The Importance of ISO Standards in the IT Sector and the Role of EU Funding in Boosting Competitiveness

Information technology is now the backbone of almost every industry. Companies rely more and more on digital systems for data processing, customer communication and service delivery, which makes a growing number of increasingly complex IT risks unavoidable. In this environment, ISO standards have become a key tool for managing the quality, security and reliability of IT services. That is why we decided to systematically align our business processes with three internationally recognized standards, supported by European Union funds that allowed us to take this step faster.

What Are ISO Standards and Why Do They Matter?

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards are internationally recognized norms that define best practice across different areas of business. Three standards are particularly relevant for the IT sector: ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 27001 (information security management) and ISO 20000-1 (IT service management). Together, they cover the entire IT service delivery cycle, from process quality and data protection to operational excellence in day-to-day work.

ISO 9001 introduces a systematic approach to quality management through clearly defined processes, performance measurement and continual improvement, which directly reduces errors and increases customer satisfaction.

ISO 27001 defines an information security management system (ISMS) covering risk assessment, data access control and incident management. This is especially important at a time of rising cyberattacks and ever stricter legal requirements such as GDPR.

ISO 20000-1 focuses on the operational side of IT service delivery, setting out requirements for a service management system that includes incident, change and availability management, with clearly defined service levels.

Beyond the internal operational benefits, ISO certification brings a clear market advantage. Certified companies find it easier to enter foreign markets, take part in international tenders and build long-term relationships with partners who require standards compliance as a condition of cooperation. In a sector where trust and reliability often decide the choice of supplier, ISO certificates serve as objective, widely recognized proof of quality.

The Role of EU Funding in Boosting Competitiveness

Programmes such as the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2021–2027, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, are designed to strengthen the economic resilience and market position of Croatian businesses. By co-financing projects that introduce new standards, technologies or business processes, EU funds reduce the financial risk of investment and allow companies to achieve development milestones that might otherwise take longer. Beyond the direct financial benefit, taking part in EU projects also encourages a structured approach to planning, from defining clear objectives and monitoring implementation to measuring results.

Our Experience: Management System Certification at NOTUS IT

A concrete example of this kind of investment is our project "Preparation, Implementation and Certification of Management Systems According to ISO Standards", carried out with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO). The project had a total value of €79,569.60, of which €48,374.70 was provided through EU grants. Through it, we implemented and certified all three of the standards mentioned above: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 20000-1:2018.

EU funding enabled us to carry out the entire process, from preparing documentation and training employees to the certification audit, faster and more comprehensively than we would have planned in our regular operations.

As a result, in a relatively short time we improved the quality of our services, the security of our clients' data and the reliability of our IT service management. These three elements are now almost a prerequisite for working with larger and more demanding clients, including the public sector and international partners.

Adopting ISO standards in the IT sector today is not just a matter of obtaining a formal certificate. It is a strategic decision that shapes how a company operates, protects data and communicates its reliability to the market.

EU funding acts as an accelerator here: it allows us to carry out strategic investments faster and more thoroughly. Our experience shows that targeted investment in management systems, supported by the European Union, directly strengthens competitiveness, opens up new markets and builds the trust that underpins every successful long-term business relationship.

This article was produced as part of the project "Preparation, Implementation and Certification of Management Systems According to ISO Standards for NOTUS IT d.o.o." (project code: PK.1.3.04.0298), co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The content of this article is the sole responsibility of Notus IT d.o.o.