What is ISO 27001 and why is it important to the software development process? Our Head of Operations, Ben Mullaley, answers some of the frequently asked questions about ISO 27001 and talks about why we have prioritised the certification.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is an international standard that sets out how organisations should manage sensitive information securely. For our clients, it means that every project we work on is governed by a clear, internationally recognised framework to protect your data and intellectual property. With ISO 27001, we ensure that your information is always secure, no matter how complex your project is.
We began our ISO journey back in early 2022 and achieved certification to both ISO 9001 for Quality Management and ISO 27001 in May 2022, since then we have conducted continuous auditing of the Management System performance, complemented by annual audits both internally and by independent third party auditors.
Why is ISO 27001 important for software development?
When it comes to software development, protecting your data is non-negotiable. ISO 27001 ensures that we build security into every step of the process, so your software isn’t just functional—it’s secure. Whether we’re working on your internal systems or customer-facing applications, this certification guarantees that we’re protecting your sensitive data from day one.
At Airteam, we chose ISO 27001 because it aligns with our commitment to delivering secure, reliable software solutions for our clients. Many businesses are increasingly realising the importance of information security, and they’re looking to partner with companies that take this seriously. ISO 27001 is recognised worldwide as the leading standard for information security management, ensuring that we embed security into every stage of the software development lifecycle.
How does ISO 27001 benefit our clients during software development?
As our client, you want to trust that your project is in safe hands. Working with a software development company that is ISO 27001 gives you that peace of mind. By following strict security protocols, we protect your business data, customer information, and intellectual property throughout the entire development process. You can be confident that security risks are minimised, and compliance with applicable industry standards is maintained—without adding unnecessary complexity to your project.
Why should businesses choose an ISO 27001-certified software development partner?
Partnering with an ISO 27001-certified team like ours means you’re choosing a software development company that prioritises security at every level. It’s not just about meeting a standard—it’s about ensuring your business and your customers are protected from potential cyber threats. Our certification proves that we have the right processes in place to safeguard your sensitive data and mitigate risks, which translates into trust and reliability for you.
How does ISO 27001 certification help with long-term software security?
ISO 27001 ensures that the security of your software isn’t a one-off effort. With this certification, we commit to continuously monitoring and improving security measures even after your software goes live. This means that your software is built to resist evolving security threats, giving you long-term protection and reducing future vulnerabilities—without the hassle of ongoing fixes.
What specific security measures are in place due to ISO 27001 during software development?
Our ISO 27001 certification is deeply ingrained in Airteam's Secure Software Development and Engineering Policy, ensuring that every project follows stringent security guidelines. We don’t leave security to chance—security is embedded at every stage of development, from the early architecture to the final deployment through to integrated application monitoring.
For example, we follow the AWS Well Architected Framework for software architecture, ensuring that best practices are consistently applied across projects. Our network architecture designs are peer-reviewed, and we apply the four-eyes principle for medium and high-impact changes, so no major decisions are made in isolation.
We also implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and IP whitelisting for many clients to protect against malicious traffic and ensure that only trusted users can access their systems. For clients handling sensitive customer data, we encrypt all data in transit and at rest and strictly control access. Our developers never access sensitive data unless explicitly approved by our Security Officer.
To ensure ongoing security, all source code is stored in a secure code repository, and every change is reviewed by a peer before it’s committed. We also enforce the use of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all AWS accounts and conduct quarterly reviews of privileged access rights, following the principle of least privileged access.
Throughout development, our team stays up to date on vulnerabilities by using tools like OWASP and performs static code analysis to identify potential risks early on. This ensures that your software is secure, resilient, and compliant with ISO 27001 standards—without compromising on flexibility, simplicity, or readability in the codebase.
How does ISO 27001 certification impact the software development lifecycle?
For our clients, ISO 27001 means security is integrated into every phase of development—from initial planning through to final deployment. We conduct risk assessments early on to understand your specific security needs, ensuring that your software is built to withstand threats. This approach ensures your project stays secure, compliant, and on track, without last-minute security issues slowing down delivery.
How does ISO 27001 help in preventing data breaches or security incidents during software development?
ISO 27001 enables us to be proactive in protecting your business from data breaches and security incidents. With regular audits and a strong incident response plan in place, we can detect and address vulnerabilities before they become serious issues. This means that as our client, you can feel assured that your project is not just secure today but will remain resilient against future threats.
What makes ISO 27001-certified companies more secure compared to non-certified development companies?
ISO 27001 certification sets us apart by demonstrating our commitment to structured, ongoing security management. At Airteam, security isn’t just a one-time effort—it’s built into everything we do. All our team members undergo thorough police checks and receive ongoing security training, including our responsibilities under the Privacy Act. This ensures that everyone is equipped to handle sensitive information responsibly.
We also have rigorous procedures for provisioning and deprovisioning access to systems and data, ensuring that only authorised individuals have access at any given time. All data under our control is classified and labelled. Additionally, our ISO 27001 certification requires us to regularly review and update these procedures to stay ahead of emerging threats.
When you work with us, you choose a partner that follows a structured security framework—every decision, every line of code we write is designed to protect your project from risks that non-certified providers might overlook. This level of security ensures your project is not only safer but also compliant with regulatory requirements, giving you greater peace of mind.
How does ISO 27001 ensure that software development projects meet data protection and privacy requirements?
Data protection and privacy are vital for any software project, especially with stringent regulations like GDPR. Our ISO 27001 certification ensures that every piece of data we handle on your behalf is managed in full compliance. By working with us, you can rest easy knowing that your software not only meets these standards but exceeds them—protecting both your business and your customers.
What kind of audits and reviews does Airteam undergo as part of ISO 27001 certification?
To keep your project secure, we undergo regular audits—both internal and external—to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 27001. These audits scrutinise our processes and controls, identifying areas for improvement. For you, this means that our security measures are always evolving and improving, ensuring your project is safeguarded by the latest best practices in information security.
How does ISO 27001 certification help reduce software development project risks?
When you work with us, ISO 27001 ensures that risks are identified and managed early in the process. Risk identification and risk management is baked into our ways of working. This reduces the chances of costly delays, security breaches, or compliance issues later on. For you, it means smoother project delivery, fewer surprises, and a product that’s secure and reliable from the moment it launches.
Want to learn more about why we chose to get ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certified? Check out our blog where we delve into the benefits of both certifications to our clients.
If you’re looking for a custom software development company that puts your company and user security first, then reach out to chat. You can email us at hello@airteam.com.au or contact us via our contact form.