Roadmap Overview

This implementation roadmap provides a structured approach to ISO 27001 implementation, designed for organizations with existing IT infrastructure who want to achieve certification efficiently. The 90-day timeline is achievable for SMEs with dedicated resources; larger organizations typically need 4-6 months.

Timeline Assumptions

This roadmap assumes: dedicated implementation lead (0.5-1 FTE), management sponsorship secured, basic security controls already in place (firewalls, antivirus, access controls), and willingness to make decisions quickly. Organizations starting from minimal security may need 6-12 months.

Prerequisites & Planning

Before You Start

  • Executive Sponsorship: Formal commitment from top management including budget approval
  • Project Lead: Assign an ISMS manager or equivalent with authority to drive the project
  • Standard Access: Purchase ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 27002:2022
  • Initial Training: Key team members complete ISO 27001 awareness training
  • Asset Inventory Baseline: Preliminary list of IT assets and data repositories

Resource Requirements

Role Time Commitment Responsibilities
ISMS Manager/Project Lead 50-100% Day-to-day management, documentation, coordination
Executive Sponsor 5-10% Policy approval, resource allocation, oversight
IT/Security Lead 30-50% Technical controls, risk assessment support
HR Representative 10-20% People controls, training, awareness
Facilities/Operations 10-20% Physical security controls
Department Representatives As needed Process documentation, interviews

Days 1-30: Foundation Phase

The first 30 days establish your ISMS foundation—securing sponsorship, defining scope, and creating core governance documents.

Week 1: Project Initiation

  • Conduct project kick-off with executive sponsor
  • Finalize project team and assign responsibilities
  • Establish project governance and meeting cadence (weekly steering)
  • Set up document management system/repository
  • Complete ISO 27001 training for core team

Deliverables: Project charter, team RACI matrix, project schedule

Week 2: Scope & Context

  • Document organizational context (internal and external issues)
  • Identify interested parties and their requirements
  • Define ISMS scope (boundaries, locations, assets)
  • Document scope exclusions with justification
  • Create initial asset inventory

Deliverables: Context analysis, stakeholder requirements, scope statement, asset register (draft)

Week 3: Gap Assessment

  • Conduct clause-by-clause gap analysis against ISO 27001:2022
  • Assess existing controls against Annex A
  • Identify quick wins and major gaps
  • Prioritize remediation activities
  • Estimate effort for each gap

Deliverables: Gap assessment report, prioritized action plan

Week 4: Policy & Leadership

  • Draft Information Security Policy
  • Define ISMS roles, responsibilities, and authorities
  • Establish Information Security Forum/Committee
  • Define information security objectives
  • Obtain executive approval for policy

Deliverables: Approved IS Policy, roles matrix, ISMS objectives

Day 30 Milestone ✓

By Day 30: Approved IS policy, defined scope, documented context, governance structure established, gap assessment complete, and clear understanding of work ahead.

Days 31-60: Development Phase

The second 30 days focus on risk assessment, control selection, and developing operational procedures.

Week 5: Risk Assessment Framework

  • Design risk assessment methodology
  • Define risk criteria (likelihood, impact scales)
  • Establish risk acceptance criteria
  • Create risk assessment templates
  • Train team on risk assessment process

Deliverables: Risk assessment procedure, risk criteria, templates

Week 6: Risk Assessment

  • Complete asset inventory and classification
  • Identify threats and vulnerabilities for assets
  • Assess likelihood and impact of risks
  • Determine risk levels against criteria
  • Document risk assessment results

Deliverables: Completed risk register, risk assessment report

Week 7: Risk Treatment & SoA

  • Select risk treatment options for each risk
  • Map controls to identified risks
  • Develop Statement of Applicability (SoA)
  • Document justifications for excluded controls
  • Create risk treatment plan with timelines

Deliverables: Statement of Applicability, risk treatment plan

Week 8: Operational Procedures

  • Document access control procedures
  • Create incident management procedure
  • Develop change management process
  • Document backup and recovery procedures
  • Create business continuity plan

Deliverables: Core operational procedures (access, incident, change, backup, BCP)

Day 60 Milestone ✓

By Day 60: Complete risk assessment, approved SoA, risk treatment plan with assigned owners, and core operational procedures documented.

Days 61-90: Implementation Phase

The final 30 days focus on implementing controls, training staff, and preparing for certification.

Week 9: Control Implementation

  • Implement remaining technical controls from risk treatment plan
  • Configure systems per documented procedures
  • Deploy monitoring and logging solutions
  • Implement supplier security requirements
  • Document evidence of control implementation

Deliverables: Implemented controls, configuration records, evidence repository

Week 10: Awareness & Training

  • Develop security awareness training content
  • Conduct awareness training for all staff
  • Train key personnel on specific procedures
  • Document training records and competence
  • Launch ongoing awareness program

Deliverables: Training materials, training records, awareness program

Week 11: Internal Audit

  • Plan internal audit program
  • Conduct internal audit against ISO 27001:2022
  • Document audit findings
  • Initiate corrective actions for findings
  • Verify closure of critical findings

Deliverables: Internal audit report, corrective action plans

Week 12: Management Review & Certification Prep

  • Prepare management review inputs
  • Conduct management review meeting
  • Document review outputs and actions
  • Final documentation review
  • Select certification body and schedule Stage 1

Deliverables: Management review minutes, certification-ready ISMS, Stage 1 scheduled

Day 90 Milestone ✓

By Day 90: ISMS fully implemented and operational, internal audit complete, management review conducted, all evidence compiled, and Stage 1 audit scheduled.

12-Week Detailed Timeline

Week Focus Area Key Deliverables
1 Project Initiation Charter, team, schedule
2 Scope & Context Scope statement, context docs, asset register
3 Gap Assessment Gap report, action plan
4 Policy & Governance IS Policy, roles, objectives
5 Risk Framework Risk methodology, templates
6 Risk Assessment Risk register, assessment report
7 Risk Treatment & SoA SoA, risk treatment plan
8 Procedures Operational procedures
9 Control Implementation Implemented controls, evidence
10 Training & Awareness Training records, awareness program
11 Internal Audit Audit report, corrective actions
12 Management Review Review minutes, certification prep

Resource Requirements

Estimated Effort

  • Small organization (10-50 employees): 200-400 person-hours
  • Medium organization (50-250 employees): 400-800 person-hours
  • Large organization (250+ employees): 800-2000+ person-hours

Budget Considerations

  • ISO 27001:2022 standard purchase: ~$200
  • Training (Lead Implementer course): $1,500-3,000 per person
  • GRC/Documentation tool (optional): $0-10,000/year
  • Consultant support (optional): $5,000-50,000+ depending on scope
  • Certification audit fees: $5,000-25,000+ depending on size

How to Accelerate Implementation

Accelerators

  • Dedicated Resources: Full-time ISMS manager vs. part-time
  • Executive Support: Fast decisions, quick approvals
  • Existing Controls: Leverage current security investments
  • Templates: Use proven templates vs. creating from scratch
  • Expert Support: Consultants who know shortcuts
  • Tooling: GRC platform to manage documentation and evidence

Common Delays to Avoid

  • Waiting for perfect documentation before starting implementation
  • Scope creep - expanding scope mid-project
  • Over-engineering risk assessment methodology
  • Treating ISO 27001 as IT-only project (need business involvement)
  • Delaying internal audit until everything is "ready"

Done is better than perfect. An implemented ISMS that works is better than a theoretically perfect system that only exists on paper. Start simple, certify, then improve.

ISO 27001 Implementation Roadmap