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Understanding the Origins of ISO 27001
The Early Foundations of Information Security Standards
In the early 1990s, organisations began relying heavily on digital information.
Security risks grew rapidly, but there were no globally accepted guidelines for protecting sensitive data.
Governments, security experts, and industry leaders recognised the need for consistent, structured information security practices.
This led the UK to develop one of the earliest formalised approaches to information security, which would eventually inspire the first version of ISO 27001.
How ISO Began and the Development of Global Standardization
Standardisation was becoming essential as global trade expanded.
Companies needed shared definitions, shared expectations, and shared quality benchmarks.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) had already become a global authority in standard development, publishing standards that unified engineering, manufacturing, and management practices across countries.
When digital information risks began rising, ISO’s expertise naturally extended into security frameworks.
To understand how ISO applies these principles to security today, Hicomply’s ISO 27001 requirements guide offers a modern reference point.
The Transition From BS 7799 to the First ISO 27001 Standard
The UK’s British Standards Institution (BSI) published BS 7799 in 1995, consisting of two parts:
- BS 7799-1: a Code of Practice for information security
- BS 7799-2: a specification for implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS)
As its relevance grew, ISO adopted BS 7799-1 in 2000 as ISO 17799, marking the first major step toward globalisation.
By 2005, ISO incorporated BS 7799-2 into the very first international version of ISO 27001, formally launching ISO/IEC 27001:2005.
This became the foundation for today’s ISMS frameworks used by thousands of organisations worldwide.
Who Created ISO 27001 and Why It Was Developed
The Role of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
ISO coordinated the global effort to create a universal security management standard.
Its mission was to build a framework that any organisation could follow to protect information systematically, regardless of size, industry, or location.
ISO served as the governance body that ensured the standard was technically rigorous, internationally recognised, and based on real-world best practices.
Contributions of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Because information security often overlaps with complex technology and electronics, the IEC played a significant role in shaping the technical components of the standard.
Together, ISO and IEC formed the joint technical committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, responsible for maintaining and evolving the 27000 family of standards.
Why the Global Community Needed a Unified Security Standard
Before ISO 27001, organisations relied on inconsistent or locally defined security frameworks.
This created confusion, inefficiency, and difficulty proving security maturity to customers or partners.
ISO 27001 provided a unified, internationally recognised structure that could be audited and certified, bringing global consistency to the management of information security.
Its widespread adoption is one reason companies today use ISO 27001 certification in procurement and sales cycles — a topic explored in Hicomply’s article on why enterprises prefer ISO 27001-certified vendors.
The Evolution of ISO 27001 Over Time
The 2005 Release: The First International Version of ISO 27001
ISO/IEC 27001:2005 established the first globally recognised blueprint for creating, operating, and improving an ISMS.
It introduced structured processes for risk assessment, control selection, and continuous improvement.
The 2005 version marked the moment information security moved from informal practices to rigorous, certifiable governance.
The 2013 Update: A New Risk-Based Approach
In 2013, ISO released a major update that reshaped the framework.
ISO 27001:2013 adopted the Annex SL management structure already used by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
This revision:
- Streamlined documentation
- Enhanced performance evaluation requirements
- Strengthened risk-based decision-making
- Introduced clearer expectations for leadership involvement
It reflected a maturing understanding of organisational security culture and aligned data protection with broader corporate governance.
The 2022 Update: Modernizing Controls for Today’s Threat Landscape
The 2022 update addressed the realities of modern cybersecurity.
Cloud adoption, remote work, ransomware, SaaS ecosystems, and evolving threat actors required updated controls and attributes.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 introduced:
- A reduced and reorganised control set (93 controls)
- New controls for cloud services, threat intelligence, and secure coding
- Updated terminology and structure
Hicomply’s breakdown of the Annex A controls gives a detailed view of how these controls now reflect modern security needs.
The History of ISO 27002 and How It Connects to ISO 27001
How ISO 27002 Evolved From BS 7799-1
ISO 27002, originally ISO 17799, began as the Code of Practice section of BS 7799-1.
It contained practical guidance for implementing controls to protect information.
Over time, it evolved to become the implementation companion to ISO 27001’s requirements.
Why ISO 27002 Serves as the Control Implementation Guide
ISO 27001 tells organisations what must be in place.
ISO 2702 explains how to implement the controls effectively.
Because of this, both standards work together: one defines the mandatory framework, and the other offers practical detail.
Major Updates in the 2022 Revision of ISO 27002
The 2022 revision aligned ISO 27002 with the reshaped Annex A controls.
It reorganised all controls into four themes — organisational, people, physical, technological — and added modern capabilities such as threat detection, cloud usage monitoring, and secure development.
How ISO Standards Were Born and Their Broader Historical Context
How ISO Got Started in 1947 and Its Founding Purpose
ISO was founded in 1947 to unify global industrial practices.
Its goal was to reduce friction in international trade by creating common standards for quality, safety, and compatibility.
Over time, ISO became a cornerstone of global standardisation across nearly every sector.
The Expansion of ISO Into Global Industry and Technology Standards
As industries advanced, ISO expanded into technology, engineering, environmental management, supply chain practices, and digital governance.
This evolution laid the foundation for specialised domains such as information security, privacy, and resilience.
Why Security Standards Became Necessary in the Digital Era
The digital revolution created complex risks that transcended national borders.
Data became a critical business asset, and global interconnectivity increased the potential for security failures.
ISO responded by building frameworks that helped organisations adopt internationally accepted security practices, ultimately leading to ISO 27001 and the entire 27000 family.
The Four Most Foundational ISO Standards That Shaped Today’s Frameworks
ISO 9001 — Quality Management Systems
ISO 9001 shaped the management structure that later influenced ISO 27001.
It introduced concepts like continuous improvement, performance measurement, and leadership accountability.
ISO 14001 — Environmental Management Systems
ISO 14001 expanded ISO’s management system philosophy into environmental governance, refining the structure that modern ISO standards now share.
ISO 27001 — Information Security Management Systems
ISO 27001 established a structured, certifiable approach to managing information security risks.
It became one of the world’s most widely adopted security standards.
For organisations adopting ISO 27001 today, tools like Hicomply’s ISO 27001 certification software streamline the entire process.
ISO 45001 — Occupational Health and Safety
ISO 45001 demonstrated how ISO applies its management model to human safety and operational resilience.
Its structure further reinforced the cross-compatibility of modern ISO standards.
How ISO 27001 Continues to Evolve and Influence Global Security
The Growing Adoption Across Industries Worldwide
Today, ISO 27001 is used by governments, financial institutions, tech companies, healthcare providers, and global enterprises.
Its growth reflects increasing demand for proven security governance and formalised risk management.
How Cloud Computing and AI Are Reshaping ISO 27001
Cloud ecosystems, automation, AI-driven threats, and decentralised workforces are influencing the future shape of ISO 27001.
Organisations must now account for digital supply chains, API security, identity management, and continuous monitoring.
Platform-based approaches like Hicomply’s ISMS dashboard illustrate this shift toward real-time security governance.
What Future Updates to ISO 27001 May Include
Future revisions may strengthen cloud control requirements, expand privacy integration, incorporate AI governance, and emphasise continuous security validation.
ISO standards evolve alongside technology, which means ISO 27001 will continue to adapt to new risks and global expectations.
