It is already known that Brazil faces today – with a low probability of any future change – an escalation of cyber threats, with a 21% increase in the number of attacks compared to the previous year, totaling an average of 2,667 incidents per week per company. In light of this reality, the demand for the ISO/IEC 27001 certification, which establishes rigorous requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS), has been growing.
Although market surveys indicate that only 165 Brazilian organizations had the ISO 27001 certification by early 2023, the trend has been one of growth, driven by the need to strengthen information security and meet regulatory requirements.
Moreover, companies’ motivations go beyond mere technical protection. The ISO 27001 certification has also become a strategic response to compliance demands. With the enactment of the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and the stricter enforcement by the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD), companies have realized that adhering to recognized standards can facilitate legal compliance.
The ISO 27001 standard, in fact, aligns with various data protection laws, such as the LGPD, helping companies meet legal information security requirements. In regulated sectors and companies handling large volumes of personal data, the pursuit of certification has increased as a way to demonstrate to auditors and stakeholders that best practices are in place.
Strategic benefits of implementing the standard
Having ISO 27001 has been seen as an important factor in winning and retaining contracts, especially in sectors highly sensitive to digital security, distinguishing certified companies in a competitive and demanding environment.
Another relevant benefit is regulatory compliance. With increasing scrutiny over data protection, especially regarding the LGPD and other regulations, ISO 27001-certified companies find it easier to demonstrate compliance with laws and regulations. The standard establishes a robust framework that covers various legal requirements, reducing the risk of sanctions and strengthening the company’s image before audits and authorities, confirming a commitment to stringent security standards.
Finally, the ISO 27001 certification promotes a significant reduction in risks and security incidents through proactive management of digital threats. Certified companies continuously identify and address vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience against attacks, and optimize internal governance and security culture processes. This not only prevents financial and reputational damage but also improves overall operational efficiency, facilitating business and expanding opportunities in national and international markets that require high standards of information protection.
Future trends
The dynamics of information security point to a continuation – and possibly an acceleration – of current trends. Experts predict that the adoption of management systems (such as the ISMS of ISO 27001) will continue to rise in the coming years, keeping pace with both the evolution of threats and the tightening of compliance requirements. Globally, projections indicate robust growth in security certifications: the demand for ISO 27001 has recently increased by about 45% due to stricter global data protection laws.
An important point on the near horizon is the transition to the new ISO/IEC 27001:2022 version. Published in October 2022, the updated standard reflects changes over the last decade – incorporating new controls for cloud risks, threat intelligence, and secure software development, among other aspects. The reasons for the revision included technological evolution, increased business digitalization, and lessons learned from the practical application of the standard in recent years.
Certified companies will have until October 2025 to migrate their systems to the new edition.
Another important factor is the integration of information security with other dimensions of corporate governance and management. Topics such as data privacy and business continuity are increasingly intertwined with security.
Complementary standards – such as ISO/IEC 27701, focused on privacy (an extension of the 2700 series), and ISO 22301, focused on business continuity management – are gaining ground alongside ISO 27001. The joint adoption of these frameworks creates an integrated governance ecosystem, capable of addressing everything from personal data protection to resilience against disasters or unavailability.
In essence, information security management will no longer be treated as a one-time certification project but as a dynamic and permanent process, an integral part of business strategy. In today’s business environment, where trust and digital resilience are competitive differentiators, this commitment becomes not only desirable but essential for the sustainability and success of companies in Brazil.
Sylvio Sobreira Vieira is CEO & Head Consulting at SVX Consulting
