ISO 27001 • ISMS Scope • Translation Companies
Defining Your ISMS Scope: The Foundation of ISO 27001 for Language Translation Companies
Setting Clear Boundaries to Protect Multilingual Data and Build Client Trust
For language translation and localization companies, information security is more than an internal concern it’s a client expectation. Every translated document may contain confidential legal, financial, or medical information. To protect it properly under ISO/IEC 27001, your first step is defining your Information Security Management System (ISMS) Scope.
Your ISMS Scope defines the boundaries of your security program specifying which systems, teams, and services are included under ISO 27001 compliance and how external tools and suppliers (like TMS, CAT, and cloud storage platforms) are managed.
At Canadian Cyber, our ISMS Scope Template (CC-ISMS-001) helps translation companies like yours define these boundaries precisely ensuring your ISMS covers every workflow, translation environment, and vendor relationship involved in handling client data.
Why Defining ISMS Scope Matters for Translation Companies
Translation service providers face complex operational landscapes:
- Distributed teams across countries and languages
- Cloud-based translation tools (TMS, CAT, MT engines)
- Third-party vendors handling specialized content
- Client data flowing through multiple file formats and storage systems
Without a clearly defined scope, your ISMS might:
- ❌ Miss key systems or suppliers
- ❌ Overextend into areas outside your control
- ❌ Create confusion about roles and security boundaries
A well-defined ISMS scope ensures:
- All client data and translation workflows are covered
- Interfaces with tools and suppliers are properly managed
- Risks are accurately identified and treated
- Auditors understand exactly what’s in and out of your ISMS
Building an ISMS Scope with the CC-ISMS-001 Template
The Canadian Cyber ISMS Scope Template helps translation firms map every layer of their information environment. It aligns with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Clause 4.3 and ISO/IEC 27006-1 Section 9.1.3.6, defining:
- The context of your organization
- The boundaries of your ISMS
- Included services, tools, and locations
- Dependencies and external interfaces
- Justified exclusions and scope maintenance
🧾 Sample ISMS Scope Document
(Based on the Canadian Cyber CC-ISMS-001 Template)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Document Title | ISMS Scope |
| Document Number | LT-ISMS-001 |
| Version | 2.0 |
| Date | October 2025 |
| Company | LinguaTrust Translations Inc. |
| Classification | Confidential |
1. Purpose
This document defines the scope of LinguaTrust’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) in alignment with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Clause 4.3. It establishes the boundaries of the ISMS, including all systems, services, and third-party interactions involved in delivering secure translation and localization services.
2. Scope
2.1 Organizational Context
Legal Entity: LinguaTrust Translations Inc., headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
Nature of Business: Professional translation and localization services for corporate, legal, healthcare, and government clients.
Objective: Implement an ISO 27001-certified ISMS covering all translation, data management, and support functions that process client content.
2.2 Included Locations
- Head Office: Toronto, ON: Project Management, HR, Finance, IT, and Administration.
- Operations Center: Montreal, QC: Translation, Linguistic QA, and Vendor Management.
- Remote Translators: Canada and international contractors with secure VPN and MFA access.
- Cloud Infrastructure: Translation Management System (TMS) hosted on AWS Canada Central.
- Cloud Storage: Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, OneDrive) for project files and client data.
2.3 Included Processes and Information
- Translation and localization workflows (source-to-target).
- Linguistic QA and project review processes.
- Vendor onboarding and confidentiality compliance.
- Data storage, backup, and retention management.
- Risk management, incident handling, and business continuity.
- Supporting operations: HR, Legal, Finance, IT.
- Information assets: client files, glossaries, style guides, translator credentials, project data, and employee records.
2.4 Technical Scope
- TMS: Phrase, memoQ, or Smartcat environment with secure access control.
- CAT Tools: SDL Trados, Memsource, or OmegaT as approved by ISMS Manager.
- Cloud Storage: Microsoft 365, AWS S3 Buckets.
- Security Tools: EDR on corporate laptops, VPN with MFA, secure file transfer protocols (SFTP, HTTPS).
- Backup Systems: Encrypted daily backups via AWS snapshot and 365 retention policies.
2.5 Interfaces & Dependencies
- Cloud Service Providers: AWS and Microsoft 365 (shared responsibility model).
- Clients: Secure upload portals, TMS access, and encrypted communications.
- Vendors: Freelance translators and agencies with signed NDA and access control limits.
- Technology Providers: TMS, CAT, and productivity software vendors.
All interfaces are assessed in the Risk Register and detailed in the Statement of Applicability (CC-ISMS-006). Supplier contracts define data-protection obligations and incident-response requirements.
2.6 Exclusions
Excluded:
- Personal devices not used for business purposes.
- Marketing website and materials that do not handle client data.
Justification: These areas fall outside the ISMS data lifecycle. Documented in the SoA.
3. References
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Clauses 4.1–4.3, 7.5.3
- ISO/IEC 27006-1:2024 Section 9.1.3.6
- ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Control 5.31 (Legal and Contractual Requirements)
- CC-ISMS-003 Risk Assessment Methodology
- CC-ISMS-004 Risk Register & Treatment Plan
- CC-ISMS-006 Statement of Applicability
- CC-ISMS-008 Internal Audit Program & Reports
4. Definitions & Acronyms
- ISMS: Information Security Management System
- SoA: Statement of Applicability
- TMS: Translation Management System
- CAT: Computer-Assisted Translation
- MFA: Multi-Factor Authentication
5. Roles & Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| CEO (Marie Dupont) | Approves ISMS scope and ensures it aligns with business strategy. |
| ISMS Manager (Ryan Carter) | Maintains scope documentation and coordinates annual reviews. |
| IT Manager | Ensures systems and security tools remain within scope boundaries. |
| Project Managers | Identify data-handling workflows relevant to the ISMS. |
| Internal Auditor | Confirms scope application during audits and validates evidence. |
6. Procedure Highlights
- Identify internal and external issues (e.g., privacy laws, vendor dependencies).
- Define the ISMS boundaries covering cloud, on-prem, and remote translators.
- Include all processes that impact client data security and confidentiality.
- Document all interfaces with cloud platforms, TMS tools, and subcontractors.
- Review the scope annually and after major organizational changes.
- Link the document to the Risk Register (CC-ISMS-004) and SoA (CC-ISMS-006).
7. Compliance Mapping
- Clause 4.3: Defining ISMS boundaries and applicability.
- Clauses 4.1–4.2: Understanding context and interested parties.
- ISO 27006-1 Section 9.1.3.6: Including dependencies and interfaces.
- ISO 27002 Control 5.31: Legal and contractual obligations.
8. Continuous Improvement
LinguaTrust reviews its ISMS Scope annually and whenever major operational or technological changes occur such as onboarding a new TMS provider, expanding into new markets, or integrating AI-assisted translation tools. All revisions are version-controlled and approved by Top Management.
Why This Example Works
- Every client workflow is within scope.
- Vendor and cloud responsibilities are documented.
- Risk and compliance are linked across systems.
- The scope evolves with business and technology changes.
How Canadian Cyber Helps Translation Companies Define Their ISMS Scope
- ISMS Scope Template (CC-ISMS-001) customized for translation firms.
- Statement of Applicability & Risk Register Integration.
- Cloud and Vendor Dependency Mapping.
- Virtual CISO (vCISO) Services for continuous compliance oversight.
- ISO 27001 Certification Readiness Support.
We make ISO 27001 practical, precise, and perfectly tailored to your translation operations.
Ready to Define Your ISO 27001-Compliant ISMS Scope?
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Canadian Cyber Helping Translation Companies Define, Secure, and Scale with ISO 27001. Because in translation, clarity begins with scope.
