It’s possible for startups to go for years without even thinking about ISO 27001. An email from a customer of an enterprise solicits your ISO 27001 certification as part our vendor security review.
Then, it’s not something to think about next year. It has to do with a contract that the company is trying to end.
For many growing companies, that’s the practical starting point for ISO 27001 for small business. The problem is to determine what’s necessary without transforming a simple compliance program into a massive security initiative.
Week One is about Scope, Not Shopping
The first instincts can lead you to start comparing compliance consultants and platforms. The ideal place to begin is by defining the requirements that an ISMS or Information Security Management System needs to incorporate.
The scope of the document is important because trying to include unnecessary systems, locations or procedures can result in more documentation and require additional evidence.
Small SaaS companies, for instance could have an environment that’s centered around cloud infrastructures, employee devices, customer information, and one or two key vendors. Understanding the current environment can help determine what certification project is required.
Check out the Security You Already Have
Some companies looking into ISO 27001 as a startup suppose that they have to establish a new security operation.
This could not be the scenario.
Modern startups could already have established cloud providers, and may require multi-factor authentication, a restricted set of access to employees as well as system logs to track the onboarding process and documentation for offboarding. The current practices must be evaluated in relation to ISO 27001 requirements. However beginning with the elements which are working already will prevent unnecessary duplication.
The remaining work includes documenting policies, conducting the risk assessment, determining applicable Annex A controls, completing the Statement of Applicability, and gathering evidence.
Be aware of which invoices pay for What
If expenses aren’t bundled into a single figure and are not bundled into one number, it’s easier to understand the ISO 27001 cost.
When you consider the cost of an audit by an independent certifier, tools for compliance and the time of staff members, a small company’s first-year expenses could range from $10,000 to $30,000. Consulting is a different expense however, it’s optional instead of an automatic necessity.
The ISO 27001 Certification Cost charged by a certified certification body is particularly significant to distinguish from software charges. The compliance platform is a device that organizes work but is unable to issue a certification. The independent auditing process is the process that validates the certificate.
Then comes the evidence
A policy that states that access to employees is restricted after departure isn’t enough. Auditors will have to see evidence that the procedure is in place.
That distinction between saying and demonstrating is the most important aspect of ISO 27001.
CertAssist helps to manage this work without having to directly connect to live systems. It presents all 93 ISO 27001:2022 Annex A controls on a single board allows for editing of policy and evidence templates, supports the Statement of Applicability and provides auditors to access the system in a read-only mode.
In a small team template can help eliminate the unorganized process of writing every policy on the blank page.
Certification Day is Not the End Line
A business that is launching from the ground up may have to invest between three and six months getting ready to be certified. It all depends on their current security practices and the available resources. The certification body conducts audits at both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
The ISMS is not forgotten just since you’ve passed the audits. The ISMS should continue to maintain controls and evidence. After the certification, surveillance audits are conducted.
This is an important element to take into consideration when developing the program. Small-sized businesses don’t require an ISMS it can afford to build. It’s in need of one that will be able to run after the initial project has ended.
It is rare that the largest organization has the best ISO 27001 program. It’s one that complies with the ISO 27001 requirements, is based on real security practices, withstands independent scrutiny and is able to be maintained once everyone returns to normal duties.