The International Standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) - Establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve your organization's information security.
Join over 60,000 organizations worldwide that have achieved ISO 27001 certification to protect their information assets and build stakeholder trust.
ISO 27001 is the world's most recognized standard for information security management, providing a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information.
Information Security Management System (ISMS)
Framework for managing information security risks
Applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors
International recognition and adoption
Context of the organization (Clause 4)
Leadership and commitment (Clause 5)
Planning and risk assessment (Clause 6)
Support and operation (Clauses 7-8)
Performance evaluation and improvement (Clauses 9-10)
Stage 1: Documentation review
Stage 2: Main certification audit
Certification: 3-year validity
Surveillance audits: Annual reviews
Recertification: Every 3 years
ISO 27001 is built on fundamental principles that guide the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of an effective Information Security Management System.
The 2022 version of ISO 27001 organizes 93 controls into 4 themes instead of the previous 14 domains, making it more aligned with cybersecurity trends.
ISO 27001:2022 reorganizes controls into 4 thematic categories for better alignment with modern cybersecurity practices and digital transformation challenges.
Policies, information security roles, teleworking, threat intelligence, information security in project management, etc.
Screening, terms and conditions of employment, information security awareness, discipline process, etc.
Physical security perimeters, physical entry controls, securing offices, equipment, clear desk and screen, etc.
Access control, cryptography, system acquisition, secure development, technical vulnerability management, etc.
| Aspect | ISO 27001:2013 | ISO 27001:2022 | Key Improvements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Structure | 14 domains, 114 controls | 4 themes, 93 controls | Simplified structure, better alignment with cybersecurity |
| New Controls | N/A | 11 new controls added | Threat intelligence, cloud services, data leakage prevention |
| Control Attributes | No attributes | 5 attributes per control | Better filtering and organization of controls |
| Implementation | Specific implementation | More outcome-focused | Greater flexibility for organizations |
Achieving ISO 27001 certification involves a structured process that typically takes 6-12 months depending on organizational size and complexity.
Organization size: Employee count and locations
Scope complexity: Business processes and systems
Current maturity: Existing security controls
Consultancy: Optional external support
Typical range: $15,000 - $100,000+
Small organization: 4-6 months
Medium organization: 6-9 months
Large organization: 9-12+ months
Preparation phase: 3-6 months
Certification audit: 1-2 months
Accredited bodies: BSI, DNV, LRQA, SGS
Validity period: 3 years
Surveillance audits: Annual
Recertification: Full audit every 3 years
Global recognition: IAF accreditation
ISO 27001 certification delivers significant business value beyond compliance, enhancing competitive advantage and organizational resilience.
ISO 27001 helps organizations:
Certification provides business benefits:
Address regulatory requirements:
Direct and indirect financial returns:
| Standard | Focus Area | Certification | Best For | Complementary With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 27001 | Information Security Management System | Organization-wide certification | Comprehensive security management | ISO 9001, ISO 22301, SOC 2 |
| ISO 27701 | Privacy Information Management | Extension to ISO 27001 | GDPR and privacy compliance | ISO 27001 (privacy extension) |
| SOC 2 | Trust Services Criteria | Audit report (not certification) | US-based service organizations | ISO 27001 (security controls) |
| NIST CSF | Cybersecurity Framework | No certification | US government contractors | ISO 27001 (implementation guide) |
| GDPR | Data Protection Regulation | Legal compliance (EU) | Organizations processing EU data | ISO 27001 + ISO 27701 |
Get answers to common questions about ISO 27001 certification, implementation, and maintenance.
ISO 27001:2013 had 114 controls organized into 14 domains (A.5 to A.18).
ISO 27001:2022 has 93 controls organized into 4 themes with 5 control attributes each. Key changes include:
Timeline: Typically 6-12 months depending on:
Costs: Vary significantly based on:
Typical ranges: Small businesses: $15,000-$30,000, Medium enterprises: $30,000-$70,000, Large organizations: $70,000-$150,000+
ISO 27001 certification is voluntary but often becomes de facto mandatory for business reasons:
Some regulated industries or government contracts may require equivalent security frameworks, making ISO 27001 the most efficient way to demonstrate compliance.
ISO 27001 has 10 mandatory clauses (numbered 4-10) that form the core requirements:
Plus Annex A containing 93 controls organized into 4 themes that organizations select based on their risk assessment.
ISO 27001 provides an excellent foundation for GDPR compliance, but they are not the same:
How they complement each other:
Many organizations implement ISO 27001 first for security, then add ISO 27701 for privacy to address both security and GDPR requirements comprehensively.
The Statement of Applicability (SoA) is one of the most critical documents in ISO 27001 certification. It serves as:
Key requirements for SoA:
The SoA directly links your risk assessment to your control implementation, creating a traceable decision-making process.