ISO 27001 · Cost
How much does ISO 27001 certification cost?
Most small-to-mid organisations spend roughly $15k–$50k in the first year — dominated by the accredited-body audit and internal time — then $6k–$18k/year for surveillance in years two and three.
ISO 27001 cost splits into two very different buckets: what you pay an independent accredited certification body for the audit, and what it costs you to get ready for it. The audit fee is fixed and external; the readiness cost is where scope, tooling, and how organised your evidence is make the difference.
Netallion sits in the readiness bucket. We help you build the ISMS, Statement of Applicability, risk register, and evidence pack an auditor expects — so the audit itself goes faster. We are not a certification body and never issue the certificate.
Typical timeline: 3–9 months of preparation, then a Stage 1 (documentation) and Stage 2 (implementation) audit. Certification runs on a 3-year cycle with annual surveillance audits.
Cost breakdown
| Line item | Typical range | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 + Stage 2 certification auditScales with headcount, sites, and scope | $9k–$30k | Accredited certification body |
| Annual surveillance audit (years 2–3) | $4k–$12k / year | Accredited certification body |
| Readiness tooling / GRC platformFree starter kit → subscription as you scale | $0–$15k / year | Software vendor |
| Internal team time (3–9 months)Usually the real cost driver | Often the largest line | Internal |
| Optional consultant / vCISOOptional — tooling can replace much of this | $10k–$40k | Consultancy |
| Penetration test (often expected) | $4k–$15k | Security testing firm |
Ranges are typical market estimates for small-to-mid organisations and vary with scope, headcount, existing controls, and the auditor you choose. They are not a quote. Certification and audit fees are paid to an independent accredited body — not to Netallion.
What moves the number
- Number of employees, sites, and systems in scope — the single biggest factor in the audit fee.
- How complete and consistent your evidence is when the auditor arrives — gaps mean re-work and a longer Stage 2.
- Whether you buy tooling or hire a consultant to run the program.
- Existing security maturity — teams with real controls already in place move far faster.
How readiness tooling lowers the total
- A free ISO 27001 starter kit gives you the SoA, policy set, and risk register structure on day one.
- The assurance pack keeps every control, gap, and piece of evidence in one place, versioned and export-ready.
- Readiness scoring shows exactly where you stand before you pay for a Stage 1 audit — no surprises.
Frequently asked
Is ISO 27001 certification a one-time cost?
No. Certification runs on a three-year cycle: an initial Stage 1 + Stage 2 audit, then annual surveillance audits, then a recertification audit in year three. Budget for the recurring surveillance fee, not just the first year.
Does Netallion issue the ISO 27001 certificate?
No. Netallion is a readiness and assurance platform. The certificate is issued only by an independent accredited certification body after a successful audit. We help you prepare the ISMS and evidence that audit requires.
Can I get ISO 27001 ready without a consultant?
Many small teams do. A starter kit plus a readiness platform covers the ISMS structure, Statement of Applicability, and evidence tracking that a consultant would otherwise set up — you bring the operational detail. A consultant is optional, not required.
What drives the ISO 27001 audit fee?
Primarily your headcount, number of sites, and the scope of systems you include. A tightly scoped ISMS costs less to audit than an everything-in-scope one.