What is ISO 27001?

Cyber attacks, ransomware, data leaks, and crashes are no longer something that only affects "the big guys" or "the others." Danish companies of all sizes are experiencing increasing demands from customers, authorities, and partners for documented IT security. At the same time, the threat landscape is becoming more complex as technology evolves.

In this reality, it is not enough to simply implement technical solutions. There is a need for structure, common concepts, managerial anchoring, and concrete security controls.

The question is therefore not whether to work in a structured manner with information security, but how to do it correctly.

The ISO 27000 series is the international reference framework for professional information security. The series includes:

• ISO27000, which defines concepts and general principles.
• ISO27001, which sets out the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS).
• ISO27002, which describes specific security controls and best practices.

Together, they create a holistic management framework that connects terminology, leadership, and practice.

Information security work begins with a common conceptual framework. ISO27000 defines key terms such as:

• Information activity.
• Risk.
• Threat.
• Vulnerability.
• Control.
• Information security incident.
• Management system.

Without uniform definitions, uncertainty in interpretation, inconsistent risk assessments, and sporadic documentation arise. ISO27000 helps organizations speak the same language when working with information security.

The standard also clarifies the three basic principles:

• Confidentiality – only authorized persons have access.
• Integrity – data is accurate and unchanged.
• Accessibility – information and systems are available when needed.

ISO27000 is not certifiable in itself, but it forms the foundation for the entire ISO27000 series. It creates the conceptual and terminological framework on which ISO27001 and ISO27002 build.

 

What is ISO 27001?

Where ISO27000 defines the concepts, ISO27001 sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS).

ISO27001 is a management standard. It anchors information security at a strategic level and sets requirements for governance, documentation, and continuous improvement.

IT security starts with management

ISO27001 (clause 5) states that information security is a management responsibility. It is not just about technology – it is about prioritization, risk understanding, and strategic direction.

When management:

• Establishes an information security policy.
• Defines roles and responsibilities.
• Allocates necessary resources.
• Integrates security into the company's strategy.

This makes IT security part of the business—not an isolated IT discipline.

 

ISO27001—A risk-based approach to information security

The core of ISO27001 is systematic risk management (clause 6). The company must:

1. Identify information assets.
2. Assess threats and vulnerabilities.
3. Analyze probability and consequence.
4. Determine risk treatment.
5. Document controls in a Statement of Applicability (SoA).

This risk-based approach ensures that security measures are not implemented randomly, but targeted where the risk is actually greatest.

 

Continuous improvement

ISO27001 is structured according to the PDCA model (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and requires continuous improvement (clause 10).

This entails, among other things:

• Internal audits.
• Management evaluation.
• Follow-up on incidents.
• Updated risk assessments.

Security thus becomes a dynamic process that evolves in step with the business and the threat landscape.

 

What is ISO27002?

Where ISO27001 specifies what needs to be established, ISO27002 describes how controls can be implemented in practice.

ISO27002 serves as a detailed catalog of information security controls and is closely linked to Annex A of ISO27001. The standard contains best practices for organizational, human, physical, and technical security measures.

The latest version of ISO27002 is structured into four control categories:

• Organizational controls.
• Person-related checks.
• Physical checks.
• Technical checks.

Below are examples of key control areas:

ISO27002 describes principles such as least privilege, need-to-know, and segregation of duties. Rights must be assigned in a structured manner, documented, and reviewed regularly.

Backups must be performed regularly, tested, and documented. Restoring backups is crucial for availability and resilience in the event of unforeseen incidents.

Encryption
Sensitive data must be protected through appropriate cryptographic controls.

Security requirements must be incorporated into contracts, and third-party risks must be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Awareness and training
Employees must understand their role in information security.

ISO27002 thus ensures that the risk assessment includes measures that are specific and operational.

 

ISO27001 certification

Organizations and companies that work systematically with the entire ISO 27000 series often experience:

• Increased customer confidence.
• Stronger position in tenders.
• Better compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Fewer serious security incidents.
• Clearer internal processes.

Certification according to ISO27001 can be a competitive parameter. But the value lies in the organizational maturity, governance structure, and risk management that working with the standards creates.

 

A comprehensive model for a professional approach to information security

The ISO 27000 series forms a logical whole:

• ISO27000 creates common terminology and a fundamental understanding.
• ISO27001 establishes the structured management system and the requirements for governance.
• ISO27002 provides specific controls and best practices.

And together they create a connection between:

• Common language.
• Strategic anchoring.
• Documented risk management.
• Operational security measures.
• Continuous improvement.

Information security work begins with a common conceptual framework. ISO27000 defines key terms such as:

• Information activity.
• Risk.
• Threat.
• Vulnerability.
• Control.
• Information security incident.
• Management system.

Without uniform definitions, uncertainty in interpretation, inconsistent risk assessments, and sporadic documentation arise. ISO27000 helps organizations speak the same language when working with information security.

The standard also clarifies the three basic principles:

• Confidentiality – only authorized persons have access.
• Integrity – data is accurate and unchanged.
• Accessibility – information and systems are available when needed.

ISO27000 is not certifiable in itself, but it forms the foundation for the entire ISO27000 series. It creates the conceptual and terminological framework on which ISO27001 and ISO27002 build.

 

What is ISO 27001?

Where ISO27000 defines the concepts, ISO27001 sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS).

ISO27001 is a management standard. It anchors information security at a strategic level and sets requirements for governance, documentation, and continuous improvement.

IT security starts with management

ISO27001 (clause 5) states that information security is a management responsibility. It is not just about technology – it is about prioritization, risk understanding, and strategic direction.

When management:

• Establishes an information security policy.
• Defines roles and responsibilities.
• Allocates necessary resources.
• Integrates security into the company's strategy.

This makes IT security part of the business—not an isolated IT discipline.

 

ISO27001—A risk-based approach to information security

The core of ISO27001 is systematic risk management (clause 6). The company must:

1. Identify information assets.
2. Assess threats and vulnerabilities.
3. Analyze probability and consequence.
4. Determine risk treatment.
5. Document controls in a Statement of Applicability (SoA).

This risk-based approach ensures that security measures are not implemented randomly, but targeted where the risk is actually greatest.

 

Continuous improvement

ISO27001 is structured according to the PDCA model (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and requires continuous improvement (clause 10).

This entails, among other things:

• Internal audits.
• Management evaluation.
• Follow-up on incidents.
• Updated risk assessments.

Security thus becomes a dynamic process that evolves in step with the business and the threat landscape.

 

What is ISO27002?

Where ISO27001 specifies what needs to be established, ISO27002 describes how controls can be implemented in practice.

ISO27002 serves as a detailed catalog of information security controls and is closely linked to Annex A of ISO27001. The standard contains best practices for organizational, human, physical, and technical security measures.

The latest version of ISO27002 is structured into four control categories:

• Organizational controls.
• Person-related checks.
• Physical checks.
• Technical checks.

Below are examples of key control areas:

ISO27002 describes principles such as least privilege, need-to-know, and segregation of duties. Rights must be assigned in a structured manner, documented, and reviewed regularly.

Backups must be performed regularly, tested, and documented. Restoring backups is crucial for availability and resilience in the event of unforeseen incidents.

Encryption
Sensitive data must be protected through appropriate cryptographic controls.

Security requirements must be incorporated into contracts, and third-party risks must be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Awareness and training
Employees must understand their role in information security.

ISO27002 thus ensures that the risk assessment includes measures that are specific and operational.

 

ISO27001 certification

Organizations and companies that work systematically with the entire ISO 27000 series often experience:

• Increased customer confidence.
• Stronger position in tenders.
• Better compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Fewer serious security incidents.
• Clearer internal processes.

Certification according to ISO27001 can be a competitive parameter. But the value lies in the organizational maturity, governance structure, and risk management that working with the standards creates.

 

A comprehensive model for a professional approach to information security

The ISO 27000 series forms a logical whole:

• ISO27000 creates common terminology and a fundamental understanding.
• ISO27001 establishes the structured management system and the requirements for governance.
• ISO27002 provides specific controls and best practices.

And together they create a connection between:

• Common language.
• Strategic anchoring.
• Documented risk management.
• Operational security measures.
• Continuous improvement.

IT security is now a prerequisite for stable operations, regulatory compliance, and customer trust.

The ISO27000 series provides Danish organizations and companies with a structured and internationally recognized method for working professionally with information security – from concepts and governance to implementation and operation.

It's not just about avoiding attacks.
It's about building resilience, credibility, and long-term business value through a systematic, documented, and management-driven approach to information security.

Companies that work holistically with ISO27000, ISO27001, and ISO27002 are simply stronger in the digital world we live in.