ISO 27001:2013 For MSPs And
MSSPs — And Their Clients
Deliver scalable, ISO 27001–aligned cybersecurity services with Cynomi’s AI-powered vCISO platform. Simplify risk management, streamline compliance, and scale your client offerings, all in one platform.
What is ISO 27001:2013 and Why
Does It Matter for MSPs and MSSPs?
ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is an international standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive information.
For MSPs and MSSPs, ISO 27001 offers a framework to deliver high-trust, enterprise-grade security services. It supports consistency, reduces liability, and helps clients meet regulatory and third-party requirements. Providers aligned with ISO 27001 are better positioned to serve industries with strict security mandates and to differentiate in procurement-heavy sales cycles.
What Organizations Does
ISO 27001:2013 Apply To?
ISO 27001 is applicable to any organization that handles information assets and wants to ensure their confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It’s especially valuable for:
Legal and Consulting Firms
Government Contractors
Financial Institutions
Healthcare Providers
Technology & SaaS Companies
MSPs and MSSPs
ISO 27001:2013 Core Components
ISO 27001 is built around a continuous improvement cycle for information security. These key areas help MSPs and MSSPs deliver structured, audit-ready services to clients:
Context of the Organization
Understand internal and external issues, stakeholder expectations, and scope of the ISMS.
Risk Assessment and Treatment
Identify, evaluate, and treat information security risks using a repeatable methodology.
Information Security Policies and Objectives
Define the direction and goals of the ISMS aligned to business needs.
Controls from Annex A (114 in total)
Apply applicable technical, physical, and administrative controls based on assessed risks.
Internal Audit and Continuous Improvement
Regularly audit performance, review findings, and improve the ISMS accordingly.
Leadership and Governance
Assign accountability, ensure resourcing, and establish governance for the ISMS lifecycle.
Why MSPs and MSSPs
Should Align With ISO 27001:2013
Aligning with ISO 27001 enables service providers to deliver structured, auditable security services while reducing operational risk. It also increases win rates with regulated and enterprise clients.
Deliver audit-ready, standards-based security programs
Meet enterprise vendor risk requirements, with documented controls
Increase competitiveness, in industries requiring formal certification
How MSPs and MSSPs Can Comply with
ISO 27001:2013 and Help Clients Do the Same
Cynomi guides you step by step through managing cybersecurity and compliance.
Assess & Identify
Accelerate Discovery with ISO-Aligned Assessments
- Conduct automated ISO 27001-based risk assessments
- Identify control gaps based on Annex A and generate an ISMS baseline
Establish and Plan
Operationalize ISO 27001 With Cynomi’s CISO Copilot
- Auto-generate risk treatment plans, asset registers, and policies mapped to ISO controls
- Assign tasks and documentation aligned with ISMS implementation phases
- Adapt dynamically to regulatory and control changes
Assess & Identify
Maintain Audit-Readiness and Track ISO Maturity
- Monitor real-time ISO 27001 implementation progress across clients
- Generate audit-ready reports and documentation for internal and external use
- Track corrective actions and improvements in a centralized dashboard
Framework FAQs
Yes, but organizations must transition to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 by October 31, 2025. Until then, certifications under the 2013 version remain valid.
ISO 27001 defines the requirements for an ISMS, while ISO 27002 provides guidance on selecting and implementing controls listed in Annex A of ISO 27001.
No. Many organizations use the standard to guide their security practices without pursuing formal certification. However, certification may be required in regulated industries or client contracts.
Cynomi automates assessments, risk treatment planning, policy creation, task tracking, and control mapping to ISO 27001. It helps MSPs deliver consistent, audit-aligned services at scale.
It depends on organization size, maturity, and scope. With Cynomi, MSPs can accelerate assessment, documentation, and planning processes—reducing overall implementation time significantly.