How long does ISO 27001 certification take, and what is the process?

Last updated: June 23, 2026

ISO 27001 certification involves several distinct phases. Here is a general overview of the end-to-end process:

  1. Implementation Phase: This is where your team works through the required controls in the Oneleet platform. ISO 27001 is more organizational and process-oriented than SOC 2, and typically takes 1–3 months to complete. If you already have SOC 2, you are approximately 50–60% of the way to ISO 27001 compliance, which can significantly reduce this phase.

  2. Internal Audit: Once your controls are at or near passing status, Oneleet performs an internal audit. This typically takes 3–4 business days, after which findings are shared with you to address (usually another 2–3 business days).

  3. Stage 1 Audit: An external auditor conducts a documentation review. This is scheduled based on auditor availability, typically 2–4 weeks after your controls are ready. After the Stage 1 audit call, any findings are reviewed and addressed.

  4. Stage 2 Audit: The external auditor assesses operational effectiveness. This usually takes place a few weeks after Stage 1, again depending on auditor availability.

  5. Certificate Issuance: After the Stage 2 audit findings are addressed and the auditor completes their final report, the certificate is typically issued within 2–3 weeks. Minor non-conformities are common in initial certifications and do not prevent certification, they simply require a corrective action plan.

Key differences from SOC 2:

  • There is no observation period for ISO 27001 (unlike SOC 2 Type 2, which requires a 3-month observation period).

  • ISO 27001 requires two stages of external audit instead of one.

  • ISO 27001 dives deeper into organizational processes and how resources are configured.

Overall timeline: In total, you should budget approximately 3–6 months from kickoff to certificate, depending on how quickly your team can complete the controls and auditor availability. The audit process alone (Stages 1 and 2 plus certificate issuance) typically accounts for about 1–2 months of that total.

Annual renewal: ISO 27001 is a yearly certification. After your initial certificate, you will undergo a surveillance audit each subsequent year.

Getting started: To add ISO 27001 to your compliance program, log into the Oneleet platform, navigate to the Program tab, find ISO 27001, and select Schedule Call to kick off the process. A formal quote will need to be signed before the program is activated.

If you need something to share with customers while your certification is in progress, Oneleet can provide an engagement letter describing your relationship with Oneleet and the current state of your ISO program.