The question we hear most
"Can't we just do it internally?"
Yes. Sometimes. But before deciding, it's worth facing reality.
ISO 27001 means 93 controls to assess, an ISMS to build, evidence to document, and an external audit to pass. Depending on your starting point, that's 6 to 18 months of work.
Going in-house: when does it work?
It works if you have someone who can genuinely lead the project, meaning not between meetings, and a team already aware of security basics.
The classic trap: the project drifts, documentation piles up unfinished, and the audit arrives too soon.
The result: a failed audit, extra costs, and added delays.
Bringing in a consultant: what it actually changes
An experienced consultant brings structure and saves you 6 to 12 months. They know the common mistakes, the evidence auditors expect, and how to frame your documentation.
What they don't do for you: build a genuine security culture inside your organization. Certification has to be lived internally not manufactured from the outside.
How to choose?
| In-house | With consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated resource available | ✅ | ✅ or ❌ |
| Flexible timeline (12-18 months) | ✅ | ✅ or ❌ |
| In-house GRC experience | ✅ | ❌ |
| Tight deadline (< 9 months) | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| First ISO project | ⚠️ | ✅ |
The real accelerator: a GRC tool
Whichever path you choose, a structured GRC tool changes the equation. No more scattered spreadsheets, you centralize tracking, document evidence, spot gaps in real time, and walk into your audit with a solid dossier.
That's exactly what our GRC platform built in Odoo enables, regardless of your approach.
Where to start?
Before choosing your approach, assess two things:
- The real time you can dedicate to this
- Your current maturity level on security processes.
One thing is certain either way: a structured and integrated GRC tool significantly reduces the workload and keeps your path to certification on track.
See how our GRC platform in Odoo adapts to your approach whether you're going it alone or working with a consultant.
Your Odoo integrated GRC