Keeping digital information safe is very important today. Getting ISO 27001 certification is a key step for businesses that handle sensitive data. It shows they are serious about protecting data and reducing risks. This standard is recognized worldwide. There are many good reasons to get certified, like better security and a stronger reputation. But when a company thinks about getting this certification, they often ask:
How much will it cost?Understanding the costs involved is important for any company considering this step. This guide will explain all the different costs of ISO 27001 certification, helping you understand what you need to budget for.
Breaking Down the Costs of ISO 27001 Certification
The total cost of getting ISO 27001 certified can differ for every company. It depends on factors like its size and complexity, what parts of its business the certification covers, how secure it is already, and how it plans to get certified. But we can generally divide the costs into these main groups.
1. Preparation Costs: Building the Foundation for Security
Preparation costs include all the work you must do to set up your Information Security Management System (ISMS). Hence, it meets the ISO 27001 rules.
- Gap Analysis
Before you start, you need to see how your current security compares to ISO 27001. A gap analysis helps you find the areas where you need to improve. Gap analysis might cost a few hundred dollars if your team does it. If you hire outside experts, it could cost several thousand dollars.
- Documentation
ISO 27001 requires many documents. These include your main security policy, plans for dealing with risks, a list of which rules apply to you, and guides for different tasks. Documentary costs mostly depend on how much time your team spends writing and updating these documents. This can take a lot of time. Using templates or getting help from consultants could cost from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. The exact cost depends on how complex things are and how much help you get.
- Risk Handling
A key part of ISO 27001 is finding, assessing, and fixing security risks. This means setting up a process, conducting risk assessments, and making plans to reduce the risks. Like creating documents, risk handling is mostly work your team will do. The cost will depend on your company’s complexity and how many things you need to check. Getting help from risk assessment experts can cost several thousand dollars.
- Putting Security Measures in Place
You’ll need to put security measures in place based on the risks you find. This could be things like firewalls and systems to catch intruders (technical), secure buildings (physical), and training for employees (organizational). Costs for putting security measures in place can vary a lot. It depends on what you already have and what new things you need. It could be cheap if you already have good security. Or it could mean spending a lot on new equipment and services.
- Internal Audits
Before the outside company audits you, you must do your checks. This ensures your ISMS works well and meets the ISO 27001 rules. Internal audits mostly cost your team’s time. Training people to do these audits can cost extra. You could also hire outside auditors to do your internal audits, which could cost several thousand dollars.
- Management Review
Your company’s leaders need to regularly check how well the Information Security Management System (ISMS) is working and find ways to improve it. Management reviews mainly cost managers and other staff time.
- Employees Training About Security
Everyone in your company needs to know their security responsibilities and understand the ISMS. Employee training can range from free online tools to paid training programs and consultants. It could cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars annually.
- Specific Software and Tools
Special software can make managing an ISMS much easier. This software can help with documents, risk checks, and tracking audits. The cost to use these special software and tools can vary greatly, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month. The price depends on what the software does and how many people use it.
- Hiring Consultants
Many companies hire consultants to help them with ISO 27001. ISO 27001 Consultants can provide advice, templates, and support, which can save time and make the process smoother. Consultant fees can vary greatly, depending on how experienced the consultant is, what they do, and how long they work with you. They could range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
2. The Certification Audit: Getting the Official Stamp
Once your ISMS is set up, you need to hire a certification company to do an audit. This audit checks if you meet the ISO 27001 standard.
- Certification Company Fees
These fees cover the first audit and ongoing checks. They also cover the recertification audit every few years. First, they review your documents. Then, they visit your company to check how well your ISMS works. The cost usually depends on how big and complex your company is. It ranges from $8,000 to $40,000 or more.
- Travel and Accommodation Costs
If the auditors are not local, travel and hotel costs might be needed. These costs depend on where the certification company is and how long the audit takes.
3. Maintaining Your Certification: Ongoing Costs
ISO 27001 certification is not a one-off. To maintain it, you must demonstrate that you are adhering to the regulations continually.
- Surveillance Audit
Certification companies usually do these every year to ensure your ISMS is still working well. The fees for these regular check-up audits are usually less than the first audit, but they are still a regular cost, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 per year.
- Internal Audits
You need to continue conducting your own audits regularly. This helps you determine whether your ISMS is still working well and find ways to improve it.
- Regular Management Reviews
Your company’s leaders need to keep checking the ISMS. This helps ensure it keeps getting better, but it mostly costs your team’s time.
- Employee Training and Awareness
You must keep reminding employees about security rules. As we said before, this can vary depending on how you do it.
- Updated Software and Tools
If you use ISMS software, you must pay for updates and keep your subscription active. This can cost a few hundred to several thousand dollars each month.
- Getting Recertified
To renew your ISO 27001 certification, you need to have another full audit every three years. The fees are usually similar to the first certification audit fees.
ISO 27001 Certification Cost Breakdown Table (Estimated Ranges)
| Cost Category | What it Includes | Typical Cost Range (Estimate USD) See Note above | Factors Affecting Cost |
| Preparation (Internal) | Employee time (salary cost) for ISMS design, documentation, risk treatment, internal audits, project management. | $10,000 – $150,000+ (Varies significantly by size/complexity) | Company size, existing security maturity, complexity of systems, internal expertise, efficiency of project management. |
| Preparation (External) | Consultant fees for guidance, gap analysis, ISMS implementation support, documentation help, internal audits. | $10,000 – $100,000+ (Varies by consultant, scope, level of support) | Consultant’s experience & reputation, scope of ISMS, duration of engagement, amount of hands-on help required. |
| Technology/Tooling | New software licenses (GRC tools, monitoring, logging, etc.), security controls, hardware, maintenance. | $0 – $75,000+ Annually | Existing infrastructure, gap analysis results, chosen tools, scale of deployment, ongoing license fees. |
| Initial Certification | Certification Body fees (Stage 1 & Stage 2 audits), Auditor time (based on man-days), Auditor travel/expenses. | $8,000 – $40,000+ (Varies significantly by size/scope/CB) | Scope of ISMS, Number of employees, Complexity of operations, Choice of accredited Certification Body, Auditor location. |
| Ongoing Maintenance | Internal employee time for running the ISMS (monitoring, reviews, updates), continued tool licenses, refresher training. | $10,000 – $100,000+ Annually | Company size, complexity of ISMS, level of automation, recurring technology costs, frequency of internal activities. |
| Surveillance Audits | Certification Body fees for annual audits (usually 2 over the 3-year cycle), Auditor time, travel/expenses. | $5,000 – $25,000+ per audit (Typically 50-70% of initial audit) | Scope (subset of ISMS), Size, Complexity changes, CB Choice, Auditor location, Audit duration (usually shorter). |
| Recertification Audit | Certification Body fees for the full audit every 3 years, Auditor time, travel/expenses. | $8,000 – $40,000+ (Similar range to Initial Stage 2 audit) | Scope, Size, Complexity changes, CB Choice, Auditor location, Audit duration (covers 3 years of operation). |
What Affects the Cost of ISO 27001 Certification
Several things can change how much ISO 27001 certification will cost you.
- How Much of Your Business is Covered: If your ISMS covers more areas, it will usually cost more. This is because it’s more complex and takes more time to audit.
- How Big and Complex Your Company Is: Bigger and more complex companies usually require more work for the audit, which means higher costs.
- How Secure You Are Right Now: If your company already has good security, getting ready might not cost as much. Companies with poor security will likely have higher costs.
- How Much Security Knowledge Your Team Has: If your team knows much about security and ISO 27001, you might not need as many outside consultants. This can lower your costs.
- Which Certification Company You Choose: Different companies charge different fees. It’s a good idea to get quotes from several accredited companies.
- How You Decide to Implement the Standard: Whether you do it all at once or in stages can affect the cost and time it takes.
- Whether You Use Software and Automation: Software can help you save time and effort in setting up and managing your ISMS, lowering your overall cost.
Tips to Help Save Money on ISO 27001 Certification
Getting ISO 27001 certified is an investment. But there are ways to save money.
- Use Your Team: Use the skills of your current team as much as possible. This will reduce the amount you need to pay outside consultants.
- Start with a Clear Plan: Decide exactly what parts of your business need to be covered by the ISMS. This will help you avoid unnecessary costs.
- Focus on What’s Needed: Only create the documents that the standard requires. Don’t create extra paperwork.
- Look for Free or Cheap Training: Find free training online and consider training within your company. This can save you money on training costs.
- Get Quotes from Different Companies: Contact several certification companies to get their prices. This will help you make sure you are getting a good price.
- Consider Doing It Step by Step: If your company is large, implement ISO 27001 in stages. This can help you manage costs better.
- Check Out ISMS Software: Look at different ISMS software options. Find one that fits your budget and does what you need. Some have different prices based on your company’s size.
The Real Cost: Investing in Trust and Security
You must consider your circumstances to discover the actual cost of ISO 27001 certification for your business. But with an understanding of the various expenses we have mentioned, you can budget and make sound choices. Keep in mind that becoming ISO 27001 certified involves more than a cost. It’s an investment in your business’s security, your clients’ confidence, and future achievement. Suppose you plan and implement your ISMS properly. In that case, you can get certified without issues and reap all the benefits.
