The ongoing concern for information security in organizations and highlights the use of the ISO 27000 series. A SWOT analysis on the Information Security Management System (ISMS) was conducted through qualitative research and a survey, revealing a positive perception of ‘Strengths’ and ‘Opportunities’ compared to ‘Weaknesses’ and ‘Threats.’ Statistically significant differences were noted in the perception of ‘Strengths’ and ‘Opportunities’ across groups, with no significant variance in the perception of ‘Threats.’ The resulting SWOT analysis is intended to guide practitioners and researchers in enhancing ISMS using established techniques like the TOWS matrix.

Safeguarding Business Through Information Security

Information assets are crucial for business operations, valued by their contribution to the GDP. Organizations face daily risks, with information security, encompassing confidentiality, integrity, and availability, emerging as a vital focus to ensure safe business opportunities.

ISO 27001: A Global Framework for Security Management

ISO 27001, part of the ISO 27000 series, sets global standards for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Originating in 1989, it outlines certification and audit requirements, aiming to establish, implement, and improve ISMS to safeguard organizations’ information.

Navigating Challenges in ISO 27001 Implementation

Attaining ISO 27001 certification involves meeting defined requirements, including internal audits, management responsibilities, and system improvements. Despite its value, organizations face challenges in identifying and managing security risks. ISO 27001 serves as a versatile tool, addressing specific organizational needs.

Enhancing ISMS Effectiveness with SWOT Analysis

Assessing ISMS effectiveness remains challenging due to a lack of shared security incident information. The study proposes a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to enhance ISMS, like ISO 27001. Conducted through workshops and interviews, findings were validated with a survey and analyzed using statistical methods, offering insights for improvement.

Conclusion & Future Work 

While this paper addresses the SWOT analysis of the ISO 27001 standard and proposes a lighter version in order to enhance the use across SMEs, further research is proposed to conduct a case study scenario to validate our results. More research will be required to take into consideration different SMEs’ industries. The area of coverage can also be considered in further research to address the issues in relation to the geographical locations of participants.