History of Information Security Management System

Introduction – ISMS

Information security has become an increasingly critical concern for organizations in recent years, the term ISMS coin mostly during the early 2000 by the security and IT industry over the years. The need to protect sensitive information and ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability has led to the development of various security frameworks and standards. Especially following a big profile of data leaks and data breach (For example facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal). One such framework meant to prevent those issues, is the Information Security Management System (ISMS), which provides organizations with a systematic approach to managing and securing their information assets. In this article, we will explore the history of ISMS, its development, and the significance of ISO 27001 as a widely recognized standard in information security.

The Raise of Information Security

The concept of information security dates back to the early days of computing when the focus was primarily on securing physical access to computers and preventing unauthorized use. As computer networks and systems became more complex, the need for a comprehensive approach to information security grew. The rise of the internet during the 90′ and the increasing dependence on digital information led to a heightened awareness of the importance of protecting sensitive data from cyber threats. It was during this period that the foundations of ISMS were laid, with international strands like ISO 27001 with the aim of providing organizations with a holistic approach to information security management. taking to consideration that each organization is different and providing a cross organization, cross technology standards will be very hard.

Development of Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)

The idea of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) emerged as a response to the growing need for a systematic and structured approach to information security. The ISMS framework is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process, which ensures the continuous improvement of security controls and risk management. as there was a wide Industry understanding that security is not one-time-shot and thats it but an ongoing journey.

In the late 1990s, the British Standards Institution (BSI with DTI) developed the BS 7799 standard, which focused on information security management. This standard was later adopted and expanded by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to form the ISO/IEC 27000 series of standards. Even though the standard was accepted during the early days of the internet, It was and still is important to revisit the standard and ISO was published at 2005, and than revisited 2013 and again at 2022, which should imply that when we do our own audit and apply security to our own system – we should understand that those are ongoing procdure and some will need a revisit in the future just like the standards in the industry. Among these standards, ISO/IEC 27001 became the cornerstone of ISMS, providing a comprehensive set of requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an organization’s information security management system.

Significance of ISO 27001 in Information Security Management

ISO 27001 is simply widely recognized as the gold standard for information security management systems. The standard’s framework provides organizations with a systematic approach to managing information security risks, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their information assets.

ISO 27001 certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to information security and its ability to meet industry best practices and regulatory requirements. The standard helps organizations identify and address security risks, implement appropriate controls, and establish a culture of security awareness.

By adopting ISO 27001, organizations can effectively manage their information security risks and ensure the protection of their most valuable assets. The standard’s allow organization to find issues and secure their assets which otherwise they couldn’t. The standard’s emphasis, as we previously mention on continuous improvement ensures that organizations can adapt to the ever-evolving threat landscape and maintain a robust security posture.

Conclusion

The history of Information Security Management Systems reflects the increasing importance of information security in the digital age. During the last 10 years we’ve seen many big data leaks(like Yahoo! data leak with information of 3 Billion users) From the early days of computing to the development of ISO 27001, ISMS has evolved to provide organizations with a comprehensive framework for managing and securing their information assets. As the need for information security continues to grow, organizations that adopt ISMS and adhere to ISO 27001 standards will be better equipped to protect their valuable data and maintain a strong security posture in the face of emerging cyber threats.