# ISMS: People, processes and technology are crucial

> This SwissGRC article explains what an information security management system (ISMS) is, which benefits it offers and why emerging technologies make security risks more complex. It addresses security professionals and business leaders.

- URL: https://swissgrc.com/ar/isms-people-processes-and-technology-are-crucial/
- الناشر: SwissGRC®
- تاريخ النشر: 2022-09-14
- آخر تحديث: 2026-08-20

## معلومات أساسية

- An information security management system (ISMS) is the implementation of processes and policies to define, manage, control, maintain and continuously improve information security.
- An ISMS aims to minimize risk, ensure business continuity and proactively limit the impact of security breaches.
- An ISMS protects all types of information, including digital and paper based data, intellectual property, trade secrets, data on devices and in the cloud, and personal information.
- According to the RIMS Executive Report, only 27% of surveyed companies consider emerging risks in their risk assessments and only 34% consider them when determining business strategy.
- Cloud computing, IoT, blockchain, RPA, machine learning and AI are named as emerging technologies, and Ransomware-as-a-Service is named as a new form of attack.
- Organizations often face hurdles in implementing an ISMS, such as applying security controls to outdated systems and unsupported platforms.

The implementation of processes and policies within an organization to permanently define, manage, control, maintain and continuously improve information security is known as an information security management system (ISMS). In today’s world, the interaction of individuals, processes and technology is essential to the implementation of risk management in any company. Risk management is an continuous process of identifying information security risks and creating plans to mitigate those risks. While the ISMS aims to build a comprehensive information security management capability, the digital transformation of organizations requires constant improvement and evolution of security policies and controls. The ISMS aims to minimize risk and ensure business continuity while proactively limiting the impact of security breaches. The purpose of the ISMS is also to integrate IT with enterprise security and enable effective information security management for various business activities. However, best practices are not always the easiest and organizations often face significant hurdles in implementing an ISMS, such as implementing security controls for outdated systems and unsupported platforms. Organizations in highly regulated Industries such as healthcare or finance may require a broader range of security measures and risk mitigation techniques.

### KEY BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING AN ISMS

- Due to an ISMS's risk assessment and analysis approach, organizations can save on costs spent on indiscriminately adding layers of defensive technologies that may not work.
- An ISMS helps protect all types of information, including digital and paper-based data, intellectual property, trade secrets, data on devices and in the cloud, hard copies and all personal information.
- By constantly adapting to changes both in the environment and within the organization, an ISMS reduces the threat of ever-evolving risks.
- An ISMS protects your entire organization from technology-related risks and other, more general threats, such as poorly informed employees or ineffective processes.

### EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND ISMS: INFORMATION SECURITY VULNERABILITIES ARISE FROM INCREASINGLY COMPLEX INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The recently released RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.) Executive Report provides insight and guidance on integrating emerging risks into the risk management program. Incorporating so-called “emerging risks” is necessary to avoid future threats. Strikingly, only 27% of companies surveyed in the report consider the impact of emerging risks in their risk assessments. Only 34% consider emerging risks when determining their business strategy. Cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are just a few of the emerging technologies that are changing the way people live and work today. New forms of attack, such as Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), are also evolving in response to technological advances. Enterprises are moving away from on-premise IT infrastructures and toward cloud-based technologies and shared service providers, automating and networking manufacturing lines via the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and adopting next-generation digital identification systems. Security professionals and business leaders face numerous opportunities and difficulties arising from today’s digital technologies and systems.

Information security vulnerabilities are becoming more complex as the world becomes increasingly technologically interconnected. With the expected widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and increasing reliance on operational technologies, security approaches must be developed. Adoption of new technologies is a way forward and emerging technologies must be leveraged to benefit enterprises. Organizations must not remain static in order to stay secure, but it is critical for anyone handling sensitive data to verify that existing security mechanisms are adequate for the risks posed by evolving technologies. Anyone working with sensitive data or evolving technologies, not just IT professionals, needs to be aware of the risks and how to manage them. In today’s increasingly complex technological ecosystem, security professionals need to increase their situational and technology awareness and work closely with business leaders to actively consider how to minimize these evolving threats.

## الأسئلة الشائعة

### What is an information security management system (ISMS)?

An ISMS is the implementation of processes and policies within an organization to define, manage, control, maintain and continuously improve information security. It combines people, processes and technology.

### What are the benefits of an ISMS?

An ISMS helps organizations save on costs for indiscriminately added defensive technologies, protects digital and paper based information, and adapts to changing risks. It also protects against technology related risks and general threats such as poorly informed employees or ineffective processes.

### What challenges arise when implementing an ISMS?

Organizations often face hurdles such as implementing security controls for outdated systems and unsupported platforms. Organizations in highly regulated industries such as healthcare or finance may need a broader range of security measures and risk mitigation techniques.

### Why do emerging technologies matter for information security?

Information security vulnerabilities become more complex as the world becomes more interconnected. Technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, AI and blockchain change how people work, and new attack forms such as Ransomware-as-a-Service evolve in response.

### How many companies consider emerging risks in risk management?

The RIMS Executive Report states that only 27% of surveyed companies consider emerging risks in their risk assessments. Only 34% consider them when determining their business strategy.