This post briefly introduces ISO/IEC 27035 and its relevance to modern business. With cybersecurity increasingly under the spotlight, companies should know how to respond swiftly and effectively to threats.
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity incidents are inevitable. Whether it’s a data breach, malware attack, or phishing scam, businesses must be ready to respond. ISO/IEC 27035 provides an essential framework for incident management within the broader landscape of the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards, ensuring that businesses not only have the tools to detect and respond to cyber threats but can also minimize the impact and recover effectively.
What is ISO/IEC 27035?
ISO/IEC 27035, titled “Information security incident management, “is a standard that provides guidance on how to plan and prepare for information security incidents, detect and respond to them, and learn from past incidents to strengthen future defenses. It covers the full lifecycle of security incident management, including:
– Preparation(creating policies and setting up incident response teams),
– Detection and Reporting (systems and protocols for identifying incidents),
– Assessment (analyzing the scope and impact),
– Response (containing and resolving the threat),
– Learning (documenting the lessons learned to improve future incident handling).
How Does ISO/IEC 27035 Fit into the ISO/IEC 27000 Family?
The ISO/IEC 27000 series is a family of standards designed to help organizations manage information security risks. While ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS), ISO/IEC 27035 dives specifically into incident management—a critical component of an effective ISMS.
By focusing on handling security breaches and incidents, ISO/IEC 27035 complements other standards in the family. For instance:
– ISO/IEC 27002 provides best practices for information security controls, and incident management from 27035 enhances those controls.
– ISO/IEC 27001 lays down the framework for an ISMS, while ISO/IEC 27035 ensures that when incidents occur, the system is robust enough to manage them effectively.
Relationship with ISO 31000 (Risk Management)
ISO 31000 is an international standard for Risk Management. While ISO/IEC 27035 focuses on managing incidents after they occur, ISO 31000 provides a more comprehensive framework for risk identification, evaluation, and mitigation before incidents happen.
The synergy between these standards is key: ISO 31000 helps organizations identify potential risks and put controls in place, reducing the likelihood of an incident, while ISO/IEC 27035 ensures that organizations are prepared to respond effectively to those risks if they materialize.
Why ISO/IEC 27035 Matters for Business and Industry
For businesses and industries relying heavily on digital operations, a well-prepared incident response is no longer optional—it’s critical. The financial, reputational, and legal impacts of a poorly managed incident can be devastating. By implementing ISO/IEC 27035, organizations gain several benefits:
– Improved Preparedness: Proactive preparation means fewer surprises when incidents arise.
– Faster Detection: Better detection systems reduce response time, helping mitigate damage.
– Effective Response: Containing threats quickly can prevent escalation and wider impacts.
– Continuous Improvement: Learning from past incidents ensures that future risks are mitigated more effectively.
Incorporating ISO/IEC 27035 into a company’s security practices ensures an integrated and responsive approach to managing security incidents, aligning with broader risk management frameworks such as ISO 31000 and ensuring compliance with the wider ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards. By doing so, businesses can protect their data, operations, and reputation in the face of growing cyber threats.
For Additional Reading:
- ISO/IEC 27035:2016 – Information technology — Security techniques — Information security incident management
Available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard provides detailed guidance on setting up and managing incident response processes in organizations.
- ISO/IEC 27000 Family – Information Security Management Systems
This page on the ISO website offers an overview of the entire 27000 family of standards, including ISO/IEC 27001 and 27035.
[ISO.org](https://www.iso.org/isoiec-27001-information-security.html)
- ISO 31000:2018 – Risk Management Guidelines
This standard provides a framework for managing risk across various domains, including information security.
[ISO.org](https://www.iso.org/iso-31000-risk-management.html)
- NIST Special Publication 800-61 Rev. 2 – Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
This publication from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) aligns with the principles of ISO/IEC 27035 and provides additional context for incident handling in the U.S. context.
[NIST.gov](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-61r2.pdf)