IT ISO Standards – IT’s a No Brainer!

The ever-expanding world of tech has become a top competitors’ market, where the strong get stronger. A world where once upon a time size mattered, it is now the realm of those who for some time now, have aligned their commitments with a continuously evolving market, environment and business landscape.

It’s less who you know and more what you know and how you go about doing it that wins the tender or business contract in the 21st century. Gone are the days of the old boys network. Make way for the movers and shakers who keep a close eye on what’s trending in methodologies, protocols and standards.

This is a business world in which quality, customer excellence, data security and employee health and safety are paramount. Customers, partners and vendors alike want - and demand - to see commitment to working to and employing those processes, procedures and mechanisms by which the companies they choose to work with can ensure quality service and product, safe business practices and optimal information security.

These new tenets of the corporate world apply across the board, but in no sector more-so than in Tech, for it is in the sprawl of the IT landscape that leaks, blips and black holes can appear and costs soar quicker than you can say screwdriver.

IT ISO Standards aren’t just something that applies to data security. Yes, ISO 27001 is the ‘starter for 10’ standard for any clued-in IT service or solutions provider, but it is not the be-all and end-all in terms of those standards relevant to the IT industry.

ISO 27001 - Information Security Management Systems

It stands to reason that any IT company worth its salt, whether it be a services, software or solutions house, would invest in the Data Security management standard. No? Well ask yourself that all important question - why would any organisation wish to share, grant access to, or give permission to store (in the cloud or on prem) its company and client confidential information.

To store or work with data, your business must be able to demonstrate 100% commitment to data integrity, security and accessibility.

ISO 27001 is the ‘standard bearer’ for information security, providing organisations with the optimal benchmark against which they can assess, audit, measure and update their security protocols, practices and portfolio.

For optimal data security management, no other methodology comes close.

Learn more about ISO 27001

ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems Standard

It’s probably fair to say that when it comes to government tenders, compliance with no standard has become more important than with ISO 14001. (And I say that as someone who has written more than their fair share of responses to government tenders). Finding a public sector tender in the IT-verse that does not include a requirement for ISO Certification or at the very least graphic detail of green credentials is the bid equivalent of the proverbial needle in the haystack.

Government tenders, particularly in the IT space, are increasingly giving more weight to green practices and protocols

Examples of environmentally driven requirements including requesting specifics on might include:

• Commitments to sustainability and/or low — net zero carbon via energy reduction, sourcing renewable energy, optimal waste management, eco-conscious infrastructure, recycling, strategy to move to a circular economy etc.
• Actions taken to move to an electric fleet, strategies for transport efficiencies etc.

• Management and support of optimal sustainability performance (economic/environmental/social) within the supply chain

Today, Public sector organisations actively seek green policy statements, details of programmes for sustainability including strategies for ESG and adoption of ISO requirements and implementation of best in practice standards-based management systems amongst other steps designed to meet national and EU targets for decarbonisation.

In a world where actions most definitely speak louder than words, it’s no longer good enough to talk the talk. IT companies must walk an eco-friendly walk when it comes to the Climate Action Plan 2030.

Learn more about ISO 14001

ISO 50001 - Energy Management Systems Standards

• Energy Crisis.
• Fuel Shortages.
• Soaring Energy Prices.
• Rising Inflation.

Need we say more?

In terms of the government plan to manage corporate energy usage it is a given that Data Centres, IT companies and everything tech-related will be front and centre of the impending energy crisis of Winter 2022. Large IT companies and their giant data centres, with their insatiable need for high volumes of energy, will be in the eye of the imminent storm, having already been written into the government plan for power outages and mandatory restricted usage during designated periods of time.

At a time when energy costs are soaring - with an upward trajectory showing no slgns of abating - it must be an imperative of the IT CFO to limit the impact to the P&L, particularly in an industry so reliant on energy for business continuity, efficiency and performance.

Having a best in breed ISO 50001 energy management system to shore up business continuity for organisations having to rapidly adapt their operations to working within restricted parameters must surely be at the top of IT leadership wish list.

Learn more about ISO 50001

ISO 45001 - Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems Standard

Protecting your staff protects your future - as a reliable, respectable, trustworthy and people-centric employer, business partner, service provider and vendor. Furthermore, happy employees are high performing, motivated and incentivised employees, whose buy-in into the corporate vision and engagement with corporate plans, targets and ambitions by far offset any outlay required in the provision of a clean, healthy and safe working environment.

In addition to staff safety, it is also paramount to the continuing safe operations of an IT organisation that their staff are educated, trained in and aware of the safe and secure handling, maintenance and management of electronic and/or heavy duty equipment. Failure to provide adequate training to all personnel, contract or permanent, can lead to serious issues - regulatory, environmental, and financial to the businesses involved, not to mention loss of standing with clients, partners and across the industry as a whole.

Working to a tried and tested ISO 45001 OH&S framework will ensure your business meets its regulatory and legal obligation whilst simultaneously providing a safe and secure work and meeting place for internal and external interested parties.

Learn more about ISO 45001

ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems Standard

What business leader doesn’t aspire to quality product and/or service?

What customer services manager doesn’t strive to achieve customer service excellence and optimal cus sat feedback?

Quality beats quantity every time.

If your business wants to stake its claim, and underpin that stake, in being Ireland’s leading IT services, software, solutions providers, then without an investment of commitment, energy and time in quality assurance any such claim is baseless.

ISO 9001 will ensure your company can provide peerless customer service, foremost IT services and premier product through its adoption of rigorous quality-driven requirements as well as opportunity, risk and process based processes, protocols and practices.

Learn more about ISO 9001

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

For more information on any of the above-mentioned ISO Standards, give the team at CG Business Consulting a call.

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• Speak directly to an ISO professional
• Get expert advice on your business requirement
• Understand the benefits of certifcation for your business

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