ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management—comprehensive and globally recognised. SOC 2 focuses on trust service criteria, mainly for US service organisations. Good news: most companies need both, and what you build for one helps with the other.

ISO 27001 is a comprehensive information security management standard, whilst Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification focusing on basic cybersecurity controls. ISO 27001 provides broader coverage and is internationally recognised, making it ideal for organisations seeking comprehensive security frameworks and international business opportunities.

Traditional ISO 27001 certification can take 6–12 months. With Hicomply, most of the work is done for you. Our ISO 27001 automation software fast-tracks compliance, reduces manual effort, and helps ensure you're always audit-ready.

Book a free demo to see it in action.

ISO 27001 requires the implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Key components include:

• Defining the ISMS scope.
• Conducting risk assessments and defining a risk treatment plan.
• Developing a Statement of Applicability for Annex A controls.
• Establishing policies and procedures for managing information security involves a comprehensive risk management process

Learn more about ISO 27001 Requirements.

The process involves:

1. Preparation: Understand the requirements and scope of ISO 27001.
2. ISMS Implementation: Develop and implement controls and policies.
3. Internal Audits: Conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance.
4. Certification Audits: Undergo external audits by accredited bodies to achieve certification.

Traditional certification? 6-12 months of spreadsheet hell. With Hicomply's automation, most of our customers are audit-ready in 8-12 weeks. We handle the boring bits so you can focus on actually running your business.

Compliance involves self-adherence to ISO 27001 standards, while certification requires verification by an external audit. Certification is recommended if you want to demonstrate credibility to customers and meet contractual or regulatory requirements.

The 2022 update strengthens security frameworks by:

• Simplifying implementation through consolidated control categories, reducing redundancies.
• Emphasising adaptability to new threats with controls for business continuity, physical security monitoring, and incident response.
• Enabling organisations to better manage supply chain risks, aligning with an increasingly interconnected digital environment, including compliance with ISO/IEC standards.

ISO 27001:2022 introduces updates to reflect modern security challenges, emphasising risk-based thinking and alignment with newer technologies. Key differences include:

• Integration of updated Annex A controls based on ISO 27002:2022, grouped into four themes: organisational, people, physical, and technological.
• Simplified and consolidated controls, reducing the total number from 114 to 93, with new additions like threat intelligence and data masking.
• Enhanced focus on operational resilience, supplier relationships, and cloud security to address emerging business environments.

ISO 27001:2022 helps compliance officers address current security risks more effectively while demonstrating a proactive commitment to safeguarding information assets. Benefits include:

• Relevance: Incorporates controls tailored for today’s technological landscape, such as cloud adoption and supply chain complexities.
• Credibility: Signals an organisation’s dedication to maintaining best practices in information security.
• Competitive Edge: Adopting the latest standard reassures stakeholders and clients of your commitment to compliance and risk management.

Successful implementation involves:

• Gap Analysis: Comparing current ISMS against updated requirements to identify areas needing improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring leadership buy-in and cross-department collaboration to embed a security culture.
• Control Updates: Transitioning to the new Annex A controls and incorporating relevant additions like secure software development.
• Training: Providing comprehensive staff training to ensure understanding and adherence to the updated requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Establishing mechanisms to regularly monitor, review, and adapt the ISMS to evolving risks.

Certification is an ongoing process that requires regular audits, continual ISMS updates, and evidence of compliance improvements.

Absolutely. The standard scales with your size—you're not expected to have enterprise-grade everything from day one. Our automation makes it accessible for growing teams without the traditional consulting overhead.

The upfront investment varies, but think of it as revenue protection and acceleration. Stronger security posture means fewer breaches, faster deal cycles, and access to bigger contracts. Most customers see ROI within the first year.

Hicomply offers a range of integration options to enhance your compliance and security efforts. While specific third-party tool compatibility may vary, Hicomply's API allows for integration with a wide array of tools and platforms.

To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on compatible third-party tools, we recommend visiting our Integrations page. This page provides detailed information on our integration capabilities and may list specific compatible tools.

Please note that we continuously expanding our integration options, so it's always a good idea to check the latest information regularly.