What Does an ISO 27001 Consultant Do? A Complete Breakdown

In today's digital world, protecting sensitive data is more important than ever. That’s why businesses across Australia are turning to ISO 27001 consultant to help them meet international standards for information security. But what exactly does an ISO 27001 consultant do? And why are they so valuable to organisations looking to achieve or maintain ISO 27001 certification?

In this blog, we’ll break down the key responsibilities, processes, and benefits of working with a certified ISO 27001 consultant.

What Is ISO 27001?

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the globally recognised standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive company and customer data, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Certification under ISO 27001 is often essential for businesses handling critical or confidential information—especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, technology, and government.

However, implementing ISO 27001 isn’t a simple checklist—it’s a complex and strategic process. That’s where an experienced ISO 27001 consultant comes in.

Key Responsibilities of an ISO 27001 Consultant

A qualified ISO 27001 consultant acts as your guide, advisor, and implementation expert throughout your certification journey. Here’s what they typically do:

1. Initial Gap Assessment

The first step a consultant takes is to assess your current information security practices against ISO 27001 requirements. This gap analysis identifies:

  • Existing controls already in place

  • Missing or weak areas of compliance

  • Priority risks to address

This assessment sets the foundation for a customised implementation plan.

2. Developing the ISMS Framework

Your consultant will help design and implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that aligns with your business operations. This includes:

  • Defining the scope of the ISMS

  • Establishing a risk management methodology

  • Identifying stakeholders and assigning responsibilities

  • Creating documentation (e.g. policies, procedures, asset registers)

3. Risk Assessment and Treatment Planning

A critical component of ISO 27001 is the risk assessment process. Your ISO 27001 consultant will guide you through:

  • Identifying information assets

  • Analysing threats and vulnerabilities

  • Assessing risk likelihood and impact

  • Defining appropriate controls from Annex A of the standard

  • Creating a Statement of Applicability (SoA)

4. Policy and Procedure Development

The consultant works closely with your team to draft and implement mandatory and supporting security policies and procedures, including:

  • Access control policy

  • Information classification policy

  • Incident response procedures

  • Business continuity and disaster recovery plans

  • Supplier and third-party management policies

These documents are essential for audit readiness.

5. Training and Awareness

To ensure your ISMS is effective, everyone in the organisation must understand their role. Your ISO 27001 consultant will provide:

  • Staff awareness training

  • Security responsibilities by role

  • Executive-level briefings

  • Internal communication strategies

This helps embed a culture of information security across the organisation.

6. Internal Audit and Readiness Assessment

Before your formal certification audit, your consultant will conduct an internal audit or readiness review to:

  • Ensure compliance with ISO 27001 clauses and controls

  • Identify any nonconformities or gaps

  • Recommend corrective actions

This “mock audit” significantly improves your chances of passing the real thing on the first try.

7. Ongoing Support and Continuous Improvement

ISO 27001 is not a “set and forget” standard. After certification, your consultant can provide ongoing services such as:

  • ISMS maintenance and updates

  • Monitoring and measurement of controls

  • Support for surveillance audits

  • Advice on continual improvement opportunities

  • Transition guidance for standard updates (e.g., ISO 27001:2013 to ISO 27001:2022)

Why Hire an ISO 27001 Consultant?

Hiring an expert consultant brings significant advantages, including:

  • Faster certification timelines

  • Reduced internal resource burden

  • Improved audit outcomes

  • Tailored solutions for your business context

  • Compliance with Australian regulations (e.g. Essential Eight, Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme)

They also ensure your ISMS is practical—not just compliant on paper.

Who Needs an ISO 27001 Consultant?

Any organisation aiming to become ISO 27001 certified can benefit from a consultant’s support, especially:

  • SMEs with limited in-house IT/security expertise

  • Startups handling sensitive customer data

  • Government suppliers subject to regulatory requirements

  • Multinationals needing consistent ISMS practices across sites

  • Cloud service providers and SaaS companies

How to Choose the Right ISO 27001 Consultant

Not all consultants are created equal. When selecting an ISO 27001 consultant, look for:

  • Proven experience with successful certifications

  • Familiarity with your industry

  • Up-to-date knowledge of the 2022 version of the standard

  • Clear project timelines and deliverables

  • Strong communication and training capabilities

Final Thoughts

A qualified ISO 27001 consultant plays a pivotal role in guiding your business toward robust, certifiable information security practices. From initial gap assessments to successful audits and ongoing compliance, their expertise makes the complex process manageable and efficient.

Whether you’re starting your ISO 27001 journey or looking to improve your existing ISMS, partnering with a trusted consultant can make all the difference.

Need Help from a Certified ISO 27001 Consultant?

At ISO R US, our experienced ISO 27001 consultants work with businesses across Australia to simplify the certification process, strengthen cybersecurity, and ensure long-term compliance.

 

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