We are proud to announce that Sentient Digital, Inc. has successfully obtained the ISO 27001 certification, underscoring our unwavering commitment to maintaining a quality culture with the highest standards of information security and data protection. Read on to learn more about what this certification means for Sentient Digital and its clients, as well as how and why we worked to achieve it.
What is ISO 27001 Certification?
Officially called ISO/IEC 27001 Certification, this qualification is a standard for information security management systems that illustrates their commitment to maintaining a quality culture around adherence to the highest level of information security. According to the International Organization for Standardization, one of the two organizations administering the certification, “Conformity with ISO/IEC 27001 means that an organization or business has put in place a system to manage risks related to the security of data owned or handled by the company, and that this system respects all the best practices and principles enshrined in this International Standard.”
How Does an Organization Achieve ISO 27001 Certification?
The process to obtain ISO 27001 Certification begins by adjusting internal information security management processes to bring them into compliance with ISO 27001 standards. An audit process must then be performed, by a third-party organization that has been accredited to perform this. The purpose of the audit is to determine that the compliance with the standards has been achieved, after which time certification can be awarded. This is, of course, a simplification of a process that takes a lot of time and effort, resulting in this impressive achievement for Sentient Digital’s team that will benefit our customers long into the future.
Why Did Sentient Digital, Inc. Pursue ISO 27001 Certification?
In today’s digital age, data protection and security are paramount. With cyber threats continuously evolving, it is more important than ever for businesses to demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding sensitive data. Recognizing this, Sentient Digital, Inc. chose to pursue the ISO 27001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). This move was not only about fortifying our internal processes but also about signaling to our clients and partners our dedication to best practices in the realm of data security.
Our Commitment to Maintaining Maintaining A Quality Culture
Quality is inherent in everything that we do at Sentient Digital, Inc. At the core of our company, we have placed adhering to the characteristics of a culture of quality, including continuous feedback, comprehensive change management, end-to-end professionalism, agile test-driven development, quality and customer assurance. A significant part of this is ensuring state-of-the art information systems security, as reflected in this certification. The need for security underlies all of the other work that we do, because without protection against threats, technology becomes a liability rather than an asset.
What is a Culture of Quality?
In essence, a culture of quality is the bedrock of organizational excellence. It represents a dynamic environment where every member, from leadership to front-line employees, constantly works to deliver the highest standards of products, services, and processes for our clients. In maintaining a quality culture, Sentient Digital constantly seeks to develop and improve the best ways of doing things to achieve our clients’ objectives. This relentless pursuit of excellence, in the service of our clients’ goals, drives us to fix what isn’t broken, meaning that we never take for granted that something is “good enough.” A culture of quality promotes collaboration, transparency, and a shared sense of responsibility, empowering individuals to identify and address areas for improvement on an ongoing basis. Ultimately, it’s the cornerstone upon which we build trust with our clients, so naturally the area of information security must be a major point of emphasis in our quality culture.
Why Maintaining a Quality Culture Is So Important To Sentient Digital, Inc.
As a technology consulting firm serving government, military, and private sector clients, for Sentient Digital, Inc., continually developing a quality culture is paramount. As life in general, and organizational operations in particular, increasingly takes place online, the significance of cyber threats cannot be overstated. Our clients depend on our subject matter experts to design and implement systems that will safeguard their private information and digital assets.
Our strong quality culture ensures that every team member prioritizes precision and diligence in assessments, threat mitigation, and solution implementation. Quality culture encourages taking a proactive approach to security, where potential vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they can be exploited. Moreover, due to the incredible value we place on our clients’ trust, we know that what we do is more than work; it sustains the livelihood of our clients and their employees, and in the case of government and military organizations, may even have national security implications. Sentient Digital’s commitment to quality not only protects our organizational culture, but our clients’ mission-critical information security. We take that trust very seriously and for that reason we sought ISO 27001 certification.
The Value to Our Customers
As Sentient Digital’s IT Director, Brad Willman, stated, “For our valued customers, this certification serves as a clear indicator of our steadfast dedication to protecting their data. ISO 27001 ensures that organizations have rigorous processes in place to identify, manage, and reduce risks to information security. When partnering with Sentient Digital, Inc., clients can be confident that their data is handled with the utmost care, and that we have the necessary controls in place to deal with any potential security threats.”
Internal Benefits of ISO 27001 Certification
Beyond the evident client reassurances, this certification offers myriad internal benefits. By adhering to the standards of ISO 27001, Sentient Digital, Inc. ensures that our team remains vigilant and well-equipped to address emerging security challenges. The certification process itself aids in pinpointing potential vulnerabilities, enabling us to fortify our defense mechanisms continuously. Additionally, the structured framework that ISO 27001 provides ensures a coherent and comprehensive approach to managing company data, refining our operational efficiency, and bolstering our overall resilience against security breaches.
Validity of the Certification
ISO 27001 certification is not a one-time achievement. While it’s a significant milestone, it requires regular surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance. Typically, the certificate is valid for three years, subject to satisfactory periodic surveillance reviews. After the three-year period, a re-certification audit will be conducted to renew the certificate for another cycle. This continuing re-certification obligation will ensure that our practices remain up-to-date and in line with this international industry standard, and fits in well with our culture of quality, which constantly seeks to improve our processes.
Looking Ahead: Future Initiatives Related to ISO 27001
Securing the ISO 27001 certification is just the beginning. At Sentient Digital, Inc., we are deeply committed to continuous improvement. As such, we have several initiatives in the pipeline to further bolster our information security practices, including ongoing staff training, periodic internal audits, and technology upgrades. We’ll also closely monitor updates and revisions to the ISO standards, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of data security best practices.
In conclusion, the ISO 27001 certification marks a significant milestone in Sentient Digital, Inc.’s journey towards operational excellence and underscores our commitment to our clients, partners, and employees. We thank everyone involved in achieving this commendable feat and pledge to uphold and surpass these standards in the years to come. To learn more about how we work and how we can help your organization, reach out to us today.
