Factors or conditions that originate from outside an organisation that can affect its information security management system (ISMS) and its ability to achieve its objectives. While these issues are typically beyond an organisation’s direct control, they must be understood and addressed to ensure the ISMS is robust and effective. External issues can be either positive (opportunities) or negative (threats).
Examples
- Regulatory and Legal Requirements: New data privacy laws (like GDPR) or industry-specific regulations that require changes to an organisation’s security practices.
- Technological Trends: The rise of new technologies, like AI or the Internet of Things (IoT), that introduce new threats or create new security opportunities.
- Socio-political Factors: Changes in the political climate, economic conditions (recession, inflation), or public perception of privacy that can influence an organisation’s risk profile.
- Market and Competition: Competitors’ security practices or new market demands for data protection can create pressure to improve security.
ISO 27001 Context
Identifying external issues is a key requirement of ISO 27001 Clause 4.1: Understanding the Context of the Organisation in the ISO 27001 standard. It’s often performed using a PESTLE analysis (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) to ensure all relevant factors are considered.
