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ISO 27001 for tech startups: everything you need to know

Last updated Sep 21, 2025

Author: Stuart Barker | ISO 27001 Expert and Thought Leader

ISO 27001 for tech startups

ISO 27001 isn’t just a boring standard; it’s a powerful playbook for tech startups. It helps you keep your company’s and your customers’ sensitive data safe. Think of it as a set of rules for building a strong security system. By following these rules, you show customers and investors you’re serious about protecting their information.

This article will walk you through what ISO 27001 is, why it matters for startups, and how to get it done. It’s all about making your startup more secure and trustworthy.

Key Takeaways

Table of contents

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that gives companies a framework for managing information security. It’s all about building an Information Security Management System (ISMS). An ISMS is a set of policies, processes, and procedures that help you protect your data and manage security risks.

The main goals of ISO 27001 are to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your information.

  • Confidentiality means only authorised people can see the information.
  • Integrity means the information is accurate and hasn’t been changed.
  • Availability means the information is there when you need it.

For a tech startup, this means safeguarding customer data, source code, and intellectual property.

Why ISO 27001 is a Game Changes for Startups

Getting ISO 27001 certified can feel like a big job, but the benefits are huge.

  • Win More Business: Many larger clients and partners, especially in Europe and globally, require ISO 27001 certification. Having it can give you a major competitive edge and help you close deals faster.
  • Build Trust: Certification shows your customers that you’re committed to protecting their data. This builds confidence and can be a huge factor in their decision to use your product.
  • Meet Legal Requirements: ISO 27001 helps you meet security and privacy rules like GDPR. This saves you from big fines and legal headaches.
  • Improve Your Security: The process of getting certified makes you find and fix weak spots in your security. It helps you put a solid plan in place to handle things like data breaches and cyberattacks.
  • Attract Investors: Investors see ISO 27001 certification as a sign of a well-managed and responsible company. It reduces their risk and makes your startup more attractive.

Challenges for Startups and How a Toolkit Can Help

Startups face unique challenges with ISO 27001. They often have limited staff, not much money, and a culture of moving fast. This can make the detailed documentation and processes of ISO seem overwhelming.

  • Challenge: Lack of Time and Resources: Founders and engineers are busy building the product. They don’t have a dedicated security team or endless hours to spend on paperwork.
  • Challenge: Documentation Overload: Creating all the required policies, procedures, and records can feel like a massive chore. It’s not something most technical people enjoy.
  • Challenge: Staying on Top of it: Certification isn’t a one-off thing. You need to keep your ISMS working well, which requires ongoing effort.

A solution like the High Table ISO 27001 toolkit can help. It’s designed to solve these problems by making the process simpler and faster. The toolkit provides pre-written templates and guides, which means you don’t have to start from scratch. It automates a lot of the work, like collecting evidence and tracking tasks. This frees up your team to focus on what they do best: building a great product.

How to Implement ISO 27001

Implementing ISO 27001 can be broken down into a few key steps. Think of it as a project with a clear plan.

  1. Define Your Scope: First, decide what parts of your business your ISMS will cover. For a startup, this might be your main product, the servers you use, and the team members who handle customer data. Keeping the scope small and focused at first can make the process easier.
  2. Do a Gap Analysis: Look at where your current security practices stand against the ISO 27001 requirements. This will show you what you’re doing right and what you need to fix.
  3. Perform a Risk Assessment: Identify what could go wrong. What are the threats to your information? How likely are they to happen? What would the impact be? This helps you prioritise what you need to protect first.
  4. Create Policies and Documents: You’ll need to write policies and procedures that explain how you’ll manage security. This includes things like an information security policy, an access control policy, and a data protection policy.
  5. Implement Controls: This is the practical part. Based on your risk assessment, you’ll put the necessary security controls in place. The controls are the actual security measures you use, from technical tools to employee training.
  6. Conduct an Internal Audit: Before the big audit, have someone from your team, who isn’t involved in the daily security work, check that everything is working as it should. This helps you find and fix any issues before the external audit.
  7. Hold a Management Review: Senior leaders in the company need to review the ISMS to make sure it’s working and that they support it. This shows commitment from the top.

Getting ISO 27001 Certification

Once you’ve implemented your ISMS, you’re ready for the certification audit. Only an accredited certification body can issue the certificate.

The audit process has two stages:

  • Stage 1 Audit: The auditor reviews all your ISMS documentation, like your policies and risk assessment. They check if your system is designed properly and if you’re ready for the next stage.
  • Stage 2 Audit: This is the main audit. The auditor will come to your office (or do a virtual audit) and check that your ISMS is actually working. They’ll interview employees and look at records to make sure you’re following your own rules.

If you pass, you get your certificate! The certificate is valid for three years, but you’ll have annual check-ins, called surveillance audits, to make sure you’re still on track.

It’s important to know that while the ISO created ISO 27001, it doesn’t actually provide the certification. You can only get it from a third party. However, the ISO has a list of standards that all auditors and certifiers should follow. Use this Top 10 ISO 27001 Certification Bodies & Companies: A Buyer’s Guide to find a certification company.

Key ISO 27001:2022 Controls for Startups

ISO 27001:2022 has 93 controls in four main areas. For a tech startup, some are more important than others.

Organisational Controls

People Controls

Technology Controls

High Table ISO 27001:2022 Toolkit: Tech StartUp Edition

The High Table ISO 27001:2022 Toolkit: Tech StartUp Edition is designed to solve the common problems startups face with ISO 27001. It helps make a complex, time-consuming process much simpler and more affordable.

How it works for a tech startup

The toolkit is a pre-packaged set of documents, guides, and templates that act as a roadmap for your entire ISO 27001 journey. It’s built for a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach, which is ideal for startups that want to save money on expensive consultants.

Here’s how it helps a small, fast-moving team:

  • Saves Time and Effort: Instead of creating every policy, procedure, and document from scratch, the toolkit gives you a complete set of professionally written templates. This can save you months of work and helps you avoid getting bogged down in paperwork.
  • Cost-Effective: Hiring an ISO 27001 consultant can cost tens of thousands of pounds. The High Table toolkit provides a structured, expert-designed solution at a fraction of that price.
  • Simple and Clear Guidance: The toolkit includes easy-to-follow guides and tutorials that walk you through each step of the implementation process. This helps a non-security expert understand what needs to be done without getting lost in jargon.
  • Guarantees Compliance: All the templates and documents are aligned with the latest ISO 27001:2022 standard. This reduces the risk of non-conformities during your audit because you’re starting with a solid, compliant foundation.
  • Ongoing Support: The toolkit often includes access to expert support, like email assistance or a coaching session. This means you’re not completely on your own and can get help if you get stuck.

In short, the High Table toolkit turns the overwhelming task of ISO 27001 implementation into a manageable project. It provides the structure, documents, and guidance you need to achieve certification without the massive cost or time investment typically associated with the process.

ISO 27001:2022 Toolkit: Tech StartUp Edition

ISO 27001 SaaS platform issues for tech startups

Using an ISO 27001 SaaS platform might seem like the perfect answer for a busy startup. These platforms promise to make the process quick and easy. However, for many small tech companies, they can create more problems than they solve.

The Hidden Downsides of ISO 27001 Platforms

  1. High Costs: These platforms come with a monthly or yearly subscription fee. For a startup with tight budget, these recurring costs can add up quickly. A one-time purchase of a toolkit or paying a consultant for a fixed amount of time is often much cheaper in the long run.
  2. Lack of Flexibility: A startup’s business changes fast. Your team, technology, and products are always evolving. Many SaaS platforms are rigid and follow a strict, predefined process. They can struggle to adapt to your unique and changing needs, forcing you into a one-size-fits-all solution that may not fit at all.
  3. Vendor Lock-In: When you put all your security policies, documents, and records into one platform, you become very dependent on it. If you decide to stop paying the subscription, it can be very difficult to get your data back in a usable format. This makes it hard to switch to another solution later on.
  4. The “Easy Button” Illusion: An ISO 27001 SaaS platform automates the documentation, but it doesn’t teach you or your team about security. It can make you feel like you’ve done the work, even if the security practices aren’t truly embedded in your company’s culture. Real security comes from a deep understanding of your risks, not from checking boxes in an app.

Conclusion

Getting ISO 27001 certified doesn’t have to be a nightmare for a tech startup. It’s a smart business move that builds trust, opens doors to new clients, and strengthens your company’s foundation. By seeing it as a structured project and using a well-designed toolkit, you can make the journey straightforward and cost-effective. Ultimately, ISO 27001 is a proactive step that shows the world you’re serious about security, giving your startup a crucial competitive edge.

ISO 27001 FAQs for Tech Startups

What exactly is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard for managing information security. It’s a set of best practices that helps you build a system to protect your company’s data, like customer information and source code.

What’s an ISMS?

ISMS stands for Information Security Management System. It’s the entire system of policies, procedures, and controls that you put in place to manage your company’s security.

Why should my startup care about it?

It helps you win bigger customers who require it, builds trust, and shows investors you’re a serious, well-managed business. It’s a key to unlocking new business opportunities.

How long does it take to get ISO 27001 certification?

It typically takes 3 to 6 months, but it can be faster if you use a toolkit and have strong management support.

What’s the biggest challenge for a startup?

The biggest challenge is usually the documentation. Creating all the required policies and procedures can feel overwhelming and is very time-consuming for a small team.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary widely but include auditor fees, staff time, and any tools or services you use. It can range from a few thousand pounds to much more.

Do we need an ISO 27001 consultant

No, you don’t. While a consultant can be helpful, a good toolkit can give you the same guidance at a much lower cost.

Do we need to hire a full-time security person?

No, you don’t. While it helps to have someone lead the project, many startups can get certified by using a toolkit or a part-time consultant.

What’s the difference between ISO 27001 and SOC 2? 

ISO 27001 is a global standard for an ISMS. SOC 2 is a US-based report that looks at how a company handles customer data. Many companies get both.

What is the Statement of Applicability (SoA)?

The SoA is a document that lists all the controls from ISO 27001 and explains which ones you’ve chosen to implement and why.

Do we need to implement every single control?

No. You only need to implement the controls that are relevant to the risks you’ve identified in your risk assessment.

Can a small startup with no office get certified?

Yes. ISO 27001 is flexible and works for companies of all sizes, including those that are fully remote.

What is an ISMS?

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is the framework of policies and processes you use to manage your company’s information security.

How do we keep the certification?

You must have annual surveillance audits for three years, and then you’ll need to get re-certified.

Is ISO 27001 a one-time thing?

No, it’s a continuous process. You must always be looking for ways to improve your security.

Who should be involved in the process? 

Everyone! While a project lead will guide the process, security is everyone’s job.

What’s the most important step for a startup?

The risk assessment. This is the most crucial step because it helps you focus your efforts on the most important things.

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is the process of identifying what could go wrong with your information (e.g., a data breach), how likely it is to happen, and what the impact would be. It’s the most important step.

What are the key policies we need?

At a minimum, you’ll need an information security policy, an acceptable use policy, and a password policy.

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Stuart Barker, ISO 27001 expert

Stuart Barker
ISO 27001 Expert and Thought Leader

ISO 27001 Toolkit Business Edition
Stuart Barker, ISO 27001 expert

About the author

Stuart Barker is an information security practitioner of over 30 years. He holds an MSc in Software and Systems Security and an undergraduate degree in Software Engineering. He is an ISO 27001 expert and thought leader holding both ISO 27001 Lead Implementer and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor qualifications. In 2010 he started his first cyber security consulting business that he sold in 2018. He worked for over a decade for GE, leading a data governance team across Europe and since then has gone on to deliver hundreds of client engagements and audits.

He regularly mentors and trains professionals on information security and runs a successful ISO 27001 YouTube channel where he shows people how they can implement ISO 27001 themselves. He is passionate that knowledge should not be hoarded and brought to market the first of its kind online ISO 27001 store for all the tools and templates people need when they want to do it themselves.

In his personal life he is an active and a hobbyist kickboxer.

His specialisms are ISO 27001 and SOC 2 and his niche is start up and early stage business.