A start-up can be a long time without thinking seriously about ISO 27001. Then an email arrives from a promising enterprise customer: “Please provide your ISO 27001 certificate to us as part of our security review for vendors.”
Certification is suddenly not something you’re supposed to think about next year. It’s tied to a contract the company wants to close.
For many growing companies it’s the best starting point for ISO 27001 for small business. The trick is to identify what’s required without turning a manageable compliance program into a massive security project.
This Week, Focus on Scope, not Shopping
Your first instincts could lead you to start comparing platforms and compliance experts. A better starting point is to figure out what the Information Security Management System, or ISMS should cover.
The project’s scope is crucial, as adding unnecessary methods, locations or systems to the documentation could lead to additional evidence and documents requirements.
Small SaaS companies, for instance might have a system that’s focused around cloud infrastructures employees’ devices, client data, and only a few critical vendors. Knowing the specifics of the environment will help you determine what the certification process should cover.
Review the Security You Already Have
Companies researching ISO 27001 for startups sometimes assume they need to build an entirely new security operation.
It could be that it is not the scenario.
A modern startup might already require multi-factor authentication. It could also restrict employees’ access, keep systems logs, maintain backups, document onboarding and offboarding procedures, and make use of established cloud providers. Existing practices still need to be assessed against ISO 27001 requirements, but starting with what is already working can prevent unnecessary duplication.
The remaining work includes documenting policies, conducting the risk assessment, determining applicable Annex A controls, completing the Statement of Applicability and obtaining the necessary evidence.
Find out which invoice pays for What
If the expenses aren’t combined into one number and are not bundled into one number, it’s easier to understand the ISO 27001 cost.
Initial expenses for a small company could be between $10,000 to $30,000 once the independent certification audit, compliance software, and staff time at the internal level are taken into account. Consulting costs are an additional expense, but it’s not an obligation.
The ISO 27001 certification cost charged by an accredited certification organization is crucial to distinguish from software-related fees. The compliance platform is a device that can organize work but cannot issue the certification. Certification is granted through an independent audit process.
Then comes the evidence
It’s not enough simply to draft an policy that states employees cannot access information after they have left. An auditor requires evidence that the process is actually working.
ISO 27001 is concerned with the distinction between saying something and demonstrating it.
CertAssist organizes this work without the need to directly connect to an actual system. It displays all the 93 ISO 27001-2022 Annex A control templates on one single board. The ability to edit the policy and evidence templates are also included.
In a small team template can help eliminate the unorganized documenting of each policy on a blank page.
Certification Day Isn’t a Finish Line
A business that is launching from the ground up may need to spend between three to six months getting ready to be certified. This is contingent upon their current security practices as well as available resources. The body that certifies conducts audits in Stage 1 and 2.
The ISMS will not be forgotten simply since you’ve passed the audits. The controls and evidence should be maintained as well as surveillance audits that follow following the certification.
It’s a key consideration when developing the program. Small businesses don’t only need to possess an ISMS they can afford. It must have an ISMS its staff can access after the project is completed.
The smartest ISO 27001 program for a smaller organization is rarely the most powerful. It is one that meets ISO 27001 standards, reflects authentic security practices, passes independent audits and is able to be maintained once everyone returns to their normal jobs.