Embarking on an ISO 27001 certification journey can be a pivotal decision for your business. It strengthens your information security framework, instils customer confidence, and opens doors to new opportunities. But when faced with the question of how to achieve certification, many businesses wrestle with a key decision: should they take a DIY approach or hire a consultant?
Below, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options to help you decide which is right for your ISO 27001 journey.
DIY Approach to ISO 27001: Pros and Cons
Taking the DIY route involves handling the entire ISO 27001 implementation in-house. This choice can work well for organisations with strong internal capabilities or budget constraints.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of doing it yourself
Pros
Cost-Effective: Implementing ISO 27001 on your own can save on consultancy fees, making it an attractive option for smaller businesses with tighter budgets.
In-House Expertise Development: Going DIY means your team will gain first-hand knowledge of the ISO 27001 process, developing valuable skills in information security management that can be applied well beyond certification.
Control: You have complete control over every implementation detail, which may be useful if you have specific processes or a unique organisational culture that requires customised solutions.
Cons
Lack of Experience: The learning curve can be steep if your team has no prior experience with ISO 27001. This can lead to delays, mistakes, and a failed certification audit.
Higher Long-Term Costs: Inexperience may ultimately lead to inefficiencies. Trial and error can cost your organisation money and frustration and may also delay your timeline for becoming certified.
Case Studies
Amigo Technology: Amigo achieved ISO 27001 certification by leveraging the ISMS.online platform, which provided structured guidance and tools. This approach enabled them to implement the standard without disruption and external consultancy costs. (Read more)
Dabar Informatika: This company opted for an in-house implementation to maintain control over its processes and reduce costs. They found that engaging internal staff led to better integration of the ISMS into their daily operations. (Read more)
Hiring a Consultant: Pros and Cons
Hiring a consultant involves hiring external experts to guide your organisation through the ISO 27001 implementation process.
Consultants often have years of experience and can help your company achieve certification more efficiently.
Pros
Expertise and Efficiency: Consultants know the ISO 27001 standard inside and out, allowing them to streamline the implementation process. Their experience means they can identify gaps, recommend best practices, and promptly keep you on track to achieve certification.
Less Disruption: By outsourcing the heavy lifting to a consultant, your internal teams can focus on their core roles, reducing disruption to day-to-day operations.
Increased Likelihood of Certification: Consultants are often familiar with common pitfalls and audit requirements, which can substantially increase your chances of achieving certification on the first attempt.
Cons
Higher Upfront Cost: Hiring a consultant requires a financial investment, which may not be feasible for all organisations, particularly smaller businesses.
Less Internal Knowledge Development: Relying on a consultant may not allow your in-house team to develop the same understanding and experience with the ISO 27001 process, which could be a disadvantage for maintaining the ISMS over time.
Dependence on External Resources: If your consultant doesn’t transfer enough knowledge, you could depend on external expertise whenever issues arise or the standard is updated.
Case Studies
Deazy: Deazy participated in the Securious ISO 27001 Academy, which provided a series of collaborative sessions to effectively understand and implement the standard. This consultant-led approach helped them build a robust ISMS tailored to their needs. (Read more)
Capgemini: As a large IT services company, Capgemini utilised external expertise to achieve ISO 27001 certification, ensuring optimal security levels to protect its assets and resources. This approach assured clients of best practices and enhanced staff security awareness. (Read more)
Which Path Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the choice between DIY and hiring a consultant comes down to a few key factors: budget, internal expertise, available time, and speed and assurance.
DIY is ideal if your organisation has well-versed internal resources in information security or if you are not under tight time constraints. It’s a cost-effective route enabling your team to build in-depth knowledge, though you must be prepared for a time investment and a potentially steep learning curve.
Hiring a Consultant may be the better choice if you need a faster path to certification, want to minimise disruption to day-to-day activities, or lack in-house expertise. Although it may cost more upfront, the speed and increased likelihood of a successful outcome can offset the higher costs, especially for medium to large businesses or those in highly regulated industries.
A Hybrid Approach
For some organisations, a hybrid approach may be the most effective. This involves using a consultant in a limited capacity, such as for initial assessments or final reviews while doing much of the work in-house. This way, you gain expertise and control while reducing costs and benefiting from expert guidance when it matters most.
Conclusion
Whether you implement ISO 27001 in-house or hire a consultant, the end goal remains the same: improving your organisation’s information security and achieving certification.
Both options have their merits and drawbacks, so consider your internal capabilities, budget, and timeline carefully before deciding.
Remember, it’s not just about achieving certification—it’s also about building a security culture that will sustain your business in the long term.
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