What is the BIO?
The BIO, also known as the Government Information Security Baseline, is the specific standard that defines information security for government agencies. It is a coherent framework that builds on previous baselines such as BIG, BIR, IBI and BIWA, and is structured according to the ISO 27001 and 27002 standards.
Why comply with BIO?
The BIO is aimed at improving information security at all levels of government. This is very important because communication between entrepreneurs, citizens and governments is increasingly taking place digitally, including sensitive and confidential information. The BIO not only applies to government agencies themselves, but government suppliers are increasingly being required to comply with the BIO.
BIO has the following advantages:
- One clear line thanks to a standardized standards framework
- Competitive bid advantage for organizations working with governments
- Facilitates interagency cooperation
- Promotes risk awareness and knowledge sharing
Protection levels BIO
The BIO has three levels of protection, called Baseline Protection Levels (BBN). The severity of the technical and organizational measures to be taken must match the risk level of a process or system.
When a process is established at BBN level 2, both the measures of BBN1 and BBN2 must be implemented. In addition, from the highest basic security level (BBN3), relevant requirements of, among others, the NATO Convention for the Security of Information and the National Office Special Information Regulations Decree (VIR-BI) must also be met. Which BBN level is needed or desired is determined by a BBN test.
BIO in relation to ISO 27001
The structure of the BIO is similar to the ISO 27001 Addendum, with the requirements from the ISO 27001 Addendum further strengthened with BIO-specific requirements. The requirements become more stringent as the aforementioned BIO risk level increases. Basic chapters 4 through 10 of the ISO 27001 standard, which set requirements for an organization's Plan-Do-Check-Act process, are not part of the BIO.
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