ISMalueet

ISMalueet is a Finnish term referring to the major domains or areas of information security management. The concept is used to structure and organize security work within an organization and is often applied when implementing or maintaining an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Because the term originates in Finnish-language guidance, the exact set of ISMalueet can vary between organizations and frameworks, but they generally cover the main areas where security controls and responsibilities are needed.

Typical ISMalueet include governance, risk management, and compliance; asset management; identity and access management; data protection and classification; security operations and incident management; vulnerability management and patching; network and communications security; application development security; physical security and environmental controls; business continuity and disaster recovery; training, awareness, and culture; and auditing, monitoring, and assurance. The purpose of defining these areas is to provide a clear map for assigning duties, selecting controls, and monitoring performance.

In practice, ISMalueet are used to align security activities with standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST frameworks, or other regulatory requirements. Organizations map controls to the ISMalueet, implement a PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle for continuous improvement, and report on risk posture and maturity within each area. While ISMalueet are commonly discussed in Finnish security literature and education, the underlying idea—organizing information security work into coherent domains—is universal.