An Information Security Officer (ISO) is a person responsible for all aspects of information security within an organization. This role includes assigning responsibilities and being accountable for operational tasks in the field of information security. The ISO plays a central role in implementing and maintaining an Information Security Management System (ISMS) according to ISO/IEC 27001. ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems that establishes best practices and requirements for managing information security risks.
Responsibilities and Tasks of the ISO
The Information Security Officer:
- manages and coordinates the security process.
- supports management in creating the security policy.
- coordinates the development of the security concept as well as the associated sub-concepts and guidelines.
- creates implementation plans for security measures and monitors their execution.
- reports on the status of information security to the management level and other security officials.
- coordinates security-relevant projects.
- investigates security-relevant incidents.
- initiates and coordinates awareness and training measures for information security.
Requirements
An ISO should have in-depth knowledge and experience in both information security and IT. Additionally, it is important that they have a good understanding of the institution’s business processes.
Independence and Positioning
To maintain independence, the ISO should report directly to top management. Integration into the IT department can lead to role conflicts, as the ISO may not be able to independently control security measures. The combination of the ISO role with that of the Data Protection Officer should also be avoided, unless the interfaces between both areas of responsibility are clearly defined to prevent role conflicts.
You can read more about the role of the Information Security Officer and information security in general here.
