Your security and compliance glossary

All the terms you need to know when you’re trying to get compliance audit ready, fast.

Show filters

What is the ISO 27001 security standard?

The ISO/IEC 27001 standard provides requirements for information security management systems (ISMS). Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the ISO 27001 security standard is a set of best practices that support organizations in managing their information security by addressing people, processes, and technology. The standard applies to organizations of any size or type and is technology- and vendor-neutral.

‍The ISO/IEC 27001 standard engages a risk-based approach to information security, requiring organizations to identify information security risks pertinent to their organization and the space in which they operate, and to select the appropriate controls to address those risks.

‍ISO 27001 comprises 114 controls divided into 14 categories. There is no requirement to implement the full list of ISO 27001’s controls; rather, they are possibilities for an organization to consider based on its particular needs. The 14 categories are:

  • Information security policies
  • Organization of information security and assignment of responsibility
  • Human resource security
  • Information asset management
  • Employee access control
  • Encryption and management of sensitive information
  • Physical and environmental security
  • Operations security
  • Communications security
  • System acquisition, development, and maintenance
  • Supplier relationships
  • Information security incident management
  • Information security aspects of business continuity management
  • Compliance

‍ISO 27001 is a world-class standard that can support an organization in proving its security practices to potential customers. The full standard provides a wide range of controls an organization can utilize to ensure its approach to information security is comprehensive.

{{cta_withimage2="/cta-modules"}}

Additional resources you might like:

Compliance
Events
Auditor basics: A 30 minute guide for startups

In this exclusive live event, we'll cover what audits are, and why continuous compliance separates smooth audits from painful ones.

Product updates
Events
Vanta Delivers: Live from New York

Join us to see new product capabilities and live demos, and learn how Vanta is delivering a unified risk experience for GRC teams.

Vendor Risk Management
Events
AI broke your Third Party Risk Management program. Now what?

In this webinar, we'll show you exactly where traditional TPRM breaks down in an AI-first world, and how one team rebuilt their program to actually keep up.

Additional resources you might like:

Compliance
Events
Auditor basics: A 30 minute guide for startups

In this exclusive live event, we'll cover what audits are, and why continuous compliance separates smooth audits from painful ones.

Product updates
Events
Vanta Delivers: Live from New York

Join us to see new product capabilities and live demos, and learn how Vanta is delivering a unified risk experience for GRC teams.

Vendor Risk Management
Events
AI broke your Third Party Risk Management program. Now what?

In this webinar, we'll show you exactly where traditional TPRM breaks down in an AI-first world, and how one team rebuilt their program to actually keep up.

Compliance
Events
Learn how to automate compliance for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and more

Register to learn how Vanta’s Agentic Trust Platform helps fast-moving startups and security teams get audit-ready fast and stay continuously compliant.

Compliance
Blog
How do you perform quarterly access reviews?

Without periodic access reviews, former employees may retain access to sensitive data after termination. Learn how to perform effective quarterly access reviews.

Product updates
Events
Turn Every Promise into Predictable Trust: Customer Commitments in Action

Watch on demand for a demo of Customer Commitments and learn how Vanta turns contracts into structured, actionable intelligence.

Comparisons and reviews
Blog
The 4 best Trust Center products for 2026

Compare top platforms, key features, and buying criteria to find the right fit for compliance and sales teams.

Security
Blog
How to request security budget from your CFO and exec teams

Bridge security and finance, show risk in dollars, and secure budgets.

Product updates
Blog
New in Vanta | March 2026

Vanta’s newest updates help you automate SSPs, unlock deeper integrations, and more.