Let’s talk about a big question for your business. You want to keep your data safe. You want to get ISO 27001 certified. That is a great move. It shows the world that you are safe. It helps you win trust.
What does it cost?
You may be worried about the price. You might hear £5,000. You might hear £50,000. That is a huge range. Why is it so wide? Let’s look at why. We will show you where the money goes. We will show you how to control it.
What Do You Pay For?
First, what is this for? You are paying for proof.
An expert comes in. They check your work. They confirm you have a good system. This makes your clients trust you.
The Four Main Costs
Let’s make this simple. There are four parts to the cost.
1 Prep Work: Getting ready.
2 The Build: Doing the work.
3 The Audit: The official test.
4 Upkeep: Keeping it going.
1. Prep Work
You need to buy the rules. The official papers cost about £300.
You can also pay to check where you are now. This is called a “gap analysis.” It is a map. It shows you what you need to do. It is not required, but it helps.
2. The Audit (The Test)
You do the work. Now you need to prove it. This is the audit. It has two parts. First, they check your papers. Second, they check how you work.
What does this cost? It depends on your size. The more staff you have, the more it costs.
Look at a small firm. Say you have 10 people. The audit takes about five days. At £1,250 a day, that is over £6,000.
3. Upkeep
This is not a one-time thing. You need to check it every year. These are “surveillance audits.” Plan to spend about one-third of your first audit fee each year.
4. The Build (Where You Save Money)
This is the biggest part. This is where the price changes the most.
You have to build your system. You have a choice. Do you use your own team? Or do you hire an expert?
Look at the difference.
• Do It Yourself (DIY): You buy a toolkit. It costs about £500. You are in charge.
• Hire a Consultant: You pay an expert. It costs £10,000 to £40,000. It can take a year.
How to Save Cash
Can you spend less and still get the badge? Yes.
Most teams can do this. You just need the right tools. A good toolkit gives you the forms. It gives you the policies. It guides you.
Think about it. You can pay £40,000 for help. Or you can pay £500 for a kit. Doing it yourself saves the most money.
Three Tips to Win
Here is how you take control:
- Scope it right. Don’t do the whole company if you don’t have to.
- Do it yourself. Trust your team.
- Use a toolkit. Give your team a head start.
The Bottom Line
The cost is up to you. It can be low, or it can be high.
The best way to save is to do the work yourself. Use a good kit. This is an investment in your future. Now you know the numbers. You can pick the path that is best for you.
