Are Your Vendors Truly ISO 27001 Certified?

In today’s digital era, security and privacy are paramount. With increasing high-profile breaches and global data protection regulations, businesses must show they take reasonable steps to protect personal and organisational data. Security standards such as ISO 27001 play a vital role in achieving this assurance.

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that demonstrates a business has assessed risks, implemented measures to mitigate them, and undergone independent verification. This certification is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment, with annual audits ensuring continued compliance.

When selecting vendors—whether an outsourcing partner, cloud-based SaaS provider, or any service handling your data—ISO 27001 certification is an essential benchmark. But how can you confirm a vendor’s certification is valid and relevant?

ISO 27001 Compliant vs ISO 27001 Certified

Always request a copy of the vendor’s ISO 27001 certificate. Many vendors claim to be “aligned with ISO 27001,” but alignment is not the same as certification. Certification confirms independent verification of compliance, whereas alignment may simply indicate that internal processes follow the standard without formal validation.

The Scope of ISO 27001

After obtaining the certificate, ensure it is valid and covers the areas you intend to use the vendor for:

• Check the expiration date—an expired certificate is invalid.
• Verify that the issuing body is accredited. The IAF Member List documents authorised accreditation bodies, such as UKAS in the UK.
• Ensure the scope covers the relevant activities and sites. ISO 27001 allows certification for specific processes and locations, so confirm that the certification includes all operations you rely on.

For example, if a document disposal company expands to a new site, its original ISO certificate does not automatically cover the new location. Similarly, a payroll SaaS service may not be included under a certificate meant for physical document disposal. Always confirm that the certificate scope matches your intended usage.

Next, review the vendor’s controls to ensure they meet your requirements. ISO 27001 is dynamic: as risks and regulations evolve, so do the required controls. Confirming these controls now not only protects your organisation but also supports easier re-certification for the vendor.

Remember these three critical steps when selecting ISO 27001-certified vendors:

1. Check that the certificate is valid.
2. Confirm the scope is applicable to your needs.
3. Verify that the controls meet your expectations.

Learn More About MetaCompliance Solutions

MetaCompliance is proud to be ISO 27001 compliant, demonstrating our commitment to robust information security. Our processes ensure the highest standards across our products and services. Explore our comprehensive suite of solutions designed to protect your organisation, reduce human risk, and enhance cyber resilience. Our Human Risk Management Platform encompasses:

• Automated Security Awareness
• Advanced Phishing Simulations
• Risk Intelligence & Analytics
• Compliance Management

To see how these solutions can strengthen your organisation’s security posture, contact us today to book a demo.