Login Most SMEs complete the process in 3–6 months. Larger organisations or complex environments may take up to 12 months. Citation ISO Certification can support businesses to achieve certification in as little as 45 days.
ISO 27001 Implementation
Learn more on how to implement ISO 27001
Introduction
Starting ISO 27001 from scratch can feel daunting—especially when you’re juggling data protection, client demands, and GDPR compliance.
This guide is written for UK businesses that want to implement ISO 27001 from scratch and do it the right way. Whether you’re preparing for your first audit, responding to supply chain pressures, or just want to tighten up your data protection, this page walks you through every step with practical tips, relatable examples, and expert insight.
Implementing ISO 27001 means building an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that protects your business from data breaches, reputational harm, and compliance risks. It’s a phased approach to improving how your organisation manages information risk over time.
At a glance:
- Purpose: Implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS)
- Key stages: Preparation, design, implementation, audit readiness
- Typical duration: 3–6 months depending on complexity
- Team: ISMS lead, IT, HR, senior management
- Estimated costs: £4,000–£15,000+ depending on scope and support
ISO 27001 implementation roadmap
Every ISO 27001 journey is different, but they all share the same building blocks. Here’s a high-level look at how most successful implementations unfold. The process isn’t always perfectly linear (sometimes you’ll move back and forth between stages), but having a clear structure helps avoid missed steps, wasted effort, and audit pain.
The four main phases:
Phase 1: Preparation
This is all about getting your foundations right. You’ll define the scope of your ISMS, get leadership buy-in, allocate budget, and start mapping out your legal, regulatory and contractual obligations—like GDPR and NIS2. A gap analysis or readiness assessment is often done here to see where you stand today.
Phase 2: Design
Once the groundwork is done, you’ll design how your ISMS will work. That means conducting a detailed risk assessment, choosing the right ISO 27001 controls, and documenting everything from access policies to incident response procedures. This phase also includes creating your Statement of Applicability and planning your audit timeline.
Phase 3: Implementation
Now it’s time to put your plans into action. This phase is about embedding controls into daily operations, rolling out training, and making sure the right tools and documentation are in place. The focus shifts from planning to execution—and ensuring you can demonstrate that your controls actually work.
Phase 4: Audit readiness
Once your ISMS is up and running, you’ll prepare for your certification audit. This includes performing a full internal audit, holding a formal management review, and addressing any issues that come up. The aim is to be confident that everything is in place before your external auditor arrives.
Why planning matters
ISO 27001 certification runs on a three-year cycle, with annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit in year three. Cutting corners during implementation can lead to non-conformities, failed audits, and unexpected costs. A well-planned, phased approach makes life easier in the long run—both for your team and your auditors.
How can we help?
Our initial audit
Every business stores data in different ways. As a result, no two organisations’ security risks are the same. This poses unique security challenges.
Our initial audit will look at the way you currently protect information and compare this with international best practice. In effect, this will be an ISO 27001 risk assessment to highlight areas that need attention. We will also identify any unique risks to your company’s information security.
We will then work with you to create a bespoke ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) that meets your specific needs. Our team of experienced consultants can help you deliver an effective ISMS in less than 30 days. We will then support you through the regular reviews and follow-up audits.
The ongoing 3-stage process
- Informal review of your ISMS, which includes checking the existence and completeness of key documents such as your:
- Organisation’s security policy
- Risk Treatment Plan (RTP)
- Statement of Applicability (SOA).
- Independent certification audits to check your ISMS meets the requirements specified in ISO 27001. These are usually conducted by independent ISO 27001 lead auditors.
- Regular reviews and audits to confirm that your organisation continues to comply with the ISO 27001 standard and that your ISMS continues to operate as specified and intended.
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