From customer to ISMS.online trusted partner

The Challenge

Ziptech Services wanted to create its new Information Security Management System (ISMS) and achieve ISO 27001 certification. They wanted to refine and improve internal processes in order to demonstrate the company’s commitment to delivering a world-class service.

When Ziptech’s Technical Director, Perry Bowles, came to us he’d already begun his ISO 27001 journey. Like many of our customers, he had a clear destination in mind but wasn’t sure how to get there quickly and efficiently.

He realised that he needed an all-in-one ISO 27001 solution that would help him and his team to understand the ISO 27001 standard and efficiently navigate the process of meeting its requirements to achieve certification.

“We started off using spreadsheets and it was a nightmare. With the ISMS.online solution, all the hard work was made easy. We couldn’t have done it this quickly without this solution.”

Perry Bowles Technical Director, Ziptech Services

The Solution

Our Assured Results Method breaks the ISO 27001 journey down into clearly defined sections. It gave Perry and his team a full overview of their journey to certification. And each section contains specific actions and explanations, guiding them every step of the way.

They drew on our pre-loaded content, which gave them a head start with 77% of the ISMS content already completed. It was immediately available to Adopt, Adapt or Add to as necessary which made meeting their unique information security needs a simple task.

Perry also chose to use our optional Virtual Coach. It complements our support teams by providing context-specific guidance, 24/7.

“As a complete novice to ISO 27001 it was really vital for me having the Virtual Coach module. Along with that, the pre-filled, suggested text to adopt or adapt (or completely rewrite if necessary) really helped with the understanding of the 27001 requirements and sped up the whole process.”

Perry Bowles Technical Director, Ziptech Services

Perry and his team also drew on the other bespoke tools and frameworks we’ve created to simplify the ISO 27001 journey. Our platform helped them map the information security risks they face and pick up any corrective actions and improvements.

“In general the way the various sections link together is very useful, compared to a bunch of separate spreadsheets and word documents. Also that there are tips to the approach and suggested wording that sits alongside the Virtual Coach module.”

Perry Bowles Technical Director, Ziptech Services

He added: “These together help form a cohesive 3D model for what initially seems like an abstract set of requirements.”

The Result

Ziptech worked through the UK’s 2020 Covid-19 lockdown to create and implement their ISMS. When they were ready for certification, they came to us for advice on the best external auditor. We helped them find the right one in time for their Stage 2 audit. The company achieved certification in March 2021 and then looked to use our platform to manage its GDPR compliance. Ziptech is also now an ISMS.online partner and can share our platform with its clients.

“The system not only helps put an ISMS together in the first place but also to maintain and improve it. Once completed, the various modules and areas all link together to give a holistic ISMS that’s simple to manage, including review reminders, to-dos, audit schedules, risk reviews, etc.”

Perry Bowles Technical Director, Ziptech Services

What’s Next?

Ziptech Services plans to build on its ISO 27001 certification by using our platform to achieve ISO 9001 and manage their GDPR compliance. As part of its GDPR project, Perry’s looking at creating an ISO 27701-compliant privacy information management system.

Our platform will simplify both projects by helping Perry draw on the ISO 27001 work he and his team have already done. And of course they’ll be sharing our platform with their own customers, helping them solve their information security, privacy and business continuity challenges too.

Perry said: “We can see the versatility of the system, not just for ISO 27001 but for 9001 (which we’ll likely do ourselves) and other certifications or management processes.”

“As an IT managed service provider we envisage utilising the ISMS.online system to help clients attain certifications or maintain regulations, like GDPR for example.”

Perry Bowles Technical Director, Ziptech Services

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