ISO 27001 certification cost calculator
Estimate audit fees, implementation cost, and the 3-year cycle total. Adjust assumptions to match quotes and scope. Not financial advice.
Calculator
Start with a few basics, then refine the model in advanced options.
Estimated sampled sites: 1
Advanced options
Audit fees plus implementation effort, tooling, and optional tests.
Initial audit days, admin fee, travel, and optional external internal audit days.
Surveillance audit, tooling, and ongoing internal effort.
Year 1 plus two surveillance years and recertification audit fees.
- Modeled initial audit days: 6 (based on 50 FTE and 1 site).
- Readiness level 3 increases internal effort and rework risk.
- Complexity set to medium affects audit effort.
- Consultant days included in implementation cost.
- Surveillance audit days are modeled at one-third of initial audit days, recertification at two-thirds.
How this calculator works
Audit program
ISO 27001 certification runs on a three-year cycle with initial certification (Stage 1 and Stage 2), surveillance audits during the cycle, and recertification at the end of the term.
Why a range
Audit duration and preparation effort depend on size, risk, complexity, and evidence quality. This tool models those drivers and shows a planning range rather than a single number.
Audit days and sampling
Certification bodies calculate audit days based on headcount, risk, and scope. Multi-site audits often use square root sampling for the number of sites to audit.
Methodology and sources
Summary of the baseline model assumptions and sources. Open to see details and links.
This calculator models a three-year certification cycle with initial certification, surveillance audits, and recertification.
Initial audit days are estimated from headcount and complexity, then scaled by multi-site sampling. Surveillance and recert are modeled as shorter portions of the initial effort.
Implementation cost is modeled separately using internal hours by readiness plus optional consultant, penetration test, and tooling budgets.
ISOQAR ISO 27001 audit process explained (audit mechanics and sampling). ISOQAR audit process
ISMS.online certification cycle context (validity and cycle). ISMS.online certification cycle
OneTrust ISO 27001 cost breakdown example (benchmark totals). OneTrust cost example
Secureframe ISO 27001 cost ranges (additional benchmarks). Secureframe cost guide
Vanta penetration test budget range (optional line item). Vanta cost guide
Schellman surveillance and recertification planning heuristics. Schellman timeline factors
How AI Gap Analysis reduces ISO 27001 cost risk
You cannot control auditor day rates. You can control how much rework you trigger.
- Clause-by-clause gap list from your existing ISMS
- Evidence map with page links for audit sampling
- Missing records flagged before Stage 1 and Stage 2
Get an audit-ready evidence pack from your current docs
Upload your ISMS and policies. Get a gap list and evidence map you can hand to your auditor.
FAQ
What does this include versus certification body quotes?
Quotes generally cover audit fees only. This calculator adds internal effort, optional consultant support, tooling, and testing to estimate all-in cost.
Why is it a range?
Audit days and implementation effort depend on scope, complexity, and evidence readiness, so a planning range is more honest than a single number.
How often do surveillance audits happen?
Surveillance audits occur during the certification cycle and recertification happens at the end of the three-year term.
What drives audit days up the most?
Scope complexity, number of sites, and evidence quality are the biggest drivers.
Does healthcare scope cost more?
Typically yes. Regulated data, vendor sprawl, and multiple sites increase audit effort and preparation time.
Can I reduce certification body fees?
Day rates are mostly fixed. You can reduce total cost by improving evidence readiness and minimizing rework.