating your orgn's ISMS may look like taking a much-taller burger than what can go into your mouth, if it is considered as a plain documentation activity to satisfy the audit. The devil is in the details. ISMS consists of all that you do as "Information security" implementation. These may be compartmental processes, connected by design into your ISMS. Have a look at the risk treatment control, A.5.35 that has specific control requirement itself titled as "Independent review of information security". Obviously, this has not been fashioned as ISMS, but as information security. Your review effectiveness can be the inputs for meeting the requirements of Clause 9.1 "Monitoring, measuring, analysis, & evaluation".

Minus Risk Management (RM) requirements, ISO 27001 may appear as a lifeless document. Information Security Management, from 27001 context, animates through designed centrifugal and centripetal forces of RM components impacting each other. The effect of implementation of Risk Treatment (RT) controls creates a sort centripetal force, impacting the Risk Assessment (RA) & the overall ISMS RM framework. It forces the need to review and revise the RA. On the other hand, RA creates a sort of centrifugal force effect, meaning that it forces the central character of RM, which is RA, to impact RT, by design. The end result is the symbiotic relationship that becomes manifest, by the ceaseless dynamics of RA & RT.

I feel one should focus on fine-tuning ISMS to make organizations resilient from cyber risks. It can only happen when a Common Control Framework (CCF) is built upon business objectives and vision of Organisation. CCF must cover all regulatory and compliance requirements, plus industry best practices and accreditation requirements. Only following a single set of control requirements such as ISO 27001 may not be the best approach for long term sustainability in business.

A common challenge I've observed is the tendency to overlook the holistic nature of Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Often, there's a rush to adopt cutting-edge security tools without addressing foundational processes or policies, particularly prevalent in legacy environments. This approach can undermine the overall effectiveness of the ISMS program, highlighting the importance of a more comprehensive strategy. It's crucial to recognize that the integration of advanced security measures should be complemented by a thorough examination and enhancement of existing processes and policies.