ISO 9001 versus ISO 27001: A Detailed Comparison
If you are looking for more information on this topic, download our detailed guide today.
.jpg?ext=.jpg)
ISO 9001 or ISO 27001: The Right Certification for You
We often field questions from companies regarding which certification path they should follow. With increasing cybersecurity incidents, we are getting more questions about ISO 27001. However, the ISO 9001 is a reliable certification that gives companies an increased sense of reliability and credibility. Which path is the best if an organization is currently not ISO certified?
If your organization is ready to choose between ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 but is not sure which route is the best, there are some specific guidelines to consider that will help you make the best choice for your present and your future.
The Difference Between ISO 9001 and ISO 27001
Let us start with a fact that many companies may not be aware of, and that is that there are few differences overall between these two certifications. The main difference is that ISO 9001 is a standard for quality management. ISO 27001 is tied solely to ISMS, or information security management systems. That is the differentiator. Looking at ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 this difference is delineated in Annex A of ISO 27001. This section of the standard contains 14 controls and all of them deal with ISMS management and optimization. There is nothing comparable in ISO 9001. However, it is important to note that almost all of ISO 9001 can be found within the ISO 27001 standard. The two standards run parallel until the 27001 Annex A.Quality Management Versus ISMS Management: Which Comes First?
Given that both standards have their own clear objectives, the question now is a matter of what your organization wants to prioritize. At this juncture it is helpful to ask two questions:1. Do you have any international customers?
2. Do you have any customers who are mandating you become ISO 27001 certified?
If you answered “no” to these questions, the ISO 27001 is not currently a “must have.” It is of course beneficial, but it is not something your company needs right now. If you answered yes to one or both of those questions, you should pursue your ISO 27001 sooner rather than later.The Smithers Recommendation
Whether or not you need to prioritize an ISO 27001 certification, our recommendation is to begin with ISO 9001. There are several reasons for this suggestion:- As was mentioned above, ISO 9001 certification will also move you far along the road to ISO 27001 certification.
- Establishing strong management and communication skills as required by ISO 9001 will assist in complying with the additional controls of ISO 27001.
- ISO 9001 is a tremendous starting point for other ISO certifications in addition to ISO 27001, including the AS9100 for aerospace manufacturers and IATF 16949 for automotive manufacturers.
If your organization is planning on both certifications, Smithers auditors can assist in streamlining the process with continuous assessments, meaning you will not have to start from scratch when beginning to pursue the ISO 27001.If you would like to discuss your specific organization in more detail, schedule a meeting today with our cybersecurity experts.