Migrating from NIST CSF to ISO 27001
NIST CSF compliance covers approximately 61% of ISO 27001 requirements. The main gaps are the formal ISMS governance structure, Statement of Applicability, and the remaining 39% of Annex A controls. ISO 27001 provides internationally recognized certification that NIST CSF lacks.
Critical Compliance Gaps
ISMS Requirements
ISO 27001 requires a formal Information Security Management System with documented processes. NIST CSF is a framework without mandatory management system requirements.
Formal Certification
ISO 27001 provides internationally recognized certification. NIST CSF has no certification mechanism.
Annex A Controls
ISO 27001 has 93 specific controls in Annex A. NIST CSF references external control catalogs (like NIST SP 800-53).
Statement of Applicability
ISO 27001 requires formal SoA documenting control applicability. NIST uses Framework Profiles which serve a different purpose.
Step-by-Step Migration Roadmap
Follow these 11 steps to achieve ISO 27001 compliance. Estimated timeline: 14 weeks.
Map NIST CSF subcategories to ISO 27001 Annex A controls
Define ISMS scope and context of organization
Create ISMS policy framework per ISO 27001 requirements
Conduct ISO 27001-compliant risk assessment
Draft Statement of Applicability (SoA)
Implement missing Annex A controls (roughly 39%)
Establish management review process
Conduct internal audit per Clause 9.2
Engage accredited certification body
Complete Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits
Achieve ISO 27001 certification
Unique ISO 27001 Requirements
Strategic Use Cases
Verification Sources
Last verified: January 12, 2026
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NIST CSF to ISO 27001 Migration FAQs
Why get ISO 27001 if I have NIST CSF$12
ISO 27001 provides internationally recognized certification, while NIST CSF is a self-assessment framework. International customers, especially in EMEA, often specifically require ISO 27001 certification.
Which is more comprehensive$13
ISO 27001 is more comprehensive. Organizations with ISO 27001 meet about 83% of NIST CSF, while NIST CSF compliance covers only about 61% of ISO 27001 requirements.
Can I maintain both frameworks$14
Yes, and many global organizations do. NIST CSF provides a flexible risk management approach, while ISO 27001 certification satisfies international customer requirements.
How long does ISO 27001 take after NIST CSF$15
Typically 3-4 months with focused effort. The main work is building the ISMS documentation structure and implementing the ~39% of controls not covered by NIST CSF.
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