What Is ISO 27001?
ISO/IEC 27001 specifies the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS): a risk-based framework of policies, processes, and controls for protecting information. The current version, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, includes management-system requirements (clauses 4–10) and 93 Annex A controls grouped into organizational, people, physical, and technological themes. Certification is issued by an accredited certification body after a two-stage external audit, followed by annual surveillance audits.
Our ISO 27001 Services
Gap Analysis & Readiness Assessment
Where you stand today against every clause and Annex A control, with a prioritized roadmap and realistic timeline to certification.
Scope Definition
Defining the ISMS scope — which business units, locations, systems, and services are included. The right scope keeps certification achievable and meaningful to your customers.
Risk Assessment & Treatment
An ISO-aligned risk assessment methodology, risk register, risk treatment plan, and Statement of Applicability (SoA) justifying each Annex A control decision. Cybersecurity Risk Assessments →
ISMS Documentation
The required policies, procedures, and records — written for your organization, not copied from a toolkit — plus the evidence trail auditors look for.
Implementation Guidance
Working with your team and IT provider to put controls into practice, train staff, and run the ISMS processes (management review, corrective action, monitoring).
Internal Audit Support
ISO 27001 requires an internal audit before certification. We prepare you for it and, where independence allows, perform it. (See our independence policy below.)
Certification Audit Preparation
Stage 1 and Stage 2 readiness reviews, mock interviews, and support responding to auditor findings.
A Typical Path to Certification
| Phase | What happens | Typical timing* |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gap analysis & scope | Current state, scope, roadmap | Weeks 1–3 |
| 2. Risk assessment & SoA | Risk methodology, register, treatment, SoA | Weeks 3–8 |
| 3. Implement & document | Policies, controls, training, records | Months 2–6 |
| 4. Operate & measure | ISMS runs; evidence accumulates | 2–3 months of operation |
| 5. Internal audit & management review | Required before certification | Month 6–9 |
| 6. Certification audit | Stage 1 (documentation) and Stage 2 (implementation) by a certification body | Month 7–12 |
*Small organizations with a focused scope commonly certify in 6–12 months.
Our Independence Policy
An internal auditor shouldn’t audit their own work. When USCIBER has designed or implemented an organization’s ISMS, we won’t also serve as its internal auditor for that scope — we’ll help you arrange an independent internal audit instead. Where we haven’t been involved in implementation, we can perform the internal audit. Our leadership’s CISA credential reflects this audit discipline.
Already Working on NIST or CMMC?
ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-171 overlap substantially. If you’re a defense contractor also selling to commercial or international customers, we map controls once and reuse evidence across both. NIST 800-171 Compliance →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ISO 27001 certification take?
For small organizations with a focused scope, typically 6–12 months from gap analysis to certification. The biggest variables are scope size, existing documentation, and how quickly controls can be implemented.
How much does ISO 27001 certification cost?
Costs fall into three buckets: consulting support (scoped after a short call), the certification body’s audit fees (paid directly to the certification body), and any remediation such as tools or training. We’ll give you a realistic estimate for all three during scoping.
Can USCIBER certify us?
No. Certification is issued only by an accredited certification body. We prepare you for the audit; the certification body performs it independently.
What’s the difference between ISO 27001 and SOC 2?
ISO 27001 is an international certification of your management system. SOC 2 is an attestation report by a U.S. CPA firm on controls against trust services criteria. U.S. SaaS buyers often ask for SOC 2; international and enterprise buyers often prefer ISO 27001. Many controls overlap.
Is ISO 27001 realistic for a small company?
Yes, with a sensible scope. The standard scales — a 20-person company needs a far lighter ISMS than a multinational, and auditors expect that.
Start With a Clear Path to Certification
Book a 30-minute call. We’ll discuss your customers, scope, and timeline, and send a written proposal — usually within one business day.