The top 10 mistakes people make for ISO 27001 Toolkits are:
1. Choosing the wrong toolkit
Selecting a toolkit that doesn’t fit the organisation’s size, industry, or complexity. A small business might buy a toolkit designed for a large enterprise, making it overly complex and expensive.
Solution: Carefully evaluate different toolkits. Consider factors like the organisation’s size, industry regulations, budget, and the level of support offered. Look for toolkits that offer trials or demos.
2. Treating the toolkit as a magic bullet
Believing that simply buying a toolkit guarantees ISO 27001 compliance. Toolkits are just resources; they require effort and customisation.
Solution: Understand that a toolkit is a starting point. It provides templates and guidance, but the organisation must actively customise and implement the ISMS.
3. Not customising the templates
Using the toolkit’s templates “as is” without tailoring them to the organisation’s specific processes, risks, and context. This results in generic, ineffective documentation.
Solution: Thoroughly review and customise every template. Ensure they accurately reflect the organisation’s unique circumstances. Involve relevant stakeholders in the customisation process.
4. Focusing on documentation over implementation
Spending too much time on creating documents and not enough time on actually implementing the security controls. A “paper ISMS” is useless.
Solution: Balance documentation with practical implementation. Prioritise implementing controls and then document them. Regularly test the effectiveness of the controls.
5. Ignoring the risk assessment process
Failing to conduct a thorough and accurate risk assessment, leading to inadequate security controls.
Solution: Use a structured risk assessment methodology (e.g., ISO 31000). Involve representatives from different departments to get a comprehensive view of the risks.
6. Neglecting employee training
Failing to train employees on information security policies and procedures, rendering the ISMS ineffective.
Solution: Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs. Reinforce training through regular communication and awareness campaigns. Make security training mandatory and track completion.
7. Lack of management buy-in
Proceeding with ISO 27001 implementation without securing support from top management. This leads to insufficient resources and prioritisation.
Solution: Present a clear business case to management, highlighting the benefits of ISO 27001. Regularly communicate progress and demonstrate the value of the ISMS.
8. Not integrating the toolkit with existing systems
Treating the ISMS as a separate entity, rather than integrating it with existing business processes and systems.
Solution: Identify opportunities to integrate the ISMS with existing systems, such as HR, IT, and finance. This makes the ISMS more efficient and less burdensome.
9. Failing to maintain and update the ISMS
Letting the ISMS become static after certification, failing to adapt to changing threats and business needs.
Solution: Establish a process for continual improvement. Regularly review and update the ISMS, including the toolkit resources, to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
10. Not seeking external expertise when needed
Trying to do everything in-house, even when the organisation lacks the necessary expertise.
Solution: Don’t hesitate to seek external help from consultants or other experts, especially for complex tasks like risk assessment or internal audit. They can provide valuable guidance and support.
About the author
Stuart Barker is a veteran practitioner with over 30 years of experience in systems security and risk management.
Holding an MSc in Software and Systems Security, Stuart combines academic rigor with extensive operational experience. His background includes over a decade leading Data Governance for General Electric (GE) across Europe, as well as founding and exiting a successful cyber security consultancy.
As a qualified ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer, Stuart possesses distinct insight into the specific evidence standards required by certification bodies. He has successfully guided hundreds of organizations – from high-growth technology startups to enterprise financial institutions – through the audit lifecycle.
His toolkits represents the distillation of that field experience into a standardised framework. They move beyond theoretical compliance, providing a pragmatic, auditor-verified methodology designed to satisfy ISO/IEC 27001:2022 while minimising operational friction.
