Business Case Template for ISO 27001 Certification
Use this template to build your case for ISO 27001 certification investment.
BUSINESS CASE: ISO 27001 CERTIFICATION
Document Information
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Prepared By | [Your Name] |
| Date | [Date] |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Status | Draft / Final |
1. Executive Summary
[Write 2-3 paragraphs summarizing the proposal, key benefits, and requested investment]
Recommendation: Proceed with ISO 27001:2022 certification with an estimated investment of $[X] over [Y] months.
2. Current Situation
2.1 Business Context
- Industry sector: [Your industry]
- Company size: [Employees, locations]
- Key information assets: [Systems, data types]
2.2 Current Security Posture
- Existing certifications: [e.g., SOC 2, PCI DSS]
- Known security gaps: [List key gaps]
- Recent incidents: [Any relevant incidents]
2.3 Drivers for Certification
3. Benefits Analysis
3.1 Quantifiable Benefits
| Benefit | Annual Value |
|---|
| New revenue from security-conscious customers | $ |
| Avoided breach costs (probability × impact) | $ |
| Reduced insurance premiums | $ |
| Reduced audit fatigue (customer audits) | $ |
| Total Quantifiable Benefits | $ |
3.2 Qualitative Benefits
- Enhanced customer trust and confidence
- Improved security culture
- Clearer security governance
- Better incident response capability
- Streamlined compliance management
- Competitive differentiation
4. Scope Definition
4.1 Proposed ISMS Scope
[Define what will be included in the certification scope]
- Locations: [List locations]
- Business units: [List units]
- Systems: [Key systems]
- Processes: [Key processes]
4.2 Exclusions (if any)
[Document any exclusions and justification]
5. Cost Estimate
5.1 Implementation Costs (One-Time)
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|
| Gap assessment/consulting | $ |
| Staff time (internal) | $ |
| Tools and software | $ |
| Training | $ |
| Documentation development | $ |
| Control implementation | $ |
| Internal audit | $ |
| Total Implementation | $ |
5.2 Certification Costs (One-Time)
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|
| Stage 1 audit | $ |
| Stage 2 audit | $ |
| Certificate issuance | $ |
| Total Certification | $ |
5.3 Ongoing Annual Costs
| Category | Annual Cost |
|---|
| Surveillance audits | $ |
| ISMS maintenance | $ |
| Training (ongoing) | $ |
| Tool subscriptions | $ |
| Total Annual | $ |
5.4 Total Investment Summary
| Period | Cost |
|---|
| Year 1 (Implementation + Certification) | $ |
| Year 2 (Maintenance) | $ |
| Year 3 (Maintenance + Recertification) | $ |
| 3-Year Total | $ |
6. Timeline
| Phase | Duration | Dates |
|---|
| Preparation | X months | |
| Implementation | X months | |
| Internal Audit | X months | |
| Stage 1 Audit | X weeks | |
| Stage 2 Audit | X weeks | |
| Total Duration | X months | |
7. Resource Requirements
7.1 Internal Resources
- Project Manager: [X] hours/week
- IT Security: [X] hours/week
- IT Operations: [X] hours/week
- HR: [X] hours/week
- Legal: [X] hours/week
- Management: [X] hours/week
7.2 External Resources
- Consultant support: [Yes/No]
- Penetration testing: [Yes/No]
- Training provider: [Yes/No]
8. Risk Assessment
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|
| Project delay | Medium | Medium | Buffer time, clear milestones |
| Budget overrun | Low | Medium | Contingency budget |
| Staff resistance | Low | High | Early engagement, training |
| Audit failure | Low | High | Internal audit, gap assessment |
9. Alternatives Considered
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Do nothing | No cost | Risks remain, lost opportunities |
| SOC 2 only | Faster | Less comprehensive, limited recognition |
| ISO 27001 | Comprehensive | Higher investment |
| Both ISO + SOC 2 | Maximum coverage | Higher cost |
10. Recommendation
[Your clear recommendation with justification]
11. Approval
| Role | Name | Signature | Date |
|---|
| Project Sponsor | | | |
| CFO | | | |
| CISO/IT Director | | | |
| CEO (if required) | | | |
Next Lesson: Compare ISO 27001 and SOC 2 to understand how they complement each other.