ISO 27001 is a global standard for managing information security. It shows that a company has a structured way to protect important information like customer data, employee records, financial details, intellectual property and information from other parties. By implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with ISO 27001, companies can systematically identify and address security risks, supporting robust protection of their sensitive data.
Obtaining ISO 27001:2022 certification for your ISMS involves several steps and the cost of achieving ISO 27001 certification varies widely due to several factors, including:
- The number of sites you operate from
- The number of employees in your organisation
- The industry you operate in
- The complexity of your organisation
- Among other factors
Given these variances, it’s not typically simple to provide a cost for ISO 27001 certification, unless you are working with a certification body that is accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), the national body with responsibility for accreditation in Ireland. These non-accredited certification bodies are not subject to the rigorous requirements and rules laid down by INAB. As a result, they are able to tie you into long-term contracts and cannot provide the comfort of knowing that your certificate will be accepted worldwide, through the IAF’s international arrangement.
Certification bodies that have been accredited by INAB offer ‘accredited’ certification.
To help you avoid the common pitfalls of choosing a certification body we have produced a useful guide.
However, as a guide, a small business with fewer than 10 staff, operating from one location, might expect to pay between €4,500 and €7,000 for the cost of initial certification. Once certification has been achieved an organisation will then need to follow the three-year certification cycle of annual audits. These are typically, much shorter as they are designed to assess ongoing maintenance.
Accredited certification bodies do not charge for providing a quotation.
How Much Does the ISO 27001 Standard Cost?
A key part of preparing for ISO 27001 certification is a thorough understanding of the standard and its requirements.
The standard covers 93 controls designed to help organisations manage and protect their information assets. These are grouped into four main themes that form the foundation of an effective ISMS.
One of the first costs to consider is the official ISO 27001 standards document from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which costs around €137.
Familiarity with these controls will help your organisation adequately assess and mitigate risks, building an ISO 27001-compliant ISMS.
While it is not mandatory to purchase a copy of the standards document it is typically a useful practice, although it can be a little intimidating at first. However, by the very nature of your organisation operating in business, many of the requirements are likely to already be in place. If you would like to know more about these requirements, you can read our comprehensive guide and download our free ISO 27001 Checklist.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Certification?
The cost of ISO 27001 certification can vary widely based on several factors. Understanding these can help organisations better plan and budget for the ISO 27001 certification process.
Here are some key elements that can influence the overall expense:
- Company size – Larger organisations typically incur higher costs because they may require more extensive audits and resources to implement necessary changes.
- Staff numbers – The number of employees can affect the scope of the audit and the complexity of implementing an ISMS. The fewer employees you have, the lower the associated costs could be.
- The complexity of your organisation – Companies with complex structures, such as multiple locations or diverse business units, may face higher costs due to the need for more detailed audits and tailored security measures.
- Types of data managed – Certain data types, such as sensitive data, may require more stringent, complex security management and auditing.
- Preparation level – The extent to which a company is already prepared for certification can impact costs. Organisations with existing security measures in place may spend less on implementation compared to those starting from scratch.
- Internal expertise vs. external support – Companies with internal expertise in information security may rely less on external consultants, potentially reducing costs. Conversely, hiring external consultants for guidance can add to expenses.
- Certification body – Different certification bodies have varying pricing structures, which can affect the overall cost. It’s important to compare options to find one that offers good value for your specific needs.
- Industry requirements – Certain industries may have additional compliance requirements or need specialised auditors, which can increase costs.
- Geographical location – Costs may also vary by region due to differences in auditor costs, travel expenses and local market conditions.
- Additional services – Costs may rise if additional services, such as penetration testing, training or tailored consulting are required during the certification process.
Stages of ISO 27001 Certification
ISO 27001 certification involves several stages, each with its own associated costs.
Preparation Stage
This initial phase may involve purchasing the ISO 27001 standard and familiarising yourself with the guidelines. This could require investing in training or hiring a consultant to help your organisation understand the standard’s complexities. Alternatively, you may choose to invest in software that helps you with the process of building your management system.
A key part of this stage is performing a gap analysis of your ISMS. This analysis should identify areas that require improvements to meet the standard’s criteria. Implementing these changes may involve sourcing new software or tools, adding to the overall costs.
Clients of Amtivo are offered a 3-month certification software package for free when they sign up for initial certification.
At this stage, you may also want to consider penetration testing to determine your IT systems’ robustness against potential threats. This will involve additional costs .
Documentation Review and Internal Audit (Stage 1)
This phase might demand the greatest investment of finances, time and resources.
The creation, review and updating of all the necessary documentation are all critical components of ISO 27001 compliance.
The internal audit is also a key part of the path to successful certification. The purpose of the internal audit is to identify any areas of non-compliance or opportunities for improvement within the ISMS.
If your organisation doesn’t have the internal know-how, you may decide to hire a consultant or enlist a third-party service to conduct an internal audit.
This external expertise can provide an unbiased assessment of your system but will contribute to costs.
In addition, costs may be involved after the audit in ensuring your ISMS meets ISO 27001 standards.
Certification Audit (Stage 2)
The final stage is the certification audit, which should be conducted by an accredited certification body.
Your ISMS’s compliance with the ISO 27001 standard will be rigorously evaluated by its auditor, who will then successfully certify you if all requirements are met.
There can also be costs associated with using certification logos and branding, which can vary depending on the certification body.
Read our ultimate guide to ISO 27001.
Costs of an External Consultant
Organisations do not have to work with an external consultant. However, if hiring a consultant is right for your business, you can engage one at any point in the certification process to support your internal resources and contribute specialised knowledge and experience.
Consultants may charge a project fee or a day rate, ranging from around €450 – €1,200 per day. Service inclusions will of course vary by consultant, and usually extend beyond simply conducting an audit for your business.
When preparing for an internal audit, your organisation’s resources and expertise will determine whether you choose an in-house auditor or an external consultant for ISO 27001 preparation, for example.
- An internal employee – Appointing someone from inside your organisation can be a more cost-effective measure. It can build up your in-house expertise and foster a deeper understanding of ISO 27001 within your business. Internal auditors must be impartial and well-trained, so you may need to invest in training. An internal auditor will also need to dedicate time to the audit, which might mean diverting them from their usual responsibilities, potentially affecting productivity in other areas.
- An external consultant – An external consultant may complete the audit more quickly and effectively, potentially identifying issues that internal staff might overlook. For complex or highly technical audits, the expertise of an external consultant may be worth the investment.
Balancing expertise, cost, and in-house capabilities should guide you to make the best choice for your business.
Certification Body Costs
Choosing an accredited certification body for ISO 27001 certification is crucial for ensuring credibility and reliability.
Accredited bodies meet international standards for competence and conduct rigorous, unbiased assessments, enhancing your certification’s trustworthiness.
These bodies have met stringent international standards, allowing them to assess compliance effectively and impartially. In Ireland, INAB is the national accreditation body, guaranteeing that ISO certification bodies meet rigorous international standards. Amtivo is an INAB-accredited certification body offering ISO certifications that are globally recognised to support businesses in achieving excellence.
Certification costs will depend on the size of your business. If you have a large organisation with multiple sites, the auditing process may take a couple of days or a few weeks.
If multi-site organisations conduct the same operations at various sites, audit visits can be rotated within the 3-year certification cycle, potentially reducing costs.
Depending on your organisation’s industry sector, you may also need specialised auditors with relevant knowledge, experience and qualifications.
Potential Hidden Costs
When you ask for a quote from a certification body, make sure to check what’s included. Look out for extra costs that might come up later. Some fees that should be covered include:
- Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits
- Compliance and administration tasks
- Travel fees for auditors
- Management fees
Be cautious of quotes with very low fees, as they may indicate a short or inflexible contract. The standard is a three-year contract.
Annual Surveillance Costs
Maintaining ISO 27001 compliance is key to making sure your organisation’s ISMS effectively protects sensitive information.
To demonstrate ongoing compliance, you need to have yearly surveillance audits. These involve regular checks to verify that your ISMS is still aligned with ISO 27001 and industry standards. They review how well your security measures and risk management practices are working and can spot new areas for improvement since the last audit.
Surveillance audits are typically conducted by an accredited certification body. The costs for these audits can vary depending on additional aspects such as:
- Hiring any new staff
- Adding new software or tools
It’s important to include these costs in your budget to help your organisation stay compliant, build stakeholder trust and keep a competitive edge in information security.
While annual audits are common, certification bodies might require them more often or at different times.
Re-certification Audit Costs
After achieving ISO 27001 certification, your organisation will need another compliance audit every three years. This is to assess whether the ISMS is still effective and compliant with standard regulations.
The re-certification audit involves a thorough review of the ISMS, including its policies, procedures and controls, to confirm that it is effectively maintained and improving over time. This process typically includes assessing risk management practices, security objectives and incident response procedures.
This audit also examines how risks are managed, security goals and how incidents are handled.
Re-certification shows that your organisation is committed to keeping information secure, assuring stakeholders that protecting sensitive data remains a top priority.
Reducing the Costs of ISO 27001 Certification
Reducing the costs of ISO 27001 certification can be achieved through strategic planning and efficient resource management.
- Conduct a gap analysis – Before starting the certification process, perform a gap analysis to understand what your organisation already has in place and what is needed. This can help you avoid duplicating efforts and focus resources on areas that need improvement.
- Leverage existing systems – Your ISMS can be based on existing policies, procedures and security measures, which can reduce the need for new investments in tools or processes.
- Internal expertise – Use internal staff with information security expertise to manage parts of the certification process. Providing them with training can be more cost-effective than hiring external consultants.
- Phased implementation – Consider implementing ISO 27001 in phases, focusing on high-risk areas first. This can help spread costs over time and make the process more financially manageable.
- Effective project management – Implement strong project management practices to keep the certification process on track and within budget. This can prevent costly delays and rework.
- Automate processes – Where possible, automate ISMS processes to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency. This can help lower ongoing compliance costs.
Is ISO 27001 Certification Worth It?
Although becoming ISO 27001-certified may require significant resources and money, many companies consider the return on investment worth it.
The benefits of being ISO 27001-certified can include:
- Avoiding costly legal penalties
- Winning new business
- Easier scaling for growth
- Reducing the risk of successful cyber attacks
- Complying with industry regulations
- Enhancing your business reputation
Get Started on Your Certification Journey
Amtivo can provide your business with expert support throughout the ISO 27001 certification process. Our auditors are with you from the initial audit to your recertification audit three years later.
We promise no hidden costs and transparent pricing at each step.
We also offer a range of flexible payment plans.
Get started on your journey to ISO 27001 certification – get a quote today or contact our team to discuss your needs.
