Managing information security systematically
82% of cybersecurity incidents trace back to organizational weaknesses — missing roles, unclear responsibilities, and gaps in escalation paths.
Information Security Governance is more than policies and org charts — it is the strategic operating system of your information security. Without a well-designed governance architecture, security measures remain fragmented, responsibilities unclear, and investments ineffective. ADVISORI supports you in building governance that delivers measurable results and withstands any audit.
Our expert consultants provide comprehensive information security governance services tailored to your organization's specific needs. We combine deep regulatory expertise with practical implementation experience to deliver measurable results.
5 service modules
Bookable individually or as an end-to-end programme.
Establishment of a complete governance structure for your ISMS in accordance with ISO 27001:2022 — from the top-level policy through steering committees to operational processes. We define decision-making pathways, escalation paths, and reporting structures that integrate information security into your corporate management and fulfill the management review requirements of ISO 27001 Clause 9.3.
Design and implementation of an effective security organization with clearly defined roles: CISO/ISB, risk manager, Asset Owner, Security Champions, and steering committee. We define responsibilities using the RACI model, establish reporting lines, and ensure that the governance requirements of NIS2 (executive responsibility) and ISO 27001 are met.
Development of a hierarchical policy framework: information security policy (top level), guidelines (e.g., access control, incident management), work instructions, and standards. We develop a document management system with approval, review, and versioning processes that systematically addresses the 37 organizational controls of ISO 27001:2022.
Systematic management of all compliance requirements from NIS2 (personal liability §38 BSIG), DORA (digital resilience for the financial sector), the KRITIS umbrella act, TISAX (automotive), and GDPR. We create a regulatory mapping, identify overlaps and gaps, and establish a compliance monitoring process with regular reporting to senior management.
Establishment of an internal audit program in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO 27001 Clause 9.2. We design the audit cycle, train internal auditors, develop audit checklists, and implement a measure-tracking process. Complemented by KPIs (policy compliance rate, risk reduction, mean time to remediate), the result is a data-driven governance reporting framework.
6 phases
Our governance approach is based on the Three-Lines-of-Defense model and combines ISO 27001:2022 compliance with pragmatic implementation expertise — audit-ready, regulatorily compliant, and tailored to your organization.
Inventory of existing structures, roles, policies, and gap analysis against ISO 27001:2022 and NIS2
Design of the governance architecture with Three-Lines-of-Defense, committee structure, and decision-making processes
Development of the document hierarchy from top-level policy through guidelines to work instructions
Definition of all governance roles (CISO/ISB, Asset Owner, Security Champions) with RACI matrix
Establishment of committees, reporting structures, audit program, and compliance monitoring
Ongoing effectiveness review, KPI reporting, and continuous improvement in the PDCA cycle
Your contact
Sarah Richter
Head of Information Security, Cyber Security
10+ years of experience, CISA, CISM, Lead Auditor, DORA, NIS2, BCM, Cyber and Information Security
Contact our specialists today for a personalized assessment of your requirements.
6 QUESTIONS, BRIEFLY ANSWERED
Information Security Governance is the control framework that ensures information security is strategically managed, organizationally embedded, and continuously improved. It encompasses roles and responsibilities, policy hierarchies, decision-making processes, audit programs, and reporting structures. Governance is the bridge between the ISMS (the management system) and corporate leadership.
The NIS2 Implementation Act (§38 BSIG) makes senior management personally responsible for overseeing cybersecurity measures. Violations can result in fines of up to €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover. Responsibility cannot be fully delegated — executives must demonstrate that they have approved risk management measures and monitored their implementation.
An ISMS (ISO 27001) is the management system for information security — encompassing risk assessment, controls, and continuous improvement. Governance is the overarching control framework that defines WHO makes decisions, HOW reporting is conducted, and WHICH committees oversee effectiveness. Governance steers the ISMS, not the other way around. In practice, every ISMS requires a functioning governance structure.
The Three-Lines model structures responsibilities across three levels: The 1st Line (operational units) implements security measures. The 2nd Line (ISB, risk management, compliance) monitors and advises. The 3rd Line (internal audit) independently reviews effectiveness. This model is the international standard for governance and is equally recommended by ISO 27001, NIS2, and financial supervisory authorities.
ISO 27001 requires at least annual internal audits (Clause 9.2) and a management review (Clause 9.3). Best practice is a risk-based audit cycle: critical areas semi-annually, others annually. We also recommend event-driven audits following security incidents or major changes. ADVISORI supports both audit planning and execution.
Key roles include: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Information Security Officer (ISB) as the central control authority, Asset Owners responsible for information assets, Security Champions within business units, a steering committee (Information Security Board) at management level, and internal auditors. The specific design depends on company size and industry.
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