Experts predict that by 2025 over 465 exabytes of data will be globally created each day. If it’s difficult to wrap your head around what that number means, it’s the equivalent of 212,765,957 DVDs per day, as antiquated as those may be! As IoT and other technologies continue their march forward, the amount of data produced will only grow.  

As exciting as it is to imagine where all this data will lead us, it’s also a hard truth that large-scale cyberattacks and information breaches will become more common and more disruptive occurrences. In fact, by 2021, cybercrime is expected to reach $6 trillion a year and will affect corporations, small businesses, and non-profits alike. ISO 27001 accreditation is designed to know that information is kept secure, whatever the format.

What is ISO 27001?

ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization which was founded in 1946 by a group of professionals who wanted to make it easier for people to understand what they were getting into when they did business with other organizations. ISO 27001 was created to make it easier to analyze an information security management system, or the set of policies and procedures organizations use to handle confidential and critical data.

ISO 27001’s guidelines are broad and cover all IT systems, including in-house and cloud hosting environments.

The Advantages of Using an ISO 27001 MSP

When you work with a managed service provider that is ISO 27001 certified you realize a host of benefits:

  • Confidentiality through limited information access and disclosure to authorized users only.
  • Integrity by ensuring data has not been maliciously or otherwise changed inappropriately.
  • Availability and prevention of key data loss or downtime that can put your organization at risk.

Other important benefits include assistance with governance, risk management, human resources, business continuity, physical security, and regulatory compliance.

Information security threats and cybercrime tactics are constantly evolving. One of the great advantages to working with an ISO 27001 certified MSP like VirtuWorks is that you’re assured of continual improvement. Vice President of VirtuWorks, Matt Mehler, says his customers welcome the assurance ISO 27001 certification brings that his company will continually improve its information security systems.

“We’re in the business of providing the most advanced and up-to-date managed IT services solution in the world. We want our customers to feel confident their business is safe and sound 24/7.”

Each year, ISO 27001-certified MSPs must participate in an external review process. To stay compliant, they must also be recertified every three years.

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, because the people conducting cyber-attacks and data breaches are constantly finding new and more sophisticated ways to commit their crimes, there is no guarantee information breaches can be 100% eliminated. However, working with an MSP that is ISO 2700 certified helps minimize the risk of a security breach that could have enormous legal or business implications for your organization.

To schedule a consultation about assessing the potential risks to your business and implementing a management system that keeps your data protected around-the-clock, contact VirtuWorks online today or call us at 888.484.7881.