Understanding ISO/IEC 27001 Certification for Compliance Teams

ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). First released in 2005, updated in 2013, and revised again in 2022, it has become a widely adopted benchmark for demonstrating that sensitive data is managed securely and systematically.

For compliance teams in financial institutions, regulators, and enterprises that rely on SaaS platforms, ISO 27001 is more than a technical credential. It provides a structured framework that shows whether a technology partner treats information security as an ongoing discipline rather than a procedural exercise.

What ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Covers

ISO 27001 sets out how organisations should identify risks to information, implement appropriate controls, and continually improve those controls. The standard does not prescribe technologies but governs the overall system of management, accountability, and oversight.

For compliance teams, certification is one way to validate that governance has been independently reviewed and confirmed by an accredited body. This assurance can be used to support internal reporting and to provide clarity during regulatory inspections.

How the ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Cycle Works

Certification is not a one-off milestone. An ISO 27001 certificate is valid for three years, during which accredited auditors conduct annual surveillance audits. These reviews confirm that the ISMS continues to function as intended. At the end of the third year, a full recertification audit is required to extend the certificate for another cycle.

For compliance teams, understanding this cycle is important. A vendor that has sustained certification over multiple cycles shows consistency and maturity, while a vendor nearing the end of its cycle may require closer review.

The Scope of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 ISMS Standards

The 2013 version of the standard set the global baseline for nearly a decade. It contained 114 controls across 14 domains, reflecting the state of technology at that time. The focus was on traditional IT environments and perimeter security, covering areas such as access management, incident response, cryptography, and physical safeguards.

For many compliance professionals, this framework represented the first widely accepted reference point for assessing vendor governance. It formalised practices and provided a reliable way to evaluate whether controls were in place.

The Key Changes in ISO/IEC 27001:2022

By the 2020s, the 2013 framework was no longer sufficient. Cloud adoption, remote work, and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats demanded a refreshed approach. In October 2022, ISO introduced a revised version.

The new framework reduced the number of controls down to 93 and reorganised them into four categories covering organisational, people, physical and technological categories. It also introduced new controls to address today’s risks, such as threat intelligence, secure software development, governance of cloud services, and prevention of data leakages.

For compliance teams, these changes are highly relevant. A certificate against the 2022 version signals that a solution provider’s information security controls, oversight practices, and policies have already been adapted to modern risks, where reliance on third parties and fast-moving technologies is the industry norm.

The ISO/IEC 27001 Transition Deadline in 2025

Organisations certified under the 2013 version must transition to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 by October 2025, after which certificates tied to the older version will no longer be valid. When ISO published the 2022 revision, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) established a three-year transition period to allow certification bodies and organisations to move to the updated standard.

For compliance teams conducting vendor reviews, the transition deadline is an important checkpoint. Certificates should be examined carefully to confirm that they reference the 2022 version. A vendor that has already completed the transition shows readiness and foresight, while reliance on the 2013 version suggests updates are still pending.

It is also prudent to request a copy of the certificate, the accompanying scope statement, and an extract of the Statement of Applicability. Together, these documents confirm which services are covered, which controls are applied, and why any exclusions were made.

Why ISO/IEC 27001 Matters for Financial Institutions

Financial institutions operate under strict regulatory expectations. In Singapore, for example, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Technology Risk Management (TRM) guidelines expect firms to maintain strong governance, effective incident response, and oversight of third-party arrangements. The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) requires safeguards to prevent unauthorised access and misuse of personal data.

ISO 27001 certification does not replace these obligations but it complements them. For compliance teams, it provides an internationally recognised structure to show regulators, auditors, and boards that information security is managed as part of continuous governance, not in isolation.

How to Evaluate an ISO/IEC 27001 Certificate in Practice

Not all certificates are equal. Compliance teams should take the time to review the details carefully. The scope should explicitly cover the products, services, and jurisdictions that are relevant to the institution. The version should state ISO/IEC 27001:2022 rather than 2013. The certification body must be accredited to ensure the audit was conducted to the correct standard.

The Statement of Applicability deserves particular attention. It explains which controls are applied and why others have been excluded. This is not about questioning a vendor’s integrity but about ensuring that the assurance offered matches the assurance required.

Why Choosing ISO-Certified Vendors Strengthens Assurance

In an environment where third-party risk is a regulatory priority, the difference between certified and uncertified vendors matters. Vendors without certification may claim to have strong controls but those claims have not been validated through independent audit.

Certification does not eliminate risk, but it provides evidence that a provider operates a system designed to identify, address, and adapt to information security risks. For compliance leaders, that assurance makes due diligence easier to explain internally, streamlines reviews, and builds confidence with regulators and boards. Vendors that have maintained certification across several cycles and have already transitioned to the 2022 version demonstrate maturity and a culture of continuous improvement.

Cynopsis’s ISO/IEC 27001 Certification for the Seventh Year

Cynopsis Solutions has completed its latest ISO/IEC 27001 audit and achieved certification for the seventh consecutive year. Maintaining certification across multiple cycles demonstrates that controls are tested, adapted, and verified on a recurring basis in line with the 2022 revision of the standard. Read the full press release for more information.

For compliance teams assessing technology partners, selecting an ISO-certified vendor offers assurance that sensitive customer data is protected while core AML and KYC responsibilities are performed. Our products are built on this foundation, empowering teams to conduct due diligence and governance with confidence that internationally recognised standards are met.

View Cynopsis Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions about the ISO 27001 standards

Q: Is ISO 27001:2013 still valid in 2025

Yes, but only during the transition period. When ISO/IEC 27001:2022 was published in October 2022, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) set a three-year window for organisations to move from the 2013 version. Certificates issued under ISO/IEC 27001:2013 remain valid until 31 October 2025. After that date, only ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certifications will be recognised by accredited certification bodies.

Q: What are the differences between ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 27001:2022

The 2013 version contained 114 controls across 14 domains, focused mainly on traditional IT environments. The 2022 revision reduced the number to 93, grouped them into four categories, and introduced new requirements such as threat intelligence, secure coding, cloud governance, and data leakage prevention. These updates bring the standard in line with modern risks and operating models.

Q: How can compliance teams verify an ISO 27001 certificate

Check that the certificate was issued by an accredited body, that the scope covers the services and regions relevant to you, and that it references ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Reviewing the Statement of Applicability is also important, as it shows which controls are included and why any exclusions were made.

Q: Does ISO 27001 certification replace regulatory compliance

No. ISO 27001 is a voluntary international standard. It helps demonstrate governance and supports compliance efforts, but it does not replace statutory or regulatory requirements such as MAS TRM in Singapore or the PDPA.