How Long Does ISO 27001 Certification Take, and What Does It Cost?

The most common questions I'm asked by small business or startups thinking about ISO 27001 certification are of course: how long will it take, and how much will it cost?

The answer (frustratingly) is "it depends"—but we’re going to break it down into realistic estimates so you can plan ahead with confidence.

Typical ISO 27001 Timelines for Small Businesses

For this example we're going to use an example business that represents most of our clients. Let’s say up to around 50 full-time employees, remote-working, standard tech B2B SaaS platform. For most small businesses like this, achieving ISO 27001 certification typically takes between 3 to 12 months. The exact time frame depends on a bunch of factors, such as:

• Starting point: Do you already have security policies and controls in place, or are you starting from scratch?

• Resources: Do you have an internal team working on this full-time, or are you juggling it alongside other responsibilities?

• Complexity: Are you handling sensitive customer data or working in a high-risk industry? More complexity means more controls to implement.

• Physical Locations: Do you operate across multiple physical locations which are in scope? These will need to be assessed if in scope which adds time and cost for expenses.

• Certification Body Scheduling: The audit process itself can take several weeks, and you might have to wait for an available slot with your chosen certification body. We work closely with certification bodies that specialise in this space and can provide certifications within 2 weeks of passing the audit.

Rough Timeline Breakdown:

• Preparation & Gap Analysis (1 months): Identifying what needs to be done. For the example organisation we would conduct this as a 4 day engagement over up to a month depending on your availability.

• Implementation (2-6 months): Writing policies, training staff, and putting security controls in place. This is the longest section of the implementation which the highest variability based on the above factors. We offer retainer packages and find that 2-4 days per month works well at keeping progress.

• Internal Audit & Readiness Review (1 months): Checking everything is working as expected. This needs to be provided by an objective and impartial party. This would likely be a 4 day engagement.

• Certification Audit (1-2 months): The formal assessment by a certification body. This should be booked in advance to ensure swift turnaround.

  
  

How Much Does ISO 27001 Certification Cost?

For small businesses, the total cost of ISO 27001 certification can range from £5,000 to £25,000, depending on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of the main costs that we find customers come up against:

1. Consultancy & Support (£3,000 - £15,000)

Most small businesses don’t have an in-house ISO 27001 expert, so hiring a consultant can speed up the process and reduce mistakes ensuring a quick and painless audit process. This can range from a few days of advisory support to a fully managed implementation.

2. Internal Resources (£0 - £10,000)

If you handle everything internally, the cost is mostly in staff time. If you need to train an employee to lead the process, factor in training costs (£1,000 - £3,000 per course).

3. Certification Audit (£3,000 - £10,000)

The formal audit by an accredited certification body is typically priced based on company size and complexity. Expect to pay around £3,000 - £6,000 for a business with fewer than 50 employees.

4. Technology & Security Controls (£0 - £5,000+)

If you already have good security in place, additional spending may be minimal. But if you need to implement new tools (like encryption software or security monitoring, conduct penetration tests), costs can add up.

What Affects Cost and Timeline?

A few key things can impact both how long and how much ISO 27001 costs:

• Whats in scope: Defining the scope if a critical part of process, this defines what we need to protect and should be led by the expectations of your customers and stakeholders.

• Your Current Security Maturity: If you already follow good security practices, your gap to certification will be smaller.

• Company Size & Complexity: The more staff and systems involved, the more effort required.

• Regulatory Requirements: If you operate in a highly regulated industry (like fintech or healthcare), you may have additional compliance requirements.

• How You Approach It: Doing everything in-house takes longer but can save money. Using a consultant speeds things up but adds cost.

Is ISO 27001 Worth It for Small Businesses?

Absolutely—especially if you handle sensitive data or sell to larger organisations that expect strong security practices. Certification can help you win contracts, reduce security risks, and build trust with customers.

Need Help with ISO 27001?

If you want to get certified without the headaches, We can help. With 10+ years experience in designing, implementing, and operating inagrual information security programmes at a number of startups and small businesses I can provide pragmatic affordable support to make the process as smooth as possible.

Get in touch to find out more!