ISO 27001: DIY vs Consultant vs Compliance Platform
Three approaches to certification, each with different cost profiles, timelines, and risk levels. Here is a vendor-neutral comparison to help you choose the right path.
Updated April 2026
Approach Comparison
DIY (Internal Only)
Lowest external cost
- External cost: $5K-$15K (audit fees + standards)
- Internal hours: 400-1,200 hours
- Timeline: 12-24 months
- Audit failure risk: 25-35%
- Best for: Teams with ISO 27001 experience
Pro: Cheapest external spend
Con: Slowest, highest risk, most internal disruption
Hybrid (Platform + Consultant)
Best value
- External cost: $20K-$60K
- Internal hours: 200-600 hours
- Timeline: 6-12 months
- Audit failure risk: 5-10%
- Best for: Most organisations
Pro: Expert guidance + automation, lowest risk
Con: Multiple vendor relationships to manage
Full Service (Consultant-Led)
Highest external cost
- External cost: $40K-$200K+
- Internal hours: 100-300 hours
- Timeline: 6-14 months
- Audit failure risk: 3-8%
- Best for: Large orgs, complex scopes
Pro: Least internal disruption, expert-driven
Con: Most expensive, dependency on consultant
Cost by Company Size and Approach
| Company Size | DIY | Hybrid | Full Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (11-50) | $12K-$25K | $25K-$45K | $40K-$80K |
| Medium (51-250) | $30K-$70K | $55K-$120K | $90K-$200K |
| Large (251-1K) | $70K-$150K | $120K-$250K | $200K-$400K |
DIY costs are deceptively low: they exclude the opportunity cost of internal staff time (200-1,200 hours at loaded rates). Factor in internal cost and DIY is often comparable to Hybrid.
Compliance Platform Comparison
| Platform | Annual Cost | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanta | $7.5K-$80K+ | Largest integration library (200+), strongest brand recognition, built-in trust centre | SaaS, tech companies, multi-framework |
| Drata | $7K-$75K+ | Workflow automation, custom frameworks, strong mid-market features | Mid-market (100-500), complex workflows |
| Sprinto | $5K-$50K | 20-30% cheaper, fast onboarding, opinionated workflows | Startups, cost-conscious SMEs |
| Secureframe | $7K-$70K+ | Employee onboarding automation, personnel security focus | Companies with high employee turnover |
All four platforms support ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Pricing varies significantly by headcount, integrations, and contract terms. Always negotiate: listed prices are starting points.
Which Approach Is Right for You?
Do you have someone with ISO 27001 implementation experience on your team?
Yes: Consider DIY or Hybrid. No: You need a consultant or Full Service.
Is your budget under $30,000 total?
Yes: Hybrid with a lean platform (Sprinto at $5K-$10K) + consultant gap analysis ($5K-$10K). No: Full flexibility in approach selection.
Do you need certification within 6 months?
Yes: Full Service or Hybrid with an experienced consultant. DIY cannot reliably deliver in 6 months. No: Any approach works with 12+ months.
Do you also need SOC 2?
Yes: A compliance platform is almost essential for managing two frameworks efficiently. Budget for multi-framework pricing. No: Platform is optional but still recommended for organisations over 50 employees.