ISO 27001: Is It Only for IT Companies?

ISO 27001 is often associated with IT departments, software companies, and technical environments. As a result, many organisations assume the standard is not relevant to them, particularly if they do not see themselves as “technology-led” or believe they hold very little sensitive data. In reality, ISO 27001 is not an IT standard. It is an information security management standard, and information exists in every organisation, regardless of sector or size.

Information Security Is a Business Issue, Not an IT Issue

ISO 27001 focuses on protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, whether that information is digital, paper-based, or held in people’s knowledge. This includes:

• customer and supplier details

• contracts and financial records

• employee information

• commercially sensitive documents

• emails, reports, and operational data

Many of the most significant information risks organisations face are not technical at all. They relate to access control, poor processes, lack of awareness, or unclear responsibilities, all of which are management issues rather than IT problems.

Why Non-IT Organisations Are Increasingly Affected

Organisations that rely on third-party systems, cloud services, or external IT providers often assume information security is “someone else’s responsibility”. However, responsibility for protecting information ultimately sits with the organisation that owns it. ISO 27001 helps organisations:

• understand what information they hold

• assess the risks to that information

• put proportionate controls in place

• demonstrate due diligence to customers and regulators

This is particularly relevant where organisations handle personal data, commercially sensitive information, or operate within regulated supply chains.

ISO 27001 Is Flexible by Design

One of the most common misconceptions is that ISO 27001 requires complex technical controls. In reality, the standard is risk-based and scalable. Controls are selected based on:

• the type of information held

• how it is used and stored

• the risks faced by the organisation

For some businesses, this may involve technical safeguards. For others, it may focus more heavily on policies, procedures, access controls, training, and supplier management. The standard allows organisations to apply controls that are appropriate to their context, not a fixed checklist.

Beyond Cyber Security

While cyber threats are an important consideration, ISO 27001 goes much further. It addresses:

• physical security

• people-related risks

• business continuity and resilience

• incident management

• governance and accountability

This broader scope helps organisations manage information security in a structured, consistent way rather than reacting to incidents as they arise.

Integrating ISO 27001 with Other Standards

ISO 27001 integrates well with other management system standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 22301. Shared elements like leadership, risk management, internal audits, and continual improvement can be managed through a single system, reducing duplication and administrative burden. For organisations already operating an ISO-based management system, implementing ISO 27001 is often a logical extension rather than a separate initiative.

So, Who Is ISO 27001 Really For?

ISO 27001 is relevant to any organisation that values the information it holds, which includes most

modern businesses. Whether you operate in professional services, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, education, or the voluntary sector, information security is a key part of operational resilience and trust. The standard is not about becoming an IT expert. It is about managing information responsibly and demonstrating that it is protected in a structured, auditable way.

Final Thoughts

ISO 27001 is often misunderstood as a technical or IT-only standard. In practice, it is a management framework that helps organisations understand their information risks and put sensible controls in place.

For many businesses, the biggest challenge is not technology but recognising that information security is already part of how they operate. ISO 27001 simply provides the structure to manage it well.