Many people are confused between ISO 27001 gap analysis and risk assessment. This is understandable as the purpose of both is to identify deficiencies in the information security of the company. But, from the perspective of ISO 27001 and a certification auditor, these two are quite different.
What Are ISO 27001 Audit and Gap Analysis?
Gap analysis is nothing but reading each section of ISO 27001 and estimating if that requirement is already implemented in your company. When you do so, you can use a scale similar to this:
- • The requirement is not implemented nor planned
- • The requirement is planned but not implemented
- • The requirement is implemented only partially
- • The requirement is implemented but determination, review, and improvement are not performed
- • The requirement is implemented and even measurement and improvement are performed regularly
27001 audit and gap analysis in London is mandatory, but only when developing your statement of applicability. Therefore, you don’t need to perform the gap and audit analysis for a section of the standard. Additionally, gap analysis doesn’t need to be performed before the start of ISO 27001 implementations – you must do it only after the risk assessment and treatment.
At Assured GRC, we ensure our
ISO 27001 audit and gap analysis services in the UK identify the strengths and weaknesses within your current security programme quickly and efficiently. Whether you want to measure your current status against the standard or understand the potential effort required to achieve compliance, audit and gap analysis is an ideal service for your organisation. For organisations willing to fully adopt the standard with a view to certification, we recommend the ISO 27001 risk and gap assessment.
What Exactly Is A Risk Assessment?
Risk assessment is an essential step in ISMS (Information Security Management System) implementation as it allows you to implement security controls only if there are risks that would justify that particular control. In simple words, the higher the risk, the more you need to invest in controls. However, conversely, if there are no risks that would defend a particular control, implementing it would be a waste of time and money. Before implementing security controls, you must perform a risk assessment as it is a key requirement in ISO 27001. On the other hand, it determines the shape of your information security.
What Is The Difference Between Gap Analysis And Risk Assessment?
With Gap analysis, you can know how far you are from ISO 27001 requirements/controls. But, you can’t know which problems can occur or which controls to implement. In case of risk assessment, you can know which events can happen and which controls to implement. However, it doesn’t give you an overview of which controls are already implemented.
Companies often perform audit and gap analysis before the start of ISO 27001 implementation, to get a feeling of where they are right now, and to find out which resources they will need to employ to implement ISO 27001 audit and gap analysis in London. But, the usefulness of such an approach is uncertain as only risk assessment will show the real extent of what needs to be implemented and in which form.
ISO 27001 Implementation & Continuous Improvement
An ISO 27001 risk and gap assessment recognises several security improvements that need to be developed to get ISO 27001 compliance. To develop and implement a programme of work, based on your risk treatment, Assured GRC can work with you. This can help you improve security measurably and cost-effectively.
Implementation Services
At Assured GRC, we can offer a range of consultancy ISO 27001 audit and gap analysis in the UK to deliver the security improvements. Some examples are here:
- • Security engagement models for project management, change management and vendor management
- • Enterprise architecture planning
- • Vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
- • Incident response plans
- • Security operating procedures
- • System configuration standards and hardening procedures
- • Security awareness training
- • Secure code reviews
- • Business continuity plans
Continuous Improvement
ISO 27001 is based on ISO 9001, promotes a Plan>Do>Check>Act methodology to organise the information security management system. This is a frequentative process designed to make continuous improvement. ISO 27001 audit and gap analysis London certification operate on a three tears cycle, with surveillance audits to ensure the organisation is operating and maintaining the ISMS.
At Assured GRC, we offer several services to help your organisation maintain and continually improve the ISMS include:
- • Internal Audits
- • Quarterly Risk Reviews
- • Technical Compliance Assessments
- • Security Incident Reviews
- • Monitoring of Security KPIs and SLAs
- • Service Provider Compliance Assessments
Get In Touch With Assured GRC for ISO 27001 Audit and Gap Analysis in the UK
If you are looking for an experienced consultant for
ISO 27001 audit and gap analysis in London, UK, get in touch with Assured GRC. We are committed to providing a consistently high-value service and ISO 27001 certification to our clients. Our dedicated consultants know what it takes to achieve ISO 27001 compliance and reduce the risks to your organisation.
If you want to more about ISO 27001 audit and gap analysis in the UK, contact us at
+44 (0)203 4759 932 or
management@assuredgrc.com today!
