How long does it take to get ISO 27001 certified?

It usually between 3 - 12 months depending on the scope and complexity of your ISMS.

The duration for implementing ISO 27001 certification varies based on the size of your organisation, the scope, complexity of your processes and the data you handle. 

And to be transparent, you get out of your ISMS what you put into it. You can do the minimum to tick the boxes but if you really want to use it to transform your business or the product, service or assurance in scope, it will take longer.

Here’s a breakdown:

  1. Stakeholder engagement

    To efficiently implement ISO 27001 you need to have stakeholder engagement top to bottom, from the board to the frontline. It can be resource intensive, so you need to get sign off that this is something the senior management team want to invest in. 

  2. Small to medium sized enterprises

    Small-to-medium-sized businesses: These companies can typically become audit-ready within an average of four months, followed by the audit process, which takes around six months1. The initial four months involve scoping your Information Security Management System (ISMS), conducting risk assessments, designing and implementing controls, training staff, preparing documentation, and conducting internal audits.

  3. Larger organisations

    For mid-sized and large corporations, the implementation timeline extends. It can take anywhere from eight months to a year for mid-sized businesses and up to 15 months for large corporations2. The certification audit process is divided into two stages:

    • Stage 1 audit: The auditor reviews ISMS documentation to ensure policies and procedures are appropriately designed.
    • Stage 2 audit: The auditor assesses business processes and controls for compliance with ISO 27001’s ISMS and Annex A requirements.

  4. Continuous monitoring and improvement

    The auditors will look for evidence that you are continually improving your ISMS. For example, when a security incident occurs, there is a record of it with actions taken to resolve, impact on risk and any actions taken to prevent the same incident occurring in the future.
    Internal audits are expected in between the external audits (see below) to ensure that the ISMS is being maintained and improved. For example, that new joiners are trained on relevant policies and procedures.

  5. ISO 27001 Recertification

    At the end of the initial three-year certification term, you’ll undergo an annual surveillance audit in years 1 and 2, followed by a recertification audit. Recertification extends the validity for another three years1.

Remember that these timelines are approximate and can vary based on your specific context and resources. Implementing ISO 27001 involves various activities and collaboration across your organisation, ensuring robust information security practices.