What is ISO 27001 (and how does it make Content Snare more secure)?

ISO 27001 is one of the most trusted security standards when it comes to keeping your data safe. It’s a globally recognized framework that checks whether companies protect sensitive information and manage risks.

The ISO 27001 certificate confirms that Content Snare follows strict security practices to keep your data secure: not just now, but as a continuous priority. That level of protection matters more than ever because a cyber attack happens every 39 seconds, often with costly consequences.

But how does ISO 27001 certification really work? Let’s break down what it really means and how it makes Content Snare even safer for you to use.

ISO 27001 in a nutshell

ISO 27001 is part of a family of international standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO for short). It’s an independent body that sets standards to help organizations work safely and efficiently.

More specifically, ISO 27001 focuses on information security. It does so by providing a framework that supports businesses in identifying risks to sensitive data and puts controls in place to reduce those risks. As such, ISO 27001 covers many areas that affect information security:

• Data protection policies: Checking whether businesses develop and deploy strong data safety rules

• Access control: Only the right people should be able to access certain information
  
• Risk management: Regularly identifying and addressing potential threats

• Cryptography: The framework also focuses on data encryption

• Incident response: This is about having plans to react if something goes wrong
  
• Employee training: Making sure staff understand security responsibilities
  
• Physical security: ISO 27001 also focuses on office, server, and equipment safety

In short, it’s a global standard that helps businesses build a culture of security that protects data at every level.

ISO 27001 implementation: How does it work?

ISO 27001 sets out what organizations must achieve to protect information. The framework defines requirements for making a rock-solid Information Security Management System (ISMS). It also outlines 114 possible controls and specifies what’s needed for risk management, documentation, audits, and ongoing improvement.

However, it doesn’t prescribe step-by-step instructions on how to do all that. 

Instead, it leaves the how to each organization so the standard can work for any size or type of business. Here’s how Content Snare approached ISO 27001 certification in five steps, and how these steps typically work for any organization aiming for certification.

1. Planning and evaluation

The first step in any ISO 27001 procedure is assembling a team and defining what parts of the business the ISMS will cover. Content Snare worked with external auditors and security consultants from the beginning to get things right, from day one. Together, we mapped out our ISMS scope to cover the services and data most critical to our clients.

2. Risk assessment

ISO 27001 requires organizations to systematically identify data-related risks and decide how to treat them. This forms the basis for selecting appropriate controls from ISO’s list. With guidance from our consultants, Content Snare performed a risk assessment to identify potential threats and selected the right security controls to reduce or manage those risks.

3. Implement policies 

At this stage, organizations put their security policies and technical measures into action. That includes everything from access controls, to encryption and incident response. It’s about turning plans into everyday practices.

At Content Snare, we implemented our own policies, technical safeguards, and organized staff training. We also worked with multiple penetration testers to validate our defenses and address any weaknesses before the certification audit.

4. Independent internal audit

ISO 27001 requires organizations to review their ISMS internally, and the auditor must be impartial: not someone who built or operates the system. It’s part of the ISO 27001 Clause 9.2, and its purpose is to ensure objectivity.

In line with that, Content Snare’s internal audit was performed by a person independent of the ISMS setup. This gave us honest feedback and confidence that we were ready for certification.

5. Undergo certification and maintain continuously

Certification involves two stages: a review of documentation (Stage 1) and a detailed audit of the ISMS in action (Stage 2). After certification, organizations must maintain and improve the system through regular monitoring and audits.

Content Snare successfully passed both stages of the external audit with accredited auditors. But certification isn’t the end, as we continue to monitor risks, run internal audits, and engage pen testers to keep improving our security posture.

Related: How Content Snare keeps your data safe

Common ISO 27001 controls to consider

As part of achieving ISO 27001 certification, organizations need to implement a range of important security controls. These aren’t just for show - they help protect your data in real and practical ways. Here are some of the key controls Content Snare put in place:

• Access control and least privilege: We strictly limit access so only the right people can view or handle specific information.
  
• Audit logging: Every action on our platform is logged and monitored so we can trace who did what, when, and where.
  
• Disaster recovery planning: We have plans in place to keep your data safe and our service running in case of incidents like cyberattacks or system failures.
  
• Regular security testing: We engage ethical hackers and security testers to identify and fix potential weaknesses before they can be exploited.
  
• Security awareness training: All team members are trained to recognize threats such as phishing and social engineering.
  
• Encryption at rest and in transit: Your data is encrypted both when it’s stored and when it’s being transferred, which guarantees protection at every stage.
  
• Third-party risk management: We carefully assess the security of every vendor and partner we work with, not just our own systems.
  
• Change management and testing: Any system changes go through formal reviews and testing before they’re rolled out, so nothing is left to chance.

These aren’t the only controls available under ISO 27001, but they are some of the most common and impactful measures organizations like Content Snare put in place to protect data and build trust.

Keep your data safe with Content Snare

Achieving ISO 27001 certification isn’t (just) about ticking boxes. The true goal of this process is to prove our commitment to protecting your data at every level. From secure access controls to ongoing risk assessments, we’ve embedded security into every part of our system. 

Try Content Snare free and see how an ISO 27001–certified platform can improve your data collection process without compromising on safety.

About Content Snare

Content Snare is a secure client data collection platform trusted by over 1,600 businesses globally across industries like accounting, legal, finance, and consulting. Built in 2016, Content Snare helps organizations collect documents, forms, and information without the endless email chains. 

Features like military-grade encryption, automatic reminders, and secure branded portals help ensure data stays protected at every stage of the collection process. According to our client survey, businesses using Content Snare spend 71% less time gathering information, reduce stalled projects by 67%, and see a 77% reduction in data collection costs. Recognized on G2, Capterra, the Xero App Store, and featured by GoDaddy, WP Engine, and Smart Company, Content Snare continues to lead in simplifying and securing client-facing workflows.