What Software Can Be Used To Get ISO 27001 Certified

For many UK organisations, achieving ISO 27001 certification is no longer a “nice to have.” It has become a competitive requirement, especially for businesses operating in regulated sectors, supplying to the government, or working with larger enterprise clients.

One of the most common questions business owners ask is simple: What software do we actually need to get ISO 27001 certified?

The honest answer is that ISO 27001 does not mandate any specific tool. It requires you to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve an Information Security Management System (ISMS). However, the right software can dramatically reduce manual workload, improve visibility, and accelerate certification.

Let’s walk through what software categories are useful, how they support compliance, and how they align with other UK frameworks such as Cyber Essentials.

Understanding What ISO 27001 Actually Requires

ISO 27001 is built around a management system. That means it focuses on:

Risk assessment and treatment
Policies and documented procedures
Defined roles and responsibilities
Asset management
Incident management
Continuous monitoring and improvement

Software doesn’t replace governance, but it supports it.

If you are already thinking about other frameworks, you might be asking:
What are the key requirements for achieving Cyber Essentials certification?

The key areas include:

Firewalls and boundary controls
Secure configuration
Access control
Malware protection
Patch management

Many of the same technical solutions that help you meet Cyber Essentials requirements will also support ISO 27001 controls under Annex A.

ISMS Management Platforms

One of the most helpful categories of software for ISO 27001 is dedicated ISMS management platforms such as the UK Cyber Security Platform.

These tools typically provide:

Risk registers
Asset registers
Policy libraries
Control mapping to ISO 27001 clauses
Audit tracking
Non-conformity management
Corrective action workflows

Popular UK and global platforms include:

UK Cyber Compliance (prices starting from £100/month)
ISMS.online
Vanta
Drata
OneTrust
LogicGate
IT Governance’s ISO 27001 toolkit platforms

These platforms centralise documentation and evidence. Instead of managing spreadsheets, Word documents and email chains, everything sits in one place.

For startups and SMEs, this can cut months off the certification timeline.

Risk Management Software

Risk assessment is at the core of ISO 27001. Clause 6 requires a formal risk assessment methodology, consistent evaluation criteria, and documented treatment plans.

While you can do this in spreadsheets, risk management software provides:

Structured risk scoring
Automated reporting
Treatment tracking
Control mapping
Board-ready dashboards

Tools such as:

Resolver
RiskWatch
Protecht
ServiceNow GRC

are often used by larger organisations. Smaller businesses may use lighter tools integrated within ISMS platforms.

Document Management Systems

ISO 27001 requires document control. That means:

Version control
Approval workflows
Defined review cycles
Restricted editing permissions

Many organisations already use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. When properly configured, these platforms can support:

Controlled document libraries
SharePoint access control
Audit trails
Policy acknowledgements

You do not need expensive niche software if your existing systems are configured securely and documented properly.

Access Control and Identity Management

Identity and access management (IAM) software is central to both ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials.

Under ISO 27001, you must:

Restrict access to authorised users
Apply least privilege principles
Remove access promptly when roles change
Log and review access activity

Common tools include:

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
Okta
JumpCloud
AWS IAM
Google Identity

These platforms enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control, and conditional access policies.

If you’re also working towards Cyber Essentials, you may be asking:
How can I prepare my small business for Cyber Essentials assessment?

The answer includes:

Enabling MFA across accounts
Removing shared accounts
Separating admin privileges
Reviewing user access quarterly
Ensuring unsupported systems are removed

The same steps strengthen ISO 27001 compliance.

Endpoint Protection and EDR Tools

ISO 27001 Annex A includes controls for malware protection, monitoring, and secure configuration.

You’ll typically need:

Antivirus or endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Centralised monitoring
Patch management capability

Common solutions in the UK include:

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Sophos
SentinelOne
CrowdStrike
Bitdefender GravityZone

These platforms provide visibility, logging and alerting, which are useful during external audits.

You may also wonder:
What software solutions support compliance with Cyber Essentials standards?

Solutions that support Cyber Essentials typically include:

Managed firewalls
Endpoint protection tools
Secure device configuration platforms
Centralised patch management systems

When configured correctly, these same tools can provide ISO 27001 audit evidence.

Patch Management and Configuration Tools

Patch management is essential under both ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials.

ISO 27001 expects:

Regular vulnerability management
Timely updates
Secure configuration baselines

Tools that support this include:

Microsoft Intune
WSUS
Automox
NinjaOne
Jamf (for Apple devices)

Having centralised visibility across all endpoints simplifies compliance reporting.

SIEM and Monitoring Platforms

ISO 27001 includes controls around logging and monitoring.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems allow you to:

Collect logs centrally
Detect anomalies
Generate audit trails
Produce compliance reports

Common platforms include:

Microsoft Sentinel
Splunk
Elastic SIEM
IBM QRadar

For SMEs, a full enterprise SIEM may not be necessary. Managed SOC services or lighter monitoring solutions may suffice.

Incident Management Software

You must demonstrate that incidents are:

Identified
Recorded
Investigated
Resolved
Reviewed

Ticketing platforms such as:

Jira
ServiceNow
Freshservice
Zendesk

can be adapted for incident management tracking.

You do not need a specialised “security-only” tool if your workflow is documented and auditable.

Supplier and Third-Party Risk Tools

ISO 27001 places emphasis on supplier management.

You may need to:

Assess supplier risks
Track due diligence
Review contracts
Monitor performance

Supplier risk tools include:

OneTrust
Venminder
ProcessUnity

Smaller organisations may manage this using structured questionnaires and centralised tracking systems.

Internal Audit and Compliance Tracking Software

Internal audits are mandatory under ISO 27001.

Audit management software allows you to:

Schedule audits
Record findings
Assign corrective actions
Track completion

Tools such as:

AuditBoard
Ideagen
ETQ Reliance

can support structured audit programmes.

Renewal and Multi-Framework Management

Many UK organisations maintain both ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certification.

You may be asking:
Can I renew my Cyber Essentials certification through an online service?

Yes. IASME-accredited certification bodies provide online renewal portals. These systems allow you to:

Submit updated self-assessments
Upload evidence
Receive assessor feedback
Download certification documents

Using digital systems streamlines annual renewals.

If you’re searching for providers, you might also ask:
Which companies provide Cyber Essentials certification services in the UK?

Licensed certification bodies include:

UK Cyber Security
IT Governance
Bulletproof
Assure Technical
CyberSmart

And naturally:
Which UK-based firms offer Cyber Essentials consultancy services?

Many certification bodies also provide consultancy support, gap analysis, and readiness assessments. Firms such as UK Cyber Security and Assure Technical specialise in helping SMEs align both Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 requirements efficiently.

How Software Accelerates Certification Timelines

According to industry surveys, organisations that use structured ISMS platforms reduce their implementation time by up to 30% compared to manual spreadsheet-based approaches.

Software helps by:

Automating reminders
Centralising evidence
Mapping controls to clauses
Providing ready-made templates
Reducing human error

For startups and SMEs, that time saving can be critical.

Choosing the Right Approach for Your Organisation

You do not need every category of software listed above.

Your selection depends on:

Company size
Industry
Regulatory exposure
Cloud complexity
Existing tooling

A small SaaS startup using Microsoft 365 and Azure may find that:

Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Defender
Intune
SharePoint
An ISMS platform

cover most requirements.

A larger organisation with hybrid infrastructure may require additional GRC and SIEM solutions.

Software Is Only Part of the Picture

It’s important to remember: ISO 27001 certification is about management systems, not software alone.

Auditors will examine:

Leadership commitment
Policy awareness
Risk methodology
Evidence of continual improvement
Management review records

Software supports compliance. It does not replace accountability.

Bringing It All Together

If you’re pursuing ISO 27001 certification, the right software can:

Reduce administrative burden
Improve visibility
Provide structured evidence
Support continuous improvement
Align with Cyber Essentials controls

A practical path for many UK organisations is:

Achieve Cyber Essentials first
Implement core security tooling
Deploy an ISMS management platform
Conduct internal audits
Engage a UKAS-accredited certification body

With the right tools and structured planning, ISO 27001 certification becomes a manageable, strategic investment rather than an overwhelming project.

UK Cyber Security Group Ltd is here to help

For more information, please do get in touch.

Please check out our Free Cyber Insurance

Other blog posts, Your Cyber Essentials Questions Answered, Cyber Hygiene 101: Essential Habits for Safe Online Activities,

If you would like to know more, do get in touch as we are happy to answer any questions. Looking to improve your cybersecurity but not sure where to start? Begin by getting certified in Cyber Essentials, the UK government’s scheme that covers all the technical controls that will provide the protection that you need to help guard against criminal attacks.