Connecting information security and privacy: a practical plan for growing organisations

The same business process can raise different questions

When a business introduces a new customer platform, information security and privacy both matter. Who can access it? How will it recover from an outage? What personal information will it hold? Why is that information needed, who receives it and how long should it be kept?

These questions belong in a connected conversation. Separate spreadsheets and disconnected reviews can lead to duplicated work or gaps between teams. A coordinated approach helps people see the whole process while keeping the different requirements clear.

Understand the role of each discipline

An ISMS provides a management framework for information security, including the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. ISO/IEC 27001 sets requirements for that system, with risk management at its centre.

A privacy information management system, or PIMS, brings a structured management approach to privacy. ISO/IEC 27701:2025 sets requirements for establishing, maintaining and continually improving a PIMS.

Day-to-day data protection work also needs practical attention: understanding processing, supporting individual requests, managing suppliers and responding to incidents. Management-system standards can support this work, but adopting a standard does not by itself demonstrate compliance with every applicable legal obligation.

Connect the work at the points where it overlaps

Start with processes that already involve several teams. Supplier onboarding is a useful example. Procurement may collect commercial information, IT may assess security and the privacy team may consider how personal information is processed. A shared record of the supplier and decisions helps everyone work from the same facts.

The same principle applies to changes and incidents. A new system should trigger the relevant security and privacy assessments before launch. An incident may require technical containment alongside an assessment of its effect on people. One coordinated workflow can support both, with specialist decisions and responsibilities recorded clearly.

• Agree ownership. Identify the business owner and the people responsible for security, privacy and operational follow-up.
• Reuse evidence thoughtfully. A supplier review or access record may support several activities, but check that it actually answers each requirement.
• Keep decisions traceable. Record the rationale, approvals, actions and review dates so that changes do not depend on one person’s memory.

Choose software and support around your current priorities

DPS ISMS Workspace is available now to organise implementation, documentation, risks, controls and audit evidence. Teams can combine it with ISO 27001 implementation consultancy, internal auditing or ongoing ISMS management.

For privacy management, DPS provides ISO 27701 implementation consultancy, internal auditing and PIMS management services. Data privacy consultancy and DPO as a Service provide further support for operational privacy requirements.

DPO as a Service is offered through Standard, Enhanced and Premium service levels. Discuss the scope against your organisation’s activities, existing resources and required support. The appropriate arrangement depends on your circumstances; not every organisation has the same needs.

Build a realistic roadmap

Begin with the most important business risks and the processes that create the greatest friction. Map existing records and responsibilities before introducing another tool. Then agree a sequence of improvements with owners, evidence and review points.

A connected programme should make work clearer for the people who run it. DPS can help you understand the starting point, select proportionate support and develop a practical route forward. Talk to us about your priorities.