It’s possible for a start-up to last for years with no seriously considering ISO 27001. An email comes in from a potential enterprise client: “Please provide your ISO 27001 certificate as a part of our security review for vendors.”
Certification is suddenly not something you should be thinking about in the coming year. It’s tied into a contract the company wants to close.
ISO 27001 can be a excellent starting point, particularly for businesses that are growing. It’s difficult to figure out what must be done without turning an easily managed project into a strict compliance program that is geared towards enterprises.
The first week of the week should be focused on Scope, not about shopping.
The initial reaction is to start comparing compliance platforms and consultants. It is more beneficial to know what ISMS (Information Security Management System) will need to be able to cover.
The scope of the document is important because trying to include unnecessary systems, locations or procedures can result in further documentation requirements and proof requirements.
Small SaaS businesses, for example might have a system that’s focused around cloud infrastructures including employee devices, client data, and only a few critical vendors. Understanding the current environment can help determine what certification project is required.
Check out the Security You Already Possess
A few companies who are studying ISO 27001 as a startup think that they will need to build an entirely new security system.
It could be that it is not the scenario.
Modern startups might already have established cloud providers and require multi-factor identification, restricted employee permissions as well as system logs to track, documentation for onboarding and offboarding. Existing practices still need to be evaluated against ISO 27001 requirements, but starting with what is already in place can help avoid unnecessary duplicates.
The remaining tasks include establishing guidelines, conducting the risk assessment, determining the applicable Annex A controls, completing the Statement of Applicability and obtaining evidence.
Find out which invoice pays for What
It’s easier to understand ISO 27001 costs when they don’t have to be summed into a single figure.
The first year’s expenses for a small-sized business could range from $10,000 to $30,000 when the independent certification audit, compliance software, as well as internal staff time are taken into consideration. Consulting may be an additional expense however, it’s optional instead of an automatic requirement.
The ISO 27001 certification cost charged by an accredited certification body is especially important to distinguish from software fees. A compliance platform can help organize the work, but it’s not able to issue the certificate. The process of independent auditing is what validates the certificate.
Following the proof is the accusation
In the event of a written policy stating that access to employees is restricted after the employee’s departure isn’t enough. Auditor needs proof that the procedure is functioning.
ISO 27001 is based on the distinction between showing and saying.
CertAssist helps to manage this work without needing to connect directly to the live system. It displays all 93 ISO 27001:2022 Annex A controls on one page It also provides editable policy and evidence templates It also supports the Statement on Applicability and provides read-only auditor access.
For small teams, templates can help reduce the time-consuming process of drafting every policy from the beginning of a blank document.
The Line to the Finish Line isn’t Certification Day
A new company could take anywhere from three to six months preparing for certification based on its current security practices and available resources. The certification body conducts the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits.
Once you’ve passed the audits it isn’t enough to put aside your ISMS. Controls and evidence have to be maintained as well as surveillance audits that follow following the certification.
That’s an important consideration when making the program. Smaller companies do not just have to possess an ISMS they can afford. It needs one its team can actually operate after the initial project has ended.
It’s not often that the largest organization is the one with the best ISO 27001 program. It’s one that is in line with the standard, reflects genuine security practices, survives independent scrutiny, and is manageable when everyone returns to their jobs.
