Participants of the “IT Meets Cybersecurity: How Can Businesses Protect Themselves from Threats?” conference had the chance to look at cybersecurity not just as a technical safeguard, but as a core part of business strategy. Kitsoft’s CEO Oleksandr Iefremov shared the company’s journey towards implementing the ISO/IEC 27001 standard — and explained why certification changes far more than documents, reshaping the way organizations approach risk management.
Why ISO Is More Than a Formality
Oleksandr began his talk with a key point: certification is not about “ticking a box” — it’s about building trust. For Kitsoft, the path to ISO/IEC 27001 started with a deep inventory of all assets, from hardware to internal processes. If policies and rules only exist “in the heads” of the team, he stressed, they quickly become a risk to security.
It’s impossible to successfully implement ISO 27001 without engaging top management. Either you have a sponsor at the C-Level, or you step up to that level yourself to communicate its value.
— noted Iefremov.
Image: Oleksandr Iefremov, CEO Kitsoft
Security as a Competitive Advantage
Executive involvement, staff training in secure development practices, and thorough process documentation became part of a comprehensive transformation at Kitsoft. The results have been clear: increased trust from clients and partners, simplified participation in international tenders, and overall — stronger strategic growth.
For any business, the key is to generate more value than what you spend on cybersecurity. That only happens when ISO becomes a competitive advantage, not a burden.
— Iefremov added.
Next Step: A Dedicated SOC
Kitsoft is not stopping at certification. The company is now building its own Security Operations Center (SOC), which will enable 24/7 monitoring and rapid response to cyber incidents. This step is critical for safeguarding mission-critical digital platforms and scaling services across European markets.
For Kitsoft, the implementation of ISO/IEC 27001 has become more than a compliance exercise — it has laid the foundation for sustainable growth. It stands as an example of how Ukrainian businesses can turn cyber threats into opportunities.