How to Implement ISO 27001 Certification For Your Organisation

If you’re thinking about how to get ISO 27001 certification or wondering about the best ways to improve your organisation’s information security management, you’re not alone. Every year, we speak to thousands of organisations looking to enhance their information security.

Becoming certified is a significant step that could considerably benefit your business. Read on as we explain who needs it, why, how it works, and – crucially – how to get ISO 27001 certification.

ISO/IEC 27001, or ISO 27001, certification can be highly valuable for any SME looking to establish and maintain robust information security practices.

In 2024, 50% of UK businesses reported having experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack. While achieving ISO 27001 certification doesn’t reduce the risk of an attack, it demonstrates that your business has established a management system designed to handle and protect sensitive data securely.

The standard can work within any industry or business handling personal or confidential data, including finance and accounting, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and legal or IT services.

ISO 27001 certification could also significantly benefit organisations in the government or public sector that process large volumes of data or operate in highly regulated environments.

If you want to enhance your organisation’s credibility among customers, partners and stakeholders, achieving UKAS-accredited ISO 27001 certification could help. It can be particularly beneficial for organisations that operate globally – or plan to do so – as it demonstrates adherence to globally recognised information security standards.

It could also be crucial for meeting client requirements and strengthening your position in your market.

Learn more with our ISO 27001 guide for beginners.

ISO 27001 is a globally recognised Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard, officially known as the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management standard.

The standard outlines best practices for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an ISMS. It supports three core principles:

• Confidentiality: Ensuring that data is accessible only by authorised personnel.
• Integrity: Ensuring the data is accurate, complete and trustworthy throughout its lifecycle.
• Availability: Ensuring authorised users have access to data when needed.

This is called the CIA Triad.

Achieving ISO 27001 certification demonstrates that your SME has implemented a systematic approach to managing sensitive information. This includes customer and employee details, intellectual property, financial information, and third-party data.

With the foundations in place, the next step is to move through the core activities that lead towards certification. The steps below outline a typical approach to keep implementation on track.

Preparation and planning

Before beginning the ISO 27001 certification process, organisation will document evidence that it has an ISMS in place that is aligned with the requirements of the standard.

An authorised project leader with specific skills and experience will typically lead the implementation. They must thoroughly understand the ISO 27001 standard and its requirements.

To begin, a preliminary review is conducted (also known as a gap analysis) of the processes and procedures in place against the ISO 27001 requirements. Once completed, findings are used to develop a clear ISMS implementation plan.

This plan involves outlining timelines, giving roles, and defining responsibilities. The plan should also list the resources required for each process. At this stage, organisations will also secure leadership support to ensure alignment and resource allocation.

The scope of the ISMS should be defined, outlining the operations the ISMS will be applied to, as well as those outside its scope.

Take our free online training course about ISO 27001 to find out more about the standard.

Establishing the ISMS

Documentation is a key part of the ISO 27001 certification process. Establishing a robust policy framework that clearly sets out an organisation’s commitment to information security. The documentation includes the ISMS scope, information security objectives, risk assessments, information security policies, and roles and responsibilities. Records of all assessments and changes are also included and can be used as evidence of compliance during audits.

An information asset inventory is conducted to identify all data and resources that need protection under the ISMS – as well as a risk assessment – which is used to implement a risk treatment plan to identify, evaluate, and prioritise potential security risks. Following this, a Statement of Applicability is documented, listing all the security controls the organisation has selected from Annex A, justifying their inclusion or exclusion.

The required ISMS documentation and controls are then implemented, ensuring all processes are clearly defined and auditable. Throughout this stage, it is important to clearly communicate everyone’s roles and responsibilities.

Training and awareness

For implementation to go smoothly and support long-term success, increasing awareness on ISO 27001 could be key. Many organisations consider providing ongoing training and awareness programmes – as regular information security training and awareness are a cornerstone of ISO 27001 compliance. To support a smooth implementation and long-term success, we provide ISO 27001 and ISMS training to help build awareness within an organisation.

Internal audit and management review

Once the ISMS has been implemented, an internal audit will allow a business to evaluate its ISMS’s effectiveness. This can be conducted by an internal team member, or consultant, who has been trained to understand the ISO/IEC 27001 standard. Discover our ISO internal auditor online training course.

Regular internal audits are crucial to assess the functioning of your ISMS. These audits will enable an organisation to identify any non-compliance or areas needing improvement – this must be done before the certification audit.

Management reviews are also necessary to assess ISMS performance and ensure alignment with organisational objectives, making adjustments as needed.

Drive continual improvement

Organisations establish a structured approach for evolving security practices as new risks emerge, so their ISMS remains effective and resilient.

Read our comprehensive guide to the ISO 27001 requirements.

To perform the certification audit, organisations can engage an accredited certification body (CB), like British Assessment Bureau.

During this audit, an experienced ISO auditor will assess all the required documentation and the ISMS to verify that it is aligned with ISO 27001 requirements through a two-stage Audit comprising Stage 1 and Stage 2.

If the auditor identifies any nonconformities, these will need to be addressed and reassessed before an organisation can successfully achieve ISO 27001 certification.

In preparation for an external certification audit, many organisations:

• Review the required documentation: Make sure all documents are complete, up to date, and accurately reflect your ISMS.
• Conduct a final preliminary review or gap analysis: Check that any oversights or weaknesses in your ISMS have been identified.
• Contact a certification body: Confirm the audit dates and clarify any specific requirements or expectations the external auditor might have.
• Brief employees: Ensure that all employees know what to expect during the audit and their role in answering questions or providing evidence.
• Prepare evidence: Collect relevant records that demonstrate the effective implementation and operation of the ISMS.
• Address any last-minute issues: Resolve any issues or nonconformities with corrective actions to maintain compliance before the certification audit.

Shortly after successfully completing the ISO 27001 audit, the organisation will receive its certification.

To retain it, an organisation undergoes regular surveillance audits with their chosen CB and internal risk assessments to maintain compliance with ISO 27001 standards. The findings from surveillance audits should inform ongoing improvements throughout the ISMS.

How long does it take to get ISO 27001-certified?

The timeframe for ISO 27001 certification can vary depending on the organisation.

This is because it depends on a variety of factors, including the size of an organisation, the resources already available and the current state of the ISMS.

On average, the process can take 3-6 months. Some of our clients have completed it in weeks, and others over a longer period – every organisation is different. Appointing a designated representative to manage certification tasks and preparation can expedite the process.

How much does it cost to get ISO 27001-certified?

The cost of ISO 27001 varies depending on your business.

However, there are common elements that all organisations should budget for, such as:

• Gap analysis
• Consultancy fees
• Internal resources
• Training
• Certification audit fees

Maintenance and recertification are ongoing costs that should also be considered.

Read our guide to how much ISO 27001 certification costs.

How difficult is it to achieve ISO 27001 certification?

The ISO 27001 certification process can be challenging due to its comprehensive requirements and the need for meticulous documentation and risk management.

Good planning, leadership commitment, and expert guidance can make the process significantly easier and help your organisation achieve and maintain high information security standards.

Do you need an ISO 27001 consultant?

Hiring an external consultant isn’t necessary for the ISO 27001 certification process.

However, a consultant could be beneficial if your organisation lacks knowledge of ISO 27001. Our expert auditors will identify any areas in your ISMS that do not currently meet requirements. These areas will need to be addressed before your final assessment.

If you decide your organisation needs more support than we are able to offer (under UKAS rules, we are not able to offer consultancy services), we have a shortlist of independent ISO consultants who we have worked with who can provide you with the support you need.

Find an ISO consultant.

Does ISO 27001 require regular assessments?

Yes, ISO 27001 requires regular assessments to verify the ongoing compliance and effectiveness of the ISMS.

The assessment process includes periodic internal audits to review controls and identify areas for improvement.

An external annual surveillance audit conducted by a certification body verifies that your ISMS continues to adhere to the standard.

Implementing an ISO 27001 Information Security Management System can be daunting, involving a significant investment of time, resources and money.

However, the process is often more straightforward than it first appears. Many organisations already have key elements of an ISMS in place, and you might be surprised at how well your existing controls align with the standard.

British Assessment Bureau can provide your organisation with expert support throughout the ISO 27001 certification process. Our auditors are committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent certification journey, and while they maintain impartiality in the assessment process, our team is available to answer queries and provide clarity on certification requirements.

We’re a UKAS-accredited certification body for ISO certifications, with proven expertise in delivering accredited ISO certification services.

Get started on your journey to ISO 27001 certification for your business with British Assessment Bureau.

Request a quote today or contact our team to discuss your needs.