ISO Management Systems – What they are and why you should achieve certification

What are ISO management systems?

ISO management systems provide a structured framework of policies, processes and procedures.

They help organisations manage a specific area of risk. ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) publishes each management system as an international standard.

Some of the most popular ISO management systems include:

• ISO 27001 (information security)
• ISO 22301 (business continuity)
• ISO 27701 (privacy information management)
• ISO 20000 (service management)
• ISO 42001 (AI management)
• ISO 9001 (quality management)

Because ISO management systems follow a common structure and many have similar requirements, they can be readily integrated, making each new management system simpler and more intuitive for the organisation.

What is ISO certification?

ISO certification provides independent, third-party verification that your management system meets the requirements of the applicable standard. Accredited certification bodies grant certification following a successful audit of the organisation’s management system.

What are the benefits of ISO certifications?

Organisations can use their certification to demonstrate to their customers and other stakeholders that their management system meets best practice. Certification supports effective governance and management of the applicable subject area.

Why seek ISO certification?

Organisations seek certification to demonstrate a defined level of assurance. For instance, an organisation that needs to demonstrate that it meets information security best practice should consider implementing ISO 27001.

One that seeks to demonstrate suitable technical and organisational measures for processing personal information should consider implementing ISO 27701.

Implementing ISO management system standards can also help improve your chances of securing key contracts or tenders. ISO 9001 certification, for example, is a recognised indicator of product quality, while ISO 20000 is the gold standard for service management.

Accredited certification to ISO standards helps your organisation stand out against its competitors. It also gives customers and partners the assurance they need.

Why implement an ISO management system?

Improve risk management

ISO management system standards provide a structured framework for managing specific organisational risks, such as information security, data privacy or business continuity.

Enhance customer trust

ISO management system certifications are recognised worldwide. They help your organisation reassure clients and partners that you manage key organisational risks in line with best practices.

Simplify legal and regulatory compliance

ISO management system standards help your organisation meet the requirements of a wide range of laws and industry regulations by implementing risk-based, documented controls.

The certification process

First, develop and implement a management system that meets all the requirements of the selected Standard. Once this is in place, the organisation can then register for certification with an accredited certification body.

When you’re ready for certification, you will need to engage the services of an independent, accredited certification body. These bodies have been assessed by the relevant national authority based on their competence, impartiality and performance capability.

Most ISO certification processes consist of two stages and are conducted by qualified, independent auditors.

Stage 1

The auditor will review your documentation to check that the management system has been developed in accordance with the Standard. You will be expected to present evidence of all critical aspects of the management system. This will vary depending on the certification body’s requirements.

Stage 2

If you pass the first stage, the auditor will conduct a more thorough assessment. This assessment will involve reviewing the activities that support the development of the management system.

The auditor will carry out an on-site investigation to analyse your policies and procedures in greater depth and check how the management system works in practice. They will also interview key staff to check that all activities follow the standard’s specifications.

How to prepare for certification

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of preparation required will vary depending on the size and complexity of your organisation, as well as your current level of compliance with the selected Standard. However, some tips on how to prepare for certification include:

1. Perform a gap analysis to identify any areas where your organisation does not meet the requirements of the Standard.
2. Develop an implementation plan that outlines how you will close any gaps identified in the gap analysis.
3. Train your staff on the requirements of the Standard and on your implementation plan.
4. Create or update your organisation’s management system documentation, including policies, procedures and other supporting documents.
5. Conduct internal audits to verify that your management system is functioning as intended and that all employees are following the required procedures.
6. Schedule and complete an external certification audit with a certification body.

How long does ISO certification last?

Once certification is achieved, it is valid for three years. However, the management system must be managed and maintained throughout that period. Auditors from the certification body will conduct annual surveillance visits while the certification is valid.

Can you get ISO certification with GRC Solutions?

We specialise in helping organisations like yours to prepare for certification. We do this by providing any combination of training, consultancy, tools, books and advice so that you are ready by the time you engage a certification body.

We support independent, accredited certification, which means that we do not audit our own work. For the same reason, certification bodies are not permitted to provide consultancy and advice to their clients before conducting a certification audit.

Through our years of experience assisting more than 600 organisations with implementation and certification projects, we know precisely what certification bodies expect. As a result, we can offer you unrivalled expertise.

Our approach

We’ve honed our nine-step implementation methodology over the past 20 years:

1. Project mandate
2. Develop the implementation plan
3. Management system initiation
4. Management framework
5. Baseline management system criteria
6. Risk management
7. Implementation
8. Measure, monitor and review
9. Certification

Read our white paper on ISO 27001 certification

Get certified with GRC Solutions

GRC Solutions is the leader in management system implementation.

We’ve helped more than 800 organisations achieve compliance with ISO standards since our management team led the world’s first ISO 27001 certification project.

We can also support your journey towards certification for ISO 27701, ISO 22301, ISO 20000, ISO 9001, ISO 42001 and many other ISO management systems.

Contact us now for advice or a quote.

Contact us

How we can help

Consultancy

We offer a wide range of consultancy services for ISO management systems, including gap analysis, implementation consultancy and internal audit services.

Learn more about our consultancy services

Penetration testing

We offer a complete suite of penetration testing services to support ISO 27001, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and many other information security standards.

Discover our penetration testing services

Training

We offer a wide range of training courses on ISO management system standards, from beginner-level Foundation courses that provide a comprehensive introduction to the standard, to expert-level Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor courses.

Learn more about our training courses

Staff awareness

Our staff awareness elearning courses offer an ideal way to make sure your staff understand their management system roles and obligations.

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Tools, books and other support

We also offer a selection of tools, books and other resources for organisations looking to implement an ISO management system.

Learn more about our tools, books and supporting services