ISO 27001 Controls: Securing Your Information Assets

When it comes to securing your business’s sensitive data, protecting your assets from data breaches, and maintaining compliance, ISO 27001 is the gold standard. It’s one of the most well-known and respected security frameworks globally. But let’s face it – the whole concept of controls, audits, and compliance can be enough to make your head spin. Understandably, you might be wondering: What exactly are ISO 27001 controls, and how do they apply to my business?

The good news is that I’m here to break it all down for you. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid grasp of ISO 27001 controls, how to implement them, and how they can benefit your SaaS business. You’ll be on your way to becoming an information security leader and leaving your competition in the dust.

Most importantly, I’ll show you how Scytale can make the whole process easier, so you’re never caught scrambling when your auditor comes knocking. Let’s dive in!

Understanding ISO 27001 Controls

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a step back and understand what ISO 27001 controls are all about. Simply put, they’re a set of best practices and guidelines that help protect your business’s information security. These controls are part of the ISO 27001 standard, which provides a framework for establishing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

ISO 27001 controls cover a wide range of areas, from risk assessment to access control, data protection, and incident management. They essentially act as the roadmap for securing your information assets, helping your business mitigate risks and ensure that sensitive data is handled securely.

The ISO 27001 controls list is quite extensive, but to make it manageable, they’re grouped into several categories. Some of the key areas include:

• Access Control: Ensuring only authorized individuals can access specific data and systems.
• Asset Management: Protecting your physical and digital assets by properly classifying and handling them.
• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential threats to your information and implementing controls to mitigate them.
• Incident Management: Developing procedures to detect, report, and respond to security incidents swiftly.

By implementing these controls, you’re taking proactive measures to protect your company’s sensitive information. Not just from malicious actors, but also from internal threats, human errors, and other unexpected risks.

💡Did you know?

“A cyberattack could force nearly one in five small or medium businesses to shut down” – Forbes, 2025.

In fact, according to a 2025 survey, a staggering 75% of small businesses reported experiencing at least one cyberattack in the past year. And the fallout is severe: 60% of these businesses close their doors within just six months after a data breach or cyberattack. This highlights the growing and critical threat facing SaaS startups and SMBs today.

What’s even more concerning? It’s not that these businesses are unaware of their vulnerabilities. In reality, 80% of them recognize the risks, and 60% admit they’re likely targets for cybercriminals. The real issue? A lack of investment in adequate security measures. And while the challenges of the past few years are understandable, the cost of neglecting information security can be fatal to your business.

That’s where ISO 27001 controls come in. By implementing these best practices, you can significantly reduce the chances of your business becoming part of these unsettling statistics, and keep your business secure and thriving.

Implementing ISO 27001 Controls

Okay, so we’ve covered what these controls are and why they matter. Now let’s talk about how to implement them in your business.

Implementing ISO 27001 controls might sound intimidating at first, but with the right approach, it’s absolutely manageable. The trick is to begin with a clear strategy and a solid ISO 27001 audit plan. 

Here’s how you can get started:

1. Understand the ISO 27001 Clauses and Controls

Start by getting familiar with the ISO 27001 standard, including the ISO 27001 Annex A controls list. A common question that often pops up is, “What is the number of controls in ISO 27001?” With the latest ISO 27001:2022 update, the well-known list of controls has been streamlined from 114 down to 93.

These controls are now grouped into four main categories, covering everything from organizational and people-related controls to physical and technological safeguards. This structure helps you tackle all aspects of information security.

2. Risk Assessment

A key part of ISO 27001 compliance is identifying and assessing the risks to your data and information systems. By performing a thorough ISO 27001 risk assessment and using automation tools, you can pinpoint the risks your business faces and then apply the appropriate ISO 27001 controls to minimize them.

3. Prioritize Key Controls

Not all 93 controls are relevant to every business, so it’s important to focus on those that apply most to your organization. This is where an ISO 27001 controls checklist can be really helpful, as it allows you to track which controls need to be implemented. It’s also worth noting that 11 new controls have been introduced in the latest update of the standard to address emerging threats. These include measures for securely adopting cloud services, managing cyberattack risks, and protecting against new vulnerabilities like cryptojacking.

4. Assign Responsibilities

Designate a team or individuals to be responsible for each control. This ensures that no control is overlooked and that everyone knows their role in maintaining the company’s security and compliance posture.

5. Continuous Monitoring and Regular Auditing

ISO 27001 controls aren’t a one-time implementation. They require continuous control monitoring and regular ISO 27001 internal audits to ensure they remain effective and stay up to date with new threats. Fortunately, this is where compliance automation becomes a lifesaver, streamlining key GRC processes and keeping you audit-ready 24/7.

With these steps, your business will be on the right path to achieving ISO 27001 compliance and securing your data for the long term.

Benefits of ISO 27001 Controls

You might be thinking, “Why should I bother with ISO 27001 controls?” Well, the benefits are pretty powerful, and trust me, it’s totally worth the effort.

Let’s dive into some of the key reasons why implementing ISO 27001 controls and achieving compliance with the gold standard for information security can be a major advantage for your SaaS business.

• Enhanced Data Security
  By implementing ISO 27001 controls, you significantly reduce the risk of data breaches, whether from external threats or internal mishaps. With strong data protection measures, your business can safeguard sensitive client information, financial data, and intellectual property.

• Regulatory Compliance
  ISO 27001 is globally recognized, and while it’s a voluntary framework, it plays a crucial role in helping businesses meet multiple regulatory compliance requirements, including GDPR, CCPA, PCI DSS, and HIPAA. Achieving ISO 27001 compliance sends a clear message to your customers and partners that your business is committed to security at the highest level.

• Business Reputation
  When you achieve ISO 27001 certification, you’re demonstrating a genuine commitment to securing your customers’ data, backed by independent experts who know the ins and outs of the ISO 27001 standard and its tough auditing process. This boosts long-term customer trust and strengthens your business reputation in the market. Plus, by showcasing your certification through a Trust Center, your key stakeholders will gain even more confidence in working with you.

• Operational Efficiency
  ISO 27001 focuses on establishing structured, well-documented processes. Once in place, these controls help streamline operations, reduce redundancies, and keep your business compliant and audit-ready throughout the year. Additionally, with security awareness training, you can foster a security-conscious culture, ensuring employees are aware of potential risks, know how to mitigate them, and understand their role in maintaining compliance.

• Competitive Advantage
  Adopting ISO 27001 controls gives your business an edge over competitors who don’t have the same security standards in place. It’s a powerful differentiator, especially in industries where data security is critical.

Simplifying ISO 27001 Controls and Compliance with Scytale

Whether you’re a fast-growing startup or an established enterprise, compliance can be a major headache — especially when you’re balancing multiple priorities. That’s where security compliance for SaaS businesses like yours comes in, helping you save time, cut costs, and boost efficiency across your entire organization.

As the leading AI-powered compliance automation platform, Scytale makes implementing and maintaining ISO 27001 and other security frameworks seamless. Scytale automates critical GRC processes, including evidence collection, risk assessments, user access reviews, vendor risk management, multi-framework cross-mapping, and continuous monitoring, saving you hours of manual work.

With dedicated GRC experts by your side, you’ll receive tailored guidance every step of the way, making ISO 27001 controls a breeze. Plus, Scytale’s unique AI GRC agent, Scy, takes the complexity out of tasks like policy creation, audit preparation, and security questionnaires.

Ready to take your security to the next level?

With Scytale, you can streamline your ISO 27001 controls, ensuring they’re efficient and effective, so you can focus on scaling your business while staying compliant with ISO 27001 – one of the most trusted frameworks in the industry.

FAQs about ISO 27001 Controls