Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 certification is a massive milestone. It shows the world you are serious about information security. But let’s be honest: the financial side often feels like a black box. Is it expensive? Complicated? Hard to budget for?
We designed this FAQ to demystify the price tag. Whether you are a micro-business or a growing enterprise, we’ll give you clear, actionable answers to help you budget effectively and make smart decisions on your journey to better security.
Table of contents
Foundational Concepts
Before we talk hard cash, we need to quickly cover the basics. Understanding what you are paying for helps explain why the costs vary so much.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 (officially ISO/IEC 27001:2022) is the international gold standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Think of it as a blueprint. It isn’t just about antivirus software; it’s a structured framework for managing risk and handling sensitive data securely.
What is ISO 27001 Certification?
Certification is the independent verification that your blueprint works. It’s a third-party seal of approval proving to customers and stakeholders that you don’t just say you’re secure—you can prove it.
What is the process for getting ISO 27001 certified?
To get that certificate on your wall, you need to pass a two-stage initial audit conducted by an accredited certification body.
- Stage 1 Audit (Documentation): The auditor checks your paperwork. Is your ISMS designed correctly? Do you have the right policies? The outcome is a recommendation to proceed (or fix things first).
- Stage 2 Audit (Implementation): Usually 30 days later. The auditor visits (physically or virtually) to see if you are actually doing what your policies say. They interview staff and check evidence.
Once you pass both, you are recommended for certification, and the certificate is usually issued within a month.
Understanding the Overall Costs
As an advisor, the first thing I tell clients is this: there is no single “price sticker” for ISO 27001. It is a collection of different expenses.
How much does ISO 27001 certification cost in total?
The short answer: Between £5,000 and £50,000.
The detail: For a small UK organisation (1-10 staff), the certification audit fees alone usually sit between £5,000 and £8,000. However, the total investment fluctuates wildly based on your size, complexity, and how much help you hire to get ready.
What are the main cost categories?
To budget properly, you need to split the pot into four categories:
- Preparation Costs: Buying the standards and checking your current status (Gap Analysis).
- Implementation Costs: Building the system (staff time, training, consultants, or toolkits).
- Audit Costs: The fees paid to the certification body.
- Ongoing Costs: Maintaining the system and annual surveillance audits.
How long does it take?
Most organisations cross the finish line in 3 to 12 months, with the average being about six months.
Detailed Breakdown of Certification Costs
Let’s dig into the specifics so you can see exactly where the money goes.
Typical Preparation Costs
- The Standards: You must buy the official documents (ISO 27001 requirements and ISO 27002 guidance). Budget approx. £300.
- Gap Analysis (Optional): Hiring a pro to see where you stand before you start can cost between £3,500 and £10,000.
Implementation Options and Costs
This is where you have the most control over your budget. It’s a trade-off: cash vs. internal time.
| Option | Typical Cost | Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Do It Yourself (with Toolkit) | ~£500 | Most affordable. Requires internal effort but comes with templates and guides. |
| Consultant | £10k – £40k | Expert guidance (“just get it done for me”), but high cash outlay. |
| Online Platform | £10k – £100k / year | Software manages the ISMS. Can have hidden fees and recurring subscriptions. |
| Contractor | £40k – £120k | Temporary expert resource. effective but expensive. |
Advisor’s Tip: Don’t forget hidden costs like staff training (~£50/head) and the internal cost of your team’s time.
How are Audit Costs calculated?
Auditors can’t just make up a price. They follow a global standard (ISO 27006) which dictates how many days they must spend auditing you based on your employee count. The average day rate for 2026 is around £1,250.
| Employees | Audit Days | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 10 | 5 | £6,250 |
| 16 – 25 | 7 | £8,750 |
| 46 – 65 | 10 | £12,500 |
| 86 – 125 | 12 | £15,000 |
What about Ongoing Costs?
ISO 27001 isn’t a “one and done” event. To keep the certificate, you need:
- Surveillance Audits: Occur in Year 2 and Year 3. Cost is roughly 33% of the initial audit fee.
- Recertification: Every 3 years, you repeat the full audit (full cost).
- Internal Audits: Required annually. Hiring an outsider to do this objectively costs £3.5k – £10k per audit.
Factors, Cost Savings, and Mistakes
Want to keep costs down? Here is the strategy.
Key Cost Drivers
- Size: More staff = more audit days = higher cost.
- Scope: If you try to certify every department and process, it gets expensive.
- Locations: Auditors usually need to visit every physical site in scope.
- The Certification Body: Day rates vary. Shop around.
Advisor’s Note: The Scope is your biggest lever. Rigorously define the absolute minimum scope required to satisfy your clients. Don’t certify the whole company if you only need to certify one cloud service.
How to reduce ISO 27001 costs
- Narrow the Scope: Less to audit, less to pay.
- Go DIY with a Toolkit: If you are process-oriented, you can skip the £20k consultant fee by using a £500 toolkit.
- Shop Around: Get at least three quotes from certification bodies.
Common Financial Mistakes
Avoid buying expensive software platforms if a simple document system works. Avoid “gold-plating” your security (doing more than the standard actually asks for). And never accept the first audit quote you receive.
Real-World Cost Examples (3-Year Cycle)
To help you visualise the total investment, we’ve modelled three common scenarios comparing a Subscription Platform vs. a One-Time Toolkit.
Tech Startup (30-50 staff)
Platform Route: ~£25k – £41k in Year 1. High recurring costs.
Toolkit Route: You save £7k – £11k in Year 1 alone by avoiding subscription fees.
AI Company (40 staff)
AI firms often have higher complexity. Over a 3-year cycle, choosing a Toolkit over a Platform can save an AI company approximately £24,000.
Micro-Business (< 5 staff)
For very small teams, expensive platforms are often overkill.
Platform Cost (3 Years): ~£30k – £46k total.
Savings with Toolkit: You could save £9,000 to £18,000 over three years.
Ready to start budgeting? Remember, ISO 27001 is an investment in trust. Choose the path that fits your culture and your cash flow.
