1. Establish the context of the organization and its environment.
This step involves understanding the organization's business, its products, and services, as well as its customers and suppliers. The organization must also identify its legal and compliance requirements, as well as any other relevant factors such as its industry sector and geographical location.
2. Define the scope of the ISMS.
The scope of the ISMS should be defined in terms of the types of data and systems that will be covered, as well as the organizational units responsible for managing information security.
3. Assess risks and opportunities.
The organization must identify and assess the risks and opportunities associated with information security. This includes identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, as well as considering the impacts of a breach or other incident.
4. Plan and establish an information security policy.
The information security policy should define the organization's approach to information security, including how it will manage risks and protect information assets. The policy should be aligned with the organization's overall business objectives and compliance requirements.
5. Implement controls to address risks and opportunities.
The controls implemented in response to risk and opportunity assessment should be selected based on their effectiveness in mitigating risk. They should also be compatible with other business processes and IT systems in use within the organization.
6. Manage information security incidents.
Incidents must be managed in a consistent and timely manner to minimize damage to the organization's data or systems. This includes defining procedures for reporting incidents, investigating them, and taking corrective action.
7. Monitor, review, and improve the ISMS.
This final step involves ongoing monitoring and improvement of the ISMS to ensure that it remains effective in meeting the organization's needs. Measures such as reviews of policies and controls, audits, and risk assessments should be carried out on a regular basis."