Why external accreditations matter and what they mean for SME Companies like ours

At Imobisoft, we’re proud to share that we’ve successfully completed our third consecutive year of ISO 27001 accreditation. For a bespoke AI software development company like ours, this milestone is more than a badge; it represents a maturing approach to security, risk, and operational excellence.

But reaching this point hasn’t always been straightforward. In fact, the early days of pursuing ISO 27001 were some of the most challenging for us as a smaller organisation.

The early challenges: When compliance felt onerous

When we first embarked on our ISO 27001 journey, it sometimes felt like we were placing onerous processes on a small business that was used to moving quickly and flexibly. The overhead of documentation, regular reviews, risk assessments, and procedural formalities can seem like a poor fit for SMEs, especially in the fast-moving world of software development.

And that’s a very real barrier. Many small businesses shy away from external accreditation simply because the compliance overhead can seem too large. Time, resources, and expertise are all limited, and the fear is that strict frameworks will slow down innovation or introduce unnecessary friction.

Growing into the framework

What’s interesting, looking back, is how much things change with experience. Each year has felt easier than the last, not because the standard softens, but because we’ve learned how to embed its requirements naturally into our organisation.

Over time, we’ve realised:

• ISO 27001 isn’t about imposing heavyweight processes; it’s about shaping them to your business.
• It’s entirely possible and expected to tailor the framework to fit the size and maturity of your organisation.
• The real value emerges once the processes stop feeling like checkboxes and start becoming part of everyday practice.

This year’s audit demonstrated that shift for us. We’re now far more confident in the robustness and repeatability of our processes. What once felt like overhead is now part of our operational DNA.

Embedding the value, not just the process

Perhaps the biggest change is cultural. As we’ve adapted ISO 27001 to suit our size and way of working, we’ve started embedding its principles more deeply. And now, the value is unmistakable:

• We manage risks proactively, not reactively.
• We understand our information assets better than ever.
• We have a structured process for continuous improvement.
• Teams communicate more effectively with greater clarity and increased accountability.

ISO 27001 has moved from being a requirement to being an enabler of quality and consistency.

Why it matters to our clients

While internal transformation is a huge benefit, accreditation serves an equally important external purpose. For clients, especially those entrusting us with sensitive or proprietary information, ISO 27001 accreditation offers peace of mind.

It signals that:

• Our processes are externally validated, not just self-assessed.
• We follow recognised best practices for information security.
• We are committed to ongoing compliance, not one-off efforts.
• Their data is handled with the seriousness it deserves.

In a competitive market where trust is everything, especially for AI and software development, this assurance is invaluable.

Why smaller companies should still consider accreditation

For other SMEs or growing tech firms, the idea of external accreditation may feel daunting. But our experience has taught us that:

• The initial pain is temporary.
• The benefits compound over time.
• Accreditation strengthens both client relationships and internal resilience.
• It forces a level of discipline that’s otherwise hard to maintain.

Most importantly, it’s entirely achievable for smaller teams and perhaps even more impactful for them.

Moving forward

Three years into our ISO 27001 journey, we’re proud of how far we’ve come. What began as a challenging and sometimes burdensome initiative has now become a cornerstone of how we operate.

As we continue to grow, innovate, and deliver bespoke AI solutions, this accreditation helps ensure that our foundations are secure, our processes are trusted, and our commitment to excellence is reinforced year after year.