Stop doing ISO 27001 the old way

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ISO 27001 certification has long been a cornerstone of trust, especially for companies handling sensitive data or serving enterprise and government customers. But the traditional approach—static documentation, manual evidence gathering, last-minute audit prep—no longer meets today’s fast-paced risk environment. There’s a better way forward, and it's time to embrace it.

The traditional ISO 27001 approach: heavy, manual, and reactive

Historically, ISO 27001 certification followed a cycle-driven, document-heavy process. Organizations built information security management systems (ISMS) anchored in policies, spreadsheets, and binders of evidence. The initial audit involved a two-stage certification process assessing both documentation and practical implementation, and was followed by annual surveillance audits and triennial recertification.

Manual preparation dominated. Teams chased down evidence across systems, manually linked risk assessments to controls, and pieced together internal audit and management review records. It often took 6–12 months to prepare for the first audit—longer for regulated industries.

Audit readiness was episodic. Because most work centered around the once-a-year audit cycle, companies scrambled to update controls, revisit their statement of applicability (SoA), and reconstruct documentation from the past year. This reactive approach meant increased risk of nonconformities and long audit closures.

Technology wasn’t part of the equation. Most ISMS components lived in disconnected tools and systems—file shares, GRC spreadsheets, ticketing software, siloed risk registers—making end-to-end alignment difficult and repeatability nearly impossible.

While these methods met the standard, they strained teams, delayed time to certification, and made it harder to keep security and compliance aligned with business growth.

Common challenges keeping ISO 27001 stuck in the past

The reality is, traditional methods are still common—especially for first-time certifications. But they create real gaps that can derail audits and slow your compliance maturity.

Lack of traceability. ISO 27001 requires clear linkage from risk assessment to treatment plan to SoA. Gaps in that chain are one of the most cited audit discrepancies. Without a structured system, this traceability is easy to lose—especially when relying on spreadsheets or disconnected documents.

Inadequate governance practices. Internal audits and management reviews are mandatory, not optional. But many organizations either skip them, treat them as check-the-box tasks, or fail to document outcomes properly. This creates deficiencies during Stage 2 or surveillance audits.

Outdated or inconsistent documentation. As systems evolve, documentation often lags behind. Policy versions, asset inventories, and control procedures lose alignment, which auditors quickly flag. Keeping these elements current and controlled across teams is next to impossible without automation.

Missteps with certification bodies. Not all ISO 27001 certificates hold equal weight. Certifications from unaccredited or non-recognized bodies may fail customer due diligence or regulatory benchmarks. Selecting the right certification partner—and verifying their accreditation—is critical.

These challenges aren't just audit hurdles. They undermine confidence, extend timelines, and increase the risk surface. And in a world of increasing cyber threats and compliance scrutiny, ISO 27001 can’t be an afterthought or an annual project anymore.

The future of ISO 27001: what to expect in 2026

ISO 27001 is evolving—and not just in the control set. The standard itself reflects a broader shift from static conformity to dynamic risk management. Expect that trend to accelerate heading into 2026.

Continuous assurance over periodic certification. Annual audits aren't going away, but regulators and customers increasingly expect proof that your ISMS operates effectively year-round. This means real-time control monitoring, flexible risk re-evaluation, and rapid response to incidents or change.

Integrated compliance stacks. Organizations juggling multiple standards—ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST—will need platforms that map shared controls, unify evidence management, and support multiple assurance outputs from a single control implementation. Siloed compliance systems won’t scale.

AI-powered risk and control insights. The days of manual risk registers and static control libraries are fading. By 2026, more ISMS platforms will use AI to detect control gaps, flag outdated evidence, and simulate audit readiness across evolving threat models.

Higher expectations for certified bodies and auditors. With the 2024 release of ISO/IEC 27006-1, certification body requirements have strengthened. Audit teams must demonstrate domain knowledge not only in security but also in their client's industry and regulatory context. In short, certification is becoming more rigorous—not less.

New compliance factors like climate impact. As seen in the 2024 ISO 27001 Amendment 1, emerging environmental expectations (e.g., climate action) will increasingly intersect with security and risk management. Organizations will need to adapt compliance programs to reflect ESG priorities as part of governance oversight.

The takeaway: future-ready ISO 27001 programs won’t rely on annual heroics. They’ll embed compliance into daily workflows—driven by data, scaled by automation, and supported by audit partners who understand your business.

How Thoropass modernizes ISO 27001 compliance

Compliance shouldn’t slow you down. That’s why Thoropass is transforming how companies achieve—and maintain—ISO 27001 certification.

End-to-end platform built for ISO 27001. Thoropass supports your full lifecycle—from gap analysis to certification—inside one unified system. Manage policies, risks, controls, and evidence with built-in templates aligned to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and Annex A controls. Automatically generate your Statement of Applicability and continuously track coverage.

Audit readiness via automation. With 100+ integrations, Thoropass connects to your cloud providers, identity systems, CI/CD pipelines, and endpoint tools to automatically collect and map evidence. That means less manual chasing and more time focused on building a scalable security program.

Always-on control monitoring. Thoropass provides ongoing oversight of your control performance—so you’re not discovering gaps two weeks before your audit. See control coverage, evidence status, and risk alignment in real time, all year long.

Work with experienced, independent auditors. Thoropass coordinates certification through accredited third-party certification bodies. Our auditors never grade their own work—so you maintain independence and trust. We make sure your chosen CB meets ISO/IEC 17021-1 and 27006‑1 standards and is recognized globally through IAF CertSearch.

Centralized auditor collaboration. Eliminate fractured email threads and scattered Excel reviews. With Thoropass, you manage requests, upload evidence, and communicate directly with your audit team in-platform. Certification becomes less about stress—and more about structured progress.

Multi-framework control mapping. Preparing for more than ISO 27001? Our platform maps shared controls across SOC 2, HIPAA, NIST, GDPR, and more. One control implementation, multiple frameworks—reducing duplication and confusion.

Planning beyond the certificate. With proactive timelines, task workflows, and readiness dashboards, Thoropass helps you build a sustainable ISMS that evolves as your business, risks, and infrastructure change. You don’t just “get certified.” You stay secure.

The new way forward

Now is the time to stop doing ISO 27001 the old way. Long prep cycles, disconnected tools, and reactive governance can’t keep up with today’s pace—or tomorrow’s expectations.

Thoropass brings structure, automation, and expert oversight to your ISO 27001 program. We unify your compliance workflows, reduce prep time by up to 50%, and ensure your certification journey is smooth from readiness assessment to certificate issuance.

ISO 27001 is no longer just about passing an audit. It’s about building trust. With Thoropass, you do both—faster, smarter, and with confidence.

Schedule a discovery session today and redefine how you approach ISO 27001.