Skip to main content

Hacken ISO/IEC 27001 Comprehensive Service Methodology

Release: Version 1.0

Introduction​

The ISO/IEC 27001 standard is the globally recognized framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It covers governance, risk management, controls implementation, and assurance processes to protect critical business and customer information.

Hacken’s methodology outlines a practical, step-by-step approach to achieving certification. Each phase is designed to align precisely with the standard’s requirements while reflecting the client’s unique business context and operations.

Our Service Methodology​

Hacken applies a phased methodology to guide organizations from preparation to certification. This approach ensures real implementation of security practices, not just paperwork.

1. Readiness Assessment Stage​

The Readiness Assessment is the entry point for any ISO/IEC 27001 engagement. Its intent is to confirm whether the organization is mature enough to proceed with a full-scale implementation or certification project without unnecessary inefficiency or wasted effort.

This stage focuses on validating that:

  • Prioritization: ISO/IEC 27001 implementation has internal buy-in and is treated as a strategic project, ensuring smooth request/response procedures and timely collaboration.
  • Ownership: Assigned project members (ISMS manager, IT/security leads, compliance owners) have sufficient authority and visibility across processes and technologies.
  • Awareness: The client understands that ISO/IEC 27001 certification is not a “paper exercise” but a comprehensive review of governance, risk, and operational processes.
  • Scope Understanding: The organization has defined the ISMS scope (e.g., critical assets, departments, cloud platforms) and has at least drafted or partially developed core policies and procedures.
  • Resourcing: Adequate time, personnel, and project management resources are allocated to support interviews, evidence collection, and remediation activities.

Practically, the Readiness Assessment involves the initial collection of ISMS scope definition, organizational context documents, asset inventory, network and cloud diagrams, and any existing policies. It is not a deep-dive audit but a structured maturity check, usually taking 30–40 hours.

  • If Hacken auditors find that the entity would face significant compliance gaps (e.g., >60% of controls non-conformant), the client receives a Readiness Assessment Report with a prioritized action plan (missing documents, required processes, resourcing adjustments). Time already spent is billed, while unused engagement hours are recalculated and refunded.
  • If only minor issues or clarifications are identified, Hacken provides a “green light” to proceed directly with the Gap Assessment and Risk Management phases.

The Readiness Assessment protects the client from engaging in a premature or misaligned ISO/IEC 27001 project, ensuring that certification efforts are efficient, effective, and realistic.

2. Gap Assessment​

We assess the current maturity of your ISMS and identify gaps against the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 controls and clauses:

  • Gap Assessment: Evaluate your organization’s current compliance posture and ability to meet certification timelines.
  • Interviews & Process Demonstrations: Conduct focused interviews with staff responsible for key processes. Observe operational procedures in real-time to validate documented practices.
  • Documentation Analysis & Evidence Collection: Thoroughly review all collected documentation for compliance adherence. Collect evidence supporting the implementation of controls.

3. Risk Management (If Applicable)​

Effective risk management is central to ISO/IEC 27001. Hacken assists in establishing or refining the organization’s approach:

  • Define Risk Management Methodology: Establish a consistent and clear methodology for identifying, analyzing, and evaluating risks.
  • Develop Risk Register: Document identified risks, associated asset owners, likelihood, impact ratings, and current treatments.
  • Create Risk Treatment Plan: Allocate mitigation actions, assign responsibilities, and set timelines for addressing identified risks.
  • Issue Risk Management Report: Summarize findings clearly in a report for executive review, highlighting treatment progress.

4. Implementation & Remediation​

This phase closes identified gaps and ensures controls are embedded in daily operations:

  • Process & Documentation Development: Draft or enhance necessary ISMS policies, SOPs, and required records (e.g., Access Control Policy, Asset Inventory, Backup Policy).
  • Review with Process Owners: Validate all developed policies and documentation through detailed walkthroughs with relevant process owners.
  • Support Technical Assessments: Guide execution of essential technical assessments (e.g., penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, business continuity exercises).
  • Remediation Follow-Up: Continuously track and verify the implementation and effectiveness of remediation actions identified in the gap assessment and risk management process.

5. Final Checks & Certification Preparation​

This phase prepares the organization for a smooth certification audit:

  • Internal Readiness Review: Conduct a comprehensive internal audit using ISO/IEC 27001 internal audit methodologies to ensure audit readiness.
  • Statement of Applicability (SoA): Prepare a detailed SoA outlining applicable controls, their implementation status, and justification for any exclusions.
  • Certification Body Support: Assist in completing Certification Body (CB) quotation forms and develop a detailed certification audit schedule.
  • Audit Support: Participate actively in certification audit meetings and provide timely responses and supporting evidence during certification audit queries.

Automation & CRM Platforms​

ISO/IEC 27001 projects can be significantly accelerated through the use of automation and compliance management platforms or other CRM-like solutions.

Hacken’s approach integrates these platforms where beneficial, but we avoid overreliance. Automation can streamline evidence collection, control monitoring, and continuous compliance tracking. However, our team ensures that the core ISMS implementation remains tailored to your real processes and risk environment — not limited by the template-driven logic of these tools.

Key benefits of platform integration include:

  • Centralized dashboard for control status and evidence collection.
  • Automated reminders for recurring tasks such as policy reviews or vulnerability scans.
  • Integration with cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure), identity platforms (Okta, Google Workspace), and ticketing systems (Jira, ServiceNow).
  • Enhanced collaboration with process owners through workflow-driven task management.

Hacken consultants provide both advisory and hands-on support in setting up these platforms, ensuring they reflect ISO/IEC 27001 requirements while aligning with your business environment.

Conclusion​

The Hacken ISO/IEC 27001 Comprehensive Service Methodology ensures that certification is not just a formality but a transformation of your organization’s security posture.

By combining structured readiness checks, risk management, tailored documentation, and active certification support, Hacken delivers a practical, business-aligned, and audit-ready ISMS that stands up to regulatory scrutiny and client expectations.

Deliverables​

The deliverables of the ISO/IEC 27001 service are the tangible outcomes of each audit and implementation stage. These provide both strategic guidance and actionable documentation to ensure full certification readiness:

  • Readiness Assessment Report & Action Plan
    A structured analysis of your current ISMS maturity with prioritized recommendations to prepare for ISO/IEC 27001 implementation.

  • Gap Assessment Report
    A detailed report identifying non-conformities against ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements, including practical recommendations for eliminating gaps.

  • Risk Management Package
    Includes a documented Risk Management Methodology, Risk Assessment Report, and Risk Treatment Plan with clearly assigned responsibilities and timelines.

  • ISMS Documentation Package
    A complete set of tailored ISO/IEC 27001 documentation, including required policies, procedures, SOPs, records, and evidence aligned with your business processes.

  • Internal Audit Report & Statement of Applicability (SoA)
    A comprehensive internal audit report validating ISMS effectiveness and a finalized SoA outlining applicable controls, their implementation status, and justifications for exclusions.

  • Certification Audit Support
    Attendance, consulting, and representation during certification audit meetings, with real-time support in responding to auditor requests and clarifications.