ISO certification: The key to quality

Flexopus is ISO-certified! This means that a standardized and maintained Information Security Management System (ISMS) has been created and is maintained according to ISO 27001. Together with GDPR compliance, regular security tests, and data hosted exclusively in Germany, Flexopus guarantees the highest possible level of data security without sacrificing functionality. As a customer, you not only enjoy a coherent and innovative product, but you can also be sure that all your data is used responsibly and exclusively for its intended purpose.

In addition to Flexopus, ISO certification is increasingly becoming a decisive success factor for many other modern companies. An effective quality management system (QMS) according to a recognized ISO standard not only improves internal processes but also strengthens the trust of customers and partners. The introduction and implementation of a certified management system enables the fulfillment of key requirements and thus creates the basis for continuous improvement.

But what exactly does certification mean? From the first pre-audit through the actual certification audit to the regular review by auditors – the entire process follows a uniformly structured procedure. A recognized certification body finally confirms conformity with the required standards and issues the official certificate. In this way, companies benefit not only from a standardized approach, but also from the increased effectiveness of their QM measures.

In this article, you will learn about the benefits of ISO certification, how the process works, and which corrective measures contribute to business improvement. Because well-implemented quality management is more than just a documentation effort – it is an essential component for sustainable success.

ISO certification definition

ISO certification is official proof that a company or organization meets the standards of a specific ISO standard. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops globally recognized standards that serve as benchmarks for quality, safety, environmental management and many other areas in various industries. Certification confirms that an implemented management system meets the specified requirements and is demonstrably effective.

ISO 9001 plays a central role in the area of quality management. This standard establishes the basis for a quality management system (QMS) and focuses on the continuous improvement of processes, the fulfillment of customer requirements and the increase of operational performance. Other important standards include ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 27001 for information security management.

Certification is carried out by an independent certification body that audits the company in a multi-stage process. A certification audit checks whether the company correctly implements the required standard chapters. Regular surveillance audits ensure that the certified management system is maintained and further developed in the long term.

ISO certification does not just mean the one-time fulfillment of standard requirements, but requires systematic planning, implementation and continuous improvement of company processes. It is a crucial factor for companies that want to optimize their compliance, effectiveness and success strategy in the long term.

ISO 9001 certification

ISO 9001 certification is the globally recognized standard for quality management systems (QMS). It helps companies optimize processes, meet customer requirements and ensure continuous improvement. Certification strengthens the trust of customers and partners and confirms conformity with international quality standards.

ISO 9001 requirements

ISO 9001 is based on principles such as customer orientation, process orientation and continuous improvement. Important requirements are:

• Establishment of a quality management system (QM) with clear objectives and responsibilities.
• Documentation of processes for a uniform way of working.
• Regular audits to verify effectiveness.
• Optimizing products and services based on customer feedback.

Implementation of ISO 9001

The implementation of ISO 9001 takes place in several steps:

1. Current analysis to identify optimization potential.
2. Definition of quality objectives and processes.
3. Creation of QM documentation.
4. Employee training for successful implementation.
5. Pre-audit for internal review.
6. Certification audit by external certifiers.
7. Surveillance audits to ensure long-term QMS effectiveness.

With a valid ISO 9001 certificate, companies increase their performance, optimize processes and improve customer satisfaction in the long term.

ISO 27001 certification

The ISO 27001 certification is the internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It helps companies to systematically protect data and information, minimize risks and ensure compliance with legal requirements. Certification according to ISO 27001 strengthens the trust of customers and partners and contributes to the long-term security of business processes.

ISO 27001 requirements

ISO 27001 focuses on protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Important requirements are:

• Risk assessment and treatment to identify and minimize security risks.
• Establishment of an ISMS with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
• Documentation of security policies and processes.
• Regular audits to check the effectiveness of the measures.
• Employee training to increase awareness of information security.

Implementation of ISO 27001

The implementation of an ISMS according to ISO 27001 is largely similar to the implementation of ISO 9001. Analyses, training and pre- and post-certification audits are also carried out by certifiers. Successful certification also requires the creation of ISMS documentation. This serves as a guideline for information and data security within the company.
A successful ISO 27001 certification is particularly important for companies that handle a lot of digital (customer) data or offer cloud services. The created documentation thus serves as an anchor point for handling sensitive data and can therefore also be used for training new employees.

Costs of ISO certification

The cost of ISO certification depends on several factors, including the size of the organization, the industry, and the scope of the certification. Even in the preparation phase, costs arise for the implementation of the standard requirements, the training of employees and, if necessary, the support of external consultants.

The actual certification process includes the fees for the certification audit, which is carried out by an accredited certification body. After successful certification, there are also regular costs for surveillance audits and adjustments to maintain the certificate.

Depending on the standard and company size, the total costs can vary greatly – from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros. Careful planning helps to optimize the effort and benefit from the advantages of ISO certification in the long term.

ISO certification and desk sharing

In order to enable the use of desk sharing tools such as Flexopus, a lot of data, some of which is sensitive, is processed. This includes employee data such as names and email addresses, but also information about companies and their internal details. To ensure that all employees of the desk-sharing organization are trained and handle the data provided to them responsibly, ISO 27001 certification is essential. 

At Flexopus, data protection is our top priority. In addition to the ISO 27001 certificate, Flexopus offers GDPR compliance. The transmission and storage of data is encrypted at every possible point and is regularly tested for attack points with maximum security requirements. All data managed by Flexopus is hosted within Germany on servers of Hetzner GmbH and does not leave the Federal Republic of Germany at any point.

Flexopus thus meets the highest level of data protection and can therefore offer a first-class and secure service.