ISO 27001: How to ensure information security and reliability in the industry

ISO 27001 is the leading international standard for information security management. In an increasingly connected industrial environment — where IT and OT systems integrate through IoT — protecting data and ensuring operational continuity has become essential. ISO 27001 certification provides a solid framework to control risks, safeguard critical assets, and strengthen operational reliability.

More than a compliance requirement, ISO 27001 is a competitive advantage. It enables companies to prevent security incidents, reduce cyber vulnerabilities, and demonstrate to customers, partners, and regulatory bodies that their operations follow internationally recognized standards. This is especially relevant in sectors dealing with critical assets and large volumes of sensitive data.

In this article, we will detail the requirements and controls of ISO 27001, the changes introduced in the 2022 version and Amendment 1:2024, the certification process, and the practical benefits for the industry. We will also show how Dynamox solutions support compliance, ensuring traceability, reliability, and data security in increasingly digital industrial environments.

What is ISO 27001 and why is it important for the industry?

ISO 27001 is the international standard that defines the requirements for establishing, implementing, and continuously improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Its scope covers policies, processes, technical controls, and organizational measures to protect data against threats, such as unauthorized access, leaks, cyberattacks, and system downtime.

In the industrial context, ISO 27001 goes beyond IT. With digital transformation and IT/OT integration, data collected by IoT sensors, automation systems, and maintenance platforms become strategic assets. The standard ensures that this information remains reliable, accurate, and available whenever needed for decision-making.

Moreover, the direct link between information security and operational reliability is fundamental in sectors that depend on critical assets. A security breach in a monitoring system, for example, can compromise maintenance diagnostics, cause unplanned downtime, and even endanger personnel safety. Adopting ISO 27001 strengthens not only data protection but also the continuity of industrial operations.

What changed in ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and amendment 1:2024?

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 introduced significant updates to modernize the ISMS (Information Security Management System), reflecting new cybersecurity demands and digital integration. More recently, Amendment 1:2024 reinforced the need to consider climate impacts in risk analysis. Here are the key changes:

New Annex A controls

The 2022 update reduced the number of controls from 114 (2013 version) to 93, reorganizing them into a more streamlined structure and adding 11 new controls focused on emerging threats, including:

• Threat intelligence
• Activity monitoring
• Secure configuration for cloud services
• Safe use of remote environments and internet content filtering

These controls strengthen protection in a scenario marked by accelerated digitalization and IoT adoption in industrial plants.

Reorganized structure into four groups

While the 2013 version organized controls into 14 domains, the 2022 version simplified them into four main categories:

• Organizational: Policies, governance, and risk management
• People: Competence, responsibilities, and awareness
• Physical: Security of environments and infrastructure
• Technological: Technical controls applied to systems, networks, and applications

This change facilitates integration between IT and OT requirements, helping industries apply the standard in hybrid operational environments.

Climate-related changes in Amendment 1:2024

In February 2024, ISO published Amendment 1:2024, requiring organizations to consider climate change as a factor in the ISMS (Information Security Management System) context. The update modifies clauses 4.1 and 4.2, expanding risk analysis to include environmental risks that may affect information security and operational continuity.

This is particularly relevant for industries exposed to physical risks — such as floods, fires, or extreme heat — that could compromise data centers, network infrastructure, and monitoring devices.

Transition deadlines until 2025

Companies certified under the 2013 version had until October 31, 2025, to transition to the 2022 version. The deadline, set by accreditation and certification bodies worldwide, requires:

• Reviewing the ISMS scope
• Updating the Statement of Applicability (SoA)
• Adopting the new Annex A controls
• Aligning policies with 2022 requirements

See the table below for the main changes:

What are the main ISO 27001 requirements?

ISO 27001 defines the requirements for implementing an effective ISMS (Information Security Management System) capable of protecting critical data, reducing cyber risks, and ensuring operational continuity.

These requirements are structured in clauses 4 to 10 of the standard, guiding everything from scope definition to continuous improvement. In practice, these clauses form a governance cycle: Context and risks are understood (Clauses 4 and 6), Leadership sets direction (Clause 5), Resources and processes provide support (Clauses 7 and 8), Results are evaluated (Clause 9), Failures are addressed for continuous improvement (Clause 10).

This ensures not only documentary compliance but also a dynamic management model capable of responding to new threats, technological changes, and regulatory requirements — guaranteeing information security, operational continuity, and industrial reliability.

What is Annex A and how to apply security controls?

Annex A of ISO 27001 provides a catalog of 93 information security controls to protect against internal and external threats. It serves as a practical reference for ISMS implementation, allowing organizations to adopt controls aligned with their risk level and operational needs.

Annex A ensures consistency in applying information security and helps companies address risks related to confidentiality, integrity, and data availability, strengthening the continuity of critical processes.

Examples of application in industrial environments

In the context of IoT-connected industries, some Annex A controls become particularly relevant:

• Asset management: Creating inventories of sensors, gateways, and monitoring systems.
• Network security: Segmentation between production and corporate networks to prevent cross-attacks.
• Access control: Multi-factor authentication for technicians accessing critical asset data.
• Activity monitoring: Log analysis and real-time alerts to detect anomalies.
• Business continuity: Defining contingency plans in case of system failures or cyberattacks.

These examples show that Annex A must be adapted to the reality of each operation, ensuring industrial data security and greater asset reliability.

How does the SoA (Statement of Applicability) work and why is it essential?

The Statement of Applicability (SoA) is a mandatory document in ISO 27001 and plays a key role in information security management. It directly links risk assessment to the selected Annex A controls, ensuring transparency about the organization’s decisions.

The SoA must list all 93 controls in the standard, clearly indicating which were applied and which were excluded. For exclusions, the company must provide a technical justification, usually based on risk analysis, legal requirements, or organizational context.

For example, if the company does not operate its own data centers, it may justify excluding physical security controls for such facilities, provided responsibility is transferred to a cloud provider.

The importance of the SoA goes beyond certification. During audits, it serves as a reference document to verify whether declared controls were implemented and monitored. Moreover, it also plays a strategic governance role, enabling top management to track how risks were addressed, supporting IT/OT integration, and demonstrating compliance with regulations such as LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law).

In short, the SoA is more than a bureaucratic requirement. It ensures that control implementation is consistent, justified, and auditable, turning ISO 27001 into a management practice aligned with real business needs.

How to perform risk assessment according to ISO 27001?

Risk assessment is the core of ISO 27001 because it defines which security controls truly need to be applied. Unlike a generic checklist, it requires the organization to understand its assets, threats, and vulnerabilities, assign risk levels, and decide on appropriate treatment. This ensures efficient resource allocation and greater resilience against incidents.

Identification and classification of information assets

The process begins with creating an inventory of information assets. In industrial environments, this goes far beyond servers and databases, including:

Each asset must be classified according to confidentiality, integrity, and availability criteria. For example, an IoT sensor may not hold confidential data, but its unavailability could halt a critical process. A maintenance database, on the other hand, may be highly sensitive in terms of integrity, as incorrect changes could compromise reliability analysis.

Risk analysis criteria

After identifying assets, the next step is to assess risks based on three elements:

The classic formula applied in this process is as described above: Risk=Probability×Impact.

This model is widely accepted in risk management practices, including ISO 27001 and ISO 31000. Assessment methods may vary:

• Qualitative: Using scales (low, medium, high) for easier communication with managers.
• Quantitative: Using financial metrics (e.g., potential losses in dollars).
• Hybrid: Combining both approaches for balance between technical rigor and clarity.

For example, if the probability of a ransomware attack on a SCADA server is medium but the impact on production is high, the resulting risk should be treated as a priority.

Relationship between risk assessment, asset reliability, and operational continuity

In industrial environments, risk assessment must include the IoT layer and consider its direct impact on reliability indicators. Examples:

• A vulnerability in an IoT gateway could lead to loss of vibration data, compromising MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) calculations.
• A denial-of-service attack on a predictive maintenance system could delay diagnostics, increasing MTTR (Mean Time to Repair).

Similarly, lack of segmentation between corporate and production networks could allow a simple phishing attack to shut down an entire production line, affecting operational continuity.

Therefore, ISO 27001 risk assessment must be multi-layered: IT, OT, and interdependent physical assets. When properly executed, it ensures that Annex A controls not only protect data but also sustain asset reliability and industrial resilience.

How does the ISO 27001 certification process work?

ISO 27001 certification is granted by independent bodies and proves that the company has implemented an ISMS in accordance with the standard’s requirements. The process follows a structured audit cycle to ensure compliance is achieved and maintained over time.

Certification audit stages (Stage 1 and Stage 2)

The process is divided into two phases:

Stage 1 (Document review): The auditor checks whether the company has a formally established ISMS, reviewing documents such as security policies, asset inventory, risk analysis, and the Statement of Applicability (SoA). This stage confirms readiness for the full audit.

Stage 2 (Compliance audit): Conducted on-site, this audit evaluates the practical implementation of selected controls. It includes interviews, record checks, incident monitoring, and evidence analysis to confirm that the ISMS works in practice — not just on paper.

Annual surveillance audits and recertification every 3 years

Once certified, the company undergoes annual surveillance audits to verify that controls remain effective and continuous improvement is in place. Additionally, every three years, a full recertification audit is required to renew the certificate and ensure compliance with new risks and organizational changes.

Handling nonconformities and evidence

During audits, the certification body may identify nonconformities:

• Minor: Isolated issues without critical impact on the ISMS.
• Major: Gaps that significantly compromise information security.

For each case, the organization must present a corrective action plan, documenting deadlines and measures taken. In addition, actions must be supported by objective evidence, such as records of corrected incidents, system logs, or newly implemented procedures.

This process ensures that ISO 27001 certification goes beyond a formal seal, functioning as a continuous mechanism for auditing and improvement. In other words, it is essential for industries that rely on operational reliability and the security of critical data in integrated IT and OT environments.

How does ISO 27001 relate to other standards?

ISO 27001 does not operate in isolation. It is part of a broader ecosystem of standards and frameworks for information security, compliance, and cybersecurity. Understanding these connections is crucial for industries to integrate regulatory requirements, international best practices, and management tools into a unified and coherent system. Here’s how:

Differences between ISO 27001 and ISO 27002

Although often mentioned together, the two standards have distinct roles:

• ISO 27001: Defines mandatory requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It is the certifiable standard.
• ISO 27002: Serves as a best-practice guide, detailing how to implement the controls listed in Annex A of ISO 27001. It is not certifiable but provides technical support for practical application.

In practice, ISO 27001 answers “what needs to be done”, while ISO 27002 answers “how to do it”.

Relationship with NIST CSF and other cybersecurity standards

Another widely adopted framework is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF), which organizes cybersecurity into five functions:

1. Identify
2. Protect
3. Detect
4. Respond
5. Recover

While ISO 27001 focuses on risk management and compliance, NIST CSF is more oriented toward incident response and cyber resilience. Many companies use both frameworks complementarily — applying ISO 27001 as a governance foundation and NIST CSF as a practical guide for cybersecurity operations.

Other frameworks and standards often aligned with ISO 27001 include:

• COBIT: IT governance and strategic alignment with business objectives.
• IEC 62443: Focused on security for industrial automation systems (OT), especially relevant for IIoT environments.

ISO 27017, ISO 27018 and ISO 27701

For sectors with specific needs, ISO 27001 can be extended through complementary standards, such as:

• ISO 27017: Best practices for information security in cloud computing environments.
• ISO 27018: Focused on personal data protection in the cloud, aligned with regulations like LGPD and GDPR.
• ISO 27701: Expands ISO 27001 to include privacy management, helping organizations demonstrate compliance with data protection laws.

These extensions are particularly important for industries operating in hybrid IT/OT environments, where sensitive operational, maintenance, and reliability data must be protected throughout their lifecycle.

What are the practical benefits of ISO 27001 for maintenance and reliability?

ISO 27001 adoption goes beyond corporate-level information security. In industrial environments where IT and OT are increasingly integrated, certification has a direct impact on asset reliability, operational continuity, and maintenance efficiency.

Reducing cyber risks in industrial environments

Industrial systems connected via IoT are potential targets for cyberattacks. ISO 27001 establishes risk management practices, access controls, and continuous monitoring, reducing exposure to threats that could cause unplanned downtime, loss of monitoring data, or even physical damage to critical equipment.

Greater data traceability and governance

The standard requires all critical information to be classified, monitored, and traceable — from sensor data to maintenance reports. This ensures data integrity and reliability, essential for condition analysis, predictive diagnostics, and compliance audits. Traceability also supports failure investigations, enabling quick and accurate identification of incident causes.

Support for operational continuity and resilience

ISO 27001 links information security to business continuity management. For industry, this means contingency plans, data redundancy, and incident recovery become part of routine operations. As a result, technological failures or cyberattacks do not compromise asset availability, preserving critical indicators such as MTBF and OEE.

Conformidade com legislações como LGPD

Data protection is also a growing concern in industrial environments, especially in sectors involving suppliers, customers, and employees. ISO 27001 helps organizations comply with LGPD (General Data Protection Law) by incorporating controls for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as well as providing evidence of compliance during internal and external audits.

What challenges do industries face when implementing ISO 27001?

Implementing ISO 27001 in industrial environments requires more than documentary compliance. The process involves integration across different areas, cultural change, and investments in technology and people. The main challenges include:

Defining scope and IT–OT integration

One of the biggest obstacles is clearly defining which processes, systems, and assets will be part of the ISMS (Information Security Management System). In industrial plants, IT–OT integration adds complexity, involving everything from corporate servers to IoT sensors, SCADA systems, and PLCs. The challenge is to ensure that all IT–OT interface points are protected without compromising production continuity.

Information asset inventory in complex plants

The standard requires organizations to maintain an up-to-date inventory of information assets. In industrial environments, this includes not only IT equipment but also sensors, gateways, automation systems, and even maintenance records. Mapping and correctly classifying these assets is essential for applying effective controls, but it can be time-consuming and require integration of different systems.

Organizational culture and team training

Another challenge relates to people. ISO 27001 demands awareness and behavioral change at all organizational levels. Operators, maintenance technicians, and managers must understand the importance of information security and apply it daily. This requires continuous training programs and cultural alignment so that security is not seen as solely the responsibility of the IT department.

Initial cost and change management

Implementing the standard may involve significant investments in monitoring tools, access controls, backup systems, and redundancy. Additionally, change management must be carefully conducted to avoid internal resistance. However, the cost should not be viewed merely as an expense but as an investment in reliability, operational continuity, and reduced cyber risks — which could result in far greater losses in the event of an incident.

Como a Dynamox apoia a conformidade com a ISO 27001?

A conformidade com a ISO 27001 exige que dados críticos sejam tratados de forma segura, rastreável e confiável, desde a coleta até a análise e o armazenamento. Nesse cenário, o ecossistema Dynamox atua como aliado estratégico para indústrias que buscam fortalecer a segurança da informação sem perder eficiência operacional.

• IoT Sensors and DynaGateway: DynaLoggers continuously monitor condition variables. These data are transmitted via DynaGateway, which ensures secure, encrypted communication aligned with best practices for data protection.
• Dynamox Platform: The platform centralizes and organizes collected information into dashboards, reports, and configurable alerts, offering complete traceability. This supports audits and governance processes, as each recorded event can be linked to reliability indicators such as MTBF and MTTR.
• API Integration: Through secure APIs, the Dynamox Platform connects to other corporate systems, ensuring interoperability without compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
• Dynamox Certifications: To reinforce the reliability of its technology, Dynamox holds relevant market certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27018, and ISO 27017.

These achievements demonstrate that its processes, products, and services follow international standards of quality and security, strengthening customer trust in strategic sectors.

Discover Dynamox solutions and learn how to turn information security into a competitive advantage for maintenance and reliability in your industrial plant.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about ISO 27001

Are ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 the same?

No. ISO 27001 defines mandatory requirements for implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) and is certifiable. ISO 27002 serves as a best-practice guide, explaining how to apply the controls listed in Annex A of ISO 27001 in practice.

What is the SoA and its role in audits?

The Statement of Applicability (SoA) is a mandatory document that lists all Annex A controls, indicates which were adopted or excluded, and provides justification for each decision. It is one of the first pieces of evidence checked during audits, as it demonstrates consistency between identified risks and implemented controls.

What are the new controls in the 2022 version?

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 introduced 11 new controls in Annex A, distributed across four domains: organizational, people, physical, and technological. Examples include cloud security, data leakage prevention, and activity monitoring — reflecting new demands such as cloud computing, remote work, and protection against modern attacks.

What is the deadline for transitioning from the 2013 to the 2022 version?

Organizations certified under ISO 27001:2013 had until October 2025 to transition to ISO 27001:2022. Until that deadline, audits could occur under both versions, but after the cutoff date, only the 2022 version is valid.

How does the ISO 27001 audit cycle work?

The process begins with a two-stage certification audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2). After certification, the company undergoes annual surveillance audits to verify ISMS effectiveness. Additionally, every three years, a full recertification audit is conducted.