Information is one of the most critical “assets” of any organization – whether we are talking about customer data, technical designs, source code, or financial and legal records. In recent years, the rise in cyberattacks, the use of cloud services and remote work has made it clear that information security is not just a technical issue, but also a matter of governance and business continuity. 

ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It sets the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a structured security management system, based on the principles of confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. 

The standard applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors – from small startups and SaaS providers to hospitals, banks, cloud service providers and public bodies. According to official ISO surveys, more than 70,000 ISO 27001 certificates have been issued in 150 countries, demonstrating its global recognition. 

ISO 27001 Certification is not legally mandatory for all businesses, however in many sectors it has effectively become a prerequisite in contracts, RFPs and international partnerships. 

What is ISO 27001 and why is it important? 

ISO/IEC 27001 defines the requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It is not a technical “manual” for firewalls, but a management standard which requires the organization to: 

  • identify its information assets (systems, data, services) 
  • assess the related risks 
  • select and implement appropriate security controls 
  • demonstrate continual improvement (PDCA – Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle) 

The structure of ISO 27001 (clauses 4–10) follows Annex SL, the high-level structure used in modern ISO standards (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001), which makes it easy to integrate into an Integrated Management System. The standard covers areas such as: 

  • Context of the organization & interested parties 
  • Leadership and information security policy 
  • Planning & risk management 
  • Support (resources, competence, awareness, documented information) 
  • Operation (controls, changes, outsourcing) 
  • Performance evaluation (KPIs, internal audits) 
  • Improvement (nonconformities, corrective actions) 

The importance of ISO 27001 is twofold: 

  1. Business-related:  
  • reduces the risk of business interruption due to security incidents 
  • aligns security with strategy and business processes 
  • strengthens the trust of customers, partners and investors 
  1. Regulatory: 
  • supports the documentation of compliance with GDPR and other regulations requiring “appropriate technical and organizational measures” 
  • helps prepare for requirements such as NIS 2, national cybersecurity laws, cyber-insurance, etc. 

For organizations in Greece, ISO 27001 Certification is increasingly becoming a real “passport” for participation in large IT projects, banking partnerships, B2B SaaS contracts and cloud services. 

Benefits of ISO 27001 Certification 

Implementing an ISMS and achieving ISO 27001 Certification offers a combination of technical, legal and commercial benefits: 

  1. Protection of corporate and personal data 
    Through systematic risk assessment, information classification, access control, encryption, event logging and incident management, the likelihood of data breaches or data alteration is significantly reduced. 
  2. Cost reduction through incident prevention 
    A major security incident (e.g. ransomware, data breach) can lead to loss of customers, downtime, fines and legal claims. The structured ISO 27001 approach reduces the probability and impact of such incidents, and thus the overall risk cost. 
  3. Competitive advantage & access to new markets 
    Certification: 
    • serves as tangible proof of security maturity 
    • is increasingly requested in tenders, outsourcing and cloud contracts 
    • facilitates international cooperation, as the standard is recognized in 150 countries 
  4. Strengthened trust & corporate reputation 
    Customers, users and regulators prefer organizations that can demonstrate responsible data management. ISO 27001 Certification acts as a strong signal of reliability.  
  5. Better internal organization & security culture 
    Everyday operations change for the better: clearer roles, aligned IT–business processes, trained employees, documented decisions on risk acceptance/mitigation/transfer. 
  6. Basis for further certifications 
    A mature ISMS makes it easier to add standards such as ISO 22301 (business continuity), ISO 27701 (privacy), ISO 27017/27018 (cloud), NIS 2 readiness, etc. 

ISO 27001:2022 Requirements and Controls 

In addition to the “management” requirements (clauses 4–10), ISO 27001 is supported by Annex A – a set of 93 information security controls. 

These controls are grouped into four categories: 

  1. Organizational controls 
  2. People controls  
  3. Physical controls 
  4. Technological controls 

A central tool in ISO 27001 is the Statement of Applicability (SoA). This is a document which: 

  • lists all Annex A controls 
  • states whether each control is applied by the organization or not 
  • justifies the inclusion or exclusion of each control 
  • links the controls to the findings of the risk assessment 

Staff training, change management and active top management involvement are critical elements to ensure that the ISMS does not remain “on paper” but is actually embedded in daily practice. 

The importance of the ISMS (Information Security Management System) 

The ISMS is the “umbrella” under which all security controls – technical and organizational – are organized. It is not a project that “ends”, but a system for continual risk management. 

An effective ISMS: 

  • maps assets (infrastructure, applications, databases, processes) 
  • assesses risks (threats, vulnerabilities, impacts) and defines risk appetite 
  • links controls with legal requirements (GDPR, contracts, sector regulations) 
  • incorporates performance indicators (KPIs) for both security and business (e.g. incident response time, service availability) 
  • defines clear roles & responsibilities (CISO, DPO, IT, business owners) 
  • provides for internal audits and Management Review to evaluate effectiveness and decide on improvements 

In this way, information security is no longer “an IT matter”, but a business priority tied to strategy, reputation and revenue. 

Steps for Implementing ISO 27001 

The path to ISO 27001 Certification does not have to be complicated if it is properly planned. Typical steps: 

  1. Management commitment & scope definition
    Define exactly what the ISMS will cover (e.g. specific services, data centers, subsidiaries). Without a clear scope, the ISMS becomes either too generic or unmanageable. 
  2. Gap analysis 
    Compare the current situation with ISO 27001 requirements and best practices (including Annex A controls). Identify gaps in:
    • policies & procedures 
    • documentation 
    • technical measures 
    • roles & responsibilities 
  3. Risk assessment & risk treatment plan 
    Record assets, threats, vulnerabilities and impacts; calculate risks and select a strategy (mitigate, accept, transfer, avoid). The risk treatment plan links specific controls to specific risks.
  4. Policies, procedures & documentation
    Draft or update:
    • information security policy 
    • acceptable use and mobile device policy 
    • incident management, backup, change, access and supplier management procedures 
    • SoA and risk register 
  5. Implementation of technical & organizational measures
    Implement the selected controls: network segmentation, hardening, MFA, logging/SIEM, DLP, encryption, physical security, as well as organizational measures such as NDAs, SLAs, offboarding procedures, supplier evaluation, etc.
  6. Training & awareness
    Targeted training for: 
    • all staff (phishing, password hygiene, incident reporting) 
    • technical teams (hardening, vulnerability management) 
    • management (risk-based decision-making) 
  7. Internal audit & Management Review 
    Conduct a full internal audit of the ISMS and then a management review based on findings, indicators, incidents and environmental changes.
  8. Preparation for ISO 27001 Certification
    Readiness check, remediation of remaining gaps and selection of an accredited certification body.

ISO 27001 Certification Process 

ISO 27001 Certification is carried out by accredited certification bodies such as Q-CERT, which have themselves been assessed by national accreditation bodies like the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD) in Greece. 

The typical process includes: 

  1. Pre-assessment / pre-audit (optional)
    An initial high-level review (without consultancy) to identify critical areas that should be improved before the formal audit. 
  2. Certification Audit – Stage 1
    Focus on documentation and the readiness of the ISMS:
    • understanding scope and context 
    • review of policies, risk assessment, risk treatment, SoA 
    • review of internal audits and Management Review 
    • assessment of readiness for Stage 2 
  3. Certification Audit – Stage 2
    Focus on implementation and effectiveness:
    • interviews with management and staff 
    • sampling of processes, systems and sites 
    • verification that measures are effectively implemented in practice 
    • Findings are categorized (conformity, observation, minor/major nonconformity) and the organization is requested to submit corrective actions where required. 
  4. Decision & issuance of the Certificate
    The decision is made by an independent decision-making body within the certification entity. The certificate is typically valid for 3 years, provided that annual surveillance audits are successfully completed.
  5. Annual surveillance & recertification 
    During the 3-year cycle, the certification body:
    • re-examines a sample of processes and controls 
    • confirms implementation of corrective actions 
    • evaluates changes in scope, systems and legal framework 
      At the end of the cycle, a recertification audit is performed. 

ISO 27001 and NIS 2 

The NIS 2 Directive (EU 2022/2555) is the new European cybersecurity framework that sets minimum requirements for a “high common level of security of network and information systems” across the EU. It significantly extends the scope of the original NIS Directive, covering more sectors and now distinguishing between “essential” and “important” entities, with strict obligations for security measures, risk management and incident reporting. 

In Greece, NIS 2 has been transposed through Law 5160/2024, which defines the national cybersecurity framework, the obligated legal entities, the supervisory authorities and the sanctions regime. 

ISO 27001 is not, by itself, a legal requirement, but it serves as a fully compatible management framework for a large part of NIS 2 requirements, particularly regarding the ISMS, policies, roles and governance. 

At the same time, there are elements of NIS 2 that go beyond ISO 27001 and require additional organization, such as: 

  • very specific incident reporting deadlines (early warning within 24 hours, full report within 72 hours, final report within 1 month to CSIRTs/Authorities) 
  • detailed supervision, sanctions and management accountability regime, as foreseen by NIS 2 and the Greek legal framework 

In summary, ISO 27001 Certification does not automatically equal full NIS 2 compliance, but it provides a strong and recognized foundation that significantly reduces the “gap” an organization needs to close to meet the requirements of Law 5160/2024 and the national guidelines. 

Sectors of Application for ISO 27001 

The standard can be applied to any sector, with the appropriate tailoring. Indicatively: 

  1. Healthcare & sensitive health data
    Clinics, diagnostic centers, HIS/EHR providers and e-health platforms manage highly sensitive data. ISO 27001 can be combined with ISO 27799, which specializes in information security in healthcare based on ISO 27002.
  2. Hotels & tourism
    Hotel chains and tourism organizations process personal data, payment details and booking information via online systems.
  3. Startups & technology / SaaS companies
    For B2B SaaS, fintechs, regtechs, etc., ISO 27001 is often a prerequisite for cooperation with banks, payment providers or large corporate clients.
  4. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
    Although they often believe they are “not a target”, SMEs are equally exposed to cyberattacks. ISO 27001 is fully applicable to smaller organizations with a proportionate approach to controls, providing a clear competitive advantage over non-certified competitors.
  5. Public sector & critical infrastructure
    Organizations subject to regulations such as NIS 2, national cybersecurity laws or sector-specific frameworks use ISO 27001 as a central governance and documentation tool. 

Complementary Standards (ISO 27017, 27018, 27799) 

For organizations with specific needs, ISO 27001 can be extended with specialized standards: 

ISO/IEC 27017 – Cloud Security 

ISO 27017 is a code of practice for information security controls for cloud services, based on ISO 27002. It provides guidance to both cloud service providers and cloud customers on responsibility sharing and risk treatment in the cloud. 

ISO/IEC 27018 – PII protection in public cloud 

ISO 27018 focuses on the protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in public cloud environments. It offers specific guidance for PII processors in the cloud (e.g. SaaS providers) and complements ISO 27017 and ISO 27701. 

ISO 27799 – Information security in healthcare 

ISO 27799 adapts ISO 27002 practices to the particularities of healthcare organizations, where the protection of medical data is critical. 

The common denominator of all these standards is that they require a functioning ISMS based on ISO 27001, onto which they “plug in” as extensions. 

Cost of ISO 27001 Certification in Greece 

The cost of ISO 27001 Certification depends on: 

  • number of employees 
  • number of sites (offices, data centers, branches) 
  • complexity of IT/OT infrastructures 
  • existence of high-risk regulatory requirements (e.g. financial sector, healthcare, critical infrastructure) 
  • combination with other standards (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 22301) in a single audit, which typically reduces the overall cost 

In practice, the investment in ISO 27001 Certification is usually offset through: 

  • prevention of serious incidents 
  • increased trust and new business opportunities 
  • reduced insurance costs 
  • simplification of customer/investor due diligence 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ISO 27001 Certification 

There are no direct legal penalties just because you do not hold an ISO 27001 certificate. However, in the event of a security incident or an audit (by a regulator, customer or partner), the absence of a structured information security approach can weaken your position – especially where GDPR or other regulations require documented security measures.

You should ensure that: 

  • the risk assessment and Statement of Applicability (SoA) are complete and up to date, 
  • the key processes are implemented (incident management, access control, backup, etc.), 
  • an internal audit and a Management Review have taken place, 
  • staff are aware of and familiar with the information security policies. 

Benefits: reduced risk, better organisation, increased customer trust, access to new markets, and easier compliance with regulations. 
“Downsides”: it requires time and resources, as well as a culture that treats security as an ongoing process, not just a “stamp” on a certificate.

The NIST CSF is a framework of guidelines (Identify–Protect–Detect–Respond–Recover) and does not lead to a formal certification. ISO 27001 is a standard with specific requirements, on which ISO 27001 Certification is based. Many organisations use NIST for structure and ISO 27001 for certification.

It depends on the level of maturity. For organisations that already have structured processes, the transition can be achieved within a few months.

Why Q-CERT 

ISO 27001 Certification is not just another IT certificate – it is a strategic decision to protect your organization’s data, reputation and business continuity. In an environment of increasing cyber threats, stricter regulations (GDPR, NIS 2) and more demanding customers, ISO 27001 is the core governance framework for information security. 

Q-CERT, as an accredited Management Systems Certification Body and the only Greek accredited Conformity Assessment Body providing trust services certification under Regulation (EU) 910/2014 (eIDAS), brings to ISO 27001 Certification cutting-edge expertise from the most demanding European landscape of digital identity and trust services. This sets us apart in the Greek market and ensures that your ISMS is assessed with the same rigorous criteria and best practices applied to leading European trust service providers. 

Contact Q-CERT to discuss your needs and certify your Information Security Management System. 

Audit Information & ExpectationsApplication Form
F-2108, Annex FF-2503, Annex D