Certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and credibility in a particular field. If you’re thinking about obtaining CMMC or ISO certified, you may be wondering how long it will take.
Certification is rarely completed overnight. Instead, it follows a defined timeframe determined by the organization’s size, readiness, and operational complexity.
According to industry benchmarks, ISO 27001 certification takes between 3 and 12 months. Achieving CMMC Level 2 compliance can take 6 to 12 months and some large or complicated businesses may need up to 18-24 months. These timelines highlight the importance of preparation, resource allocation, and ongoing monitoring to avoid costly delays.
So, let’s break down exactly what needs to happen before a company can receive its certification or compliance.
What a Certification Timeline Means and Key Factors That Influence How Long It Takes?
The certification timeline refers to how long it takes a company to receive a certification. The certification timetable is a critical component of the certification process and can make or break a company’s efforts to attain compliance.
From pre-assessment to final approval, several key factors can influence the certification process. The level of commitment and resources allocated to achieving compliance are among these criteria. Other considerations could be the complexity of the process, the size of the organization, and the availability of resources.
Smaller businesses, with fewer employees and resources, may find it more difficult to adopt the necessary regulations and documentation. Larger organizations with more resources and dedicated staff may have a more efficient certification procedure.
The readiness of an organization’s IT infrastructure and systems can also dramatically shift the timeframe. Organizations with outdated systems or insufficient security measures in place may need to invest time and resources to upgrade and strengthen their infrastructure. This could significantly delay the certification process.
Preparing for Certification Requirements (Laying the Foundation)
If the prerequisites for certification are not met, this can result in delays and additional costs. You also want to ensure that your organization is fully prepared for the certification process to avoid any potential roadblocks.
To lay a strong foundation for certification, several key steps should be taken.
Conducting a gap analysis against requirements
A gap analysis is a process that compares the requirements for certification with your organization’s current state. You must review your company’s existing processes, systems, and documentation to identify areas for improvement. This analysis helps identify any gaps that need to be addressed before beginning the certification process.
Building internal awareness and training the team
If teams in your organization are not aware of the certification requirements or do not know how to implement them, this can result in delays or even failure in achieving certification. To avoid this, create internal awareness of the certification process and its benefits for the organization.
This can be done through training programs, seminars, or workshops. These activities not only educate the team about the certification process but also motivate them to actively participate in achieving it. You can also assign a team member as a point person for coordinating and communicating all information related to the certification process.
Gathering documentation and creating policies
The next stage is to compile the required paperwork and draft rules that meet certification standards. To make sure they adhere to the required requirements, you might wish to evaluate and amend any current policies. This documentation could include:
- Organizational structure and roles
- Employee training and development programs
- Quality management processes
- Risk management procedures
- Information security protocols
- Business continuity plans
You will also need to create a policy specifically for the certification process, outlining the steps and procedures for obtaining and maintaining the certification.
Step-by-Step Certification Process Timeline
Pre-assessment and internal audit estimated duration
The first stage of the certification process is to conduct a pre-assessment and internal audit. An ISO certification usually takes between 1 and 4 months for audit prep. The timeline for this stage will depend on the size of the organization and its readiness for the audit.
For CMMC level 1 certification, which is the most basic level, the estimated duration for this stage is 1-3 months, for CMMC levels 2 and 3, which require more rigorous compliance measures and take into account the size of the organization.
A thorough review of the organization’s processes, procedures, and documentation will be conducted during this stage.
Implementing required controls and fixing gaps
After the readiness assessment has been completed, the next stage is implementing required controls and fixing any identified gaps. The process involves making necessary changes and improvements to meet the specific requirements of CMMC levels.
Some common controls that may need to be implemented include.
- Access control measures.
- Network security protocols.
- Data backup and recovery systems.
- Employee training on cybersecurity best practices.
- Third-party vendor risk management processes.
The remediation process takes 1 to 6 months, depending on the size and complexity of the organization. During this time, regular assessments may be conducted to monitor progress and ensure that all necessary controls are in place.
Official external audit and review
Once the remediation process is completed, an official external audit and review may be conducted by a third-party cybersecurity firm or regulatory agency.
The external audit and review for ISO takes around 1 to 6 months. For CMMC, it can take from 6 months to a year. This audit is conducted to verify that all necessary controls and measures have been implemented correctly and effectively.
The third-party auditor will thoroughly review the organization’s cybersecurity policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with the chosen framework. They may also conduct interviews with key personnel, review documentation, and perform technical testing of systems to identify any vulnerabilities.
The results of this audit will determine whether the organization meets the requirements for certification.
Certification decision and issuance
Once the audit is complete, the third-party auditor will compile a report summarizing their findings. It typically takes place a few weeks following audit sign-off. The certification organization then considers this report before deciding whether to provide the certification.
Any non-conformities or areas where the organization failed to meet the audit’s requirements will also be assessed by the certifying body. These must be addressed and resolved before certification can be given.
Typical total timeframe for small vs. large organizations
The organization’s size and complexity may affect the certification process’s overall timeline. Because they frequently have fewer procedures to record, less infrastructure to secure, and leaner decision-making, smaller businesses typically operate more quickly. On the other side, larger companies have to align several stakeholders, manage multiple divisions, and deal with complicated IT environments, which result in lengthier timescales.
The entire process, from planning to accreditation, typically takes three to six months for small organizations. This is predicated on the organization’s ability to allocate resources rapidly and to have fundamental controls in place. This group usually consists of startups or businesses with fewer than 50 workers.
For mid-sized and big enterprises, the timeline typically ranges from 9 to 18 months, and in some circumstances, much longer. Larger businesses may require more comprehensive remediation work, the integration of security policies across different business units, and coordination with third-party partners. In sophisticated enterprises, such as defense contractors pursuing CMMC Level 2, the duration can be as long as 24 months.
In practice, the key difference is not just the number of employees but the maturity of existing processes. An enterprise with a well-established compliance program may move as quickly as a smaller company. In comparison, a small business with no formal security practices may still require close to a year.
Conclusion
Earning a certification such as ISO 27001 or CMMC is a strategic investment, but it requires careful planning and commitment. While smaller organizations may complete the process in a few months, larger and more complex businesses often need a year or longer. The exact timeline depends on preparation, internal resources, and the ability to address compliance gaps efficiently.
Partnering with a trusted consultant can dramatically shorten this learning curve. Sync Resource specializes in guiding businesses through every stage of the certification journey, from gap analysis and implementation to audit readiness and ongoing compliance. With proven expertise across multiple industries, Sync Resource ensures that your organization not only achieves certification but also builds a resilient, sustainable compliance program.
If your organization is preparing for certification, the right time to begin is now, and Sync Resource can help you move forward with confidence.
