ISO 27001 Certification for Information Security Management Systems
Accredited ISO 27001 certification from a UAF-accredited certification body in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas. One senior auditor, one fixed-fee proposal, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits completed in 2–8 weeks once your ISMS is audit-ready.
Page reviewed 15 October 2026 by the Accredify Global certification team.
What Is ISO 27001 Certification?
ISO 27001 certification is independent confirmation, by an accredited certification body, that your information security management system (ISMS) meets ISO/IEC 27001. It shows customers, partners, and regulators that you identify information security risks and manage them with controls that work in practice.
ISO 27001 certification and ISMS certification mean the same thing: the certificate covers your ISMS, within the scope you define. Our auditors test how you assess risks and choose controls in your Statement of Applicability. Then they check that those controls operate day to day, from access reviews to incident handling and supplier security.
Our ISO 27001 certification services run from our Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas headquarters, with audits across 71 countries. Certify ISO 27001 on its own or with ISO 27701, ISO 42001, or ISO 9001.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Is the Only Edition You Can Certify To
The transition from ISO/IEC 27001:2013 ended on 31 October 2025. Certificates issued against the 2013 edition are no longer valid, so every new certification, surveillance, and recertification audit now uses ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The 2022 edition reorganized Annex A into 93 controls across four themes: organizational, people, physical, and technological. New controls include threat intelligence, cloud services security, data leakage prevention, and secure coding.
Amendment 1:2024 added climate change to the context clauses. You now consider whether climate change is relevant to your ISMS, and whether interested parties have related requirements. If your ISMS still maps to the old control set, we flag it at scope review, before Stage 1.
Sources: ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (iso.org) · IAF MD 26 transition requirements
Who Needs ISO 27001 Certification?
Most ISO 27001 projects start when a customer security questionnaire, enterprise deal, or tender asks for an accredited certificate instead of a self-assessment.
Enterprise buyers use an ISO 27001 certificate to shorten vendor security reviews. See ISO 27001 for SaaS.
Banks and partners expect proof that customer and transaction data is protected by a managed, audited system.
ISO 27001 gives a certifiable base that supports HIPAA compliance and customer security reviews.
MSPs and IT outsourcers hold client access and data, and clients increasingly make ISO 27001 a contract condition.
Connected plants and supplier portals bring information security into supplier approval and customer audits.
A focused scope lets startups certify one product or platform first, then extend the ISMS as the company grows.
How to Get ISO 27001 Certified: The Certification Process
Six stages from first call to certificate, with the same senior auditor at every audit stage.
Not sure whether your risk assessment and Statement of Applicability would pass Stage 1? A free scope review tells you before the auditor does.
Book a free audit scope reviewISO 27001 Certification Body vs ISO 27001 Consultant
Many buyers search for an ISO 27001 consultant when what they need is the certificate. The two roles are different, and accreditation rules keep them apart.
| Question | Certification body (Accredify Global) | ISO 27001 consultant |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Audits your ISMS independently and issues the ISO 27001 certificate. | Helps you design and build the ISMS: policies, risk assessment, and controls. |
| Can it issue a certificate? | Yes, under its accreditation scope. | No. Only a certification body can issue an ISO 27001 certificate. |
| Independence | Must stay impartial. Under ISO/IEC 17021‑1 it cannot certify an ISMS it helped build. | Works on your side, so it cannot also certify the result. |
| When you need it | Every organization that wants an accredited certificate. | Only if you lack the in-house capacity to build the ISMS. |
Already working with a consultant, or building the ISMS in-house with a compliance platform? That's fine. We audit the system you built, whoever helped you build it.
What Makes an ISO 27001 Audit at Accredify Global Different
The questions buyers ask most when comparing ISO 27001 certification companies, answered upfront.
The auditor who scopes your certification leads Stage 1, Stage 2, and surveillance. Findings cite the evidence and the ISO 27001 clause or Annex A control behind them, so engineering and security teams can act on them.
Stage 2 samples real events: access reviews, joiner and leaver records, backup restores, vulnerability fixes, and incident tickets. That's the evidence customers' security teams trust.
Cloud-first teams can be audited remotely, and sites with physical controls can be visited, in line with ISO 19011:2018 and IAF MD 4:2018. We confirm the format at scope review.
Already certified elsewhere? A transfer audit reviews your certificate and any open nonconformities, then aligns your audit cycle without resetting your certification history.
ISO 27001 Certification Requirements: What the Audit Evaluates
The audit covers the management system in clauses 4 to 10 and the Annex A controls you select in your Statement of Applicability.
ISMS scope & context
A defined scope covering the systems, locations, and teams in play, with interested parties and climate considerations recorded.
Risk assessment & treatment
A repeatable method for finding information security risks, rating them, and deciding how each is treated.
Statement of Applicability
All 93 Annex A controls listed, with a justified decision to include or exclude each one.
Controls in operation
Access control, logging, backups, change management, supplier security, and incident response, with records that prove it.
Internal audit
An internal audit of the whole ISMS, carried out by competent and objective people, before the certification audit.
Management review
Leadership reviewing ISMS performance, risks, and audit results, and making decisions that are recorded.
Documents the auditor will ask for
- ISMS scope and information security policy
- Risk assessment and risk treatment methodology
- Risk assessment report and risk treatment plan
- Statement of Applicability
- Information security objectives and how they're measured
- Evidence of competence and awareness
- Operational procedures for the controls you selected
- Monitoring and measurement results
- Internal audit program and results
- Management review results
- Nonconformities and corrective actions
- Records of changes to the ISMS
Annex A controls by theme
| Organizational (A.5) | 37 controls |
|---|---|
| People (A.6) | 8 controls |
| Physical (A.7) | 14 controls |
| Technological (A.8) | 34 controls |
Not every control has to apply. Exclusions are fine when your Statement of Applicability justifies them against your risks and scope.
What Clients Say About Their ISO 27001 Audit
“Achieving ISO/IEC 27001 certification with Accredify Global was a game-changer for Spino Inc in strengthening our information security management system (ISMS). Their UAF-accredited audit team brought exceptional technical clarity to both our Stage 1 documentation review and Stage 2 assessment, allowing us to validate our security controls without operational disruption.”
“As an enterprise organization serving global markets, demonstrating robust data protection and ISO 27001 compliance is critical. Accredify Global conducted an efficient, thorough certification audit that satisfied our client requirements and strengthened our overall risk posture. Their auditors are professional, objective, and deeply knowledgeable.”
ISO 27001 Certification Cost and Timeline
For a detailed breakdown of audit days, internal costs, and the three-year budget, read our ISO 27001 certification cost guide.
ISO 27001 certification doesn't have a list price. The fee follows the number of audit man-days your scope needs, which depends mostly on headcount, locations, and how complex your ISMS is. A free scope review gives you one fixed-fee proposal for your real scope, with no hidden costs added later.
What sets your audit man-days (and price)
- Employees within the ISMS scope, including contractors with access
- Number of locations, and whether they run the same activities
- Breadth of scope: products, systems, cloud platforms, and data types
- The Annex A controls included in your Statement of Applicability
- ISMS maturity, and whether you certify ISO 27001 with ISO 27701 or ISO 42001
How long ISO 27001 certification takes
| Stage 1 + Stage 2 audit | 2–8 weeks once audit-ready |
|---|---|
| Certificate validity | 3 years |
| Surveillance audits | Every 12 months |
Audit-ready means your ISMS has been running long enough to produce records: a completed risk assessment, an internal audit, and a management review. If you are starting from scratch, plan implementation time before the audit.
ISO 27001 vs SOC 2, NIST CSF, ISO 27701, and ISO 42001
ISO 27001 is often the backbone of a security program. Here's how it compares with the frameworks customers ask about alongside it.
| Framework | What you get | How it relates to ISO 27001 |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 | An attestation report issued by a licensed CPA firm under AICPA standards | Strong overlap in controls. US buyers often ask for SOC 2, international buyers for ISO 27001. See ISO 27001 vs SOC 2. |
| NIST CSF 2.0 | A voluntary framework; no certificate exists | Many teams structure their program with NIST CSF and prove it with an ISO 27001 certificate. |
| ISO 27701 | Privacy information management certification | Commonly certified alongside ISO 27001 to cover personal data processing and support GDPR work. |
| ISO 42001 | AI management system certification | Shares the same management system structure, so one integrated audit program can cover both. |
How to Choose Between ISO 27001 Certification Companies
The questions worth asking any ISO 27001 certification body before you sign, and how Accredify Global answers them.
| Question to ask | Accredify Global's answer |
|---|---|
| Are you accredited, and can I verify it? | Yes. We're UAF-accredited under the IAF MLA framework. Check our scope in the UAF directory, and any certificate we issue on IAF CertSearch. |
| Who actually leads the audit? | One dedicated senior auditor, from the scope call to the certificate and on through surveillance. |
| How is the audit priced? | One fixed fee, set by the audit man-days your scope requires. No hidden costs are added after you agree it. |
| Will you also build our ISMS? | No. As a certification body we stay independent, so we audit the ISMS rather than write it for you. |
| Can you audit cloud-only teams remotely? | Yes, where the scope allows it. Sites with physical controls may need an on-site visit. |
| Can we transfer from another body? | Yes. A transfer audit keeps your certification history and aligns the audit cycle. |
| How long will certification take? | Usually 2–8 weeks for Stage 1 and Stage 2, once your ISMS is audit-ready. |
ISO 27001 Certification in India
Indian IT services companies, SaaS exporters, BPOs, and fintechs often need ISO 27001 because their US, UK, and European clients ask for it. We audit Indian organizations remotely, on-site, or in a hybrid format, and the certificate can be verified by overseas customers on IAF CertSearch.
ISO 27001 certification cost in India follows the same rule as everywhere else: the audit man-days your scope needs. Tell us your headcount, locations, and systems, and we'll return a fixed-fee proposal. See ISO certification in India.
What You Receive
Covering your defined ISMS scope, valid for three years with annual surveillance.
Each finding linked to the evidence and the clause or Annex A control behind it.
Customers can verify your certificate on IAF CertSearch and on our certificate verification page.
Certificate and scope wording ready for vendor security reviews and tenders.
Dates and focus areas for your annual surveillance audits, agreed upfront.
Add ISO 27701, ISO 42001, or ISO 9001 to the same audit program whenever you're ready.
ISO 27001 Training for Your Team
Instructor-led courses with applied audit exercises, for the people who will run and audit your ISMS.
Frequently Asked Questions About ISO 27001 Certification
Straight answers on cost, timeline, requirements, consultants, and choosing a certification body.
What is ISO 27001 certification?
ISO 27001 certification is independent confirmation, by an accredited certification body, that an organization's information security management system (ISMS) meets ISO/IEC 27001. It shows customers and partners that information security risks are managed with controls that work in practice. It is verified through Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits.
Is ISO 27001 certification the same as ISMS certification?
Yes. ISO 27001 is the standard for an information security management system, so the two terms mean the same thing. Both describe an accredited certificate covering the ISMS within the scope you define.
What is the difference between certification and accreditation?
Certification is when a certification body audits your ISMS and issues an ISO 27001 certificate. Accreditation is when an accreditation body assesses the certification body itself. Accredify Global is accredited by UAF under the IAF MLA framework, which is why its certificates can be verified on IAF CertSearch.
Which version of ISO 27001 should we certify to?
ISO/IEC 27001:2022, including Amendment 1:2024. The transition from the 2013 edition ended on 31 October 2025. Certificates issued against ISO/IEC 27001:2013 are no longer valid, and all audits now use the 2022 edition.
Who can issue an ISO 27001 certificate?
Only a certification body can issue an ISO 27001 certificate. For customers and tenders to accept it, choose a certification body accredited under the IAF MLA framework. Its certificates can then be verified on IAF CertSearch.
Do I need an ISO 27001 consultant or a certification body?
You need a certification body to get certified. A consultant is optional and only helps you build the ISMS. Accreditation rules in ISO/IEC 17021-1 stop a certification body from consulting on the system it certifies. Accredify Global audits the ISMS you build, whether in-house, with a consultant, or with a compliance platform.
How do I get ISO 27001 certified?
Define your ISMS scope, carry out a risk assessment, and select controls in a Statement of Applicability. Run the ISMS long enough to complete an internal audit and management review, then have an accredited certification body audit it. With Accredify Global the path is a free scope review, application, Stage 1 audit, Stage 2 audit, certification decision, and annual surveillance.
How long does ISO 27001 certification take?
With Accredify Global, the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits typically take 2 to 8 weeks once your ISMS is audit-ready. Audit-ready means a completed risk assessment, Statement of Applicability, internal audit, and management review. Organizations starting from scratch need implementation time before the audit.
What is the difference between a Stage 1 and a Stage 2 audit?
Stage 1 reviews your ISMS design: scope, policies, risk assessment, Statement of Applicability, and readiness for Stage 2. Stage 2 tests whether the ISMS and selected controls actually operate, by sampling records and interviewing the people who run them.
What are the ISO 27001 certification requirements?
ISO 27001 requires a defined ISMS scope, leadership commitment, an information security policy, and a risk assessment and treatment process. You also need a Statement of Applicability covering the 93 Annex A controls, supporting records, an internal audit, a management review, and corrective action.
How much does ISO 27001 certification cost?
ISO 27001 certification cost depends on the number of audit man-days your scope requires. The main drivers are employees in scope, number of locations, scope breadth, the Annex A controls in your Statement of Applicability, and ISMS maturity. Accredify Global reviews your scope for free and issues one fixed-fee proposal with no hidden costs added afterwards.
What is the ISO 27001 certification price?
There is no fixed ISO 27001 certification price. The fee follows the audit days your scope needs, set by headcount, sites and the systems in scope. After a free scoping review you get one fixed-fee quote covering Stage 1, Stage 2 and the certificate.
How long is an ISO 27001 certificate valid for?
Three years. Annual surveillance audits during that period confirm the ISMS is still maintained, and a recertification audit is required before the certificate expires.
Is ISO 27001 certification mandatory?
ISO 27001 is not generally required by law, but it is often required in practice. Enterprise customers, partners, and tenders often make an accredited certificate a condition of doing business. This is especially common for SaaS, fintech, healthtech, and managed service providers.
Can startups get ISO 27001 certified?
Yes. Startups often certify a focused scope, such as one product or platform, which keeps the audit smaller. The requirements are the same as for larger companies, but the audit man-days, and therefore the cost, scale with your headcount and scope.
What is the difference between ISO 27001 and SOC 2?
ISO 27001 is an international certification of your information security management system, issued by an accredited certification body. SOC 2 is an attestation report issued by a licensed CPA firm under AICPA standards. The controls overlap heavily; US buyers often ask for SOC 2, and international buyers for ISO 27001.
How do I choose an ISO 27001 certification body?
Check that it is accredited under the IAF MLA framework and that its certificates appear on IAF CertSearch. Then ask who leads the audit, how the fee is set, and whether it can audit your environment remotely. Finally, ask how long Stage 1 and Stage 2 will take.
How can I verify an ISO 27001 certificate?
Accredited ISO 27001 certificates can be checked on IAF CertSearch. Certificates issued by Accredify Global can also be checked on our certificate verification page.
How much does ISO 27001 certification cost in India?
The cost in India follows the same rule as elsewhere: the audit man-days your scope requires, based on employees in scope, locations, and scope breadth. Accredify Global audits Indian organizations remotely, on-site, or in a hybrid format and returns a fixed-fee proposal after a free scope review.
Can I switch to Accredify Global if I'm already ISO 27001 certified?
Yes. This is a transfer audit, not a first-time certification. We review your existing certificate, scope, and any open nonconformities, then align your audit cycle. It follows IAF transfer guidance and does not reset your certification history.
Do you offer ISO 27001 lead auditor training?
Yes. Accredify Global offers instructor-led ISO 27001 lead auditor, internal auditor, and awareness training, with applied audit exercises based on ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
How quickly can we start the ISO 27001 certification process?
Book a free scope review. We confirm your scope and return a fixed-fee proposal, and once you accept, we schedule the Stage 1 audit around your ISMS readiness.
Get One Fixed-Fee Proposal for Your Actual ISMS Scope
Tell us about your systems, locations, headcount, and the customer or tender asking for ISO 27001. We'll recommend a certification path and timeline, and return a fixed-fee proposal.
Book your free audit scope review →