ISO 27001 for Small Businesses

There is an old saying in security: “You cannot protect what you do not know you have.” For a small business, this is often the biggest hurdle to security. You might have customer data in Dropbox, financial records in Xero, source code in GitHub, and a pile of old laptops in a cupboard. If you […]

If you run a small business, the words “Project Management” probably don’t conjure up images of certified professionals carrying clipboards and Gantt charts. More likely, it looks like a frantic Tuesday where you decide to migrate to a new CRM, or a quick huddle to launch a new website feature. So, when you see ISO

When small business owners read the term “Threat Intelligence,” they often picture a military bunker with wall-to-wall screens and analysts shouting code words. It sounds expensive, complicated, and frankly, like overkill for a company of 20 people. But here is the secret: ISO 27001 Annex A 5.7 isn’t asking you to build a spy agency.

If you run a small business, you are likely wearing ten different hats. You are the CEO, the HR department, the sales lead, and whether you like it or not, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). When you read ISO 27001 Annex A 5.6: Contact with Special Interest Groups, it might sound like a requirement

If you run a small business, you probably don’t have a dedicated “Compliance Department.” You likely have a Dave. Or a Sarah. And when the internet goes down or a laptop gets stolen, everyone looks at Dave. ISO 27001 Annex A 5.5: Contact with Authorities is essentially about giving Dave a fighting chance. It ensures

If you run a small business, the phrase “Management Responsibilities” probably sounds like just another hat you have to wear. You are likely already the CEO, the Head of HR, and the person who buys the coffee. Now, ISO 27001 Annex A 5.4 wants you to be the Chief Security Enforcer too. The good news?

For a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME), navigating the requirements of ISO 27001 can seem daunting. ISO 27001:2022 Clause 7.3 Awareness is often viewed as another compliance hurdle to clear. However, this perspective misses the point entirely. This clause is not about ticking a box; it’s a powerful and fundamental strategy for protecting your business

For many small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), approaching a standard like ISO 27001 can feel daunting. Clause 6.2, which deals with “Information security objectives and planning to achieve them,” might seem like another bureaucratic hurdle. However, this clause is not about creating paperwork; it’s about defining the fundamental ‘why’ behind your Information Security Management System

Building software without testing security is like building a house and only checking if the front door locks after the family has moved in. ISO 27001 Annex A 8.29 (Security testing in development and acceptance) ensures that small businesses catch security flaws when they are cheap to fix—before the software goes live. For a small

For small businesses and startups, outsourcing software development is often a necessity. Whether you are hiring a freelancer on Upwork or a dedicated agency, it is cost-effective and scalable. However, handing over your code and data to a third party introduces significant security risks. ISO 27001 Annex A 8.30 (Outsourced Development) is the control that

One of the most common ways small businesses accidentally break their own systems is by making changes directly to the live environment. ISO 27001 Annex A 8.31 (Separation of development, test and production environments) is the safety barrier that stops a small coding error from becoming a business disaster. For a small business, this control

For a small business, “change management” often sounds like bureaucratic red tape. You might think it is something only large corporations need. However, in the world of information security, uncontrolled change is one of the fastest ways to break your business. ISO 27001 Annex A 8.32 exists to prevent the “oops” moments. It ensures that

For many small businesses, the test environment is a major security blind spot. You might lock down your live customer database tight, but what happens when a developer needs to test a new feature? If they copy that real data into a test server, you have just bypassed your own security. ISO 27001 Annex A

Why Small Businesses Need to Watch Their Backs During Audits Running a small business is tough. You wear all the hats. You are the CEO, the marketing team, and sometimes the IT guy. You work hard to build trust with your customers. You cannot afford for things to go wrong. But did you know that

Why People Are Your Strongest (or Weakest) Security Link When we talk about information security, it is easy to get lost in a world of firewalls, encryption, and complex software. But the ISO 27001 standard correctly identifies a more fundamental truth: people are at the heart of any effective security system. They can be your

Starting your ISO 27001 certification journey can feel like a massive mountain to climb, especially when you’re running a busy SME. With all the technical controls and paperwork, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But here’s a secret: a successful Information Security Management System (ISMS) isn’t built on software alone—it’s built on resources. ISO 27001:2022 Clause

Introduction: Don’t Panic About Clause 6.3 When the 2022 update to the ISO 27001 standard was released, it introduced a specific requirement: Clause 6.3, Planning of Changes. If this is the first you are hearing of it, the most important thing to know is this: don’t panic. This clause is not designed to create an

For Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), implementing ISO 27001 Clause 5.3 is the foundational step in building a secure Information Security Management System (ISMS). While technical controls are important, this clause focuses on the human element: defining who is responsible for what. It transforms security from a bureaucratic checkbox into an operational culture of accountability.

For many leaders at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the phrase “information security policy” often brings to mind bureaucratic hurdles and mounting costs. You may have experienced the frustration of a promising sales cycle grinding to a halt because a potential client demands documentation you do not have, or the challenge of competing for larger

For many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the world of information security can seem like a daunting landscape of technical jargon. However, strong information security is not a burdensome cost centre; it is a fundamental component of business resilience. The most effective way to begin this journey is with strategy, specifically addressing ISO 27001 Clause

For many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the path to ISO 27001 certification can seem daunting, particularly when faced with the extensive documentation required. However, this documentation is not merely a bureaucratic hurdle; it is the fundamental bedrock of your Information Security Management System (ISMS). It serves as the tangible proof that your security processes

For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the ISO 27001 standard can seem complex and overwhelming. However, at its core are fundamentally strategic requirements designed to strengthen your business. ISO 27001 clause 4.2 for SMEs is a perfect example of this. It is a mandatory requirement that pushes you to understand who has a stake

Defining the scope of your ISO 27001 certification is one of the most critical strategic decisions your business will make on its compliance journey. This is not merely a technical chore; it is a foundational step that, when executed correctly, saves significant time and money. Conversely, getting it wrong can become a costly and frustrating

As a business owner, you juggle countless priorities every day. It is understandable that “information security” can feel like a complex, technical, and expensive challenge best left to large corporations. However, in a world where a single data breach can cause devastating financial and reputational damage, proactively managing your information security is no longer optional.

For many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the term “information security policy” can conjure images of bureaucratic hurdles and unnecessary paperwork. The reality, however, is that well-crafted policies are a foundational asset for any modern business. They are not just about ticking a compliance box; they are about protecting your company, building invaluable customer trust,