Many people have never heard an ISO Standard or Certification. Basically, International Standards give world-class specifications for products, services and systems, to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. Over 19,000 International Standards have been published covering almost every industry, from technology, healthcare, food safety and agriculture.
What is ISO?
Just to give you a little history, the ISO story began in 1946 when delegates from 25 countries met at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London. During that meeting they decided to create a new international organization ‘to facilitate the international coordination and unification of industrial standards’. The ISO officially began operations in February 1947. Today there are members from 162 countries and 3,368 technical bodies to take care of standard development. More than 150 people work full time for ISO’s Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.
How the process works is an ISO standard is developed by a panel of experts who create a technical committee. Once the need for a standard has been established, these experts meet to review and negotiate a draft standard. As soon as the committee develops a draft it’s shared with ISO’s members who are asked to comment and vote on it. If a consensus is reached the draft becomes an ISO standard, if not it goes back to the technical committee for further edit.
ISO 15408 is a specific standard developed for Information Technology Security Techniques
It establishes the general concepts and principles of IT security evaluation and specifies the general model of evaluation given by various parts of ISO/IEC 15408 which in its entirety is meant to be used as the basis for evaluation of security properties of IT products.
Konica Minolta takes ISO 15408 certification seriously, they believe that ensuring a high level of security for their products sets MFPs apart from other brands. Konica Minolta strives to be on the leading-edge of technology. These standards position their products ahead of competitors in areas like research, development and the implementation of exclusive measures covering a wide range of security concerns. Konica Minolta has focused on certifying their full line of MFPs. As a leader in IT technology, Konica Minolta sees it as their duty to provide highly reliable security features by possessing the know-how to make it possible. Many of their certified products are listed below:
- bizhub C652/C552/C452/C652DS/C552DS
- bizhub C451
- bizhub C360/C280/C220
- bizhub C353/C253/C203
- bizhub C35
- bizhub 751/601
- bizhub 423/363/283/223
- bizhub 362/282
- bizhub C650
- bizhub C550
- bizhub C450/C351
- bizhub C352/C300
- bizhub C352P
- bizhub C252P
- bizhub C250P
- bizhub 501/421
- bizhub 383/363/350/250/222/200
- bizhub 252
FAQ about ISO Standards and Certifications
1. What is the purpose of ISO certification?
ISO certification ensures that products, services, and systems meet international standards for quality, safety, and efficiency. These certifications provide global consistency, enabling businesses to operate smoothly across borders. For example, ISO 9001 certification focuses on quality management, helping businesses meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
2. How many ISO standards exist, and what industries do they cover?
There are over 19,000 ISO standards covering nearly every industry, including healthcare, technology, agriculture, and food safety. These standards serve as benchmarks to ensure high performance across various sectors, offering best practices and improving global interoperability.
3. What is the process for developing an ISO standard?
ISO standards are developed through a collaborative process by technical committees made up of experts. Once a need for a standard is identified, the committee drafts, reviews, and refines it until members from 162 countries reach a consensus. Only then is it adopted as an official ISO standard, ensuring that it meets international expectations.
4. Why is ISO 15408 important in IT security?
ISO 15408 is critical for Information Technology Security, setting the standard for evaluating the security properties of IT products. It provides a common framework for assessing how well security features protect against vulnerabilities, ensuring that technology products can be trusted to safeguard sensitive information.
5. How does ISO certification benefit businesses?
ISO certification can give businesses a competitive edge by ensuring they meet international standards of quality and safety. This certification boosts customer confidence, opens up global markets, and helps businesses streamline their operations. For instance, companies with ISO 9001 certification see improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
6. Can small businesses benefit from ISO certification?
Absolutely! ISO certification isn’t just for large corporations. Small businesses can leverage certifications to enhance credibility, improve processes, and compete globally. For example, a small IT firm with ISO 27001 certification (focused on information security) can demonstrate that it adheres to top-tier data protection standards, giving clients peace of mind.
7. How does Konica Minolta utilize ISO 15408 certification?
Konica Minolta takes ISO 15408 certification seriously, applying it across its range of multifunction printers (MFPs). By complying with these stringent IT security standards, Konica Minolta ensures that its devices are more secure, positioning them ahead of competitors in safeguarding sensitive data. This focus on security is critical for industries like finance and healthcare.
8. What are some examples of ISO 15408-certified Konica Minolta products?
Several Konica Minolta products hold ISO 15408 certification, including models like the bizhub C652, C452, and C35. These certifications guarantee that their multifunction printers meet high IT security standards, which is essential for businesses handling sensitive or classified information.
9. How can ISO certification improve product security?
ISO certifications like ISO 27001 and ISO 15408 enhance product security by ensuring rigorous security protocols are in place. These standards help organizations mitigate risks, comply with legal requirements, and protect against data breaches, making them indispensable for industries that manage confidential data.
10. What role does ISO certification play in global trade?
ISO certification streamlines global trade by creating uniform standards across countries, reducing technical barriers, and enhancing trust. Businesses with ISO certification can access international markets more easily because they meet universally accepted quality and safety standards, facilitating smoother transactions and partnerships worldwide.