WHAT IS INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FRAMEWORK?

Information Security Management System (ISMS) Framework 

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) Framework is a structured approach for managing sensitive company information so that it remains secure. It includes policies, procedures, processes, and controls designed to protect information assets against threats and vulnerabilities—ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability(CIA) of data. It basically includes Policies and Procedures, Personal Security, Logistics, Physical security, Asset Management, Monitoring, Information system, Network Security, Vulnerability Management, Cloud Security, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

General Key Components of an ISMS Framework

  • Risk Management

    • Identify information security risks.

    • Assess their impact and likelihood.

    • Apply appropriate risk treatment (avoid, mitigate, transfer, or accept)

  • Security Policies and Procedures

    • Establish rules and guidelines for securing information (e.g., password policies, access control).

    • Define roles and responsibilities.

  • Asset Management

    • Maintain an inventory of information assets.

    • Classify and manage them based on sensitivity.

  • Access Control

    • Ensure only authorized individuals have access to systems and data.

  • Incident Management

    • Detect, report, and respond to security incidents and breaches.

  • Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

    • Prepare plans to continue operations and recover from security disruptions.

  • Monitoring and Auditing

    • Regularly evaluate security controls through internal audits, monitoring tools, and compliance checks.

  • Training and Awareness

    • Educate employees on security risks and responsibilities.

  • Continuous Improvement

    • Use feedback and audit results to update and improve the ISMS

Common ISMS Framework Standards

  • ISO/IEC 27001 (most widely recognized)

    • International standard that specifies requirements for an ISMS.

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

    • U.S.-based framework useful for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding to, and recovering from threats.

  • COBIT

    • Focuses on governance and management of enterprise IT.

  • Trusted Partner Network (TPN)

    • A global, industry-wide media and entertainment content security initiative and community network, wholly owned by the Motion Picture Association, building a more secure future for content partners.

  • CIS Controls

    • A set of prioritized cybersecurity best practices.

Why Is an ISMS Framework Important?

  • Ensures compliance with regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, TPN).

  • Reduces the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.

  • Build an optimized workflow for daily operations and tasks for higher efficiency.

  • Builds trust with customers, vendors, partners, and stakeholders.

  • Provides a systematic, role-based, and priority-driven approach for continuous security improvement.