We often hear the term data security being thrown around, but do we really know what this means? Or how this affects us as individuals? Or what the implications of a data or information breach could mean for customers and in turn, companies who hold this?

Well these are the exact type of questions that the ISO 270001 standard sets out to answer and why Si digital sought out the accreditation. Our aim is to ensure all of our clients continue to have the best information and data security, with policies in place to protect customer data.

ISO 27001 is a process-based approach to initiating, implementing, operating and maintaining Si digital’s Information Security Management System (ISMS), all whilst complying with 114 mandatory security requirements as set out by the accreditation. It’s a comprehensive standard that covers processes, technology and physical security, which has resulted in credible improvements to our data security and that of our customers alike. It also ensures Si digital is working to the highest security standard possible, as well as further increasing our offering to our clients whilst simultaneously adhering to new compliance laws and regulations.

In simple terms, this comprehensive standard is a framework for data security best practice, which seeks to effectively manage information security risks and controls within an organisation, reducing the chances of a cyber attack or a data breach, which could have catastrophic consequences. The ISO accreditation underlines that our company is fully equipped to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of its information assets, and the data assets of our clients.

The biggest challenge of this accreditation is that it’s not simply a “copy and paste” or an out of the box solution framework, making it harder to apply as it’s specific to each company who acquires it. It has to be done from scratch. 

Si digital’s policies had to be picked apart, risk assessments needed to be conducted in depth to ensure that  safeguards were set in place ensuring data is always safe,  and we had to dive really deep into the finer details to make sure nothing was left to chance.

The benefits of the ISO accreditation for Si digital is that we moved from best practices, to formalising the process. Previously we had worked to the standard, and now we are part of the standard. This is beneficial as it cements our position on information security and how seriously we take it, especially for a small (but mighty) agency like ourselves. 

Strict measures and criteria are set out to protect data from its entry, and exit, into our business. This is also beneficial as it defines data and creates a path for how said data should be handled, as often some companies aren’t even aware that the data they hold could potentially be very sensitive. 

Another benefit of the accreditation is that it creates accountability. We have databases of clients with sensitive information, which means that our communication as an agency to their database needs to be handled correctly by encrypting data and setting controls in place, ensuring that access is limited and an audit trail exists. In turn this creates accountability and minimises the mistreatment of data, protecting all involved. 

This accreditation is also ongoing and continuous, it’s not just a process of achieving it and moving on. There is an annual audit of the accreditation, and the accreditation demands that data security goals and objectives are defined every year for our agency. This in turn creates even more accountability, as we have to maintain this accreditation and continuously improve our processes.

When asked about information security, Steven Piper, Founder of Si digital, said:

“Data is increasingly becoming a valuable asset and it needs to be treated with respect. Every year, the customer data companies will hold is going to increase and it needs to be safeguarded from any potential breach. Having the ISO 27001 accreditation advocates that we really care about information security and value its importance, whilst keeping our clients, and their customers data, safe.”

Having this accreditation creates business opportunities, especially as larger companies won’t normally work with agencies if there is not a security standard in place due to the regular audit process. The ISO accreditation makes this whole audit process easier. Si digital’s accreditation also has to be audited every year, further ensuring high standards of data security are maintained.

Having the ISO accreditation means we are now especially well equipped to provide digital transformation services to the Financial Sector, Government Agencies, IT companies, Telecoms Sector, as well as any other organisation and sector which handles or holds sensitive data.