We know that ISO standards for the field of Information Technology are not as established as in other areas. We might even say they are novel and not well-known.
In the industry, for example, millions of companies around the world are already reaping the benefits of ISO regulations, something that helps them create better products and services, as well as achieve far superior financial results.
These standards are so important that they have become a benchmark in the market and are mandatory requirements for major market players to do business with each other and with smaller companies.
Therefore, in today’s article, we decided to encourage you from the field of information technology to better understand how these important tools can help your company. For this, we have chosen 3 specific standards from the sector. Let’s go?
What are ISO Standards?
First and foremost, let’s understand what ISO standards are and what they are for. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an international institution dedicated to the creation and dissemination of good organizational management practices.
To do this, ISO publishes various documents with management guidelines focused on specific market areas, such as quality management or environmental management. These documents are referred to as ISO management standards or ISO standards.
By adopting these standards, companies across all sectors seek to evolve in the markets they operate in and ensure a better image in front of their customers, as well as, maximize their process efficiencies.
IT companies, in particular, aim to improve processes, ensure data confidentiality, comply with international standards, and, as a result, increase the trust of clients and partners. ISO certifications in the IT area are like quality seals that demonstrate a commitment to operational excellence and safety, which maximizes outcomes and attracts more customers.
ISO 27001 – Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
ISO 27001 is the most well-known standard globally regarding information security. It helps to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve practices related to information security (IS), constituting an important tool for risk management, cyber resilience, and operational excellence.
In the words of ISO itself, this standard is important because “it helps organizations become aware of the risks and to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities.”
Click here to learn more about ISO 27001.
ISO 27002 – Information Security, Cybersecurity, and Privacy Protection
Another important ISO standard that has been widely adopted by companies in the information technology sector is ISO 27002. This standard provides practical guidelines for information security controls, privacy protection, and data handling.
This standard has gained more notoriety with the emergence of the LGPD (General Data Protection Law), as its implementation can help ensure the correct use of personal data and better comply with regulations. This ensures more ethics and a better image in the market, as well as helps to avoid fines and sanctions.
Click here to learn more about ISO 27002 on the ISO’s own site.
ISO 20000 – Information Technology, Service Management (ITSMS)
ISO 20000 is directly linked to service provision and the way a company handles them. This standard specifies requirements for the effective delivery of information technology services and applies to any and every organization looking to ensure more efficient and consistent deliveries to their customers.
ISO 20000 is crucial because it helps establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an IT service management system (ITSMS). In this way, it enhances the quality of services and contributes to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This is indispensable, especially considering the even more VUCA – volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity – scenario of Information Technology.
Click here to learn more about ISO 20000 on the ISO’s own website.
Other ISO Standards for the Information Technology Area
The three standards previously mentioned are more directly related to the information technology area and can be useful for any company in the niche.
However, it’s important to note that there are various other standards that may be useful for specific companies, such as ISO 24760 – IT Security and Privacy, Identity Management Framework. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to check the organization’s website and look for standards that are more aligned with your context.
Additionally, there are standards that are not specifically geared towards the niche but can assist IT companies in important aspects of any business. For example, we can mention the 3 most famous standards of the institution:
- ISO 9001: a standard aimed at the creation and maintenance of quality management systems, yet applicable to a wide range of sectors, including those of information technology;
- ISO 14001: a standard that establishes criteria for an environmental management system, applicable, for example, to technology organizations with a sustainable focus;
- ISO 45001: an international standard that assists in occupational health and safety. Although it is more commonly applied in industrial sectors, it can be adapted for organizations across various sectors, including IT, as the health and safety of people are fundamental in any company.
ISO Standards for the Technology Sector – A Way to Pursue Excellence and Drive Results 🚀
To better understand how these standards can aid your company, let’s turn to software programming. In it, every line of code is crucial for the efficient functioning of a particular program.
Similarly, we can view companies as large software with various devices operating internally. Metaphorically speaking, standards like ISO 27001, 27002, and 20000 act as “essential algorithms” in the management of these companies, ensuring they operate correctly and focus on the desired outcomes.
Thus, they are not merely lines of guidance, bureaucratic recommendations, but rather a true and useful solid, concrete, and practical architecture. A framework that supports the trust of clients and partners, the day-to-day work, and information security. All of this, combined, helps us build a digital fortress against all threats surrounding the IT sector, thereby ensuring results far beyond our physical or online structures.
