ISO 27001 21-Day-by-Day Structured Roadmap

This ISO 27001 21 day roadmap provides a structured, day-by-day plan to get your ISMS up and running. Step-by-step guidance for implementing your ISMS and fast-track ISO 27001 certification. Day-by-day action steps detail what activity should be completed to move forward in establishing your ISMS. The 21-day action steps can be customized based on your organization's requirements. For use by security managers, startups and SMBs, and risk professionals.

1. ISO 27001
21-Day
Implementation
Roadmap

2. Kickoff Meeting
Announce the ISO 27001 initiative and objectives.
Identify key stakeholders, executive sponsors, and
core team members.
Assign roles and responsibilities (Project Lead,
Security Officer, etc.).
Project Charter Creation
Finalize and distribute the project charter (scope,
resources, timeline).
Define ISMS Scope
Identify the business units, processes,
systems, and physical locations to be
covered.
Document why certain areas are in-
scope versus out-of-scope.
ISMS Project Plan
Create a high-level project plan outlining tasks,
milestones, and deadlines.
Secure sign-off on the project plan from
management.
Establish a Communication Plan
Determine reporting frequencies (weekly updates,
daily standups).
Specify how progress and issues will be
communicated.
Gather Existing Documentation
Collect existing policies, procedures, and
relevant controls documentation.
Identify what is already in place (e.g., HR
policies, IT controls, vendor management).
Day 1
Day 3
Day 2
Day 4
1
2
4
3
Phase 1:
Initiation &
Project Setup

3. Phase 2: Scoping & Gap Analysis
7 8
5 6
Identify Information Assets & Threats
Inventory critical information assets
(hardware, software, data).
Brainstorm possible threats and
vulnerabilities.
Day 7
Perform Gap Analysis
Compare existing security practices
against ISO 27001 Annex A controls.
Use a checklist or matrix to highlight
compliance levels and identify
shortfalls.
Document and prioritize gaps that
need remediation.
Day 5
Conduct Risk Analysis & Evaluation
Assess each risk based on likelihood
and impact.
Prioritize risks in a risk register or
matrix.
Determine Risk Assessment Methodology
Choose a methodology (e.g., qualitative,
quantitative, or hybrid).
Define risk criteria (impact, likelihood,
acceptance criteria).
Day 8
Day 6

4. Phase 3: Risk Assessment & Risk
Treatment
Establish Procedures and Guidelines
Define procedures for access control,
incident management, business
continuity, etc.
Ensure each procedure clearly
outlines responsibilities and steps.
Day 11
Develop Risk Treatment Plan
Decide which risks to mitigate, avoid,
transfer, or accept.
Map each risk to applicable controls from
ISO 27001 Annex A.
Obtain management approval for the risk
treatment approach.
Day 9
Statement of Applicability (SoA)
Document how each Annex A control is
addressed (applied, not applied,
justification).
Cross-reference the SoA with the Risk
Treatment Plan.
Day 12
Create/Update Key Policies
Draft or revise the Information Security
Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, etc.
Align policy statements with the identified
risks and business objectives.
Day 10
11 12
9 10

5. Phase 4:
Implementing
Controls &
Documentation
13
14
15
16
Start Control Implementations
Implement any new technical controls (firewall rules, antivirus,
encryption, etc.).
Begin operational processes (e.g., secure configurations, patch
management).
Training & Awareness
Conduct security awareness sessions for staff.
Train internal stakeholders on new policies and procedures.
Document Evidence & Track Progress
Gather records (logs, screenshots, sign-off forms) showing control
implementation.
Ensure document management processes are in place (versioning,
approvals).
Plan the Internal Audit
Define the audit scope, objectives, and criteria.
Assign auditors (ensure independence and competence).
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16

6. Phase 5: Internal Audit &
Management Review
Conduct the Internal Audit
Perform interviews and evidence
checks against the ISMS
requirements.
Record observations,
nonconformities, and areas of
improvement.
Address Audit Findings
Develop corrective action plans
for any nonconformities.
Track and verify the closure of
audit findings.
This phase involves the day- to-
day operations of the business,
including managing resources,
and personnel.
Management Review
Present ISMS performance, risk treatment status, and audit
results to top management.
Obtain management decisions on resource allocation, scope
changes, or improvements.
Final sign-off on readiness for external certification.
Day 17
Day 18
Day 20
Day 19
17
18
19
20

7. Phase 6: Certification &
Continuous Improvement
Final Readiness Check & Continuous Improvement Plan
Conduct a final internal review or “mock audit” if needed.
Outline the continuous improvement plan (monitoring,
periodic audits, updates to risk assessments, etc.).
Confirm readiness for the Stage 1 (Documentation Review)
and Stage 2 (On-site) certification audits.
Day 21
21
NOTE: While this 21-day plan outlines a fast-track
approach, real-world ISO 27001 implementations often
span several months. Use this roadmap as a high-level
guide and adapt it to your organization’s specific context,
ensuring enough time for thorough control
implementation, documentation, and staff adoption of
new security practices.

8. ISO 27001
ISO 27001 TOOLKIT
All-in-One ISMS
Documentation
Parallel Workstreams: Some days will involve multiple
teams working on different tasks simultaneously (e.g.,
technical teams implementing controls while the
compliance team updates documentation).
Document Everything: ISO 27001 places heavy emphasis
on documented evidence. Ensure all new policies and
procedures are formally approved, version-controlled, and
communicated.
Management Engagement: Strong executive support is
critical. Keep management updated and involved,
especially for resource decisions and risk acceptance.
Audit Thoroughness: A well-planned internal audit can
save time and reduce surprises during the external
certification audit.
Post-Certification: ISO 27001 certification is not a one-
and-done exercise. Maintain a cycle of continuous
improvement through regular internal audits, management
reviews, and updates to the risk treatment plan.
Tips for Success
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