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How Cognisys beats growth goals with Vanta
Accelerating security solutions for small businesses Tagore offers strategic services to small businesses. | A partnership that can scale Tagore prioritized finding a managed compliance partner with an established product, dedicated support team, and rapid release rate. | Standing out from competitors Tagore's partnership with Vanta enhances its strategic focus and deepens client value, creating differentiation in a competitive market. |
The company
Smarter cybersecurity for growing businesses
Established in 2019 and headquartered in Leeds, United Kingdom, Cognisys is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) dedicated to enhancing its clients’ cybersecurity. Specializing in cybersecurity and GRC operations, Cognisys offers comprehensive managed support, including penetration testing, security testing, and compliance as a service.
Cognisys develops and maintains security programs for clients at every stage of their security journey. With Cognisys, clients can concentrate on expanding their operations and driving new growth, confident that their security posture is in expert hands. Cognisys adopts a proactive approach to security, offering offensive capabilities such as infrastructure and wireless network penetration testing, social engineering, red teaming, vulnerability scanning, and more.
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The challenge
Confronting the technical skills talent shortage
Steve Spence, CEO, founded Cognisys to provide companies with offensive security measures, focusing on penetration testing and vulnerability management as core services. To scale Cognisys and expand its service offerings, he turned to Steve Byrom, COO, to drive growth by entering the GRC space, which he viewed as a natural complement to Cognisys’ existing practice. During his search to build Cognisys' GRC offering, Steve B discovered Vanta. "Cognisys’ practice comes from a security perspective and Vanta comes from a GRC perspective. The security and compliance space has been stuck in the dark ages and Vanta saw that," says Steve B.
As a service-based business, Cognisys prioritizes hands-on client work. When Steve B began exploring potential partner solutions, he understood the importance of finding a partner capable of tackling a significant industry-wide challenge—the growing talent shortage of technical security professionals. With a shrinking talent pool, Steve B needed a solution to address this issue head-on, scale his small but capable team, and broaden opportunities for less technical hires.
Faced with the challenge of expanding Cognisys’ core services while addressing escalating industry challenges, Steve B began his search for a long-term partner.
The solution
An exclusive partnership built for long-term results
To address the challenge of the talent shortage and expand Cognisys' offerings, Steve B recognized the need for an automated compliance solution. During his evaluation of potential platforms, Steve B prioritized partner support and scalability. “We joined Vanta because of our [Vanta] Channel Manager,” Steve B noted. He also sought a market leader capable of scaling with his business and unlocking new growth opportunities. Key motivating factors for Steve B included access to Vanta’s partner support ecosystem, co-marketing opportunities, GTM enablement, invitations to Vanta-sponsored events, and access to beta programs.
In addition to addressing the growing talent shortage, Steve B also needed a platform that could enhance his existing team's efficiency. "[Without Vanta] our team would look very different. We wouldn’t have the amount of work we have now because it’s expensive, and you need skilled people. So I would have fewer people that I would pay 4x the wage to, and to justify those wages, I would need a different caliber of work. I would need to focus on larger enterprise contracts," says Steve B. Partnering with Vanta enables Steve B to deploy Cognisys' resources more efficiently and focus on expanding his team with talented staff to solve complex client problems—all while leveraging Vanta's advanced solutions, powered by deep automation and integrations, to provide GRC expertise.
After vetting multiple options, Steve B chose Vanta, “The reality is, we would have been daft not to have grabbed on to Vanta. We realized its potential early on and went all in. We saw where it was going [and decided] Vanta was the only option,” says Steve B. Even in a competitive market, Steve B has continuously chosen to partner solely with Vanta, demonstrating the mutual value that the partnership has created. “We want to see our customers succeed. We’re in it for the long run.”
The impact
Outsized impact for Cognisys and customers alike
Since choosing Vanta as Cognisys’ sole automated compliance solution, the company has seen significant improvements across key business metrics. In particular, partnering with Vanta has enabled Cognisys to exceed their goals. “We’re ahead of our quarterly goal, which is a big surprise. And a part of that comes down to the Vanta relationship, which is really cool. It’s the catalyst for the growth we're seeing,” says Steve B. Steve B also attributes part of this growth acceleration to Vanta’s support in helping Cognisys break into new industries. “Vanta has helped us break into a whole new segment of clients. We’re now more focused on founder-led businesses.” Overall, Steve B cites Vanta as the reason why Cognisys’ GRC practice is outpacing goals by over 30%.
Beyond the impact on Cognisys, the partnership with Vanta has also led to significant customer benefits. “Our customers need to get secure quickly and effectively, and they need to make Vanta work for them. And we plug that gap for them,” says Steve B. He also sees the impact of the relationship extending beyond immediate outcomes. “We’re looking at building long-term relationships and being a customer’s one-stop-shop. If they don’t need our services now, they will at some point—whether it’s an internal audit, a pen test, or security scans. So it’s very much a big picture for us.”
By prioritizing customer success, Cognisys has achieved less than 1% churn among joint customers, underscoring the immense value of the partnership. Success stories from clients like Quix and Kara Connect further illustrate how the collaboration between Vanta and Cognisys helps clients reach their goals faster, with both customers having achieved ISO 27001 certification on or ahead of schedule. Moreover, Steve B believes that the relationship between Cognisys and Vanta is supporting client success at scale, with over 100 shared clients having passed audits to date.
Reflecting on the last 13 months as a Vanta partner, Cognisys is now focused on their ambitious future goals, "Last October we said we want to be the largest partner in Europe. And now we are. Now we want to be the biggest Vanta partner in the world. We don't partner with anybody else. We've gone all in on Vanta," says Steve S.
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Determine if you need to comply with GDPR
Not all organizations are legally required to comply with the GDPR, so it’s important to know how this law applies to your organization. Consider the following:
Do you sell goods or services in the EU or UK?
Do you sell goods or services to EU businesses, consumers, or both?
Do you have employees in the EU or UK?
Do persons from the EU or UK visit your website?
Do you monitor the behavior of persons within the EU?
If any of the above statements apply to your business, you’ll need to be GDPR compliant.
Document the personal data you process
Because GDPR hinges on the data you collect from consumers and what your business does with that data, you’ll need to get a complete picture of the personal data you’re collecting, processing, or otherwise interacting with. Follow these items to scope out your data practices:
Identify and document every system (i.e. database, application, or vendor) that stores or processes EU- or UK-based personally identifiable information (PII).
Document the retention periods for PII in each system.
Determine whether you collect, store, or process “special categories” of data, including:
Racial or ethnic origins
Religious or philosophical beliefs
Genetic data
Health, sex life, or sexual orientation data
Political opinions
Trade union membership
Biometric data that could uniquely identify someone
Determine whether your documentation meets the GDPR requirements for Records of Processing Activities, that include information on:
The name and contact details of the controller
The purpose behind the processing of data
A description of the categories of data that will be processed
Who will receive the data
Documentation of suitable safeguards for data transfers to a third country or an international organization
The retention period of the different categories of data
A general description of the technical and organizational security measures
Determine whether your documentation includes the following information about processing activities carried out by vendors on your behalf:
The name and contact details of the processor(s) and of each controller on behalf of which the processor is acting, and, where applicable, of the controller’s or the processor’s representative, and the data protection officer
The categories of processing carried out on behalf of each controller
Documentation of suitable safeguards for data transfers to a third country or an international organization
A general description of the technical and organizational security measures
Determine your legal grounds for processing data
GDPR establishes conditions that must be met before you can legally collect or process personal data. Make sure your organization is meeting the conditions listed below:
For each category of data and system/application, determine the lawful basis for processing based on one of the following conditions:
Consent of the data subject
Contract with the data subject
Necessary for compliance with a legal obligation
Necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or a third party
Necessary for the performance of a task in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller
Necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the rights of the data subject
Review and update current customer and vendor contracts
For your organization to be fully GDPR compliant, the vendors you use must also maintain the privacy rights of your users’ and those rights should be reflected in your contracts with customers:
Review all customer and in-scope vendor contracts to determine that they have appropriate contract language (i.e. Data Protection Addendums with Standard Contractual Clauses).
Determine if you need a Data Protection Impact Assessment
A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is an assessment to determine what risks may arise from your data processing and steps to take to minimize them. Not all organizations need a DPIA, the following items will help you determine if you do:
Identify if your data processing is likely to create high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons. Considering if your processing involves any of the following:
Automated processing, including profiling, and on which decisions are based that produce legal effects
Special categories of data or data related to criminal convictions and offenses
Monitor any publicly accessible area on a large scale
If any of the above are true, you may need to conduct a data protection impact assessment for existing and new data projects.
Clearly communicate privacy and marketing consent practices
A fundamental element of GDPR compliance is informing consumers of their data privacy rights and requesting consent to collect or process their data. Ensure your website features the following:
A public-facing privacy policy which covers the use of all your products, services, and websites.
Notice to the data subject that include the essential details listed in GDPR Article 13.
Have a clear process for persons to change or withdraw consent.
Update internal privacy policies
Ensure that you have privacy policies that are up to the standards of GDPR:
Update internal privacy notices for EU employees.
Have an employee privacy policy that governs the collection and use of EU and UK employee data.
Determine if you need a data protection officer (DPO) based on one of the following conditions:
The data processing is carried out by a public authority
The core activities of the controller or processor require regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale
Review compliance measures for external data transfers
Under GDPR, you’re responsible for protecting the data that you collect and if that data is transferred. Make your transfer process compliant by following these steps:
If you transfer, store, or process data outside the EU or UK, identify your legal basis for the data transfer. This is most likely covered by the standard contractual clauses.
Perform and document a transfer impact assessment (TIA).
Confirm you comply with additional data subject rights
Ensure you’re complying with the following data subject rights by considering the following questions:
Do you have a process for timely responding to requests for information, modifications, or deletion of PII?
Can you provide the subject information in a concise, transparent, intelligible, and easily accessible form, using clear and plain language?
Do you have a process for correcting or deleting data when requested?
Do you have an internal policy regarding a Compelled Disclosure from Law Enforcement?
Determine if you need an EU-based representative
Depending on how and where your organization is based, you may need a representative for your organization within the European Union. Take these steps to determine if this is necessary:
Determine whether an EU representative is needed. You may not need an EU-rep if the following conditions apply to your organization:
Data processing is occasional
Data processing is not done on a large scale
Data processing doesn’t include special categories or data related to criminal convictions and offenses
Doesn’t risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects
A public authority or body
If the above conditions do not apply to you, appoint an EU-based representative.
Identify a lead data protection authority (DPA) if needed
GDPR compliance is supervised by the government of whatever EU member-state you’re operating in. If you’re operating in multiple member-states, you may need to determine who your lead data protection authority is:
Determine if you operate in more than one EU state.
If so, designate the supervisory authority of the main establishment to act as your DPA.
Implement employee training
Every employee in your organization provides a window for hackers to gain access to your systems and data. This is why it's important to train your employees on how to prevent security breaches and maintain data privacy:
Provide appropriate security awareness and privacy training to your staff.
Integrate data breach response requirements
GDPR requires you to create a plan for notifying users and minimizing the impact of a data breach. Examine your data breach response plan, by doing the following:
Create and implement an incident response plan which includes procedures for reporting a breach to EU and UK data subjects as well as appropriate data authorities.
Establish breach reporting policies that comply with all prescribed timelines and include all recipients (i.e. authorities, controllers, and data subjects).
Implement appropriate security measures
GDPR requires you to take measures to minimize the risk of a data breach. This includes security practices such as pseudonymization/encryption, maintaining confidentiality, restoration of access following physical/technical incidents, and regular testing of measures. Consider the following:
Have you implemented encryption of PII at rest and in transit?
Have you implemented pseudonymization?
Have you implemented appropriate physical security controls?
Have you implemented information security policies and procedures?
Can you access EU or UK PII data in the clear?
Do your technical and organizational measures ensure that, by default, only personal data that are necessary for each specific purpose of the processing are processed?
Streamline GDPR compliance with automation
GDPR compliance is an ongoing project that requires consistent upkeep with your system, vendors, and other factors that could break your compliance. Automation can help you stay on top of your ongoing GDPR compliance. The following items can help you streamline and organize your continuous compliance:
Explore tools for automating security and compliance.
Transform manual data collection and observation processes via continuous monitoring.
Download this checklist for easy reference
GDPR compliance FAQs
In this section, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about GDPR compliance:
What are the seven GDPR requirements?
The requirements for GDPR compliance are based on a set of seven key principles:
- Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
- Purpose limitation
- Data minimization
- Accuracy
- Storage limitations
- Integrity and confidentiality
- Accountability
These are the seven requirements you must uphold to be GDPR compliant.
Is GDPR compliance required in the US?
GDPR compliance is mandatory for some US companies. GDPR compliance is not based on where your organization is located but whose data you collect, store, or process. Regardless of where your organization is based, you must comply with GDPR if you are collecting or processing data from EU residents.
What are the four key components of GDPR?
The four components of GDPR include:
- Data protection principles
- Rights of data subjects
- Legal bases for data processing
- Responsibilities and obligations of data controllers and processors
Safeguard your business with GDPR compliance
If your organization collects data from EU residents, GDPR compliance is mandatory for you. It’s important to follow the steps listed above to protect your business from heavy fines and to respect the data privacy rights of consumers.
Vanta provides compliance automation tools and continuous monitoring capabilities that can help you get and stay GDPR compliant. Learn more about getting GDPR compliance with Vanta.
Pre-work for your SOC 2 compliance
Choose the right type of SOC 2 report:
A SOC 2 Type 1 report assesses how your organization aligns with the security controls and policies outlined in SOC 2
A SOC 2 Type 2 report has all the components of a Type 1 report with the addition of testing your controls over a period of time
The correct report will depend on the requirements or requests of the client or partner that has requested a SOC 2 report
from you
Determine the framework for your SOC 2 report. Of the five Trust Service Criteria in SOC 2, every organization needs to comply with the first criteria (security), but you only need to assess and document the other criteria that apply. Determining your framework involves deciding which Trust Service Criteria and controls are applicable to your business using our Trust Service Criteria Guide.
Estimate the resources you expect to need. This will vary depending on how closely you already align with SOC 2 security controls, but it can include several costs such as:
Compliance software
Engineers and potentially consultants
Security tools, such as access control systems
Administrative resources to draft security policies
Auditing for your compliance certification
Obtain buy in from your organization leadership to provide the resources your SOC 2 compliance will need.
Work toward SOC 2 compliance
Begin with an initial assessment of your system using compliance automation software to determine which necessary controls and practices you have already implemented and which you still need to put in place.
Review your Vanta report to determine any controls and protocols within the “Security” Trust Service Criteria that you do not yet meet and implement these one by one. These are multi-tiered controls across several categories of security, including:
CC1: Control Environment
CC2: Communication and Information
CC3: Risk Assessment
CC4: Monitoring Activities
CC5: Control Activities
CC6: Logical and Physical Access Controls
CC7: System Operations
CC8: Change Management
CC9: Risk Mitigation
Using Vanta’s initial assessment report as a to-do list, address each of the applicable controls in the other Trust Services Criteria that you identified in your initial framework, but that you have not yet implemented.
Using Vanta’s initial assessment report, draft security policies and protocols that adhere to the standards outlined in SOC 2.
Vanta’s tool includes thorough and user-friendly templates to make this simpler and save time for your team.
Run Vanta’s automated compliance software again to determine if you have met all the necessary criteria and controls for your SOC 2 report and to document your compliance with these controls.
Complete a SOC 2 report audit
Select and hire an auditor affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the organization that developed and supports SOC 2.
Complete a readiness assessment with this auditor to determine if you have met the minimum standards to undergo a full audit.
If your readiness assessment indicates that there are SOC 2 controls you need to address before your audit, complete these requirements. However, if you have automated compliance software to guide your preparations and your SOC 2 compliance, this is unlikely.
Undergo a full audit with your SOC 2 report auditor. This may involve weeks or longer of working with your auditor to provide the documentation they need. Vanta simplifies your audit, however, by compiling your compliance evidence and documentation into one platform your auditor can access directly.
When you pass your audit, the auditor will present you with your SOC 2 report to document and verify your compliance.
Maintain your SOC 2 compliance annually
Establish a system or protocol to regularly monitor your SOC 2 compliance and identify any breaches of your compliance, as this can happen with system updates and changes.
Promptly address any gaps in your compliance that arise, rather than waiting until your next audit.
Undergo a SOC 2 re-certification audit each year with your chosen SOC 2 auditor to renew your certification.
Download this checklist for easy reference
Prioritizing Your Security and Opening Doors with SOC 2 Compliance
Information security is a vital priority for any business today from an ethical standpoint and from a business standpoint. Not only could a data breach jeopardize your revenue but many of your future clients and partners may require a SOC 2 report before they consider your organization. Achieving and maintaining your SOC 2 compliance can open countless doors, and you can simplify the process with the help of the checklist above and Vanta s compliance automation software. Request a demo today to learn more about how we can help you protect and grow your organization.
Pre-work for your ISO 42001 compliance
Understand ISO 42001 requirements
Decide on what is the scope of the AIMS
Familiarize yourself with key AI concepts, principles, and lifecycle based on ISO frameworks
Determine if you are a provider, developer, or user of AI systems
Perform initial gap analysis
Using Vanta, asses your in-scope ISO 42001 controls
Identify areas of requirement, development, or adjustment
Secure top management support
Present a business case highlighting the benefits of ISO 42001 certification
Define roles and responsibilities for top management in AIMS implementation
Involve various department heads in the analysis to ensure comprehensive coverage
Work for your ISO 42001 compliance
Appoint a Project Manager
Designate an owner for the ISO 42001 implementation project
Develop a project plan
Outline steps, timelines, and resources needed for AIMS implementation
Integrate the AIMS implementation project within existing organizational processes
Establish the AIMS framework
Define the scope and objectives of the AIMS within the organization
Develop and document AI policies and risk management processes
Based on gap analysis, implement necessary controls for AIMS
Ensure integration of AIMS with other management systems and requirements
Create an AIMS statement of applicability (SOA)
Promote competence and awareness
Conduct training for stakeholders on AI concepts and ISO 42001 requirements
Raise awareness about the importance and benefits of AIMS
Implement AIMS controls
Create an AI policy
Define the process for reporting concerns about AI systems
Identify, document, and manage resources for AI systems
Ensure tooling and computing resources for AI systems are adequately documented
Conduct an AI system impact assessment exercise
Ensure that objectives are documented for the design and development of AI systems
Create a process for responsible design and development of AI systems
Ensure that AI system deployment, operation, and monitoring are documented and executed according to your AIMS
Define and implement data management processes for AI systems
Assess and document the quality of data for AI systems
Ensure that system documentation and information for users is provided and accessible
Document and follow the processes for the responsible use of AI systems
Clearly allocate and document responsibilities with third parties
Conduct internal audits
Regularly assess compliance with ISO 42001 and the effectiveness of AIMS
Management review
Review AIMS performance and compliance with top management
Address any non conformities and areas for improvement
Prepare for your external audit
Work with A-LIGN as your ISO 42001 certification body
Engage A-LIGN, a leading ISO certification body, to conduct your audit
Prepare documentation
Ensure all AIMS documentation is up to date and accessible
Pre-audit meeting
Prepare a list of questions and clarifications regarding the audit process
Initial sales process
Discuss the scope of the audit in detail to ensure full preparedness
Conduct a pre-certification audit (optional)
Consider a pre-certification audit to identify any remaining gaps
The ISO 42001 audit
Engage in the certification audit
Collaborate with A-LIGN auditors, providing necessary information and access
Designate a team member as the point of contact for auditors to streamline communication
Organize walkthroughs to discuss your AIMS processes and procedures, including facilities (if applicable)
Address audit findings
Plan for immediate, short-term, and long-term corrective actions based on the audit report
Celebrate the audit success with your team and publicly promote your certification
Continuous improvement
Establish a continuous improvement team to oversee progress post-certification
Continuously improve the AIMS, leveraging lessons learned and feedback
Integrate ISO 42001 compliance metrics into regular management reviews
Keys to success
Leverage Vanta s readiness capabilities and A-LIGN s expertise for an efficient and high-quality audit experience from
readiness to report
Incorporate AIMS within the business strategy and daily operations
Apply continuous improvement to enhance AIMS over time
Avoid integrating new technologies during the initial AIMS implementation
Engage interested parties and maintain their support throughout
Highlight the completion of the audit to demonstrate trust with customers, partners, and other key stakeholders
Download this checklist for easy reference
Demonstrating secure AI practices with ISO 42001
The rapid adoption of AI has driven innovation and opportunities for growth — and with it, new risks for the companies that manage the data that power these technologies. These companies have not had a way to demonstrate trust to their customers and show that they are deploying AI securely and safely. Achieving ISO 42001 compliance helps to demonstrate this trust through a third-party verifiable way and opens the doors to time-savings, more deals, and expedited sales processes. The above checklist simplifies the process of becoming ISO 42001 compliant by leveraging the power of Vanta's continuous compliance software. Request a demo today to learn more about how Vanta can help you streamline the path to ISO 42001.
Develop a roadmap for your ISMS implementation and ISO 27001 certification
Implement Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) process to recognize challenges and identify gaps for remediation
Consider the costs of ISO 27001 certification relative to your organization’s size and number of employees.
Use project planning tools like project management software, Gantt charts, or Kanban boards.
Define the scope of work from planning to completion.
Determine the scope of your organization’s ISMS
Decide which business areas are covered by your ISMS and which ones are out of scope
Consider additional security controls for processes that are required to pass ISMS-protected information across the trust boundary.
Communicate the scope of your ISMS to stakeholders.
Establish an ISMS team and assign roles
Select engineers and technical staff with experience in information security to construct and implement the security controls needed for ISO 27001.
Build a governance team with management oversight.
Incorporate key members of top management (senior leadership and executive management) and assign responsibility for strategy and resource allocation.
If you have a large team, consider assigning a dedicated project manager to track progress and expedite implementation.
Align the team on the following:
The planning steps you’ve already taken
The scope of the ISMS
Which team members are responsible for which aspects of the project
Conduct an inventory of information assets
Consider all assets where information is stored, processed, and accessible
- Record information assets: data and people
- Record physical assets: laptops, servers, and physical building locations
- Record intangible assets: intellectual property, brand, and reputation
Assign to each asset a classification and owner responsible for ensuring the asset is appropriately inventoried, classified, protected, and handled
Meet with your team to discuss this inventory and ensure that everyone is aligned.
Perform a risk assessment
Establish and document a risk-management framework to ensure consistency
Identify scenarios in which information, systems, or services could be compromised
Determine likelihood or frequency with which these scenarios could occur
Evaluate potential impact of each scenario on confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information, systems, and services
Rank risk scenarios based on overall risk to the organization’s objectives
Develop a risk register
Record and manage your organization’s risks that you identified during your risk assessment.
Summarize each identified risk
Indicate the impact and likelihood of each risk.
Rank risk scenarios based on overall risk to the organization’s objectives.
Document a risk treatment plan
Design a response for each risk, known as a risk treatment.
Assign an owner to each identified risk and each risk mitigation activity.
Establish target timelines for completion of risk treatment activities.
Implement your risk mitigation treatment plan and track the progress of each task.
Complete the Statement of Applicability
Review the 93 controls listed in Annex A.
Select the controls that are relevant to the risks you identified in your risk assessment.
Complete the Statement of Applicability listing all Annex A controls, justifying inclusion or exclusion of each control in your ISMS implementation.
Implement ISMS policies, controls and continuously assess risk
Assign owners to each of the security controls to be implemented.
Figure out a way to track the progress and goals for each control.
Build a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the ISMS.
Include information or references to supporting documentation regarding:
- Information Security Objectives
- Leadership and Commitment
- Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities
- Approach to Assessing and Treating Risk
- Control of Documented Information
- Communication
- Internal Audit
- Management Review
- Corrective Action and Continual Improvement
- Policy Violations
- All of the Annex A controls that you have selected
Establish employee training and awareness programs
Define expectations for personnel regarding their role in ISMS maintenance.
Train personnel on common threats facing your organization and how to respond.
Establish disciplinary or sanctions policies or processes for personnel found out of compliance with information security requirements.
Make security training part of the onboarding process for new employees.
Conduct regular training to ensure awareness of new policies and procedures.
Conduct regular management reviews
Plan reviews at least once per year. Consider a quarterly review cycle if your organization is large or if your infrastructure is changing frequently.
Ensure the ISMS and its objectives continue to be effective.
Verify that senior management stays informed.
Ensure risks or deficiencies can be promptly addressed.
Assemble ISO 27001 required documents
Review the ISO 27001 Required Documents and Records list.
Customize policy templates with organization-specific policies, process, and language.
Perform an ISO 27001 internal audit.
Examine each of the requirements from Annex A that you deemed applicable in your ISMS' Statement of Applicability and verify that you have each in place.
Assign in-house employees to conduct the internal audit, specifically employees who were not involved in the ISMS development and maintenance or hire an independent third party.
Share internal audit results, including nonconformities, with the ISMS team and senior management.
Address any issues your internal audit identified before proceeding with the external audit.
Verify compliance with the requirements from Annex A deemed applicable in your ISMS' Statement of Applicability.
Undergo external audit of ISMS to obtain ISO 27001 certification.
Select an independent ISO 27001 auditor.
Complete the Stage 1 Audit consisting of an extensive documentation review; obtain the auditor’s feedback regarding your readiness to move to the Stage 2 Audit.
Complete the Stage 2 Audit consisting of tests performed on the ISMS to ensure proper design, implementation, and ongoing functionality; evaluate fairness, suitability, and effective implementation and operation of controls.
Address any nonconformities.
Ensure that all requirements of the ISO 27001 standard are addressed.
Ensure your organization is following the processes that it has specified and documented.
Ensure your organization is upholding contractual requirements with third parties.
Address specific nonconformities identified by the ISO 27001 auditor.
Receive auditor’s formal validation following resolution of nonconformities.
Plan for subsequent ISO 27001 audits and surveillance audits.
Perform a full ISO 27001 audit once every three years
Prepare to perform surveillance audits in the second and third years of the Certification Cycle
Consider streamlining ISO 27001 certification with automation.
Transform manual data collection and observation processes into automated and continuous system monitoring
Identify and close any gaps in ISMS implementation in a timely manner
Learn more about achieving ISO 27001 certification with Vanta
Book an ISO 27001 demo with Vanta
Download this checklist for easy reference
Prioritizing your security and opening doors with ISO 27001 compliance
Information security is a vital priority for any business today from an ethical standpoint and from a business standpoint. Not only could a data breach jeopardize your revenue, but many of your future clients and partners may require an ISO 27001 report before they consider your organization. Achieving and maintaining your ISO 27001 compliance can open countless doors, and you can simplify the process with the help of the checklist above and Vanta’s compliance automation software.
Request a demo today to learn more about how we can help you protect and grow your organization.
Develop a roadmap for your ISMS implementation and ISO 27001 certification
Implement Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) process to recognize challenges and identify gaps for remediation
Consider the costs of ISO 27001 certification relative to your organization’s size and number of employees.
Use project planning tools like project management software, Gantt charts, or Kanban boards.
Define the scope of work from planning to completion.
Determine the scope of your organization’s ISMS
Decide which business areas are covered by your ISMS and which ones are out of scope
Consider additional security controls for processes that are required to pass ISMS-protected information across the trust boundary.
Communicate the scope of your ISMS to stakeholders.
Establish an ISMS team and assign roles
Select engineers and technical staff with experience in information security to construct and implement the security controls needed for ISO 27001.
Build a governance team with management oversight.
Incorporate key members of top management (senior leadership and executive management) and assign responsibility for strategy and resource allocation.
If you have a large team, consider assigning a dedicated project manager to track progress and expedite implementation.
Align the team on the following:
The planning steps you’ve already taken
The scope of the ISMS
Which team members are responsible for which aspects of the project
Conduct an inventory of information assets
Consider all assets where information is stored, processed, and accessible
- Record information assets: data and people
- Record physical assets: laptops, servers, and physical building locations
- Record intangible assets: intellectual property, brand, and reputation
Assign to each asset a classification and owner responsible for ensuring the asset is appropriately inventoried, classified, protected, and handled
Meet with your team to discuss this inventory and ensure that everyone is aligned.
Perform a risk assessment
Establish and document a risk-management framework to ensure consistency
Identify scenarios in which information, systems, or services could be compromised
Determine likelihood or frequency with which these scenarios could occur
Evaluate potential impact of each scenario on confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information, systems, and services
Rank risk scenarios based on overall risk to the organization’s objectives
Develop a risk register
Record and manage your organization’s risks that you identified during your risk assessment.
Summarize each identified risk
Indicate the impact and likelihood of each risk.
Rank risk scenarios based on overall risk to the organization’s objectives.
Document a risk treatment plan
Design a response for each risk, known as a risk treatment.
Assign an owner to each identified risk and each risk mitigation activity.
Establish target timelines for completion of risk treatment activities.
Implement your risk mitigation treatment plan and track the progress of each task.
Complete the Statement of Applicability
Review the 93 controls listed in Annex A.
Select the controls that are relevant to the risks you identified in your risk assessment.
Complete the Statement of Applicability listing all Annex A controls, justifying inclusion or exclusion of each control in your ISMS implementation.
Implement ISMS policies, controls and continuously assess risk
Assign owners to each of the security controls to be implemented.
Figure out a way to track the progress and goals for each control.
Build a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the ISMS.
Include information or references to supporting documentation regarding:
- Information Security Objectives
- Leadership and Commitment
- Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities
- Approach to Assessing and Treating Risk
- Control of Documented Information
- Communication
- Internal Audit
- Management Review
- Corrective Action and Continual Improvement
- Policy Violations
- All of the Annex A controls that you have selected
Establish employee training and awareness programs
Define expectations for personnel regarding their role in ISMS maintenance.
Train personnel on common threats facing your organization and how to respond.
Establish disciplinary or sanctions policies or processes for personnel found out of compliance with information security requirements.
Make security training part of the onboarding process for new employees.
Conduct regular training to ensure awareness of new policies and procedures.
Conduct regular management reviews
Plan reviews at least once per year. Consider a quarterly review cycle if your organization is large or if your infrastructure is changing frequently.
Ensure the ISMS and its objectives continue to be effective.
Verify that senior management stays informed.
Ensure risks or deficiencies can be promptly addressed.
Assemble ISO 27001 required documents
Review the ISO 27001 Required Documents and Records list.
Customize policy templates with organization-specific policies, process, and language.
Perform an ISO 27001 internal audit.
Examine each of the requirements from Annex A that you deemed applicable in your ISMS' Statement of Applicability and verify that you have each in place.
Assign in-house employees to conduct the internal audit, specifically employees who were not involved in the ISMS development and maintenance or hire an independent third party.
Share internal audit results, including nonconformities, with the ISMS team and senior management.
Address any issues your internal audit identified before proceeding with the external audit.
Verify compliance with the requirements from Annex A deemed applicable in your ISMS' Statement of Applicability.
Undergo external audit of ISMS to obtain ISO 27001 certification.
Select an independent ISO 27001 auditor.
Complete the Stage 1 Audit consisting of an extensive documentation review; obtain the auditor’s feedback regarding your readiness to move to the Stage 2 Audit.
Complete the Stage 2 Audit consisting of tests performed on the ISMS to ensure proper design, implementation, and ongoing functionality; evaluate fairness, suitability, and effective implementation and operation of controls.
Address any nonconformities.
Ensure that all requirements of the ISO 27001 standard are addressed.
Ensure your organization is following the processes that it has specified and documented.
Ensure your organization is upholding contractual requirements with third parties.
Address specific nonconformities identified by the ISO 27001 auditor.
Receive auditor’s formal validation following resolution of nonconformities.
Plan for subsequent ISO 27001 audits and surveillance audits.
Perform a full ISO 27001 audit once every three years
Prepare to perform surveillance audits in the second and third years of the Certification Cycle
Consider streamlining ISO 27001 certification with automation.
Transform manual data collection and observation processes into automated and continuous system monitoring
Identify and close any gaps in ISMS implementation in a timely manner
Learn more about achieving ISO 27001 certification with Vanta
Book an ISO 27001 demo with Vanta
Download this checklist for easy reference
Download NowPre-work for your HITRUST certification
Align your goals: Ensure that pursuing a HITRUST certification aligns with your business goals and programs
Find internal stakeholders: Identify key stakeholders within your organization, such as champions who can drive internal buy-in, and a project owner to drive the certification process
Educate leadership: Educate your team, executives, and the board on the HITRUST process, implied changes, and the added value to your organization of attaining certification
Work for your HITRUST certification
Understand the HITRUST CSF: Familiarize yourself with the control requirements of the HITRUST CSF
Identify compliance needs: Determine your organization's specific compliance requirements
Select appropriate HITRUST assessment type: Choose between e1, i1, or r2 assessment, according to needs of your business and your risk profile
Use Vanta to streamline the assessment: Use Vanta to identify and remediate gaps in your compliance program
Find an external assessor: Work with Vanta to select a HITRUST Validated Assessor—A-LIGN, Prescient Assurance, or Insight Assurance—to guide you through and to conduct your Readiness assessment
Purchase MyCSF subscription: Work with Vanta to initiate the procurement process for your Validated Assessor, MyCSF subscription, and report credit (if required)
Attend the HITRUST course: Gain insights and guidance through HITRUST’s New Customer Orientation
Define assessment scope: Identify the areas and systems to be included in the assessment and communicate the intended timeline of certification to your chosen Validated Assessor
Perform initial assessment: Work with your external assessor to identify gaps using Vanta
Initiate inheritance plans: Create plans for internal or external inheritance of controls
Make inheritance requests: Submit inheritance requests via the MyCSF platform
Secure QA date: Schedule a date for post-submission HITRUST QA review
Remediation
Resolve gaps: Use Vanta to identify and remediate any evidence gaps identified during the readiness assessment
The Validated Assessment
Provide evidence: Collect and submit necessary evidence to your external assessor
Finalize inheritance: Confirm all inheritance plans
Support External Assessor: Be available for any additional validation requests
Address issues: Resolve any issues noted during the pre-submission QA
Submission and Review
Submit assessment: Submit the relevant evidence to your chosen Validated Assessor to input into MyCSF for HITRUST to review
Support QA process: Be available to assist your external assessor with any QA queries
Certification
Review certification report: Check and approve the draft certification report
Ensuring compliance over time and beyond
Ongoing Monitoring
Remediate gaps: Use Vanta to continue to monitor your state of compliance and continue to close gaps
Plan for the next assessment
Future planning: Prepare for your next HITRUST assessment to maintain compliance, manage risks, and enhance security —
leveraging inheritance where appropriate
Advancing your assessment: Consider expanding your security posture by exploring the different levels within the HITRUSTecosystem — from e1 to i1 and i1 to r2
Leverage the business benefits of HITRUST certification, including
Commercial compliance: Satisfy customer, contractual requirements or preferences for HITRUST certification
Market access: Gain access to new or additional markets that require or prefer HITRUST certification
Market differentiator: Demonstrate the highest level of security posture as a vendor or partner
Risk mitigation: Adopt proven, repeatable, and measurable methods ensure significant risk reduction in certified environments
(only 0.64% of experienced breaches over two years)
Value creation: Improve potential valuation with investors and shareholders
Liability reduction: Protect yourself and your organization by using a prescriptive, complete, and proven framework to plan,
build, execute, and validate your cybersecurity program instead of building your own
Regulatory compliance: Reuse and restate HITRUST validated controls using HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDRP, and others to reduce compliance efforts
Download this checklist for easy reference
Download NowDetermine which annual audits and assessments are required for your company
Perform a readiness assessment and evaluate your security against HIPAA requirements
Review the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights Audit Protocol
Conduct required HIPAA compliance audits and assessments
Perform and document ongoing technical and non-technical evaluations, internally or in partnership with a third-party security and compliance team like Vanta
Document your plans and put them into action
Document every step of building, implementing, and assessing your compliance program
Vanta’s automated compliance reporting can streamline planning and documentation
Appoint a security and compliance point person in your company
Designate an employee as your HIPAA Compliance Officer
Schedule annual HIPAA training for all employees
Distribute HIPAA policies and procedures and ensure staff read and attest to their review
Document employee trainings and other compliance activities
Thoroughly document employee training processes, activities, and attestations
Establish and communicate clear breach report processes
to all employees
Ensure that staff understand what constitutes a HIPAA breach, and how to report a breach
Implement systems to track security incidents, and to document and report all breaches
Institute an annual review process
Annually assess compliance activities against theHIPAA Rules and updates to HIPAA
Continuously assess and manage risk
Build a year-round risk management program and integrate continuous monitoring
Understand the ins and outs of HIPAA compliance— and the costs of noncompliance
Download this checklist for easy reference
Download NowVanta
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