Your security and compliance glossary

All the terms you need to know when you’re trying to get compliance audit ready, fast.

Show filters

What is an Information Security Management System (ISMS)?

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) establishes a systematic approach to managing an organization’s information security. As a documented management system, ISMS provides a set of security controls a company can record in policies, procedures, and other kinds of documents; it may also consist of established processes and technologies that are not documented. The ISO 27001 standard defines which documents must exist at a minimum. 


Implementing an ISMS provides a structured approach to integrating information security into an organization’s business processes. Helping to manage and minimize risks to acceptable levels increases the organization’s resiliency against evolving security threats and ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational and customer information. 


In any implementation, companies need to define and document a risk assessment method and state the protection of specific business assets. The scope of an organization’s ISMS can be as small or as large as is necessary; the ISMS can cover part of an organization, such as a specific function or service or the entire organization.

{{cta_withimage2="/cta-modules"}}

Additional resources you might like:

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Automating Compliance for ISO 27001, GDPR and more with Vanta

Unlock the power of automated compliance and streamlined security workflows—join our live demo to see how Vanta can save you time, money, and help build trust with your customers.

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Automating Compliance for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and More

Discover how Vanta’s automation tools can simplify compliance for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and more, helping you build a stronger security foundation with ease.

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Simplify ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Compliance to Fuel Growth

See how Vanta can simplify and automate your compliance efforts, helping you scale your business while building trust with customers!

Additional resources you might like:

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Automating Compliance for ISO 27001, GDPR and more with Vanta

Unlock the power of automated compliance and streamlined security workflows—join our live demo to see how Vanta can save you time, money, and help build trust with your customers.

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Automating Compliance for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and More

Discover how Vanta’s automation tools can simplify compliance for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and more, helping you build a stronger security foundation with ease.

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Simplify ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Compliance to Fuel Growth

See how Vanta can simplify and automate your compliance efforts, helping you scale your business while building trust with customers!

Product updates
Vanta events | Vanta
Trust is a Team Sport

Jeremy Epling (CPO at Vanta) introduces new product capabilities designed with teamwork in mind. Watch to see how Vanta can help you collaborate easily with your extended team of employees, vendors, auditors, and customers—and win together.

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Automate compliance to fuel your startup's growth

Discover how automating compliance can streamline processes, save time, and fuel your startup’s growth.

ISO 42001
Vanta events | Vanta
Compliance for AI in Europe: Preparing for Emerging AI Laws and Regulation

Explore how ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act help your company stay compliant, secure, and ahead of evolving AI regulations with expert insights and practical strategies.

ISO 27001
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Simplify ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance with Vanta

See how Vanta automates up to 90% of your ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance work, saving you time and reducing manual effort.

Compliance
Vanta events | Vanta
Live Demo: Automating security and compliance workflows

Discover how automation, continuous monitoring, and centralized workflows can streamline your GRC program, enhance control visibility, and improve vendor and buyer security management—all within a single platform.

GRC
Vanta events | Vanta
Unlocking the ROI of GRC: The Business Value of Vanta

Discover how Vanta empowers organizations to achieve exceptional results in their Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) programs.