How Long Does ISO 27001 Certification Take?

The timeline for achieving ISO 27001 certification varies depending on an organization's maturity, resources, and scope.

For most organizations, the process typically takes 6 to 12 months from initial preparation to certificate issuance.

A typical timeline looks like this:

• Preparation and ISMS development: 3-6 months

• Internal audit and management review: 1-2 months

• Stage 1 audit and remediation: 1-2 months

• Stage 2 audit and certification issuance: 1-2 months

Organizations pursuing ISO 27001 alongside frameworks like SOC 2 or GDPR may benefit from streamlined efforts, reducing overall certification time.

Continuous readiness practices help ensure that certification timelines remain predictable and manageable.