What is ISO 27001:2022?

The International Standard for Information Security

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the internationally recognised standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive information so that it remains secure.

The standard applies to organisations of all sizes and industries. It is particularly relevant for Australian organisations handling sensitive client data, operating in regulated sectors (finance, health, government), or seeking to demonstrate trustworthiness to customers and partners.

Why ISO 27001 Matters

Information security threats are growing in both frequency and sophistication. Data breaches, ransomware, and supply chain attacks can cause severe financial, reputational, and legal damage. ISO 27001 provides a proven framework for managing these risks proactively rather than reactively.

• Risk-based approach — identify, assess, and treat information security risks specific to your organisation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all checklist.
• Legal and regulatory alignment — supports compliance with the Australian Privacy Act, Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, APRA CPS 234, and Essential Eight.
• Customer confidence — certification signals to clients and partners that you take information security seriously.
• Competitive advantage — many tenders and procurement processes require or prefer ISO 27001 certification, especially in government and enterprise.

Benefits of Certification

• Reduced risk of data breaches and security incidents through systematic controls.
• Improved operational efficiency by standardising security processes and eliminating ad-hoc practices.
• Enhanced reputation and trust with customers, partners, and regulators.
• Lower insurance premiums — many cyber insurance providers offer better terms for certified organisations.
• A culture of continuous improvement that adapts to emerging threats and business changes.

What Changed in the 2022 Revision

ISO 27001:2022 replaced the previous 2013 edition. While the core management system clauses (4-10) remained largely the same, the most significant changes were to Annex A:

• Restructured controls — the 114 controls across 14 categories were consolidated into 93 controls across 4 categories: Organisational (37), People (8), Physical (14), and Technological (34).
• 11 new controls added to address modern threats, including threat intelligence (5.7), cloud security (5.23), ICT readiness for business continuity (5.30), and data masking (8.11).
• Control attributes — each control can now be tagged with attributes such as control type, security property, cybersecurity concept, operational capability, and security domain.
• Transition deadline — organisations certified to ISO 27001:2013 had until 31 October 2025 to transition to the 2022 edition.

How Standardise Helps

Standardise is built from the ground up around ISO 27001:2022. The platform maps directly to the standard's clauses and Annex A controls, giving you purpose-built modules for every aspect of your ISMS — from risk assessment and the Statement of Applicability through to internal audits, incident management, and evidence collection. Instead of managing your ISMS in spreadsheets and shared drives, Standardise provides a single source of truth with built-in workflows, audit trails, and Australian compliance overlays.