ISO/IEC 27001 Explained: What It Is, Who Needs It, and How to Get Certified

ISO/IEC 27001 is the world’s leading standard for information security management. It defines how organisations protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their information — and it is the benchmark against which security programmes are measured globally.

If your organisation handles sensitive data — customer records, financial information, intellectual property — understanding ISO/IEC 27001 is no longer optional. It is foundational.

What Is ISO/IEC 27001?

ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

An ISMS is not a piece of software or a one-time audit. It is a systematic framework — policies, processes, controls, and responsibilities — that an organisation puts in place to manage information security risks on an ongoing basis.

The standard was last updated in 2022 (ISO/IEC 27001:2022), introducing a restructured set of controls in Annex A and a stronger focus on threat intelligence, cloud security, and data masking.

What Does ISO/IEC 27001 Cover?

The standard addresses three dimensions of information security — known as the CIA triad:

Confidentiality

Information is accessible only to those authorised to see it.

Integrity

Information is accurate and protected from unauthorised modification.

Availability

Information is available to authorised users when they need it.

Practically, the standard covers risk assessment and treatment, security policies, physical and technical controls, access management, incident response, supplier relationships, business continuity, and continual improvement. It applies across the entire organisation — not just the IT department.

Who Needs ISO/IEC 27001 Knowledge?

ISO/IEC 27001 is relevant across every function that touches sensitive data — which, in most organisations, means nearly everyone. Key roles include:

Information Security Officers and Managers — responsible for designing and operating the ISMS
IT and infrastructure teams — implementing technical controls
Compliance, legal, and risk professionals — aligning security with regulation
HR, finance, and operations managers — applying security policies in day-to-day work
Senior leadership — accountable for organisational security posture

Increasingly, ISO/IEC 27001 knowledge is listed as a requirement or preference in job descriptions across industries including financial services, healthcare, government, and technology.

EXIN ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Pathway

EXIN offers a structured certification programme based on ISO/IEC 27001 — from entry-level awareness through to expert practitioner. Each level builds on the previous, creating a clear professional development path.

Level	Certification	Best For	Prerequisite
Awareness	Information Security Essentials	All staff; non-IT professionals; compliance awareness programmes	None
Foundation	Information Security Foundation	Professionals entering information security; all roles handling confidential data	None
Professional	Information Security Management Professional	Security managers, process managers, project managers with security responsibilities	Foundation recommended

Looking for a complete career credential?

The EXIN Information Security Officer career path combines ISO/IEC 27001 expertise with data protection and privacy — the combination employers in security-sensitive industries increasingly require.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO/IEC 27001?

ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an ISMS to protect information assets against threats and risks.

Who needs ISO/IEC 27001 certification?

Any professional who works with sensitive or confidential information — including IT teams, security officers, managers, and compliance professionals. It is also required for organisations seeking formal ISO 27001 certification.

What is the difference between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002?

ISO/IEC 27001 defines the requirements for an ISMS. ISO/IEC 27002 provides detailed guidance on implementing the security controls listed in ISO 27001’s Annex A. EXIN’s certification programme is grounded in both standards. See: How ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are related →

How do I get ISO 27001 certified with EXIN?

Start with EXIN Information Security Foundation — no prerequisites required. Progress through Professional and Expert levels based on your role. Use the EXIN Certification Wizard to find the right starting point.

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