Vocabulary related to information security – a basic prerequisite for mutual understanding!

In practice and in marketing, misleading terminology is often encountered in connection with information security standards such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2. This imprecise use not only leads to misunderstandings, but can also undermine the trust of customers and partners. In the following, I will highlight typical misinterpretations and supplement them with further examples from the field of certifications and reports.

ISO 27001: The certification is awarded to the organization, not to a product or service.

Marketing materials often refer to “ISO 27001-certified data centers,” for example. However, this is incorrect, as ISO 27001 does not certify the data center as a physical facility or a product or service, but rather the operating organization or company that implements and maintains an information security management system (ISMS).

ISO 27001 is an international standard that defines requirements for an ISMS. Certification is carried out by an independent, accredited certification body, which must audit the organization and confirm that it meets the requirements of the standard. This involves checking whether the organization has established processes, guidelines, and controls to systematically manage information security. A data center as a building or infrastructure is not certified in isolation.

A correct formulation would therefore be: “The organization is ISO 27001 certified and operates a data center that is included in the scope of the ISMS.” Such clarification avoids false expectations and misunderstandings.

SOC 2: Not a certificate, but an independent audit report

The frequent reference to “SOC 2 certifications” is similarly inaccurate. SOC 2 is not a certification in the traditional sense, but rather a so-called Independent Service Auditor’s Report, which is issued by an independent auditor (CPA) after reviewing the controls that have been implemented.

SOC 2 is based on the Trust Services Criteria (security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, data protection). The audit report documents whether the organization’s controls meet these criteria. There are two types of SOC 2 reports: Type 1 (key date audit) and Type 2 (audit over a period of time). The end result is an audit opinion (“Opinion Letter”) from the auditor, not a certificate.

The correct communication is therefore: “The organization has received a SOC 2 audit report confirming the effectiveness of its controls.” This emphasizes the difference to a certification and avoids misleading statements.

Further examples of inaccurate use of terms

• ISO 9001 “Certified Products”: ISO 9001 certifies an organization’s quality management system, not individual products. The statement “ISO 9001 certified products” is therefore misleading. Better: “The organization is ISO 9001 certified and manufactures products that are produced under this quality management system.”
• PCI DSS “Certified Payment Solutions”: PCI DSS is a security standard in the field of payment processing. There is no certification of products, but rather of organizations that comply with the standard. The statement “PCI DSS certified payment solution” is therefore misleading.

Why is it important to use the correct terminology?

The precise use of terms protects against legal risks and preserves credibility. Incorrect or exaggerated statements can be considered misleading advertising and weaken the trust of customers and partners. In addition, clear communication promotes understanding of the actual meaning of standards and tests.