While I can’t give you an exact number or percentage, it’s highly probable that a significant portion of ISO 27001 certified businesses are users of Xero.
Xero itself is ISO 27001 certified, demonstrating its commitment to information security. This makes it an attractive option for businesses seeking to maintain or achieve ISO 27001 compliance, as it helps them meet certain requirements related to information security management.
Furthermore, Xero is a widely used accounting software platform globally, catering to businesses of all sizes. Therefore, it’s logical to assume that there is significant overlap between the pool of ISO 27001 certified businesses and Xero users. Â
Should these Xero users that are ISO 27001 compliant be backing up their Xero data to stay compliant?
Absolutely, ISO 27001 compliant Xero users should be backing up their Xero data to stay compliant.
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems. A core principle of this standard is ensuring the availability of information, which includes having robust backup and recovery processes in place. Even though Xero itself may be ISO 27001 certified, it doesn’t absolve businesses from their own responsibility to protect their data.
By not backing up their Xero data, these businesses are exposing themselves to significant risks, such as:
- Data Loss: Accidental deletion, malicious attacks, or even technical glitches within Xero could lead to irretrievable data loss.
- Business Disruption: Inability to access critical financial data could severely disrupt operations, leading to lost revenue and productivity.
- Non-Compliance: Failure to maintain accessible backups could result in non-compliance with ISO 27001 and other regulatory requirements, potentially leading to penalties and reputational damage.
Therefore, it’s imperative for ISO 27001 compliant businesses to proactively implement a robust backup strategy for their Xero data. This ensures not only compliance but also business continuity and peace of mind.
Would such a certified business lose their compliance certification if they did not backup Xero?
An ISO 27001 certified business could potentially lose their certification if they fail to back up their Xero data.
ISO 27001 emphasises the importance of information availability, which includes having adequate backup and recovery mechanisms in place. If an auditor discovers that a business lacks proper backups for critical data like that stored in Xero, it could be seen as a major non-conformance.
The severity of the non-conformance would depend on factors such as the extent of the data not being backed up, the potential impact on business operations, and the existence of any mitigating controls. However, the lack of Xero backups could very well lead to the suspension or revocation of the ISO 27001 certification.
It’s important to remember that ISO 27001 compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about implementing a robust information security management system that protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Failing to back up Xero data undermines this fundamental principle and puts the business at risk of non-compliance.
