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What Is ISO 27001 and Do We Really Need It?
- Lou Quinton
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
If you’ve found yourself Googling “Do we really need ISO 27001?” or “Is ISO 27001 worth it?”, you’re not alone. Whether a client or the big boss is nudging you, or you're itching to get ahead of your competition, it’s a fair question!
Especially when time and budget are tight.
Let’s break it down: what it is, why it matters, and whether it’s the right move for your business, grab a cuppa and let's do this!
What Actually Is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is the internationally recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). In short, it’s a framework that helps organisations keep data safe - whether it’s customer records, patient data, staff info, Intellectual Property, trade secrets, information about vulnerable people or operational systems.
It’s not about buying a bunch of new tools, ticking some boxes and calling it a day. It’s about putting proper processes in place to understand your risks and show you're in control, and you're going to be living and breathing this new way of working, throughout each year. This isn't like Cyber Essentials or the NHS DSP Toolkit where you cram it in it at the last minute every year. (Hey - No judgement at all, we're guilty of it too!).
But Do We Really Need It?
That depends. Here's when ISO 27001 is worth it:
Clients are asking for it - especially in supply chains, public sector bids, or regulated sectors like health, defence, or finance. You're already aware that cyber crime is on the rise, and now customers have higher expectations of their supply chain.
You’re handling sensitive data - and want to show customers and suppliers and your competitors that you’re taking security very seriously.
You’re growing fast - and want to avoid chaos as your team and systems scale. Starting ISO 27001 earlier, the better! Getting those great systems in place early will save money down the line.
You’ve had a close call (or a breach) - and want to avoid it happening again. You realise that the reputation of your organisation is gold dust, and it deserves protecting.
You want to win more work - lets face it, being ISO 27001 certified sets you apart. It tells clients, investors, and competitors that you're credible. It gives clients, partners, and prospects the confidence that you’re running a secure, professional operation.
If none of that sounds familiar… maybe not right now. But many businesses come to us after a scare or a lost bid. The truth is, getting ahead of it is usually cheaper than dealing with the fallout of a security incident, or letting the competition eat up the best contracts.
Is ISO 27001 Hard to Get?
Honestly? It depends who helps you. Some consultants bury you in paperwork, 100's of templates or make you feel like an idiot for asking questions.
At Kafico, we work with real people, not robots. We cut the jargon, keep it lean, and guide you through the steps in a way that works for your business - not some textbook ideal.
Every audit we have faced, we passed it first time for our customers. We keep things simple and pragmatic, and best of all... You know what is happening, and feel genuinely relaxed, because we didn't just give to 500 policy templates and a risk register with 4000 predefined risks on it you'll never actually read. That actually introduces risks, and the auditor will not be impressed, trust us, we've seen it.
What's the Real Value?
It’s not just about passing an audit. Here’s what our clients usually say once they’re certified:
“I finally know where everything is and who’s responsible.”
“It’s given us a competitive edge.”
“We’re sleeping better at night.”
ISO 27001 isn't just a badge - it is the backbone of the business.
Why don't we just do it ourselves?
You can absolutely go it alone - and plenty of organisations try. ISO 27001 is a public standard, and in theory, anyone can follow the steps.
But here’s where it gets tricky:
It’s easy to overcomplicate - or worse, miss something critical.
Templates don’t fit your business - off-the-shelf policies rarely reflect how you actually work. Your staff need to know where they are, what it all means, and may need to answer questions about them to the auditor. If you’ve gone for one of those 500-policy template packs doing the rounds online, that’s just not realistic.
The audit is unforgiving - rying to figure it out from scratch can take months, especially when it's no one’s full-time job. That’s time you're not spending on actual business growth.
Time is money -
Hiring Qualified people is expensive - bringing in a full-time ISO expert costs a fortune. We give you the same expertise, just when you need it, and only for as long as you need it.
At Kafico, we’ve walked many businesses through the process. We know where people get stuck, and how to get them over the line - quickly, efficiently, and without the jargon. We allow leaders and decision makers to focus primarily on what they do best, and we liaise with everyone who needs to be involved. We drive your project for you. Additionally, we speak to the auditors each time and grill them for tips and what they like to see, we learn and improve through every audit. We believe that presenting everything in a way the auditor likes, keeps them happy and relaxed which is what we want!
We are qualified - Trained by the British Standards Institute.
If you want to save time, reduce risk, and get it right first time, we’re here to help.
Still Not Sure?
That’s completely fine. We've put together a simple checklist to help you decide if it’s time to take the leap — or whether it's safe to park it for now.
👉 Download our free 1-minute checklist: “Are We Ready for ISO 27001?”
It'll help you self-assess where you're at and whether it's worth pursuing just yet.
Final Thought
ISO 27001 isn’t for everyone. But if you’ve read this far, there’s a good chance it’s on your radar for a reason. When you’re ready, we’re here - plain-speaking, practical, and focused on getting you certified without wasting time or money.
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