ISO 27001 in the age of AI: Why trust is your most important security tool

TL;DR

AI can accelerate development but introduces risks. ISO 27001 provides the trust framework to balance speed with security.

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry, with software development and cybersecurity being no exception. AI-assisted tools promise faster development cycles, streamlined security practices, and innovative approaches to problem-solving. But like any powerful new technology, these tools also pose serious risks. As organizations weigh the benefits of adopting generative AI (GenAI) in their workflows, they must grapple with the challenges of data security, reputational trust, and compliance.

This article explores the emerging landscape of AI in security and development, the key risks identified by industry surveys, and why certifications like ISO 27001 are becoming essential benchmarks for trust in a rapidly evolving market.

AI’s growing role in development and security

The adoption of AI tools in development environments has accelerated dramatically in the past two years. From generating boilerplate code to analyzing vulnerabilities and even automating threat detection, AI promises to revolutionize how developers and security teams operate.

CrowdStrike’s State-of-AI Survey highlights this enthusiasm: 29% of cybersecurity professionals are actively researching GenAI tools, and 35% report they are testing, purchasing, or already implementing these tools. This optimism stems from the real productivity gains AI can offer. Security teams can scan logs or anomalies at scale with AI models that would otherwise take hours of manual work. The promise is compelling: faster, smarter, and more resilient systems.

Yet the same survey also revealed that excitement comes with hesitation.

Risks of GenAI adoption

CrowdStrike’s survey data points to the top five concerns professionals have about adopting GenAI tools:

1. Sensitive data exposure to underlying LLMs: Developers may inadvertently expose proprietary or personal data when using cloud-based AI services. Once exposed, control over this information is lost.
2. Adversarial attacks on GenAI tools: Just as AI can be used defensively, it can also be manipulated. Attackers can poison training data or craft prompts that cause harmful outputs.
3. Lack of guardrails or controls: Many GenAI tools are still in experimental phases and lack robust built-in safeguards.
4. AI hallucinations: Models can generate convincing but false or insecure code, which developers may mistakenly trust.
5. Insufficient public policy and regulation: The regulatory landscape is still forming, leaving organizations uncertain about compliance and liability.

Beyond these survey insights, assessments like those from QwietAI raise additional concerns specific to internal development. AI-generated code often outpaces traditional review processes and can introduce vulnerabilities such as:

• Injection flaws
• Hardcoded secrets
• Insecure dependencies
• Outdated libraries

Because large language models (LLMs) lack security context, their outputs may also expose proprietary information. For organizations experimenting with AI, the speed advantage may inadvertently come at the cost of security.

Why trust matters

In this environment of rapid innovation and risk, trust can become a deciding factor. Trust isn’t abstract, either. It’s directly tied to economic value:

• Customer choice: In competitive industries, customers consistently choose providers they trust, given that alternatives are similar in price and quality.
• Investor confidence: A strong reputation attracts venture capital, boosts share price, and drives long-term growth.
• Regulatory relationships: Legislators and regulators are more likely to support or overlook minor issues at companies with a strong record of responsibility.

The reverse is equally true. A breach or reputational scandal can devastate a company overnight. Loss of customer trust, investor pullback, or hostile regulation can spiral into long-term decline.

Data breaches: The fastest route to losing trust

Few incidents damage trust more quickly than a data breach. The immediate consequences include:

• Loss of proprietary information
• Ransomware payouts or extortion
• Legal and compliance penalties
• Costly litigation

These tangible losses are compounded by reputational damage that can last years. Customers are reluctant to return to a provider known for mishandling sensitive data, investors may hesitate to back risky ventures, and competitors capitalize on the breach to lure away clients.

As companies embrace AI-assisted development, the stakes grow higher. Continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines make it possible to release features at lightning speed, but the same acceleration means vulnerabilities can slip through more easily.

To protect trust, organizations must demonstrate a serious commitment to security. This is where standards like ISO 27001 enter the picture.

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems. It provides a framework of policies, procedures, and controls designed to protect sensitive information systematically and comprehensively.

Achieving ISO 27001 certification requires organizations to undergo rigorous audits conducted by accredited third parties. These audits examine how well the company identifies security risks, implements controls, and monitors compliance over time.

In contrast to other information security standards focused on compliance with a specific set of defined security controls, ISO 27001 is focused on setting up a comprehensive system within your organization designed to manage information security. Becoming ISO 27001 certified means establishing organizational controls for some of the following key components:

1. Risk assessment and treatment: Identifying vulnerabilities and applying appropriate safeguards.
2. Access control: Ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive systems.
3. Incident response planning: Preparing for and mitigating the effects of security incidents.
4. Continuous improvement: Regularly updating practices to respond to evolving threats.

The certification is not just about compliance. It’s about building a culture of security that touches every level of an organization.

Benefits of Adopting ISO 27001

The benefits of certification extend far beyond the security department:

1. Closing security gaps: The audit process itself forces organizations to identify and fix weaknesses, from outdated libraries to improper access controls.
2. Market differentiation: ISO 27001 certification is a visible, marketable badge of security excellence. In industries where clients demand proof of strong security, certification can make or break deals.
3. Investor appeal: Investors see certification as evidence of maturity and reliability, boosting confidence in the company’s future.
4. Reputation protection: By implementing stronger defenses, companies reduce their likelihood of data breaches and other sources of reputational damage.
5. Reduction of AI risks: By embedding AI practices into an ISO-compliant framework, companies can enjoy the benefits of GenAI tools without exposing themselves to excessive risk.

AI in security and development represents both an opportunity and a risk. While generative tools promise speed and efficiency, they also introduce new vulnerabilities, from insecure code to potential data leakage. Organizations that rush forward without adequate safeguards risk undermining the very trust that drives customer loyalty, investor confidence, and long-term success.

By pursuing ISO 27001 certification, companies can build robust defenses, align AI practices with recognized standards, and demonstrate their commitment to security in a market where trust is paramount.

Doppler and ISO 27001: Why it matters

At Doppler, we don’t just talk about security. We build it into everything we do. That’s why we’ve achieved ISO 27001 certification to demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of information security management.

This certification is more than a badge. It’s an independent verification that Doppler has the policies, controls, and processes in place to protect customer data against evolving threats. For teams adopting AI, this assurance becomes especially important. As development cycles accelerate and risks grow, having a trusted partner means you can innovate without compromising security.

For our customers, ISO 27001 certification means:

• Confidence in compliance: Doppler meets internationally recognized security standards.
• Operational maturity: Our security practices are audited and continuously improved.
• Reduced risk exposure: Strong safeguards ensure your sensitive data stays protected.

Learn more about how we safeguard your data on our Trust Center, dive deeper into our security practices, or get a free demo to see how Doppler can help you on your path to compliance.