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The Data Scientist

ISO 27001 Consultant

How to Find the Right ISO 27001 Consultant

Receiving ISO certification is an important milestone for any business. With ISO 27001, in particular, you ensure the full safety of your informational networks and devices. Introducing this standard shows your commitment to sustainability, quality, and efficiency. More importantly, this move builds trust with your stakeholders and clients.

In this article, we’ll talk about the qualities you should look for in a consultant. After that, we’ll share a few valuable tips that will help you find the right person for the job.

Main Qualities of an ISO 27001 Consultant

To perform this job, a person needs certain qualities:

  • The right person should have extensive knowledge of ISO 27001 standards and other cybersecurity protocols and procedures. They should understand the common online threats as well as the best software that would help counter cyberattacks.
  • ISO consultants should have extensive analytical skills. They should be able to perform a thorough analysis of your current systems and determine how the new standard would improve your workflows.
  • The top-tier experts focus on problem-solving. They’re able to design customized solutions that would help you address incoming cybersecurity threats. Furthermore, they should assess your staff and internal resources to determine if you’re well-equipped to counter these challenges.
  • The best consultants pay attention to every detail. They are able to go through your current security measures and detect potential vulnerabilities.
  • You can’t be a good ISO consultant without having great communication skills. These experts know how to handle different types of clients and share instructions. More importantly, the best professionals are always at your disposal and able to act in a split second.
  • ISO consultants have to be flexible. That way, they can adapt to clients’ and projects’ changing requirements.

If a person ticks all the boxes, this might be the right ISO 27001 expert for your business.

How to Find the Right Expert?

Finding the right ISO 27001 consultancy services for your business is everything but easy. You have to go through dozens of offers, assessing each agency’s credentials and track record. Even if you’re meticulous, there’s no telling how the implementation process will go.

Nevertheless, you must do your best to shortlist the best candidates for the job. You must identify your company goals and find a suitable person to help you execute them. That being said, here are a few tricks that will help you find the right expert for your ISO 27001 certification:

Identify Your Needs

First off, you must determine your needs. Do you want to implement ISO 27001, or do you want to introduce a few standards simultaneously? How long should the process take, and what kind of an impact should it have on your business?

Depending on your needs, you might want to get a package service. However, if you only need ISO 27001, we recommend you find a consultant who specializes in information security. During these early steps, you need to establish your budget and timeliness. Keep in mind that your company might have different requirements depending on the type of business and industry.

Use WoM

Word-of-mouth marketing has remained the best method of finding specialized assistance. It works very well for ISO consultants, helping you connect with reliable professionals through your friends and colleagues.

Aside from word-of-mouth, you can also find experts through forums, professional networks, and industry associations. Many people use Google to discover experts, but we would recommend LinkedIn as a much better platform for selecting ISO experts.

Assess Track Record

It is vital that you find a professional who has worked in your industry. Although ISO 27001 is a universal standard that works for any type of company, it’s always better to work with someone who has tackled similar projects. Check out their credentials and ask for testimonials and success stories. Ideally, an ISO expert should provide you with a breakdown of how his actions helped clients’ cybersecurity.

Make sure to ask for references and contact numbers. Don’t be lazy; contact all their past clients and have a heartfelt conversation about their experience with a particular expert. Learn more about credential agency’s effectiveness and reliability, and check if they provide continuous support once the project is finished.

Ask for Comprehensive Proposals

Implementing the ISO 27001 standard is a major step for any company. Because of that, you need to approach the entire process with appropriate due diligence. Ask each candidate for a unique proposal that’s suitable for your particular case. See how they can address your particular needs and whether they’re flexible enough to create a customized solution.

Among other things, the proposal should outline the consultant’s methodology, approach, costs, and deadliness. You should also compare their proposal with their past work to determine if they’re able to fulfill what they’re promising.

Analyze Communication and Fit

It is vital that you choose a partner that is readily available. Communication is one of the major issues when dealing with third-party providers, especially if the agency or consultant is located in a different country. Pay attention to how the expert is conducting the initial meetings and if they’re forthcoming regarding your demands.

Ideally, you should find a professional who shares your company’s values and vision. The person should have a similar mindset about the business and, if possible, they should be from a similar country/culture. That way, it will be much easier for the consultant to cooperate with your team.

Consider the Cost

Although introducing ISO 27001 is a major step for your company, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should opt for the most expensive consultant available. Find an expert who provides a good balance of value and price, as you don’t want to incur excessive costs that would disrupt your daily operations.

Conclusion

Take your time selecting the right ISO consultant for your company. Ask for recommendations, but also search for freelancers on Google and LinkedIn. Find a person who matches your company values and who can implement the standard in the shortest amount of time possible.