ISO 27001 Gap Analysis

A gap analysis is an evaluation of your current information security practices against the requirements of ISO 27001.  It can be a simple and effective way of identifying, at a high level, areas in which you are already meeting the requirements of ISO 27001, and those areas which may need further attention to achieve conformance, both from a management system and control perspective.  

URM typically conducts gap analyses through interviews with key staff, observation of activities during a site tour and inspection of documentation and evidential records.  We can provide gap analyses for non-certified/aligned organisations as well as for certified organisations looking to identify their gaps against ISO 27001:2022.  A gap analysis will enable you to:

• Understand ISO 27001 requirements
• Assess current practices and processes against the mandatory clauses 4-10
• Assess any gaps in control implementation
• Identify gaps and deficiencies
• Determine what the next steps are and develop an action plan to address any gaps.

Benefits of ISO 27001 Gap Analysis:

• Identifies Conformance Gaps: Helps pinpoint exactly where your organisation does not meet the requirements of ISO 27001.
• Roadmap for Implementation: Provides clear, actionable steps for addressing requirements, helping you prepare for formal ISO 27001 certification.
• Improves Information Security Posture: Helps your organisation understand weaknesses in its information security management, improving its overall security posture.
• Risk Management: Enables you to better manage risks by identifying vulnerabilities and implementing necessary controls.

Key Steps in URM’s ISO 27001 Gap Analysis:

Understand the Scope:

We will work with you to ensure the scope of the ISMS is defined effectively, and will define the areas of your organisation that will be covered in the gap analysis.  This ensures that the analysis is focused on relevant assets, departments, and systems.

Review of Policies and Procedures:

Where we conduct analysis of your organisation’s existing security policies and procedures to ensure they align with ISO 27001 requirements.

Assessment of Controls:

URM’s information security expert will evaluate the effectiveness of current information security controls, such as access management, incident response, and risk management processes.

Interviews With Key Personnel:

We will conduct interviews with employees and management to gain insight into how information security is managed on a day-to-day basis.

Review of Physical Security:

Our ISO 27001 consultant assesses your organisation’s physical security measures, such as access controls to buildings and data centres, to ensure they meet the Standard’s requirements.

Evaluation of Technological Controls:

Where we review the technical controls in place, such as encryption, firewalls, and anti-virus software, to ensure they are adequate and properly implemented.

Evaluate Results Against ISO 27001 Requirements:

Each of your organisation’s existing security measures is compared by URM’s consultant to the mandatory requirements from the clauses and specific control requirements laid out in Annex A of ISO 27001.

Identify Gaps:

Any discrepancies between your organisation's current practices and the requirements of ISO 27001 are noted.  These gaps might include missing policies, outdated security controls, or incomplete risk management practices.

Provide Recommendations:

Having identified the gaps, we will provide recommendations for closing them.  These recommendations can include implementing new controls, updating policies, improving documentation, or enhancing staff training.

Prioritise Actions:

Based on the gap analysis, we will prioritise actions according to risk levels, conformance requirements, and business objectives.

Our Approach

With our ISO 27001 gap analysis, URM will assess both your existing information security framework or management system and your information security controls.   With regard to the former, our ISO 27001 consultants will review both your documentation and your working practices in order to identify what gaps exist in relation to the requirements contained in the mandatory clauses (4-10) of ISO 27001.  Similarly, with regard to the information security controls or measures, we will identify what gaps exist in relation to the controls of Annex A of the Standard.

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Why URM for ISO 27001?

Risk management expertise

Getting the assessment and management of information security risk right is critical. It is also an area where URM excels and where clients can take advantage of URM’s in-house risk management module, Abriska, with its robust and proven risk assessment methodology and the extensive experience and expertise of its ISO 27001 consultants.

Achieving optimum balance

When helping develop your ISMS, URM’s goal is to achieve the optimum balance between meeting the mandatory management system requirements of ISO 27001 and ensuring your management system is fully sustainable and tailored to your organisation’s size, culture and business objectives

Track record

URM has an unparalleled track record of assisting over 400 organisations to achieve and maintain ISO 27001 certification and is proud to have never been involved in a failed certification project.  Our clients have ranged in size from micro businesses to multinationals and come from a diverse range of market sectors and, due to our tailored approach, every one of the 350+implemented ISMS’ has been different.

Practice what we preach

URM has been certified to ISO 27001 ever since the Standard was first introduced in 2005.  Furthermore, it became one of the UK’s first organisations to transition to ISO 27001:2022 in April 2023.  The experiences gained in maintaining and transitioning certification helps to ensure our consultancy and training services remain current and relevant.

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