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EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Quick Facts
Building a secure information environment is one of the most valued professional skills today. This quick facts guide highlights the essentials of the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Certification and helps you confidently focus your studies on what matters most for exam success.
How does the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Certification shape your understanding of digital security?
The EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Certification validates your grasp of key principles in information protection, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It provides a structured understanding of how to safeguard data, apply appropriate controls, and work within legal and organizational frameworks. Ideal for business and IT professionals, this certification helps individuals contribute effectively to security-conscious workplaces, ensuring strong alignment between technical measures and organizational policies.
Who Should Consider the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Certification?
The EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 based on ISO/IEC 27001 certification is ideal for anyone working in an environment where information is created, managed, or shared. If you interact with confidential data or simply want a strong understanding of how businesses protect their information assets, this is the perfect certification to start with.
It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Professionals handling or processing company or customer data
- Entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to safeguard their business information
- IT or administrative staff seeking foundational security knowledge
- Students or career changers exploring cybersecurity or governance roles
This certification opens the door to understanding how information security operates both technically and strategically in modern organizations.
What Career Opportunities Can This Certification Help You Pursue?
Holding an EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 certification is a clear indicator of your commitment to protecting organizational information, which makes you valuable across multiple industries. While it’s a foundation-level credential, it’s a recognized step toward advancing into roles like:
- Information Security Assistant or Analyst
- IT Governance Specialist
- Compliance Coordinator
- Risk Management Associate
- Data or Privacy Officer Support Roles
By earning this certification, you also position yourself to pursue advanced qualifications like EXIN Information Security Management or EXIN Data Protection Officer—both of which lead to higher-level security leadership roles.
What Is the Exam Code for This Certification?
The current EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 exam uses the ISFS exam code. This code identifies the official exam version that aligns with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 standards and serves as the foundation for EXIN’s broader information security management certification track.
How Many Questions Are on the Exam?
The EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 exam includes 40 multiple-choice questions. Each question is designed to measure your understanding of fundamental information security concepts—such as confidentiality, integrity, availability, risk management, and organizational controls.
You’ll encounter a mix of definition, concept, and scenario-based questions that assess your ability to apply knowledge rather than just memorize facts. The exam measures comprehension at Bloom levels 1 and 2, which focus on remembering and understanding information.
How Much Time Do You Get to Complete the Exam?
You’ll have 60 minutes to complete the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 (ISFS) exam. This duration is more than sufficient for most candidates, as the questions are concise and focus on foundational understanding.
It’s recommended to pace yourself evenly—spending about 90 seconds per question—and review flagged questions before submitting. Since it’s a closed-book exam, familiarity with concepts beforehand is key.
What Is the Passing Score for the ISFS Exam?
To pass the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 exam, you must achieve a 65% passing score. That means you need to answer at least 26 out of 40 questions correctly.
The exam is straightforward in its scoring, and since there’s no penalty for incorrect answers, it’s always worth making your best guess when uncertain. A solid study strategy focusing on the official exam domains will help you easily surpass the required score.
How Much Does the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Exam Cost?
The official exam fee for the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 certification is $269 USD. Prices may slightly vary depending on location, currency, or training provider fees.
Many accredited training organizations also bundle study materials, classroom sessions, or exam vouchers at discounted rates—so it’s worth comparing available options before booking your exam.
What Languages Is the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Exam Available In?
The ISFS exam is offered in multiple languages to support global learners. These include English, Dutch, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese.
Multilingual availability ensures accessibility for professionals worldwide, making this certification an excellent choice for international teams that prioritize consistent security knowledge across regions.
What Is Covered in the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Exam?
The exam blueprint is divided into four key domains, each reflecting essential concepts in information security:
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Information and Security
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Threats and Risks
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Security Controls
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Legislation, Regulations, and Standards
These domains combine theoretical knowledge with practical awareness, empowering you to apply secure practices in real-world work environments.
How Many Study Hours Should You Plan For?
EXIN recommends a total study effort of around 56 hours. This estimate includes self-study, review of official literature, and exam preparation.
If you’re taking the exam through an Accredited Training Organization (ATO), you can expect around 14 hours of instructor-led contact time, complemented by independent reading and practice exercises.
What Study Materials Are Recommended?
The exam is primarily based on the official publication:
“Foundations of Information Security – Based on ISO 27001 and ISO 27002” (4th Revised Edition, 2023) by Hintzbergen, Hintzbergen, Smulders, and Baars.
This book provides comprehensive coverage of all exam domains and serves as the core reading material for both training sessions and independent preparation. Supplementary online resources and practice questions can reinforce your understanding.
How Long Is the Certification Valid?
The EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 certification does not expire, making it a lifetime credential in most regions. However, since the field of information security evolves rapidly, professionals often pursue advanced EXIN certifications or refresh their knowledge through continuous learning.
Maintaining awareness of updated ISO/IEC 27001 versions helps keep your expertise current even without recertification requirements.
What Type of Questions Will You Encounter?
All exam questions are multiple-choice, focused on assessing recall and understanding. The scenarios are practical and context-based rather than purely theoretical.
For example, you may be asked to identify the correct control type for a given situation or recognize the element of the CIA triad (confidentiality, integrity, availability) being affected in a scenario.
Are There Any Prerequisites for This Certification?
There are no formal prerequisites to take the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 exam. Anyone interested in understanding the principles of information security can sit for it.
Basic familiarity with IT or data-handling concepts is an advantage, but not mandatory. Beginners will find this certification accessible and rewarding due to its structured, thematic approach to learning.
How Difficult Is the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Exam?
The exam is straightforward and accessible for individuals at the foundation level. As long as you study the official material and understand the relationships between security concepts, achieving a passing score is very achievable.
It’s designed to introduce you to the discipline of information security management, so focus on comprehension—understanding why each control or concept matters—rather than memorization alone.
What Is the Primary Learning Focus of the ISFS Exam?
The exam reinforces a holistic understanding of information security management. You’ll explore the purpose of security policies, know how to evaluate threats and risks, and learn the importance of controls that protect valuable information assets.
Beyond theory, this certification emphasizes everyday application—helping you recognize vulnerabilities in your work environment and make better information security decisions.
What Resources Can Help You Prepare Effectively?
In addition to the official literature, many learners benefit from guided study aids such as online practice exams, flashcards, and mock tests. Quality test simulations not only build familiarity with question structure but also help improve time management during the real exam.
If you’re ready to strengthen your preparation, you can explore realistic and detailed EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 practice exams to refine your knowledge and boost confidence before test day.
How Is the EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 Exam Scored?
Each question has a single correct answer, and your total number of correct responses determines your score. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so every question should be attempted.
Scores are presented as percentages, with 65% being the minimum threshold for passing. Upon completion, your exam result will confirm whether you’ve earned your globally recognized foundation certificate.
Where Can You Take the Exam?
You can take the exam in two ways:
- Online, through EXIN’s secure proctoring system
- In-person, at an accredited EXIN testing center or partner training organization
Both options maintain strict integrity and compliance with ISO/IEC 27001 testing standards. Online exams provide convenience, while in-person testing may suit those who prefer a monitored environment.
What Comes Next After Earning Your Foundation Certificate?
Once you’ve achieved the foundation certification, consider advancing along EXIN’s career paths in information security and data protection. Recommended next steps include:
- EXIN Information Security Management based on ISO/IEC 27001
- EXIN Information Security Officer
- EXIN Data Protection Officer
These higher-level certifications expand your expertise into governance, regulations, compliance, and organizational risk management.
How Do You Register for the Exam?
To register, visit the official EXIN Information Security Foundation ISO IEC 27001 certification page and follow the guided process. You can purchase the exam directly or register through one of EXIN’s accredited partners.
Once registered, you’ll receive access to scheduling options, whether you choose an online proctored session or a local testing site. With dedication and the right preparation, this certification can be the cornerstone of your cybersecurity journey.
