Foxhole Technology
Speciality: Penetration Testing
Private IT & Services company based in Herndon, Virginia, founded in 2007; 83 employees, $22.5M revenue; specializes in cybersecurity, systems, and network engineering, with active penetration testing services aligned with NIST 800-53 and RMF, serving mission-critical needs.
ISO 27001: Information Security Management Certification
Origin
ISO 27001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and was first published in 2005. It evolved from the British Standard BS 7799-2, which was created in the late 1990s. The standard was developed in response to the growing need for organizations to systematically manage and protect sensitive information in an increasingly digital business environment. ISO 27001 has since been revised, with major updates released in 2013 and 2022 to address evolving cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Industry Value and Importance
ISO 27001 is globally recognized as the leading standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and is valued for providing a systematic, risk-based approach to protecting sensitive data. Organizations that achieve ISO 27001 certification demonstrate to clients, partners, and regulators that they have implemented comprehensive security controls and are committed to maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. The certification is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive data, as it helps meet regulatory compliance requirements, reduces security incidents, builds customer trust, and often provides a competitive advantage in procurement processes where information security assurance is required.
ISO 9001 and Cybersecurity/IT
Origin
ISO 9001 is a quality management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), first published in 1987. However, it's important to note that ISO 9001 itself is not a cybersecurity or IT-specific certification—it's a general quality management standard applicable to any industry. For cybersecurity and IT specifically, ISO created ISO/IEC 27001 in 2005, which focuses on information security management systems. ISO 9001 was created to establish consistent quality management practices across organizations worldwide, while ISO/IEC 27001 was developed to address the growing need for standardized information security controls.
Industry Value
ISO 9001 is valued across industries for demonstrating an organization's commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement, which can indirectly support IT operations. For actual cybersecurity and IT security certification, ISO/IEC 27001 is the recognized standard, valued because it provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive information, demonstrates due diligence to clients and stakeholders, and is often required for government contracts or business partnerships. ISO/IEC 27001 certification signals that an organization has implemented internationally recognized security controls and risk management processes, making it essential for building trust in an increasingly security-conscious business environment.
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.
- Department of Defense
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Education
- Federal Aviation Administration