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The Power of an Integrated Management System for Compliance

Stephan Brinkhuis

In today's dynamic world, meeting various compliance requirements is high on every organization's priority list. uComply understands that this can be a complex challenge. An integrated management system helps with implementing compliance requirements, but also with effectively managing them.

An integrated management system (IMS) is a system that allows an organization to bring together multiple management systems into one overarching structure. This means that different standards or frameworks such as ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 14001 (environment), or SOC 2 (information security) are combined in a structured and efficient manner.

What is an Integrated Management System (IMS)?

ISO/IEC 27001 - ISO/IEC 9001 - NEN 7510 - SOC 2 - GDPR - ISO/IEC 27017 and more, including your specific business standard

Why an IMS and How Does It Work?

Many organizations deal with multiple standards and frameworks. Without integration, this often leads to duplicate work, inconsistent processes, and inefficient audits. An IMS helps to:

Centralize overlaps between different standards and/or frameworks

Simple overview of tasks and responsibilities

Simplify compliance through a uniform approach

Achieve continuous improvement by systematically managing risks and performance

An IMS helps in a coordinated way to integrate and manage different standards and frameworks, such as quality management, environmental management, and information security. Here are some key points about how an IMS works:

Uniform Structure: An IMS combines different standards into one streamlined system. This allows organizations to share processes, avoid duplicate work, and better utilize resources.

Process-oriented: The system is based on processes rather than individual activities. This means it manages business activities, promoting consistency and collaboration within the organization.

Efficient Management: Because all standards and requirements are centrally managed, organizations can respond more quickly to changes and new compliance requirements. This helps with risk management and ensuring continuous compliance.

Employee Involvement: An IMS promotes employee involvement by making them aware of their responsibilities and roles. Training and communication play a crucial role, leading to a culture of continuous improvement.

Integrated Audits: Instead of multiple audits for different standards, an IMS enables integrated audits. This saves time and money and provides a coherent picture of performance.

Increased Transparency: With an IMS, organizations have better insight into their compliance status and performance. This promotes transparency and enables them to take corrective action more quickly when needed.

Want to know how to implement this step by step? Contact us today for a no-obligation demo and discover the benefits of an integrated approach to compliance.

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