For small businesses, costs typically start between €10,000 and €20,000, while larger organizations should expect €50,000 or more.
Certification costs depend on company size, existing security measures, and the selected certification body. Beyond direct audit expenses, additional costs arise for internal preparations, external consulting, and ongoing improvements.
But what specifically influences these costs? What hidden expenses should you expect? This guide covers all essential factors to help you plan your ISO 27001 certification realistically.
The larger your organization and the more complex your IT infrastructure, the higher the effort required. This includes:
Certification requires a functioning Information Security Management System (ISMS). Internal efforts include:
Many companies seek external support for quicker and error-free implementation. Typical costs:
The largest individual expense is the actual certification audit by an accredited body. Prices vary based on:
Typical audit costs: €5,000–€15,000 for initial certification, followed by annual surveillance audits.
Many companies underestimate internal time commitments. Without clear responsibilities and structured processes, delays occur, increasing overall costs.
If critical deviations are found during the first audit, corrective actions must be taken, incurring additional expenses.
Certification is not a one-time event. Annual surveillance audits and recertification every three years (typically about one-third of the initial audit's scope) incur recurring costs.
A typical scenario for a modern SaaS startup:
Cost breakdown using automation and API integrations:
A more mature company with complex infrastructure:
Cost breakdown:
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