How Much Does ISO 27001 Certification Cost?
Achieving ISO 27001 certification is now faster, more affordable, and more accessible than ever—especially with automation. Gone are the days of spending years and tens of thousands in consultancy fees, only to divert your team’s focus from business growth to compliance.
The Real Cost of ISO 27001 Certification
The total cost of ISO 27001 certification in the UK typically ranges from £8,000 to £50,000 per annum, varying significantly based on company size and complexity. Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees can expect to pay between £8,000 and £10,000, medium-sized businesses around £9,000 to £20,000, while larger enterprises may face costs of £30,000 or more.
It’s important to note that ISO 27001 certification isn’t a one-off exercise. Maintaining compliance requires continuous improvement, regular audits, and ongoing security enhancements—meaning costs are recurring.
Below, we outline the key costs associated with certification, including preparation, consultancy, and audit fees.
Key Costs to Consider
1. Staff Time and Resources
Your team’s involvement in implementation, audits, and ongoing management represents an indirect cost. The impact depends on existing processes—if staff already engage in annual policy reviews and security awareness training, the transition is smoother. For companies with fewer than 50 employees, expect to allocate 5-10 days for implementing the Information Security Management System (ISMS), excluding control implementation.
2. ISMS Implementation
Building an ISMS involves risk assessment, policy setup, and control implementation. This stage may require external expertise and/or an automated compliance platform. Traditional consultancy fees range from £800 – £1,400 per day, with businesses typically needing at least 15 days of consultancy (£12,000+ total) for audit preparation. However, automation can drastically reduce the need for external consultancy, significantly lowering costs.
3. External Audit Fees
The certification audit is an unavoidable expense. According to Adoptech’s analysis, UKAS-accredited audit costs increased by 15% in 2024.
For the initial audits and annual surveillance audits carried out over the 3 year cycle, you can expect to pay:
- Very small companies (1-5 employees): fees start at £6,000
- 50-employee companies: Fees start at £10,000
- 100-employee companies: Fees start at £15,000
Note that audit costs are front-loaded, Year 1 fees are higher than those in Years 2 and 3 due to the initial audit taking longer.
4. Internal Audit Fees
Annual internal audits are required to maintain certification. Consultants typically charge £1,000 per day, with small businesses requiring 1 day and larger companies needing up to 5 days.
5. Ongoing ISMS Management
Maintaining compliance is an ongoing effort, not a once-a-year scramble. Many firms underestimate this, leading to rushed audits and higher costs. Automated platforms help maintain compliance efficiently, reducing long-term costs and the risk of non-compliance.
Technology and Tools: Reducing Compliance Costs
Investing in an automated ISMS platform can significantly cut manual effort and long-term expenses. While these tools come with an ongoing subscription fee, they streamline documentation, control implementation, and audit preparation—saving businesses hundreds of hours annually.
Additional Security Controls to Consider:
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): Tools like Jamf, JumpCloud, and Microsoft Intune secure devices and ensure compliance (£2-£10 per user/month).
- Security Awareness Training & Phishing Simulations: Human error is a major security risk. Platforms like KnowBe4 and PhishingTackle provide automated training and phishing simulations (£4-£10 per user/month).
What Impacts the Overall Cost?
A precise cost estimate depends on your organisation’s unique factors, such as:
- Size & Complexity: More employees and systems mean higher costs.
- Existing Security Measures: A mature security posture reduces implementation expenses.
- Data Sensitivity & Volume: Handling large or sensitive datasets increases compliance costs.
- Multiple Locations: More offices require additional audit time.
- Consulting Needs: Full-service consultancy starts at £15,000 for small firms and £30,000 for 50-person companies.
Why Senior Management Commitment Matters
One of the biggest cost factors isn’t technology or consultancy—it’s leadership commitment. When management prioritises information security, certification is faster, smoother, and more cost-effective. Treating ISO 27001 as a “box-ticking exercise” leads to delays and higher costs.
Cost-Saving Strategies
- Automation: Reduces manual effort, saving staff hours and audit prep time.
- Phased Implementation: Spreads costs over multiple budget periods.
- Leveraging Existing Controls: Reduces the need for new security investments.
The Good News? We Can Help—At No Cost!
While ISO 27001 costs vary, we simplify the process to make certification efficient and affordable. With free consultations and cost estimates, our team of experts helps businesses navigate compliance—without unnecessary expenses.
What Our Clients Say
“Wow, I just generated, signed off, and shared a bespoke company policy with staff in minutes. It’s fabulous! Last time, this process took me hours.”
“Adoptech guided us through complex areas of the framework, simplifying requirements in a way that made sense for our business.”
“By automating many ISMS processes, Adoptech saved us hundreds of hours—allowing us to focus on what really matters: continuously improving our security posture.”
How Long Does ISO 27001 Certification Take?
With the right approach and automation, certification can be achieved in weeks, not years. Traditional implementations take 12-18 months, but streamlined strategies with expert guidance can significantly reduce this timeline.
Conclusion
ISO 27001 certification is a valuable investment for UK businesses, with costs ranging from £8,000 for small companies to £50,000+ for larger enterprises. However, the benefits—enhanced security, competitive advantage, and regulatory compliance—far outweigh these expenses.
By integrating automation with expert guidance, businesses can achieve certification faster, more efficiently, and cost-effectively. Rather than viewing compliance as a burden, forward-thinking organisations see it as a strategic advantage.
