Austria's development in the international ISO 27001 ranking
The ISO Survey 2023 offers exciting insights into the global spread of certifications according to international ISO standards: The focus is on information security management according to ISO 27001. While countries such as China, Japan and the United Kingdom top the list, Austria is in 37th place internationally with 253 ISO 27001 certifications. However, this number is now rising – and for good reason.</strong
Awareness of security issues is growing
The number of certifications in Austria is increasing every year: This signals a growing awareness of cyber risks and the importance of a systematic approach to information security. Companies are realising that they not only need to protect their sensitive data, but that solid information security management is also a clear competitive advantage.
Especially in an environment in which social engineering and ransomware attacks are on the rise and people are being targeted as weak points, comprehensive information security management is essential. The ISO 27001 standard provides a structured framework for this – and promotes both measures for technical implementation and awareness training for employees.
NIS-2 as a driver for information security in the EU
Another factor driving the importance of ISO 27001 in Austria is the implementation of the NIS-2 Directive. This new cyber security directive obliges a wide range of companies in the EU to implement stricter security measures and systematic risk management processes.
An ISMS certified in accordance with ISO 27001 fulfils many of the requirements of NIS-2 – such as the regular assessment of risks, the implementation of technical and organisational measures and reporting obligations in the event of security incidents. For many companies, ISO 27001 thus becomes the strategic basis for getting a head start with the NIS-2 directive.
Despite the lack of legislation in Austria, companies are well advised to start preparing for NIS-2 now: Managers are subject to mandatory further training and companies face fines totalling millions if they fail to comply.
The role of AI in information security
Especially in the information technology sector, where business models are heavily dependent on digital infrastructure, there is a strong focus on ISO 27001. However, with the advance of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud solutions and networked systems, the attack surface is growing even faster.
AI can play a dual role here: On the one hand, it helps with the early detection of anomalies and attack patterns; on the other hand, it is increasingly being used as a tool by cyber criminals themselves. The need for reliable, controlled security processes such as ISO 27001 is therefore growing exponentially.
Conclusion: Austrian companies are on the right track
The ISO Survey 2023 shows: Information security is no longer a marginal issue, but is increasingly moving to the centre of corporate responsibility. Austria’s companies are catching up, driven by new legal requirements such as NIS-2, an increasingly complex threat situation – and, above all, the realisation that digital resilience is a critical success factor. ISO 27001 provides the necessary structure and guidance to navigate this new reality. Companies that act now will not only secure their data – but also the trust of their customers, partners and investors.
With CIS Service GmbH, your ISO 27001 certification is straightforward and can be implemented step by step: Our experts cater to your individual company specifics, whether you are a small business or a large corporation – for more security and success in your business!
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