ISO 27001 · SaaS Startups
ISO 27001 for SaaS Startups
Selling in EMEA or to global enterprises? ISO 27001 outranks SOC 2 at the procurement desk.
Why this matters
European buyers see ISO 27001 as the default, not SOC 2.
ISO 27001 provides a formal ISMS — SOC 2 provides an attestation.
Running both unlocks US and international enterprise pipelines simultaneously.
Typical timeline
6–9 months to certification, plus annual surveillance audits.
Typical cost
$30k–$70k including certification body fees.
What bites hardest in SaaS Startups
Frequently asked
SOC 2 or ISO 27001 first for a SaaS?
US-heavy customers → SOC 2 first. European or global customers → ISO 27001. Selling to both? Do them in parallel — 80% of the work overlaps.
Can I skip ISO if I already have SOC 2?
Not if you're selling into Europe. GDPR-adjacent procurement teams treat ISO 27001 as a hard requirement.
SOC 2 or ISO 27001 — which first?
US-heavy customers → SOC 2 first. International or European customers → ISO 27001. Selling to both? Do them in parallel — 80% of the work overlaps.
How often do I recertify?
Certification lasts three years with annual surveillance audits. Recertification audit at year three.
Type 1 or Type 2 for enterprise deals?
Type 1 unblocks most first deals. Type 2 (6-month observation) is required by larger enterprise buyers. Start with Type 1 and roll into Type 2.
Do I need SOC 2 before I have customers?
Not before your first customer — but before your first enterprise customer, yes. Most deals over $100k ACV require it.
Ready to shortcut ISO 27001 for SaaS Startups?
Scarlet Comply and our on-demand reports collapse months of prep into hours.
Framework
ISO/IEC 27001
The international standard for information security management.
Industry
SaaS Startups
SOC 2 unblocks enterprise revenue. Ship it in weeks, not quarters.