Case Study: Supporting an IT Solutions Provider in Achieving ISO 27001 Certification to Unlock Public Sector Opportunities

ISO 27001 certification for IT companies is becoming essential, especially when targeting public sector contracts. One IT provider already had strong security practices, but lacked a formal ISMS. We helped them achieve certification, and more.

Client Profile
A UK-based IT services provider specialising in secure data solutions for private and public sector clients. The company had already implemented rigorous technical security controls and prided itself on a culture of data protection and client confidentiality.

Challenge
While the client maintained an extremely high level of information security through internal policies and practices, they lacked a formalised Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with ISO/IEC 27001 standards. As the organisation sought to expand into public sector work—particularly via government tenders—ISO 27001 certification became a non-negotiable requirement for participation.

Our Engagement
As ISO 27001 specialists, we were engaged to assist the client in:

• Conducting a gap analysis between their existing practices and ISO 27001 requirements

• Designing and implementing a fit-for-purpose ISMS tailored to their business model

• Preparing for external certification audits

• Embedding ISO principles across departments to ensure long-term value beyond compliance

Solution Delivered

1. Gap Analysis with Contextual Alignment
   Despite their robust security posture, our structured gap analysis revealed missing elements critical to ISO 27001, such as formal risk assessment methodologies, documented controls tied to Annex A, and a defined Statement of Applicability. These are essential for auditable assurance and stakeholder confidence, particularly in public procurement.

2. ISMS Development Tailored to Real-World Practice
   We developed a lightweight but comprehensive ISMS that did not duplicate existing controls but integrated them into a management system framework. By aligning their current strengths with the ISO 27001 structure (Clause 4–10 and Annex A), the company could maintain its agility while improving traceability and accountability.

3. Team-Wide Buy-In and Security Culture
   A key factor in the project’s success was fostering organisational awareness. Through targeted workshops and awareness sessions, all team members, from developers to directors, gained a better understanding of how their daily work impacted information security risks and compliance.

   This collective mindset shift meant that ISO 27001 wasn’t viewed as an external burden but as a means to reinforce the company’s existing values. Security became not just an IT issue, but a shared responsibility across departments.

4. Certification and Competitive Advantage
   With our support, the client successfully achieved ISO 27001:2022 certification on the first audit cycle. The ISMS not only passed formal scrutiny but was praised by auditors for being well-integrated and operationally embedded.

Results and Business Impact

• New Tender Wins: Certification directly enabled the client to access new government frameworks and contracts, leading to successful bids shortly after certification.

• Improved Risk Awareness: Systematic risk assessment practices led to more consistent decision-making around change management, supplier onboarding, and client data handling.

• Ongoing Value: The ISMS has continued to evolve, with regular internal audits and management reviews now forming part of the client’s business rhythm.

Conclusion
For this client, ISO 27001 certification was not just a checkbox exercise, it was a strategic enabler. By leveraging their existing security culture and augmenting it with a formal management system, they gained not only compliance but also credibility and operational maturity. Today, they stand better positioned to grow in both the private and public sectors, with information security management as a visible strength. 2 of their staff have attended our ISO 27001 Internal Auditor Courses to give them a better understanding of the system and be able to Internally Audit.