An ISMS is not a project –
It is a process
The information security management system (ISMS) is already implemented in many companies or in the process of being introduced. But even with a cleanly documented system, up-to-date policies, and a completed audit, the work is not done. On the contrary: An ISMS that is not regularly maintained, reviewed, and adjusted quickly loses effectiveness. Requirements, threat landscapes, and legal regulations are constantly changing – and with them the requirements for information security.
Regular audits and reviews are therefore not merely formal appointments, but central elements to ensure the currency and effectiveness of the ISMS. Only by continuously engaging with your own security level can weaknesses be identified and remedied at an early stage. Especially in the mid-market, where resources are limited, it is important to design processes that are lean and traceable. Jira and Confluence provide tools that offer both structural and content support.
Audits, internal and external alike, ideally do not start by gathering information, but with a look into a clearly managed task and evidence system. In Jira, audit tasks can be created directly as issues, with deadlines, responsibilities, and all relevant information. History, status changes, and communication are transparently documented. If deviations are identified in an audit, Jira can automatically assign them to the appropriate roles, create follow-up actions, and monitor their implementation.
Make continuous improvement visible:
Use Jira and Confluence to manage, document,
dokumentieren and sustainably embed ISMS processes
Confluence complements this approach with its ability for structured documentation. Audit logs, test reports, policies, or training records can be stored with version control. Changes are transparent, approval processes documented. In conjunction with Jira, this results not just in simple to-do lists, but in a robust control system that can be used both for operational execution and as evidence for auditors.
The benefits of this approach are particularly evident when implementing continuous improvement. A central principle of an ISMS is the so-called : Plan – Do – Check – Act. In day-to-day operations, this means: regular reviews, risk assessments, and technical and organizational adjustments. In Jira, these reviews can be set up as recurring tasks. Deviations from previous years’ audits, new threat scenarios, or legal changes can be recorded, assessed, and processed at any time.
Supplier or IT service provider evaluations can also be mapped in Jira. If, for example, a subcontractor gains access to sensitive information, they must be reviewed regularly. These review cycles can be automated in Jira and linked to the corresponding evidence in Confluence. This creates a transparent overview of all security-relevant dependencies.
With dashboards and reporting, company management gains an overview of the status of information security. Which measures are open, which risks have changed, which trainings are coming up? All of this can be depicted from within Jira. In addition, documentation, strategy papers, or decision-making documents can be maintained in Confluence. The result is a holistic system that can be used both operationally and strategically.
Training processes can also be effectively supported with Jira and Confluence. Mandatory information security trainings can be documented in Confluence and scheduled and monitored in Jira. Who completed which training and when? Are there refresher requirements? This information can be centrally managed and presented at the push of a button during audits.
Embed ISMS for the long term:
Practical solutions for sustainable
information security in everyday business
What matters is that the continuous improvement process is not perceived as an additional burden, but as a working structure that anchors the ISMS in everyday operations. The technical foundation for this is in place. Jira and Confluence offer functions that can be integrated into existing structures with minimal effort. The challenge does not lie in the tool, but in the discipline to live the processes.
Honicon GmbH has been supporting companies for years in building precisely these structures. We understand the needs of mid-sized organizations that bear great responsibility with limited resources. Our approach is pragmatic, efficient, and focused: We not only support the introduction of an ISMS, but also accompany our customers in the long term with maintenance and further development. In doing so, we rely on practical solutions that genuinely lighten our customers’ day-to-day workload.
An ISMS is not a completed project. It is an ongoing process. Those who understand this will not see information security as an obligation, but as an integral part of modern corporate management. With Jira and Confluence, tools are available that can translate this aspiration into everyday practice. Experience shows: Those who perceive information security as a management task and anchor it operationally act not only in compliance, but create real added value for their own company.