ISO/IEC 27001:2022 · Abu Dhabi city, ADGM, KEZAD and Masdar City
ISO 27001 Certification in Abu Dhabi
Intello’s ISO 27001 consultants in Abu Dhabi take you from first gap assessment to a certificate. We build your information security management system (ISMS) with your team, align it with the UAE IA Standard or ADHICS where they apply, and support you until the certification body signs off.
- Certified lead auditors
- On site in Abu Dhabi
- 500+ clients
What is ISO 27001 certification?
ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for an information security management system (ISMS). Certification means an independent, accredited certification body has audited your ISMS and confirmed it meets the standard. The certificate is valid for three years, with a surveillance audit every year.
| Current version | ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Certificates to the 2013 version expired after 31 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Annex A | 93 controls in four themes: organisational, people, physical and technological |
| Who certifies | An accredited certification body, for example one accredited by EIAC in the UAE. Consultants prepare you; they cannot certify you |
| Audits | Stage 1 (documents and readiness) and Stage 2 (controls working in practice), then yearly surveillance audits |
| Typical timeline | 3 to 6 months for most small and mid-sized organisations |
| Where we work | On site anywhere in Abu Dhabi, and remotely from our Dubai office |
ISO 27001 for Abu Dhabi organisations
In Abu Dhabi, ISO 27001 rarely stands alone. Government contracts, healthcare and finance each bring their own rules, so we build one ISMS that serves all of them.
Federal and Abu Dhabi government suppliers
Tenders often ask for ISO 27001. Federal entities and critical sectors also follow the UAE IA Standard, and most of the same controls cover both.
Healthcare
DoH-licensed hospitals, clinics and health tech firms use ISO 27001 alongside ADHICS, which covers many of the same areas.
ADGM, Al Maryah Island
Banks, asset managers and fintechs regulated by the FSRA use ISO 27001 to show a structured approach to cyber risk. See ADGM compliance.
Energy and industry in KEZAD and Mussafah
Oil and gas, utilities and manufacturers whose international partners ask for certified information security.
Masdar City and Hub71 start-ups
Technology, AI and clean energy companies selling abroad, often alongside SOC 2 or ISO 42001.
twofour54 media companies
Media and gaming businesses protecting content, platforms and audience data for global partners.
Also available: ISO 27001 consultants in Dubai · ISO 27001 in Sharjah · ISO 27001 across the UAE
Is ISO 27001 certification right for your Abu Dhabi organisation?
ISO 27001 is usually worth it if any of these apply to you:
- A government tender, enterprise client or bank has asked for an ISO 27001 certificate
- You must also meet the UAE IA Standard or ADHICS, and want one framework that supports both
- You hold patient, customer or citizen data and need to prove it is protected
- You are regulated in ADGM or sell to international partners who send security questionnaires
- You want an ISMS that also supports UAE PDPL and SOC 2 work
- You hold an ISO 27001:2013 certificate that was not moved to the 2022 version
ISO 27001 is not a general legal requirement in the UAE. Most Abu Dhabi organisations certify because tenders, clients or regulators expect it. We will tell you in the first call whether it is the right framework for your goal.
What ISO 27001 certification involves
The standard has two parts: the management system in clauses 4 to 10, and the Annex A controls you choose based on your risks.
Scope and context
Decide which parts of the organisation, sites and systems the ISMS covers, and which regulators, clients and contracts it must satisfy (clause 4).
Leadership and policy
Management commitment, an information security policy, and clear roles and responsibilities (clause 5).
Risk assessment and treatment
A repeatable method to identify, assess and treat information security risks, recorded in a risk register and treatment plan (clauses 6 and 8).
Statement of Applicability
All 93 Annex A controls, showing which apply to you, why, and how each is implemented. We map it to UAE IA or ADHICS controls where they apply.
Controls in practice
Access control, supplier security, secure development, backups, logging and incident management, working and evidenced, not only written down.
Awareness and competence
Staff training so people know their part in the ISMS (clause 7).
Internal audit and management review
An internal audit of the whole ISMS and a management review before the certification audit (clause 9).
Continual improvement
Fixing nonconformities and improving the ISMS over time, which the yearly surveillance audits check (clause 10).
How we get you ISO 27001 certified in Abu Dhabi
A fixed path, so you always know where you are and what comes next.
- 1
Gap call and scoping
We agree the scope of the ISMS, your deadline, and whether UAE IA, ADHICS or ADGM requirements should be built in from the start.
Week 0 · free
- 2
Gap assessment
Your current practice measured against every clause and all 93 Annex A controls, with a prioritised plan.
Weeks 1–2
- 3
Risk assessment and ISMS design
Asset and risk register, risk treatment plan, Statement of Applicability and policy set, written with your team in on-site workshops.
Weeks 2–5
- 4
Implementation
Controls put into practice and evidence collected, including penetration testing where needed.
Weeks 4–14
- 5
Internal audit and management review
A full internal audit by our lead auditors, then a management review, so issues are fixed before the certification body arrives.
2–3 weeks before the audit
- 6
Certification audit support
We help you choose an accredited certification body, prepare your team and support you through both audit stages.
Stage 1 and Stage 2
Most small and mid-sized Abu Dhabi organisations reach certification in three to six months.
What you get
- Gap assessment report against ISO 27001:2022
- ISMS scope statement and context analysis
- Risk assessment method, risk register and treatment plan
- Statement of Applicability for all 93 Annex A controls
- Mapping to the UAE IA Standard or ADHICS where they apply
- Information security policy and supporting procedures
- Staff awareness training
- Internal audit report and management review records
- Support during the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits
Choose how we work with you
Gap assessment
1–2 weeksBest for: Knowing how far you are from certification
- · Clause and control review
- · Gap report
- · Roadmap and estimate
Full ISO 27001 implementation
3–6 monthsBest for: Getting certified end to end
- · ISMS build and documentation
- · Internal audit
- · Certification audit support
Ongoing ISMS support
YearlyBest for: Staying certified year after year
- · Internal audits
- · Surveillance audit support
- · Risk register updates
Have a tender or client deadline in Abu Dhabi?
Tell us the date. A 30-minute call is enough to tell you whether it is realistic and what it will take.
ISO 27001, the UAE IA Standard and ADHICS in Abu Dhabi
Many Abu Dhabi organisations need more than one of these. The overlap is large, so one well-designed ISMS can carry most of the work.
| ISO 27001 | UAE IA Standard | ADHICS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Voluntary; required by many clients and tenders | Federal entities and critical-sector organisations | DoH-licensed healthcare entities |
| Result | A certificate from an accredited body | Compliance with the national standard | Compliance assessed under DoH’s audit programme |
| Approach | Risk-based management system | Prioritised controls (P1 to P4) | Controls at Basic, Transitional or Advanced level |
| Overlap | — | Large: risk management, access, incidents, suppliers | Large: governance, access, incidents, data protection |
What affects the cost of ISO 27001 certification in Abu Dhabi
You get a written scope and a fixed fee after the gap call. These are the factors that move it:
- Organisation size
- The number of staff, departments and teams inside the ISMS scope.
- Sites
- Each office, data centre, plant or free zone entity in scope adds work.
- Other frameworks
- Building in UAE IA, ADHICS or ADGM requirements at the same time.
- Starting point
- Existing policies and controls can be reused, which shortens the project.
- Deadline
- A fixed tender or client date may need more consultant time each week.
- Certification body fees
- Paid directly to the certification body, separate from our fees. We help you compare quotes.
Why Abu Dhabi organisations choose Intello as their ISO 27001 consultants
23+
years in UAE cybersecurity
500+
clients served
99%
client satisfaction
Lead auditor experience. Our consultants know what certification auditors look for, so there are fewer surprises at Stage 2.
One ISMS for every rule. ISO 27001 built together with the UAE IA Standard, ADHICS or ADGM requirements, so you do the work once.
Security and compliance in one team. We can also test and fix the technical controls, not only write the policies.
On site in Abu Dhabi. Workshops at your premises, with remote work in between.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ISO 27001 certification cost in Abu Dhabi?
There are two costs: the consultant’s fee to build and prepare your ISMS, and the certification body’s fee for the audits. Both depend on your size, the number of sites and systems in scope, and whether UAE IA or ADHICS requirements are built in. We give a fixed consulting fee after a free gap call.
How long does it take to get ISO 27001 certified in Abu Dhabi?
Most small and mid-sized organisations take three to six months from the gap assessment to the certificate. Larger organisations, several sites or a low starting point can take longer. A fixed tender date can be planned for from day one.
Do Abu Dhabi government suppliers need ISO 27001?
Many tenders and contracts ask for it, and federal entities and critical sectors follow the UAE IA Standard, which covers similar ground. An ISO 27001 ISMS designed with the UAE IA Standard in mind lets you answer both. See UAE IA compliance.
Does ISO 27001 cover ADHICS?
Not fully, but there is a large overlap in governance, access control, incident management and data protection. Healthcare entities often use one programme for both, then add the ADHICS-specific requirements such as health data staying in the UAE. See ADHICS compliance.
Can Intello certify us?
No, and no consultant should. People often look for an “ISO 27001 certification company in Abu Dhabi”, but the certificate must come from an independent, accredited certification body, which audits the ISMS we help you build. We help you choose a body accredited by EIAC or another member of the International Accreditation Forum.
Do you work on site in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Workshops, interviews and the internal audit are done on site at your Abu Dhabi premises, with document work done remotely in between.
How long is an ISO 27001 certificate valid?
Three years. The certification body runs a surveillance audit in the first and second years, and a recertification audit in the third year.
Who are the best ISO 27001 consultants in Abu Dhabi?
Look for lead auditor experience, knowledge of the UAE IA Standard and ADHICS, clear fixed fees, and a team that can work on site. Ask how many certifications they have supported and whether they also handle the technical controls.
Related services
Start your ISO 27001 certification in Abu Dhabi
Tell us a little about your organisation and your deadline. We will set up a free 30-minute gap call.
What happens next
- 1We get in touch to arrange a call
- 2A 30-minute gap call
- 3A written scope, timeline and fixed fee
Prefer to talk now? Call +971 55 355 6787