Skip to main content

Protect Your Critical Data from Threats Before They Become Breaches

From gap analysis to full ISO 27001 implementation, we secure your information assets while satisfying compliance requirements without overwhelming your team.

Problems We Solve

shutterstock_1951289467 (6)
  • Security Vulnerabilities: Identify and address critical weaknesses before they lead to costly breaches
  • Compliance Requirements: Meet ISO 27001, GDPR, and industry standards without excessive documentation
  • Resource Limitations: Implement effective information security without dedicated internal teams
  • Stakeholder Assurance: Provide tangible evidence of security controls to clients, regulators, and partners
  • Siloed Security Approach: Establish information security as an organisation-wide responsibility rather than just an IT challenge

Our methodology follows the ISO 27001:2022 framework while avoiding unnecessary complexity:

Information security is an organisation-wide responsibility, not just an IT function. Our approach ensures security extends beyond technology to encompass all aspects of your organisation - from leadership and human resources to physical security and business operations.

ISO 27001:2022 Aligned Approach

  • Scope Definition & Context:  Define what needs protection and why, creating clear boundaries for your Information Security Management System (ISMS) that align with business objectives.
  • Leadership & Planning:  Establish governance structures and set security objectives that support your organisational goals.
  • Risk Assessment:  Identify, analyse, and evaluate information security risks using our proven methodology that goes beyond checkbox compliance.
  • Statement of Applicability:  Select appropriate controls based on your specific risk profile, avoiding the "implement everything" approach that wastes resources.
  • Implementation: Deploy controls with minimal business disruption, prioritising effectiveness over documentation volume.
  • Performance Evaluation:  Measure control effectiveness through testing, monitoring, and metrics that demonstrate tangible security improvements.
  • Continuous Improvement: Adapt to evolving threats and business needs through a sustainable improvement cycle.
_- visual selection (2)
shutterstock_2489342119 (2)

How it Works

1. Discovery & Scoping
We assess your current security posture and compliance requirements.

→ Ensures perfect alignment with your specific business needs and risk profile

2. Gap Analysis
You receive a focused summary of vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.

→ Provides immediate clarity on security risks and prioritises actions for maximum impact

3. Implementation & Support
From policies to controls and audit prep — we deliver practical security that works.

→ Creates robust protection while ensuring compliance with minimal business disruption

Why Secure Step Forward?

✅ 25+ years of experience in business continuity and risk

✅ Trusted by legal, education, healthcare, logistics, services and tech sectors

✅ UK-based, independent, and pragmatic

✅ Proven track record of preventing security incidents and protecting sensitive data

Shutterstock_707850289

What Our Clients Say

A couple of client testimonials:

left-quote Created with Sketch.

Secure Step Forward guided us through the implementation of ISO 27001 with remarkable efficiency. Their risk-based approach helped us focus on controls that enhanced our security posture, rather than merely ticking boxes. We achieved certification on schedule and under budget.

CIO

Data Analytics, UK
left-quote Created with Sketch.

What impressed us most was how Secure Step Forward integrated ISO 27001 with our existing processes instead of creating parallel systems. This made adoption much smoother and ensured our security program remained sustainable after certification.

EMEA CIO

Property Services, International
left-quote Created with Sketch.

Helping us prepare for the ISO 27001 migration and determine our priority areas has been a pleasure working with Secure Step Forward.

Compliance Manager

Law Firm, UK
left-quote Created with Sketch.

Successfully organising our response to the ICO Data Audit, Secure Step Forward helped us collate existing control information and identify where it was missing, so that we passed our audit with flying colours.

IS Lead Analyst

Mobile Telephone Service, International

What We Offer

Gap Analysis

Gap analysis and implementation roadmap.

Identify critical vulnerabilities and create a prioritised path to security.

Security Risk Assessment

ISO 27001:2022-aligned risk identification and evaluation.

Identify critical vulnerabilities and create a prioritised path to security based on your specific threat landscape and business context.

 

Statement of Applicability (SOA)

Control selection and implementation planning.

Develop a practical SOA that focuses on effective controls across people, organisational, physical, and technological domains.

ISMS Design

ISO 27001 ISMS design or uplift.

Build a security management system that protects against real threats through organisation-wide controls, not just IT solutions.

Implement

Control implementation and evidence collection.

Transform security policies into operational practices that protect your business.

Retained Support

Retained support, audit, monitoring, management reporting.

Maintain continuous protection as your business and threat landscape evolve.

Common Questions about ISO27001

  1. How long does ISO 27001 implementation typically take?
    Implementation timeframes vary based on your organisation's size and current security maturity. For most mid-sized organisations, expect 6-9 months from initial assessment to certification readiness. Our approach prioritises efficiency without compromising effectiveness, enabling you to achieve certification without unnecessary delays.
  2. Do we need to implement all controls in Annex A?
    No. ISO 27001 requires you to consider all Annex A controls but implement only those relevant to your specific risks. Our risk-based approach helps you select appropriate controls and document justifications for exclusions in your Statement of Applicability (SOA). This ensures you invest resources only where they provide real security benefits.
  3. How do we maintain certification once achieved?
    Maintaining ISO 27001 certification requires ongoing commitment. This includes regular internal audits, management reviews, and addressing any nonconformities. You will also need to undergo surveillance audits by your certification body annually and undergo recertification every three years. Our retained support services help you maintain compliance with minimal effort while continuously improving your security posture.
  4. What's the difference between compliance and actual security?
    Compliance focuses on meeting specific requirements, while security focuses on effectively protecting your information assets. Our approach delivers both: we ensure you meet ISO 27001 requirements while implementing controls that provide real protection against your specific threats. This balanced approach prevents the common pitfall of "certified but vulnerable" that affects many organisations.
  5. Is ISO 27001 just for IT departments?
    No. A common misconception is that information security is solely an IT responsibility. In reality, ISO 27001:2022 takes an organization-wide approach, with controls spanning people, organizational processes, physical security, and technology. Effective implementation requires involvement from all departments, with leadership setting the tone. Our approach ensures security becomes embedded in your organizational culture, not isolated within IT.
Shutterstock_707850289

Ready to Protect Your Critical Data from Threats?

We'll confirm your scope and advise you on the most appropriate next step.

No pressure. No jargon. Just clear answers.