ISO 27001 is the global gold standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). While following the standard internally is a great step, getting certified provides that crucial third-party verification. It proves to your clients, partners, and regulators that you manage data security to the highest international benchmarks.
However, choosing how to get there is a critical strategic decision. The path you choose, whether it’s a self-guided toolkit, hiring a consultant, or employing dedicated staff, will dictate your budget, your timeline, and the long-term effectiveness of your security.
This guide breaks down the costs, timelines, and resource requirements of the primary implementation strategies, helping you make a decision that aligns with your specific budget and culture.
Table of contents
Understanding the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
It is vital to view ISO 27001 certification not as a one-off purchase, but as a long-term investment. To create a realistic budget, you need to look beyond the initial setup fees.
We can break the financial outlay down into four main categories:
1. Preparation Costs
This is the “getting ready” phase. It involves understanding the rules of the game and seeing where you currently stand.
- Standard Documents: You will need to purchase the official standards (ISO 27001 and ISO 27002). Expect to pay approximately £300.
- Gap Analysis (Optional): A professional “health check” to see what you are missing. This typically ranges from £3,500 to £10,000.
2. Implementation Costs
This is where the biggest variance lies. It covers the time and tools needed to build your ISMS, write policies, and implement controls.
- DIY Toolkit: Templates and guides for self-implementation cost around £500.
- Consultant or Platform: Hiring an expert or using a managed platform can cost up to £40,000.
- Staff Training: Security awareness training usually costs around £50 per person.
- Internal Resources: The hidden cost. You must factor in the time your own employees spend working on this project rather than their day jobs.
3. Audit Costs
These are fees paid to the Certification Body. You cannot “self-certify”; you must pay an accredited auditor.
- Certification Audit: A two-stage initial process. The average auditor day rate is £1,250.
- Surveillance Audits: These are mandatory annual check-ups. Budget for about one-third of the initial certification fee every year.
4. Ongoing Costs
Security is a process, not a destination.
- Recertification: Every three years, you undergo a full audit again, costing the same as the initial certification.
- ISMS Management: Someone needs to run the system, conduct internal audits, and manage improvements. This requires ongoing resource allocation.
Core Implementation Strategies: A Detailed Evaluation
There are three main roads to certification. Each has trade-offs regarding cash, time, and stress.
Strategy 1: The ‘Do-It-Yourself’ (DIY) Approach
This is the “bootstrapped” method. It is the most cost-effective financially but requires the most sweat equity.
- Primary Tool: A pre-built ISO 27001 Toolkit (templates, policies, guides). Cost: ~£500.
- The Trade-off: You save money but spend significant internal time. Your team must customize the templates and implement the controls themselves.
- Ideal For: Companies with limited budgets but tech-savvy staff who can interpret technical standards.
- Timeline: Surprisingly fast if prioritized. Can be completed in 30 to 90 days.
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Strategy 2: Engaging an External Consultant
The traditional “hands-off” route. You pay a premium for expertise and guidance.
- Service Profile: The consultant manages the process, writes the documentation, and guides you through the audit.
- The Trade-off: High financial cost for low internal effort. Average fees sit around £15,000–£20,000, though they can range up to £40,000.
- Ideal For: Companies with healthy budgets that cannot spare internal staff time.
- Timeline: Generally slower due to scheduling. Typically 6 to 12 months.
Strategy 3: Employing Dedicated Internal Staff
Hiring a full-time Information Security Manager. For most SMEs, this is the most expensive route.
- Cost Structure: A full-time salary (£40k–£60k+) or a contractor day rate (£500–£700/day).
- The Trade-off: You have total control and a dedicated resource, but the cost is often considered “astronomical” for the sole purpose of initial certification.
- Timeline: 6 to 12 months.
At-a-Glance Comparative Matrix
Here is how the three strategies stack up side-by-side to help you make a quick assessment.
| Implementation Strategy | Typical Cost Outlay | Internal Resource Impact | Primary Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do-It-Yourself (Toolkit) | ~£500 (for toolkit) | High: Requires significant internal effort. | Cost: Lowest financial barrier to entry. |
| External Consultant | £15,000 – £20,000 | Low to Medium: Consultant does the heavy lifting. | Expertise: Guided process with less stress. |
| Dedicated Staff | £40,000 – £160,000+ | Very High: Full-time resource dedicated to the project. | Control: Total in-house ownership. |
Making the Right Choice: Key Decision Factors
There is no “one size fits all.” To choose the right path, your leadership team should answer these three questions:
1. What is our available budget?
This is the primary filter. If you cannot spend £20,000 upfront, the Consultant route is off the table. The DIY approach (£500) makes certification accessible to almost any business.
2. What is our internal capacity?
Do you have a team member with a process-oriented mindset? If yes, the DIY route is viable. If your team is already drowning in work, paying for a consultant might be necessary to protect their productivity.
3. How urgent is the timeline?
If you need to close a deal in three months, a focused DIY implementation is your best bet (30–90 days). Consultant-led projects often drag on for 6 to 12 months.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
- Don’t buy without defining scope: Know exactly what needs to be certified before hiring help.
- Shop around: An accredited certificate is the same regardless of who helps you get it. Don’t overpay for the same outcome.
- Remember the lifecycle: Budget for the annual surveillance audits, not just the setup.
Conclusion
The path to ISO 27001 is a balance between cash and effort. The DIY approach offers a low-cost, high-speed route for those willing to put in the work, while consultants offer a premium, guided experience.
Our Recommendation: Start by defining your scope. Then, look at the DIY toolkit approach to gauge the complexity. It is often easier to start there and layer on external help only if you truly need it, rather than committing to a five-figure consultancy contract on day one.
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.
