ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for building an information security management system (ISMS). It gives organisations a framework to identify information security risks, apply effective security controls, and prove they’re continually improving.

On paper, that sounds straightforward. In reality, many businesses still believe they can’t get ISO 27001 certified.

The problem usually isn’t the standard itself—it’s the myths around it. From “it’s too expensive” to “we’re too small” or “our processes need to be perfect first,” these misconceptions turn into unnecessary certification obstacles.

This blog breaks down the most common ISO 27001 myths, explores the real ISO 27001 challenges, and shows why certification is not only achievable but a powerful step towards stronger security and business growth.

Myth 1: “ISO 27001 is too expensive for my business”

Yes, implementing a management system comes with costs. But those costs pale in comparison to cleaning up a major data incident. According to the Ponemon Institute’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, the global average cost of a data breach is $4.4 million.

The actual cost of ISO 27001 certification depends on the size and complexity of your company. The certification body you work with and the scope of your ISMS will influence pricing too. But here are the facts:

An ISMS implementation with Hicomply can start from as little as £4,800 annually, plus external auditor costs.
The certification audit is carried out by an accredited certification body. Their fees vary, but they’re nowhere near the price tag of a data breach.
Once certified, your ISO certification is valid for three years, with regular internal audits and surveillance audits ensuring your ISMS is still operating properly.

Far from being an obstacle, ISO 27001 is actually one of the smartest investments you can make in protecting sensitive data, confidential information, and intellectual property.

Myth 2: “The certification process takes forever and derails business”

Here’s the reality: the ISO 27001 certification process usually takes 3 to 12 months, depending on the size of your organisation, how mature your processes are, and how much expert guidance you have.

The certification audit is a two-stage process:
1. Documentation review (checking policies, procedures, and your risk treatment plan).
2. Full audit (evaluating practices against the ISO 27001 requirements).
The certification body will check that your management review is happening regularly, that identified risks are being addressed, and that your compliance status is monitored.
With automation, you can streamline the whole process: keep all ISO 27001 documentation in a single repository, run regular internal audits, and track new risks automatically.

Yes, the manual way is painful. Documentation scattered across drives, missing evidence, no single source of truth—that’s how companies trip up. An automated compliance platform solves this by monitoring compliance and flagging issues before they derail your external audit.

Myth 3: “We’re too small to get ISO 27001 certified”

This one’s persistent. Small businesses often believe ISO 27001 is only for the corporate giants. In fact, small businesses can find it easier to implement an ISMS.

Early adoption means you can adapt your security practices as you grow.
Many larger organisations now expect all suppliers to hold ISO 27001 certification, no matter their size.
Being fully compliant shows leadership commitment to security and gives you a real edge when competing with bigger players.

We’ve seen companies with fewer than 10 people go through the certification process, get certified, and use that achievement to win bigger contracts. ISO 27001 isn’t just about compliance—it’s about growth.

Myth 4: “We must make sure our processes are perfect first”

ISO 27001 does not demand perfection. What it requires is a structured risk management framework and a culture of continual improvement.

You’ll start with a gap analysis to understand your compliance status and define the scope of your ISMS.
From there, you’ll set information security objectives, define procedures, and build a risk treatment plan.
The external auditor doesn’t expect every control to be flawless. They expect you to address identified risks, maintain your security posture, and prove you’re continually improving.

The point isn’t to be perfect—it’s to show you’re responsible, proactive, and capable of adapting when new risks emerge.

The Real ISO 27001 Challenges

So why do companies still hesitate? The genuine ISO 27001 certification obstacles aren’t about whether your business is too small or your procedures too messy. They’re about:

Leadership commitment – Without senior management driving the implementation, ISO 27001 can stall.
Employee engagement – Without fostering a culture of security awareness, even the best security controls struggle to stick.
Documentation – Achieving certification requires significant evidence, such as security policies, and manual tracking often leads to gaps.
Maintaining compliance – It’s not just about passing the initial audit; it’s about monitoring, reviewing, and continually improving.

But with the right compliance automation tools and expert guidance, these aren’t insurmountable obstacles. They’re manageable steps on the path to being ISO 27001 certified.

Why ISO 27001 Certification Matters

Still wondering if it’s worth it? Here are the facts:

ISO 27001 certification enhances credibility with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
It’s crucial for organisations in regulated environments handling large volumes of sensitive information.
Certified organisations are more competitive—many companies expect their suppliers to be ISO compliant.
ISO 27001 helps mitigate information security risks like data breaches and cyber threats.
Achieving certification proves your management system is operating properly, safeguarding both information assets and intellectual property.

In short: ISO 27001 certification isn’t just about compliance—it’s about showing your company is serious about information security, ready for growth, and able to be trusted with confidential data.

Final Thought

If your business handles sensitive information, delaying ISO 27001 is riskier than tackling it head-on. The certification process may look intimidating, but with automation, expert guidance, and strong leadership commitment, it’s not only manageable—it’s a catalyst for growth.

Every company that becomes ISO 27001 certified proves they can implement controls, conduct risk assessments, and keep their ISMS continually improving. That’s not just compliance—that’s resilience.

Book your Hicomply demo today and see how easy ISO 27001 certification can be.