QA Mentor

ISO 27001:2013: Information Security Management Standard

Origin

ISO 27001:2013 was developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in partnership with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Released in October 2013 as a revision to the original 2005 version, this standard emerged from the earlier British Standard BS 7799, which was created in the 1990s. The standard was developed to provide organizations with a systematic framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS), addressing the growing need for consistent information security practices across industries and borders.

Industry Importance

ISO 27001:2013 is highly valued in the industry because it provides internationally recognized criteria for managing sensitive information and mitigating security risks. Organizations that achieve certification demonstrate to clients, partners, and regulators that they follow best practices for protecting data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The certification is particularly important for companies handling sensitive customer data, those working with government contracts, or businesses operating in regulated industries. It also provides competitive advantages in procurement processes, helps organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements, and reduces the likelihood of costly data breaches through its risk-based approach to security management.

ISO 9001:2015 and Cybersecurity/IT

Origin and Development

ISO 9001:2015 is a quality management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a global federation of national standards bodies. However, it's important to clarify that ISO 9001:2015 is not specifically a cybersecurity or IT certification—it's a general quality management standard applicable to any organization regardless of industry. The standard was released in 2015 as the fifth revision of ISO 9001, which was first published in 1987. For cybersecurity specifically, ISO created ISO/IEC 27001, which is the actual information security management system standard.

Industry Value and Importance

ISO 9001:2015 is valued across industries because it demonstrates an organization's commitment to consistent quality management, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. When applied to IT and cybersecurity contexts, it helps organizations establish systematic processes for service delivery and quality assurance. However, for cybersecurity-specific certification, organizations typically pursue ISO/IEC 27001, which directly addresses information security controls, risk management, and data protection. Both certifications are internationally recognized and often required for government contracts, enterprise partnerships, and demonstrating due diligence to customers and stakeholders.

ISO 20000-1: IT Service Management Certification

Origin

ISO 20000-1 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), first published in 2005. It was based on the British Standard BS 15000, which itself evolved from IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices. The standard was created to provide organizations with a formal framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an IT Service Management System (SMS). It aimed to address the growing need for consistent, high-quality IT service delivery as businesses became increasingly dependent on technology.

Industry Value and Importance

ISO 20000-1 certification is highly valued because it demonstrates an organization's commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality IT services aligned with business needs and customer requirements. The certification helps organizations improve service efficiency, reduce costs through better resource management, and minimize service disruptions. For vendors and service providers, achieving ISO 20000-1 certification serves as a competitive differentiator and provides assurance to clients that IT services are managed according to internationally recognized best practices. The standard's focus on continual improvement and risk management makes it particularly relevant in today's rapidly evolving technology landscape.