CIRQ Announces ISO 27001 Certification of Versta Research
August 18, 2023
CIRQ (the Certification Institute for Research Quality), an International Standards Organization (ISO) audit and certification body that is a subsidiary of the Insights Association, has awarded certification to Versta Research for compliance to ISO 27001, one of the most widely recognized and internationally accepted information security standards.
Accredited certification to ISO 27001 involves undertaking regular reviews and internal audits to ensure the continual improvement of the information security management system (ISMS). Evanston, IL-based Versta Research’s certification will be verified annually by CIRQ’s independent audit establishing continued compliance and protection of data.
ISO 27001 provides a framework for companies to manage their data security. It establishes requirements for information controls to manage people, processes, and technology. The standard covers both the technological aspects of security as well as corporate security, physical security, etc., and relies on regular risk assessments enabling a company to consistently identify and treat security threats. ISO 27001 is accepted worldwide as an assurance that proper and continual measures have been taken to protect valuable company data.
Versta’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) scope includes the management and technical oversight necessary to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information, systems, services, and platforms required for the delivery of services to its clients. The scope includes the use of the Microsoft 365 platform, including SharePoint for document management and storage.
Joe Hopper, President of Versta Research, commented on the significance of the certification, saying, “We’ve witnessed a growing number of client companies requiring top-notch IT security practices from their vendors, including regular audits of their systems. The ISO certification process addresses these requirements comprehensively. It demonstrates our commitment to industry-leading information security measures, ensuring the utmost protection for our data and maintaining the trust and confidence of our clients.”
To achieve ISO certification, Versta engaged in an in-depth risk assessment, a comprehensive review of all information security policies and procedures, and internal audits. As a further step in the validation, the company’s information security management system was assessed via a review of its documentation, practices, and controls.
About ISO 27001
ISO 27001 provides requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system. The information security management system preserves the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information by applying a risk management process and gives confidence to interested parties that risks are adequately managed. It is important that the information security management system is integrated with the organization’s processes and overall management structure and that information security is considered in the design of processes, information systems, and controls. It is expected that an information security management system implementation will be scaled in accordance with the needs of the organization. This International Standard can be used by internal and external parties to assess the organization’s ability to meet information security requirements. ISO 27001 can be mapped to other information security schemes such as HITRUST, NIST and Soc2. Compliance with the standard also enables a company to meet global security laws, such as the NIS Directive and the GDPR.
About Versta Research
Versta is a firm specializing in customized market research and public opinion polling. It helps clients understand their customers, prospects, and competition with expertise and academic brainpower. And it helps clients communicate that research to managers, clients, reporters, and the audiences they need to reach.
About CIRQ
A subsidiary of the Insights Association, CIRQ (the Certification Institute for Research Quality) was established to provide assessment and certification services to market research firms seeking certification to ISO 20252, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701. A non-profit entity, CIRQ is committed to providing timely, thorough, and impartial assessments of its customers’ research process management or information security management systems regarding certification to corresponding standards. CIRQ was established in compliance with all ISO requirements for certification bodies that provide auditing and certification services and is fully accredited by ANSI’s National Accreditation Board. To conform to its mandate of objective and impartial audits to these ISO standards, CIRQ is independently operated and managed under the oversight of an independent Board of Directors and submits to annual moderation by external authorities on ISO certification bodies.
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