What is ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023?
ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023 is the foundational part of the ISO/IEC 27035 series, providing principles and a general framework for managing information security incidents. In today’s digital environment, organizations face an ever-increasing range of cyber threats, from malware and phishing to insider threats and data breaches. This standard enables organizations to respond effectively to these incidents and strengthen their resilience.
Designed for organizations of all sizes and industries, ISO/IEC 27035-1 guides the development of a robust incident management process that aligns with overall information security risk management practices. It also supports compliance with broader frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management Systems), making it an integral part of a holistic cybersecurity approach.
To initiate ISO/IEC 27035-1 certification or implementation, contact support@pacificcert.com.
Scope and Applicability
The scope of ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023 encompasses the full lifecycle of information security incident management, including planning, detection, reporting, assessment, response, and lessons learned. It applies to any organization that uses information systems and stores, processes, or transmits data.
The standard is relevant for IT service providers, healthcare institutions, financial services, government bodies, telecom operators, and any organization that needs to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. ISO/IEC 27035-1 is designed to be scalable and adaptable, supporting both small teams and large security operations centers (SOCs).
Certification Process and Procedure
- Conduct an initial gap analysis to assess the maturity of your existing incident management capabilities.
- Define and approve an organizational policy for information security incident management.
- Assign roles and responsibilities for incident response, including internal and external coordination.
- Establish a process for identifying, logging, classifying, and prioritizing incidents.
- Develop and implement procedures for incident assessment, mitigation, communication, and recovery.
- Ensure documentation and analysis of incidents for learning and future prevention.
- Integrate the incident management process with the broader ISMS framework (if ISO/IEC 27001 is implemented).
- Undergo an external audit by an accredited certification body like Pacific Certifications.
Contact support@pacificcert.com to schedule your assessment!
Documentation Required
Organizations aiming for certification should maintain:
- An information security incident management policy
- Documented incident response procedures
- Roles and responsibilities matrix
- Communication protocols for internal and external reporting
- Logs and records of past incidents, responses, and post-incident reviews
- Incident classification and prioritization framework
- Integration records with risk assessment and business continuity processes
We assist with preparing all ISO/IEC 27035-1 documentation, contact support@pacificcert.com.
Eligibility Criteria
Any organization that processes, stores, or transmits information and faces potential cybersecurity risks is eligible for ISO/IEC 27035-1 certification. This includes public and private sector entities across all industries. Organizations must be able to demonstrate a commitment to managing incidents systematically and improving their incident response capabilities over time.
Certification Costs
The cost of ISO/IEC 27035-1 certification depends on:
- Organization size and structure
- Industry-specific risk exposure
- Existing maturity of incident response processes
- Integration with other standards like ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO 22301
Smaller businesses may expect certification costs in the range under $4,000. For larger enterprises or complex infrastructures, costs range under $15,000.
Request a customized quote, contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
Certification Timeline
- Initial Gap Analysis: 2–3 weeks
- Policy and Process Development: 3–4 weeks
- Training and Implementation: 2–4 weeks
- Internal Review and Final Certification: 2–3 weeks
Total timeline: approximately 8–12 weeks, depending on readiness and resource allocation.
Requirements of ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023
To conform to ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023, an organization must:
- Establish a formal policy and framework for incident management
- Identify potential incidents and define clear incident types
- Implement a structured approach for logging, analyzing, escalating, and resolving incidents
- Coordinate communication across departments and external parties
- Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Record and evaluate lessons learned from each incident
- Continuously improve the incident response plan
The standard also emphasizes alignment with the broader risk management and information security objectives of the organization.
Benefits of ISO/IEC 27035-1 Certification
- Enhanced ability to respond quickly and effectively to cyber threats
- Reduced business disruption and financial losses from incidents
- Improved incident detection and reporting mechanisms
- Increased stakeholder and regulatory confidence
- Better integration with overall ISMS and cybersecurity strategy
- Strengthened organizational resilience and threat intelligence capabilities
With cyberattacks on the rise, especially ransomware, phishing, and insider threats, a well-structured incident management process has become essential. Regulatory bodies such as GDPR, HIPAA, and local data protection laws now require timely incident reporting and accountability.
ISO/IEC 27035-1:2023 helps to meet these obligations while building trust with customers, partners, and auditors. It is especially critical in industries where data breaches can lead to reputational damage and legal consequences. Adoption of ISO/IEC 27035-1 is growing globally, as organizations strive to move from reactive to proactive cybersecurity postures.
How Pacific Certifications Can Help
We at Pacific Certifications provide expert support for organizations at every step of the ISO/IEC 27035-1 implementation and certification process. With deep knowledge in ISO/IEC standards and incident response best practices, we ensure your systems are audit-ready and effective.
Our services include:
- Initial gap analysis and readiness assessment
- Incident response policy and process development
- Staff training on detection and escalation protocols
- Documentation and evidence collection support
- Final certification audits and continual improvement monitoring
Let’s strengthen your incident response framework, contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ISO/IEC 27035-1 required by law?
No, but it supports compliance with laws that require incident reporting and response (e.g., GDPR).
Can it be implemented without ISO/IEC 27001?
Yes, although it is more effective when integrated with a broader ISMS.
What types of incidents does the standard cover?
Everything from malware, data breaches, and phishing, to insider threats and denial-of-service attacks.
How often should incident response plans be reviewed?
Regularly, and especially after significant incidents or system changes.
Who should be involved in implementing ISO/IEC 27035-1?
IT security, risk management, compliance teams, and executive leadership.
Ready to get ISO 27035 certified?
Contact Pacific Certifications to begin your certification journey today!
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