How Much Does ISO 27001 Certification Cost in 2025?

Getting ISO 27001 certified shows the world that your business takes information security seriously and follows the highest global standards to protect it. For SaaS companies especially, keeping data safe isn’t just smart, it’s essential.

Of course, strong security doesn’t come free. In this article, we’ll break down what ISO 27001 certification really costs, what’s included in the process, and the different ways you can approach it depending on your business needs.

ISO 27001 isn’t just paperwork but proof that your business is built to protect what matters. Knowing the price upfront helps you plan smart and stay secure without overspending.

Cost of ISO 27001 Certification Overview

Getting ISO 27001 certified comes with a price tag — usually between $30,000 and $60,000. This includes two main stages of the certification audit:

1. Stage 1 — A review of your documentation and readiness
2. Stage 2 — A full evaluation of how well your organization meets the standard

These two stages make up the bulk of the $30K–$60K range.

But the audit itself isn’t the only cost. There are several other steps and expenses to consider along the way. Here’s a quick look at how costs break down:

What is the Cost of ISO 27001 Certification?

The price of ISO 27001 certification usually falls somewhere between $50,000 and $200,000 , but this can shift dramatically depending on your company’s size, your chosen audit partner, your current security systems, and how you approach the process. To get a more precise number tailored to your business, it’s smart to request quotes directly from certification bodies.

In this section, we’ll walk you through four main approaches businesses take when working toward ISO 27001 and what each one means for your timeline, effort, and wallet.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) with an Internal Team

If you’re resourceful and patient, you can attempt ISO 27001 certification in-house. This route involves creating an internal team to handle everything, from planning and documentation to preparing for the audit.

Pros :

• No direct consulting cost
• Full control of the process

Cons :

• Significant time drain on internal staff
• High opportunity cost (delayed product work, business tasks stalled)
• Risk of errors or missed requirements

Ongoing effort : Your team will need to maintain compliance through surveillance audits in years one and two, and recertify in year three.

Estimated Cost : Primarily productivity loss, no cash outlay

Time : 5 months or more

Hiring an External Consultant

This is the most common route for companies that want expert support without the steep learning curve. External consultants guide you through the entire process — from drafting policies to preparing for the audit.

What they help with :

• Designing and implementing your ISMS
• Drafting security policies and documents
• Conducting risk assessments and treatment plans
• Training employees
• Running internal audits and readiness checks

Estimated Cost : Starts around $10,000 (can go higher based on scope)

Time : 5 months or more

Using a GRC Tool

GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) tools help organize your compliance process with templates, dashboards, and risk reporting. They offer some automation and structure, making it easier to track progress and manage documentation.

Pros :

• Built-in templates and audit reports
• Policy management automation
• Risk visibility

Cons :

• Manual work still required
• Not tailored for SaaS startups
• May miss edge cases or nuanced needs

Estimated Cost : ~$3,600

Time : 3 months or more

Using Compliance Automation — SecureSlate

SecureSlate is built to take the heavy lifting out of ISO 27001 compliance — without cutting corners. Designed for modern, fast-moving teams, SecureSlate automates the compliance process end-to-end while ensuring full coverage across ISO 27001 requirements.

From defining the scope of your ISMS to deploying security controls, setting up policies, running employee training, and prepping for the audit, SecureSlate simplifies it all. The platform breaks down the entire journey into logical, easy-to-follow steps, with built-in automation to keep you on track, audit-ready, and ahead of schedule.

You don’t need to spend $30,000–$60,000 or spend 5+ months grinding through the certification process. SecureSlate gets you there faster, leaner, and often for half the cost (or less). Early-stage startup? SecureSlate has tailored pricing and programs to help you get compliant without burning your runway.

Estimated Cost : A fraction of traditional methods

Time : As fast as 14 days

Step-by-Step Guide to the ISO 27001 Certification Process to Boost Your Data Security
Explore the ISO 27001 certification process secureslate.medium.com

A Complete Breakdown of the Cost of ISO 27001 Certification

Getting ready for ISO 27001 certification isn’t something you can rush — or do on the cheap. There are several key steps you’ll need to tackle before you’re even close to audit-ready. These include defining the scope of your ISMS (Information Security Management System), running a detailed gap analysis, and applying the necessary controls based on your findings.

Here’s one of the first costs you’ll face:

ISO 27001 Preparation Costs

ISO 27001 Standard Requirements

Total Cost: $350

Unlike some guidelines you can find for free online, ISO doesn’t hand out its standards at no cost. If you’re planning to follow ISO 27001, you’ll need to buy the official documents.

• ISO 27001 Standard : ~$125
  This document outlines the framework and requirements for setting up an ISMS.
• ISO 27002 Standard : ~$225
  This companion guide helps you understand how to implement the required controls from ISO 27001.
• Combined, these two documents set you back around $350 , but they’re absolutely essential for doing things by the book.

This is just the start of your prep journey — many more costs follow as you begin implementation.

Gap Analysis (Optional)

Cost with traditional methods: ~$7,500

Unless you’re already an ISO 27001 veteran, building an ISMS from scratch is no walk in the park. That’s where a gap analysis steps in — it helps pinpoint where your current security practices fall short and what exactly needs fixing before you move forward.

For example, a DIY setup for a cloud-based company with 250 employees at a single location typically costs about $5,700 just for this step. But with most consultants and third-party vendors, expect to shell out up to $7,500.

The good news? SecureSlate includes gap analysis directly in its platform , so you don’t need to pay extra or chase consultants.

Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessment

Cost with traditional vendors: $2,000 — $8,000+

A penetration test is essentially a controlled cyberattack. You bring in a third party to simulate real-world threats and uncover the weaknesses in your systems, infrastructure, or apps before an actual attacker does. On the other hand, a vulnerability assessment is a broader sweep that identifies cracks in your ISMS.

• Penetration tests : ~$5,000 to $20,000 (more if you hire a CREST-certified tester)
• Vulnerability assessments : ~$2,000 to $2,500

These are critical to bolstering your defenses and ensuring your ISMS is airtight.

With SecureSlate , you’ll gain access to a vetted partner network that offers these services at highly competitive prices, without needing to source providers yourself.

Together, these steps help pave the way for a smoother certification journey and with SecureSlate, you can significantly cut both time and cost while still playing by the rules.

ISO 27001 Implementation Costs

Once you’ve scoped your ISMS and completed your gap analysis, it’s time to dig into implementation. This is where costs can vary dramatically, depending on the route you choose. Below are two major buckets where your budget will go.

Employee Security Training

Cost with traditional providers: $25 per user to $15,000 per session
Cost with SecureSlate: $0 — modular, in-app training included

ISO 27001 doesn’t just ask for tech safeguards — it expects your people to know what’s at stake. Formal security training is mandatory, and that can get expensive fast.

• Off-the-shelf training: ~$25 per user
• Custom workshops with security trainers: up to $15,000 per session depending on complexity and depth

With SecureSlate , however, this requirement is covered. The platform provides built-in, modular training programs right within the app — zero additional cost, no external trainers needed.

Security Software & Tools

Cost with traditional vendors: Varies depending on tools
Cost with SecureSlate: Core tools bundled in + cost-saving recommendations

Before an audit, you’ll need to bolster your tech stack with tools that secure endpoints, monitor risks, and track incidents. The cost of these solutions can stack up quickly.

Here are a few typical security tools you’ll likely need:

• MDM (Mobile Device Management) — ~$48/user annually
• Antivirus software — Often free
• Password manager — Some free options available
• Vulnerability scanners — ~$6,000 to $25,000 annually
• Incident response platform — $1,000+

Depending on your current setup and your gap analysis results, you may need to add several tools, and those costs scale with team size.

With SecureSlate , many of these essentials come bundled in — like MDM, incident tracking, and training modules. Plus, SecureSlate offers risk-aligned recommendations for free or open-source alternatives , especially suited for SaaS and engineering-heavy teams. This not only saves money but ensures you’re using modern, efficient tools tailored to your business model.

Costs After ISO 27001 Certification

Getting certified is just the beginning. ISO 27001 isn’t a one-and-done checkbox — it’s a living framework. Keeping your Information Security Management System (ISMS) compliant requires ongoing monitoring, internal audits, and regular maintenance.

How much does this cost? It depends on how you choose to manage post-certification operations:

Manual Monitoring with Internal Resources

Leverage your internal security team (or an overworked IT lead) to manually run internal audits, review logs, track incidents, and ensure policy updates.

Cost: Burnout + productivity drag

Bring in External Consultants

If you don’t have internal security bandwidth, you can contract consultants to run cyclical internal audits , oversee your surveillance audits, and prep for recertification.

Cost: Varies — can run into $5K+ per year just for basic audit support.

Automate with a Monitoring Platform (SecureSlate)

SecureSlate automates continuous compliance monitoring, handling, tracking and reporting to keep you audit-ready effortlessly — autopilot for compliance.

Cost: Built into platform fees (often lower than the combined manual/consultant route)

Top Mistakes to Avoid for Successful ISO 27001 Certification
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Cost of ISO 27001 Certification Audit ($10K–$50K)

ISO 27001 isn’t a one-and-done affair — it’s a three-year cycle with annual check-ins. Getting certified costs between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on the auditor you hire.

Each year, surveillance audits are required, usually running $5,000 to $40,000. On average, they’re about half the price of the original certification, but the size and setup of your company will shift that figure.

Audit Breakdown:

• Certification: $10K–$50K
• Surveillance: $5K–$40K

Cost with SecureSlate: Custom quotes based on your company’s needs, often lower than traditional audit routes

ISO 27001 Certification Cost by Country

ISO 27001 is a global standard , widely accepted and implemented across countries. Certification cost varies significantly by country, mainly due to local labor rates and consulting fees.

Higher labor costs = higher certification expenses

Countries with high wages tend to have steeper costs for consultants, auditors, and internal staffing.

Country-Wise Cost Estimates

• United Kingdom:
  Cost ranges from $12,500 to $60,000
  Driven by higher professional fees and compliance consulting rates.
• India:
  Cost ranges from $1,800 to $6,000
  Significantly lower labor rates make certification more affordable.
• Australia:
  Cost ranges from $15,000 to $27,000
  Mid-range labor costs reflect in pricing for audits and prep.

Conclusion

The cost of ISO 27001 certification is a significant investment covering audits, preparation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance. This cost varies based on company size and the chosen approach.

Beyond the expense, understanding the cost of ISO 27001 certification is crucial for budgeting, but the certification itself is a powerful way to build trust, demonstrate commitment to security, and gain a competitive edge.

Ultimately, managing the cost of ISO 27001 certification is an investment in your business’s resilience and future success.

Ready to Streamline Compliance?

Building a secure foundation for your startup is crucial, but navigating the complexities of achieving compliance can be a hassle, especially for small teams.

SecureSlate offers a simpler solution:

• Affordable: Expensive compliance software shouldn’t be a barrier. Our affordable plans start at just $99/month.
• Focus on Your Business, Not Paperwork: Automate tedious tasks and free up your team to focus on innovation and growth.
• Gain Confidence and Credibility: Our platform guides you through the process, ensuring you meet all essential requirements and giving you peace of mind.

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