Confessions of a Christmas Grinch: Finding Unexpected Value

I’ll admit it, I’m not known for my love of Christmas. The unrealistic expectations, the shopping frenzy, the endless loop of Christmas songs - it’s not really my thing. But every year, I reluctantly agree to pay for a Christmas tree. The ritual feels like a chore, and the price tag always stings a little. Yet, when I finally see the tree standing tall in the living room, adorned with lights and ornaments, it’s hard to deny its impact. It transforms the space and brings with it a sense of warmth and occasion. Suddenly, I feel just a little more in the spirit of the season.

This experience got me thinking about how we often undervalue investments, whether it’s a Christmas tree or, in a professional setting, a consultant to guide a major project like ISO 27001 implementation. The initial cost can feel like an unnecessary splurge, especially when you're confident in your team’s abilities. But just like the Christmas tree, the value of bringing in the right expertise becomes clearer once you see the results.

The Hidden Costs of Going It Alone

ISO 27001 is a globally recognised standard for information security management, and achieving certification can bring immense benefits to your organisation. But implementing it is no small task. It requires expertise in risk assessment, control implementation, and aligning security measures with business objectives. Many organisations assume they can tackle this alone, only to find themselves bogged down by complexity, competing business priorities and delayed timelines.

When you’re deep in the weeds of policy drafting or control mapping, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Are the security measures you’re implementing actually addressing the risks that matter most to your business? Are you over-engineering controls that don’t align with your objectives, or worse, leaving critical gaps? The cost of missteps - both in time and resources - can quickly outweigh the perceived savings of doing it yourself.

The Value of Experience

This is where a skilled consultant can make all the difference. Much like a skilled decorator who knows how to transform a tree into a centerpiece, an ISO 27001 consultant brings the expertise to turn your information security program into a strategic asset.

A good consultant doesn’t just check boxes; they help you understand the "why" behind each requirement. They assess your current practices, identify gaps, and propose tailored solutions that align with your organisation’s goals. Their experience with other companies - often in your industry - means they’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) in real-world scenarios.

Instead of stumbling through a maze of technical requirements, you gain a clear roadmap to certification. What could take your internal team months of trial and error can often be achieved in a fraction of the time with a consultant’s guidance.

Saving Time and Ensuring Quality

Time is one of your most valuable resources, especially if you’re trying to achieve ISO 27001 certification to meet a client deadline or regulatory requirement. A consultant’s focused expertise accelerates the process, allowing you to reach your goal faster without sacrificing quality.

Beyond saving time, a consultant can also help ensure the implementation is done right the first time. This reduces the risk of certification audits uncovering deficiencies that need to be fixed later, saving you the headache and cost of rework. More importantly, a high-quality implementation means your security practices are more likely to withstand real-world threats, protecting your business and its reputation.

Aligning Security with Business Goals

Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of hiring a consultant is their ability to align ISO 27001 implementation with your business objectives. Information security should be a business enabler, not just a compliance exercise.

A skilled consultant takes the time to understand your organisation’s unique risks, priorities, and culture. They help you strike the right balance between robust security and operational efficiency. The result is a security program that not only satisfies auditors but also supports your strategic goal, whether that’s entering new markets, building client trust, or improving internal efficiencies.

The Payoff

Much like my Christmas tree, the true value of a consultant often becomes apparent only in hindsight. When your certification audit goes smoothly, when your clients express confidence in your security practices, and when your team isn’t drowning in unnecessary work, you’ll see the return on your investment.

So, while the upfront cost of a consultant might make you hesitate, it’s worth considering the bigger picture. Investing in the right expertise can save you time, reduce stress, and lead to a higher-quality implementation that truly aligns with your organisation’s needs. And who knows? Like my Christmas tree, it might just bring a little unexpected joy along the way.