ISO 27001 Information Security

ISO 27001 is a comprehensive information security management system standard with 93 controls across 4 domains. SOC 2 is an attestation based on 5 Trust Services Criteria. ISO 27001 certification is valid for 3 years globally, while SOC 2 reports cover a specific period. Many organizations pursue both.

ISO 27001 certification typically takes 6-12 months. Organizations with mature IT security practices may achieve certification in 4-6 months. The timeline depends on scope, number of controls to implement, and existing security posture.

Annex A contains 93 controls organized into 4 themes: Organizational (37 controls), People (8 controls), Physical (14 controls), and Technological (34 controls). Organizations select applicable controls based on their risk assessment and document them in a Statement of Applicability.

ISO 27001 is increasingly required by enterprise customers, especially for SaaS, cloud services, healthcare, and financial services. It demonstrates due diligence in protecting customer data and can be a competitive differentiator in B2B sales.

ISO 27001 certification typically costs $30,000 to $80,000 including consulting, implementation, and registrar fees. Costs depend on scope, number of employees, and complexity of IT infrastructure. The investment protects against data breaches that can cost millions.