ISO 27001 Readiness Checklist

ISO 27001 is one of the most widely adopted information security standards in the world. If your company is preparing for certification, this checklist will help you understand the essential steps involved — from defining your security policies to preparing for the audit itself.

Whether you’re a fast-moving startup or scaling SaaS business, this guide simplifies what to expect and how to prepare.

1. Define the Scope of Your ISMS

  • Identify the parts of your business to include (e.g. product, infrastructure, customer data)
  • Document the boundaries and interfaces of your ISMS
  • Consider locations, teams, tools, and third-party dependencies

2. Conduct a Risk Assessment

  • Identify potential security risks to your information assets
  • Evaluate their likelihood and potential impact
  • Define a risk treatment plan to mitigate or accept risks
  • Maintain a risk register and update it regularly

3. Develop Required Documentation

  • Information Security Policy
  • Risk Assessment Methodology
  • Statement of Applicability (SoA)
  • Asset Management Policy
  • Access Control Policy
  • Incident Response Plan
  • Business Continuity Plan

Note: Documentation must align with the ISO 27001 control set (Annex A).

4. Implement Controls from Annex A

  • Review the full list of Annex A controls (114 total in ISO 27001:2013 or updated set in ISO 27001:2022)
  • Apply only the controls relevant to your organization and risks
  • Document how each applicable control is implemented
  • Update your Statement of Applicability accordingly

5. Train Your Team

  • Conduct security awareness training for all employees
  • Train key personnel on incident response and reporting
  • Keep records of training sessions and attendance

6. Monitor and Audit Internally

  • Perform regular internal audits of your ISMS
  • Track nonconformities and corrective actions
  • Use logs, monitoring tools, and checklists to review control effectiveness

7. Conduct a Management Review

  • Present audit findings, risk updates, and improvement areas to leadership
  • Record the review and define follow-up actions
  • Ensure executive buy-in and ongoing accountability

8. Prepare for External Audit

  • Choose a certified ISO 27001 auditor or certification body
  • Provide access to required documentation and systems
  • Ensure controls are running for at least 2–3 months before the audit
  • Assign a point-of-contact to handle auditor questions and requests

9. Maintain and Improve

  • Schedule regular internal reviews of your ISMS
  • Update documentation as your business evolves
  • Stay informed on regulatory updates or ISO revisions

Pro Tip: Don’t Overcomplicate It

You don’t need hundreds of controls or enterprise-level infrastructure to get certified. What matters is that your controls match your actual risks and that your processes are documented, implemented, and auditable.

Compliance tools like Vanta, Drata, and Secfix can help automate evidence collection and keep you on track. If you’re a startup in the EU looking for fixed pricing, real-time expert support, and localized templates, Secfix is a solid starting point — especially if you’re aiming to move quickly without a dedicated compliance team.