ISO/IEC 27001:2022

ISO 27001: Information Security Certification

ISO 27001 is the international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) published by ISO and IEC. It provides a systematic framework for organizations to manage sensitive information security risks through policies, procedures, and controls. ISO 27001 certification is valid for 3 years and demonstrates globally recognized security practices to enterprise customers.

The gold standard for information security. Demonstrate to customers, partners, and regulators that you take security seriously with internationally recognized ISO 27001 certification.

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What is ISO 27001: Information Security?

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information, ensuring it remains secure.

The 2022 update modernizes controls for cloud computing, threat intelligence, and data privacy. Unlike SOC 2's attestation model, ISO 27001 results in a formal certificate valid for 3 years (with annual surveillance audits). The standard is structured around the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, emphasizing continuous improvement. Annex A contains 93 controls across 4 domains: Organizational, People, Physical, and Technological. You don't implement all controls—your Statement of Applicability documents which controls apply based on your risk assessment.

Internationally recognized certification accepted globally
Win enterprise deals that require ISO 27001
Reduce security incidents and data breaches
Streamline compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulations

Typical Timeline

4-8 weeks

Pass Rate

100%

Controls

12+

Clients Certified

50+

Deep Dive

ISO 27001: Information Security Control Requirements

Click each control to see implementation guidance and required evidence

ISO 27001: Information Security for Your Industry

How ISO 27001: Information Security applies to different business sectors

Enterprise SaaS

European and APAC enterprise customers often mandate ISO 27001. It's increasingly required alongside SOC 2 for global SaaS companies.

Key Requirements

✓Cloud security controls (A.5.23)
✓Multi-tenant data isolation
✓Secure development lifecycle (A.8.25-31)
✓Third-party integration security
✓Data localization considerations

Example Use Case

A project management SaaS needed ISO 27001 to win €500K+ contracts with German enterprises. After certification, they closed deals with 4 EU Fortune 500 companies within 6 months.

Financial Services

Banks, insurers, and financial institutions require ISO 27001 from their vendors as part of regulatory due diligence.

Key Requirements

✓Business continuity (A.5.29-30)
✓Cryptographic controls (A.8.24)
✓Third-party assurance requirements
✓Incident disclosure obligations
✓Regulatory compliance mapping

Example Use Case

A financial data provider achieved ISO 27001 to meet requirements from major banks. The certification reduced vendor questionnaire responses from 6 weeks to 3 days.

Manufacturing

Industrial and manufacturing companies face increasing supply chain security requirements. ISO 27001 is often mandated by automotive and aerospace OEMs.

Key Requirements

✓Operational technology (OT) security
✓Supply chain information security (A.5.19-22)
✓Physical security for facilities (A.7)
✓Intellectual property protection
✓TISAX alignment for automotive

Example Use Case

An automotive supplier achieved ISO 27001 as a stepping stone to TISAX, unlocking contracts with major German automakers requiring AL3 assessments.

Government Contractors

Government agencies worldwide increasingly require ISO 27001 for vendors handling public sector data.

Key Requirements

✓Data sovereignty and localization
✓Security clearance alignment
✓Compliance with sector-specific frameworks
✓Incident notification to authorities
✓Continuity of government operations

Example Use Case

A govtech SaaS used ISO 27001 to win a £2M contract with a UK government department, beating competitors who only had SOC 2.

Enterprise Technology

Large technology companies require ISO 27001 from their platform vendors, infrastructure providers, and strategic partners.

Key Requirements

✓Secure integration practices
✓API security standards
✓Vendor risk management programs
✓Incident coordination procedures
✓Contractual security requirements

Example Use Case

A B2B integration platform achieved ISO 27001 to satisfy requirements from Microsoft, Salesforce, and SAP partner programs.

Transparent Pricing

ISO 27001: Information Security Certification Costs

What to budget for your ISO 27001: Information Security certification journey

📊 Typical Investment Ranges — These are industry-standard ranges based on company size (50-500 employees). Your actual investment depends on scope, existing controls, and compliance maturity.

Cost Component	Starting From	Up To	Notes
Gap Analysis & Readiness	$5,000	$15,000	Assess current state vs ISO 27001:2022 requirements
ISMS Implementation Consulting	$15,000	$60,000	Depends on scope, complexity, and existing maturity
Compliance Platform (Vanta/Drata)	$10,000/yr	$30,000/yr	Accelerates implementation and evidence collection
Stage 1 Audit (Documentation Review)	$8,000	$20,000	Certification body reviews ISMS documentation
Stage 2 Audit (Certification)	$12,000	$40,000	On-site (or remote) audit of ISMS operation
Annual Surveillance Audits	$6,000	$20,000	Required annually to maintain certification
Recertification Audit (Year 3)	$10,000	$35,000	Full reassessment every 3 years

💡 Get your personalized quote: Costs vary significantly based on organization size, infrastructure complexity, and existing security controls. Our ISO 27001: Information Security readiness assessment provides a tailored cost estimate within 48 hours.

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Framework Comparison

ISO 27001: Information Security vs Other Frameworks

How ISO 27001: Information Security compares to related compliance standards

Aspect	ISO 27001: Information Security	SOC 2	ISO 27701
Standard Type	Formal certification (ISO/IEC)	Attestation report (AICPA)	Extension to ISO 27001 for privacy
Geographic Recognition	Global, especially strong in EU/APAC	Primarily North America	Global (adds to ISO 27001)
Validity Period	3 years with annual surveillance	12 months	Aligned with ISO 27001 cycle
Control Framework	93 controls in Annex A (2022 version)	Principle-based Trust Service Criteria	Extends ISO 27001 with privacy controls
Focus Area	Information Security Management System	Service organization controls	Privacy Information Management
Risk-Based Approach	Central requirement (risk assessment drives controls)	Risk assessment recommended but flexible	Extends ISO 27001 risk approach to privacy
Continuous Improvement	Required (PDCA cycle)	Recommended but not mandated	Inherits ISO 27001 requirements

Avoid These Pitfalls

Common ISO 27001: Information Security Mistakes

Learn from others' mistakes so you don't repeat them

Treating ISO 27001 as a documentation exercise

Consequence

Auditors will find your ISMS isn't operationally effective. You'll get major nonconformities and fail certification.

Prevention

Focus on implementing real controls that work for your organization. Documentation supports implementation—not the other way around.

Conducting a superficial risk assessment

Consequence

Your Statement of Applicability won't make sense. Control selection will be arbitrary. Auditors will identify this as a fundamental weakness.

Prevention

Invest time in a proper risk assessment. Identify real threats and vulnerabilities specific to your business. Document rationale for control selection.

Leaving internal audit until the last minute

Consequence

You won't have time to fix issues discovered in the internal audit before the certification audit.

Prevention

Conduct your internal audit at least 4-6 weeks before Stage 2. Leave buffer time for corrective actions.

Not involving top management

Consequence

ISO 27001 explicitly requires top management commitment. Auditors will interview leadership and test their understanding.

Prevention

Include leadership from the start. Conduct genuine management reviews. Ensure executives understand and support the ISMS.

Ignoring the 2022 update requirements

Consequence

New controls like threat intelligence (A.5.7), cloud security (A.5.23), and data masking (A.8.11) may be expected by auditors.

Prevention

If certifying new or recertifying, use the 2022 version. Map your controls to the new structure (Organizational, People, Physical, Technological).

Choosing an inexperienced certification body

Consequence

Poor audit quality, unexpected findings, or certificates that customers don't trust from unaccredited bodies.

Prevention

Use certification bodies accredited by recognized national accreditation bodies (UKAS, ANAB, DAkkS). Verify accreditation before engaging.

Multi-Framework Efficiency

ISO 27001: Information Security Control Overlap

Leverage shared controls when pursuing multiple certifications

ISO 27001: Information Security ↔ SOC 2

65%

Shared control areas:

Access ControlRisk ManagementIncident ResponseChange ManagementVendor ManagementLoggingEncryption

ISO 27001: Information Security ↔ GDPR

55%

Shared control areas:

Data ProtectionPrivacy by DesignBreach NotificationRisk AssessmentVendor ManagementAccess Rights

ISO 27001: Information Security ↔ ISO 27701

100%

Shared control areas:

All ISO 27001 controlsPrivacy-specific extensions

ISO 27001: Information Security ↔ HIPAA

50%

Shared control areas:

Administrative SafeguardsTechnical SafeguardsRisk AssessmentIncident ResponseAccess Control

Your Path to Certification

Our proven process gets you certified faster

Gap Analysis

1-2 weeks

Assess your current security posture against ISO 27001 requirements and identify gaps.

ISMS Design

2-3 weeks

Design your Information Security Management System, including policies, procedures, and controls.

Implementation

3-4 weeks

Implement controls, deploy monitoring, and train your team on new procedures.

Internal Audit

1-2 weeks

Conduct internal audit to verify ISMS effectiveness before certification audit.

Certification Audit

2-3 weeks

Support you through Stage 1 (documentation) and Stage 2 (operational) audits with an accredited certification body.

Expert Insights

What compliance experts say about ISO 27001: Information Security

"The 2022 update to ISO 27001 finally acknowledges how modern organizations actually work—cloud-first, agile development, and threat-informed defense. Companies starting fresh should embrace these new controls; they'll make your security program genuinely stronger, not just compliant."
H
Heena Sharma
Founder, isauditr | 10+ years in Compliance & DevSecOps

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does ISO 27001 certification take?

With our accelerated approach, most organizations achieve certification in 8-12 weeks. This includes gap analysis (1-2 weeks), ISMS implementation (4-6 weeks), internal audit (1-2 weeks), and certification audit (2-3 weeks). Traditional approaches without automation can take 6-12 months.

What's the difference between ISO 27001 and SOC 2?

ISO 27001 is an international standard focused on establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), resulting in a 3-year certificate. SOC 2 is a US-based attestation report that evaluates controls at a point in time (Type I) or over a period (Type II). ISO 27001 is often required in Europe and for enterprise deals, while SOC 2 is common in the US SaaS market. Many global companies achieve both.

How much does ISO 27001 certification cost?

Total first-year investment typically ranges from $50,000-$150,000, including consulting, compliance platform, and certification body fees. Ongoing costs (surveillance audits, maintenance) are $20,000-$50,000 annually. Costs vary based on organization size, scope, and complexity. Our approach often saves 25-35% compared to traditional consultants.

Do we need to recertify every year?

ISO 27001 certificates are valid for 3 years. However, you must pass annual surveillance audits (typically shorter than the initial audit) to maintain certification. In year 3, you undergo a recertification audit, which is more comprehensive. We offer ongoing support to ensure you're always audit-ready.

What changed in ISO 27001:2022?

The 2022 update restructured Annex A from 14 domains to 4 themes: Organizational (37 controls), People (8 controls), Physical (14 controls), and Technological (34 controls). 11 new controls were added covering areas like threat intelligence, cloud security, data masking, and secure coding. If you're certified to the 2013 version, you must transition by October 2025.

Can we get ISO 27001 and SOC 2 at the same time?

Yes, and it's often efficient to pursue both together. About 65% of controls overlap. We use an integrated approach that satisfies both frameworks simultaneously, reducing total effort by 30-40% compared to sequential compliance programs.

What is the Statement of Applicability?

The Statement of Applicability (SoA) is a required document that lists all 93 Annex A controls and states whether each one applies to your ISMS. For each applicable control, you document how it's implemented. For excluded controls, you provide justification. The SoA is a key audit artifact and links your risk assessment to your control selection.

How does ISO 27001 help with GDPR compliance?

ISO 27001 provides a strong foundation for GDPR's security requirements (Article 32). Many controls directly support GDPR: access control, encryption, incident response, vendor management, and risk assessment. ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001 specifically for privacy, mapping to GDPR requirements. Organizations with ISO 27001 typically achieve GDPR compliance faster.