ISO compliance without the paperwork maze.
ISO certification isn't a one-time event, and it isn't just for large companies. We help small and mid-size businesses understand which standard actually applies to them and get there.
ISO compliance, answered directly
By Joe Engelking, CEO. Updated October 2026.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is the international standard for an information security management system. It requires a documented risk assessment, a set of security controls, ongoing monitoring, and regular internal review. An accredited outside auditor certifies that your program meets the standard, and the certification must be maintained.
How long does ISO 27001 certification take?
It depends on how mature your security already is, the size of your organization, and how much documentation exists. For a small or mid-size business it often takes several months from start to certification audit. A readiness review at the start gives a realistic timeline for your situation.
What is the difference between ISO 27001 and SOC 2?
ISO 27001 certifies your overall security management system and is recognized internationally. SOC 2 is a CPA attestation report on controls, common with US customers. Both prove you take security seriously, and many companies are asked for one or the other depending on who their customers are.
What does an ISO readiness project include?
Defining the scope, assessing risk, writing policies, putting controls in place, running an internal review, and holding a management review. Then an accredited body performs the certification audit. We do the preparation work so the audit goes smoothly, but the audit itself is performed by an independent certifier.
| Standard | What it covers | Who typically needs it |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Quality management | Manufacturers and service firms that customers hold to quality standards |
| ISO 27001 | Information security management | Businesses handling sensitive data or answering customer security reviews |
| ISO 45001 | Occupational health and safety | Employers with safety-critical operations |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management | Organizations with environmental compliance or customer requirements |
| ISO 50001 | Energy management | Energy-intensive operations |
Do you help with ISO 9001?
Yes. ISO 9001 certifies a quality management system, so it focuses on documented processes, accountability, and continual improvement rather than IT security specifically. ISO 27001 is the information security standard. For ISO 9001 we help with gap analysis, process and policy documentation, evidence collection, and preparing for the audit, which an accredited certification body performs.
Guidance built for small and mid-size businesses.
Right-sized guidance
ISO standards are designed to apply to organizations of any size — we help you implement them without enterprise-scale overhead.
Certification body coordination
Certification is performed by an independent, accredited body — we help you choose a reputable one and prepare for their audits.
Ongoing compliance, not a one-time audit
We help you maintain the processes and evidence auditors expect at surveillance and re-certification audits, not just the initial pass.
Common ISO standards we help you navigate.
- ISO 9001 — Quality management
- ISO 27001 — Information security management
- ISO 45001 — Occupational health & safety
- ISO 14001 — Environmental management
- ISO 50001 — Energy management
Certification is ongoing, not a quick fix.
The most common misconception is that ISO certification is a one-time event. It isn't — it requires ongoing commitment and continual improvement, verified through surveillance audits. We help you build processes that hold up under repeat scrutiny, not just the first one.
Real businesses, real relationships.
“They deliver on a wide breadth of IT services and ensure everything works correctly. With the personal touch of a small team, LME communicates efficiently and is instantly responsive by email or phone.”
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Common questions
No — ISO standards are designed to apply to organizations of any size. Small and mid-size businesses pursue certification too, often to meet a client or partner requirement.
It depends on your goals — ISO 27001 covers information security, ISO 9001 covers quality management, and there are standards for environmental, safety, and energy management as well. We help you identify the right one.
No — it requires ongoing commitment. Certification bodies perform surveillance audits and re-certification, so the processes need to keep holding up, not just pass once.
No — certification is performed by an independent, accredited certification body. We help you prepare for it and choose a reputable body to work with.
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