How Long Does ISO 27001 Take?

Key Takeaways

Point	Summary
Typical timeline	3-4 months with expert guidance
No observation period	Unlike SOC 2, ISO 27001 has no mandatory waiting period
Two-stage audit	Stage 1 (documentation review) + Stage 2 (implementation verification)
Key phases	Implementation → Internal Audit → Stage 1 → Stage 2 → Certificate
Factors affecting timeline	Company size, scope complexity, existing security maturity

Quick Answer: ISO 27001 typically takes 3-4 months from kickoff to certification when working with experienced guidance. The absence of a mandatory observation period allows for a more efficient path to certification compared to some alternatives.

Typical Timeline Overview

Phase	Duration
Assessment & Planning	1-2 weeks
Implementation	6-8 weeks
Internal Audit	1 week
Stage 1 Audit	1 week
Stage 2 Audit	1-2 weeks
Certificate Issuance	2-3 weeks
Total	3-4 months

*Timelines vary based on company size, complexity, and initial security readiness.

Working with an experienced partner can help you move efficiently through each phase, as they can handle much of the documentation and preparation work while your team focuses on review, approval, and core business activities.

Understanding Each Phase

Assessment & Planning (Weeks 1-2)

The project begins with understanding your organization:

• Defining the scope of your ISMS
• Assessing current security practices against requirements
• Identifying gaps and planning implementation
• Establishing risk assessment methodology

Implementation (Weeks 3-10)

The core implementation phase involves:

• Developing required policies and procedures
• Implementing security controls
• Setting up evidence collection processes
• Completing required security awareness training
• Creating the Statement of Applicability

Working with a managed services partner means much of this work is handled for you—they provide templates, draft documentation, and guide implementation, allowing your team to focus on review and approval.

Internal Audit (Week 11)

ISO 27001 requires an internal audit before certification:

• Review of ISMS documentation and implementation
• Identification of any gaps or nonconformities
• Management review completion
• Addressing any findings before external audit

Certification Audits (Weeks 12-14)

Stage 1 (Documentation Review):

• Auditor reviews ISMS documentation
• Confirms readiness for Stage 2
• Identifies any significant gaps
• Typically 1 day for smaller organizations

Stage 2 (Implementation Verification):

• Verification that controls are implemented
• Evidence review and testing
• Interviews with key personnel
• Typically 2-3 days for smaller organizations

Certificate Issuance (Weeks 14-16)

After successful Stage 2:

• Auditor submits findings
• Any minor nonconformities addressed
• Certificate issued by certification body
• You're ISO 27001 certified

Timeline by Organization Size

Smaller Organizations (10-50 employees)

Phase	Typical Duration
Implementation	6 weeks
Internal audit	3-4 days
Stage 1 audit	1 day
Stage 2 audit	2 days
Total	3 months

Advantages:

• Fewer systems to document
• Simpler decision-making processes
• Less complex scope
• Shorter audit duration

Medium Organizations (50-150 employees)

Phase	Typical Duration
Implementation	8 weeks
Internal audit	1 week
Stage 1 audit	1-2 days
Stage 2 audit	3-4 days
Total	3.5-4 months

Considerations:

• More stakeholders to coordinate
• More systems typically in scope
• Greater evidence collection effort
• More comprehensive auditor review

Larger Organizations (150+ employees)

Phase	Typical Duration
Implementation	10-12 weeks
Internal audit	2 weeks
Stage 1 audit	2-3 days
Stage 2 audit	4-5 days
Total	4-5 months

Considerations:

• Multiple teams and departments
• Complex scope definition
• Extensive documentation requirements
• Longer audit engagements

Factors That Influence Timeline

Accelerators

Factor	Impact
Existing SOC 2 compliance	Significant time savings (typically ~70% control overlap for SaaS companies)
Modern cloud infrastructure	Many controls already built-in
Dedicated project coordination	Keeps momentum throughout
Expert guidance from the start	Avoids learning curve and rework
Pre-built policy templates	Speeds documentation phase

Potential Delays

Factor	Impact
Unclear or changing scope	Can add weeks to planning
Part-time attention	Slows decision-making
Missing internal audit capability	May need to source external support
Documentation gaps	Requires additional preparation
Major nonconformities at audit	May require follow-up audit

The Two-Stage Audit Process

Stage 1: Documentation Review

What auditors assess:

• Is ISMS documentation complete?
• Has risk assessment been conducted?
• Is Statement of Applicability appropriate?
• Are you ready for Stage 2?

This stage typically occurs 2-4 weeks before Stage 2, providing time to address any gaps identified.

Stage 2: Implementation Verification

What auditors verify:

• Are documented controls actually implemented?
• Does evidence support your claims?
• Do staff understand their security responsibilities?
• Is the ISMS operating effectively?

After the Audit

Outcome	Typical Timeline to Certificate
No findings	2-3 weeks
Minor nonconformities only	4-6 weeks (after evidence submitted)
Major nonconformities	Varies (may require follow-up audit)

Organizations with proper preparation and expert guidance typically achieve certification with minimal findings.

Multi-Framework Considerations

Pursuing ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Together

Typically for SaaS companies, the ~70% overlap between frameworks creates efficiency:

Approach	Timeline
ISO 27001 alone	3-4 months
SOC 2 alone	4.5-6 months
Both together	5-6 months total

You can often achieve ISO 27001 certification first (no observation period), then continue through the SOC 2 observation period.

Adding ISO 27001 to Existing SOC 2

If you already have SOC 2 compliance:

• Many controls already implemented
• Evidence collection processes established
• Team familiar with compliance processes
• Additional timeline: 6-8 weeks

Surveillance Audits: Years 2-3

After initial certification, annual surveillance audits are less intensive:

Aspect	Initial Certification	Surveillance Audits
Audit duration	3-5 days	1-2 days
Scope	Full ISMS	Subset of controls
Focus	Everything	Changes and samples

Recertification in Year 4 is similar in scope to the initial certification.

Planning Your Timeline

When planning backward from a target date:

Milestone	Timing Before Target
Project kickoff	16 weeks
Implementation begins	14 weeks
Implementation complete	6 weeks
Internal audit	5 weeks
Stage 1 audit	4 weeks
Stage 2 audit	2 weeks
Certificate target	Target date

We recommend building in some buffer for unexpected delays.

Common Questions

Can the timeline be shortened significantly?

While some organizations with strong existing security practices may move faster, we generally recommend realistic timelines that allow for quality implementation. Rushing can lead to audit findings and ultimately take longer.

What if Stage 2 finds significant issues?

Major nonconformities must be resolved before certificate issuance. Proper preparation—including a thorough internal audit—helps avoid this scenario. Organizations working with experienced partners rarely encounter major findings.

Are audits conducted remotely?

Increasingly, yes. For cloud-native organizations without on-premise data processing, remote audits are common. Some certification bodies may prefer one on-site day for Stage 2.

Can we change certification bodies later?

Yes, though it adds some friction as the new auditor needs to familiarize themselves with your environment. Most organizations maintain continuity with their certification body unless there's a compelling reason to change.

The Value of Expert Support

Working with a managed services partner offers several timeline advantages:

• Efficient implementation — Templates and guidance accelerate documentation
• Things done right the first time — Avoid costly rework and iterations
• Additional hands for heavy lifting — Your team can focus on core work
• Audit preparation — Pre-audit reviews catch issues before certification
• Internal audit support — Required audit handled by experienced professionals

The alternative—learning the framework while implementing it—typically extends timelines and increases the risk of complications.

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Ready to discuss your timeline? Talk to our team and we'll help you plan your certification path.

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Sources

• ISO/IEC 27001:2022 - Official ISO 27001 standard specification
• ISO/IEC 27006:2015 - Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification