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Is Azure compliant with ISO 27001?

These days, remaining compliant with all the various legislations, procedures, protocols and requirements can seem like a job within itself. Balancing remaining profitable and maintaining productivity levels alongside ensuring all practices are up to code can be difficult.

That’s why using world-leading products like the Microsoft suite is the only way to ensuring the best possible process for your business. As the world’s leading provider of both operating systems (Windows) and productivity software (Microsoft 365 and Office 365), Microsoft provides the software backbone of the majority of global businesses.

So, how can you use Azure at your business to improve processes, automate workflows and store data in the cloud? And if you do migrate to Azure (or already have the cloud computing platform on board at your organisation), can you be sure it’s compliant with ISO 27001?

We’ve put together a guide to understanding the ISO implications of using Microsoft Azure, to walk you through everything you need to know about network security, security management and more.

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What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that dictates how information security should be managed in business. It is respected worldwide as the best practice method for information security management. In a nutshell, ISO 27001 is a list of protocols, processes and guidelines for the best ways to protect your organisation’s data as part of the Information Security Management System (ISMS).

ISO 27001 is set in place by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 27001 essentially functions as a checklist against compliance for businesses, rather than providing any specific, actionable steps.

ISO 27001 was initially published in 2015, and has been updated several times since. Part of the goal of ISO 27001 certification compliance is to assess your company’s risk management – both in terms of strengths and weaknesses regarding information security and cyber security.

What are the ISO 27001 guidelines?

The following guidelines can be found within ISO 27001:

Leadership
Understanding how company stakeholders and members of leadership teams will be required to adopt Information Security Management System policies.

Planning
Tools on how to create a plan for information security decision making, including corporate risk assessment.

Operations
The actual processes and steps that should be taken into consideration during the operation of the Information Security Management System, and how documents should be handled according to the standard.

Support
Confirming stakeholders for each stage of the Information Security Management System set up and adoption, and assigning roles and responsibilities within a key team.

Evaluation
Detail on the ways to assess the performance of the Information Security Management System, and measurements for success

Updates and improvements
How and when the Information Security Management System can be updated and developed. This section explains that systems should be frequently and continually updated and reviewed.

At the outset of the ISO 27001 process, you’ll also go through terms and definitions to understand any particular terminology involved in the audit process. Additionally, the standard lays out details on the organisation’s context, outlining which stakeholders and teams need to be involved in the Information Security Management System.

Who needs ISO 27001 guidelines?

ISO 27001 is useful for any organisation or group that wishes to improve and shore up information security management and processes. For businesses in the Information Technology, data management and similar sectors, this type of certification or standard may be an essential industry regulatory requirement.

An essential part of the procurement and compliance process for both public sector bodies and larger enterprises is ensuring that any software and services that they use meet any specific ISO requirements (or similar) that they are subject to. The question of “is Azure compliant with ISO 27001?” is hugely important to businesses when selecting a vendor for cloud services, and can also be crucial for potential clients when assessing partners or IT companies.

Why comply with ISO 27001 certification guidelines?

First and foremost, ISO 27001 provides a clear set of processes required to improve information security management, which is vital for any modern business operating in the digital sphere. Full compliance with the international standard means your organisation is operating at best practice level for cyber security and information security management, which is key to industry compliance, customer trust and business data security.

Certain industries and areas around the world require businesses in particular sectors or industries to comply with ISO 27001. So, if you fail to comply, you could be barred from trading in particular areas.

ISO 27001 compliancy can also help your business become future proof, up to date and adaptable. The pace of change in larger businesses can be slower, due to regulatory burdens including compliance with international standard practices. The availability of certification of compliance with ISO 27001 and ISO 27018 for Azure is useful in allowing businesses to manage their IT strategy and cloud migration. This, in turn, can enable the faster adoption of technologies, leading to improved service and efficiency.

To learn more about our ISO 27001 audits and to discuss whether your organisation is compliant with the international standard, get in touch with our team

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What is Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform by Microsoft. The online portal allows users to access, manage and adapt cloud services in a variety of ways.
Azure manages information using SQL servers, which is a system designed by Microsoft to support business intelligence, operations management and other commercial processes. To manage user login and accounts, Azure utilises the Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) system, which provides authenticated sign in access and more.

At Valto, we offer a range of Azure services to get your cloud computing system up and running in the best way possible. Some of the services we offer:

Azure Migration
The hassle-free way to get started with Microsoft’s leading cloud computing platform

Azure Consultants
Our expert team is on hand to give you the A to Z of everything Azure

Azure Disaster Recovery
Be protected in case of emergency, and make sure your data is backed up

Azure IT Support Plans
Flexible on demand and long term support plans for your business

What is the cloud, and do I need it?

Put simply, ‘the cloud’ refers to online storage. Files are managed and stored over the internet, rather than being controlled on premises (for example on your physical computer’s hard drive). In storing data on the cloud, you free up local storage and unlock portable network management. With a cloud service, you can manage, edit, share and control your files from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it a key component of any digital first business harnessing the power of online networks (via remote working, for example).

Cloud computing and cloud service management is a top priority for businesses over the world, and is a simply vital element to any modern business. According to the Flexera 2021 State of the Cloud Report, optimising cloud use is a top priority for businesses, and 92% of companies surveyed said they had a multi-cloud strategy (82% reported a hybrid cloud strategy).

Within Azure, users can control scalable services such as Azure Cache for Redis (which uses in-memory cache to allow the development of cloud or cloud hybrid systems, and fast data retrieval). Using cloud storage can speed up network speeds and free up on premises file space, but can also streamline storage systems and create a scalable solution for business data management.

Harnessing the storage and management capability of the cloud is essential, but using it in the wrong way can lead to overspend, data loss, reduced productivity and costly downtime. Optimising the cloud for business puts you in a great position to reach more customers, manage data more smartly, shore up data security and ultimately improve your position in the digital marketplace.

Sound good? Let Valto’s Azure specialists help you create a custom cloud management system

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What are the benefits of Azure for business?

Whether you’re migrating to Azure or already have the cloud platform (and aren’t using it to its full potential), there are countless ways it can help.

Hassle-free compliance and security

With Azure’s integrated cloud resources, top level security management and key vault services that adhere to many international standards, maintaining professional regulatory compliance is simple.

Easy app management

Much like Microsoft’s PowerApps platform, businesses can use the Azure infrastructure to create, deploy and manage apps without having to invest heavily in other extra hardware or technology.

Full integration with the Microsoft suite

For organisations already harnessing the power of other Microsoft applications – from Teams to Microsoft 365 – Azure is a seamless component that enhances capability, no matter what your industry is.

Scalable cloud solution

Azure works for businesses of all sizes – from start ups to multinational corporations. Tools like Azure Virtual Machines (VMS) mean you can size up or size down according to the number of storage accounts you need.

Ask a Valto expert for a quick chat to learn the ins and outs of Azure data management and ISO compliance

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Is Azure Compliant with ISO 27001?

Yes, Microsoft Azure is compliant with international standards including ISO 27001. Azure – and Microsoft – are leading names in the world of technology, business and computing, and adhering to these security controls and requirements is a key part of being a global benchmark software.

Because Azure is compliant with ISO 27001 regulations, businesses who use the software can use this certification to support their own assessments. Azure users can download and view reports and certificates to help support any other industry or regulatory requirements. The Azure DevOps ISO/IEC 27001 documents and certificates is found on the Azure Service Trust Portal, in the Audit Reports section.

In addition to being compliant with 27001, Microsoft also gives users access to Azure Blueprints. This service helps you and your team to update your own cloud environment using tools like Azure Resource manager and more to create continual policies. There is a specific Azure Blueprint for ISO 27001; when assigned, this service can provide assessment on assigned compliance regulations.

So, using Azure not only provides the benefits of integrated cloud computing and advanced intelligence management – the platform can also help your organisation maintain and acquire your own regulatory compliance.

A range of other Microsoft tools are also compliant with ISO/IEC 27001. These include:

Azure DevOps
Dynamics 365
PowerApps
Power Automate (previously known as Microsoft Flow)
Power BI

For businesses already using elements of the Microsoft suite, migrating to Azure is well worth it for cloud storage functionality and information management capability. At Valto, we’re specialists in all things Microsoft, so we can advise on the best tools, software applications and programs for your business.

How to audit ISO 27001 compliance with Azure and beyond

For the most part, businesses work with approved Microsoft Partners and Technology Specialists like Valto rather than Microsoft themselves to audit and manage ISO 27001 compliancy.

There are several benefits to this, including proximity and locality. Using a UK-based Microsoft Partner like Valto gives you access to local experts who can provide specific and tailored guidance for your business. For example, our Valto Azure specialists can work with you on a service that recognises the specific needs of your organisation – considering personnel, size, resource, industry, location, goals, etc. Trying to comply to a one size fits all, more global approach, can lead to gaps and failures in adoption, which can be potentially extremely costly when it comes to data security.

However, so you can rest assured that your compliance processes and network security is fitting for the Microsoft suite, we can provide some official help. To facilitate the compliance process, Microsoft offers the Service Trust Initiative. Under the Service Trust Initiative scheme, all software for business is assessed by independent third party auditors. These professionals will review software to ensure that it meets both ISO 27001 and ISO 27018 standards for information security.

Since the adoption of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the UK in 2018, adherence to the standards laid out in the two ISO certifications (ISO 27001 ad additionally ISO 27018) has become increasingly important.

Ensuring compliance with ISO standards is important – and increasingly with the introduction of the GDPR and a more pronounced focus and scrutiny on data management and security controls, businesses will need to be ever more vigilant about how and where their information is stored. Properly configured and managed, Azure is compliant with ISO 27001.

To book an assessment of your current implementation, or to speak to one of our experienced Azure Consultants about how the platform can be tailored to your- business, please contact Valto today and we’ll be happy to help.

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