An ISMS defines rules, methods and processes to ensure and continuously improve the information security of your organisation. This can guarantee confidentiality, availability and integrity of your information for employees, customers, suppliers and partners. The goal is to protect the most important assets of your company.
An ISMS - for example according to ISO/IEC 27001 - usually consists of:
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a clear scope (e.g. the entire company, a (SaaS) product, specific processes, specific locations, business units, etc.),
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a defined governance structure (e.g. definition of key roles and responsibilities within an ISMS),
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an asset repository that provides an overview of everything of value to the organisation (e.g. business activities and processes, hardware, software, employees, physical documents, etc.),
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an information security policy that aligns the overarching ISMS strategy, business objectives and ISMS goals, and the organisation's commitment to information security,
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several topic-specific policies describing how to address aspects of information security in different contexts (e.g. employment, business continuity, incident management, etc.),
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a risk management process in which risks related to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of assets are identified and addressed as necessary,
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an audit programme to identify potential gaps in the ISMS,
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a KPI/management review to assess the effectiveness of the ISMS,
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a review of non-conformities and the identification of remedial actions to address any findings and close gaps.