Not All ISO 27001 Certificates are Equal: UKAS vs Non UKAS Accreditation
ISO 27001 is the global standard for information security management systems (ISMS), but not all certifications are created equal. When exploring certification options, you might see UKAS-accredited certifications and non-accredited versions.
But it's difficult to know what the difference is, and whether UKAS accreditation vs not really matters for your business. This blog breaks down the key differences between UKAS accredited auditors and certificates, vs non-UKAS accredited certificates, all learnings from Assuric's recent ISO certification overseen by UKAS-accredited auditors.
Luckily, there’s a quick way to find a UKAS-accredited body, or check whether a certification body is UKAS-accredited! UKAS keeps an online directory where you can search for accredited bodies and confirm whether they are approved to issue ISO 27001 certificates. We used Tempo Audits for our own ISO 27001 process, but there are at least 100 other UKAS-accredited certification bodies.
What is UKAS Accreditation?
UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) is the UK’s official accreditation body. Think of UKAS as the authority that ensures certification providers are thorough, and unbiased.
A UKAS-accredited ISO 27001 certificate tells your customers, partners, and regulators that your audit was conducted to the highest standard. It’s a sign of independent assurance that your ISMS works as intended and meets internationally recognised standards.
Helpfully, there’s a simple way to check whether a certification body is genuinely UKAS-accredited. UKAS keeps a public online directory where you can search for accredited organisations and confirm whether they are approved to issue ISO 27001 certificates. We used Tempo Audits for our own ISO 27001 process, who ran a great process!
Advantages of UKAS certification:
- Credibility: Widely recognised by regulators, enterprise clients, and international partners.
- Rigorous audits: Auditors follow strict procedures for true compliance, not just tick-box exercises.
- Regulatory confidence: Demonstrates your commitment to security if regulators or clients request proof.
Plus, some enterprise deals may require your ISO 27001 certificate is from a UKAS certified body.
Non-UKAS ISO 27001 Certification
Non-accredited certifications are issued by providers not assessed by UKAS. These may not be considered legitimate ISO 27001 certificates, and the level of oversight and audit rigour can vary.
Advantages of non-UKAS certification:
- Lower cost: Ideal for startups or smaller businesses.
- Faster process: Some providers offer expedited certification.
- Proof of intent: Shows you are actively managing information security, even if the certificate isn’t UKAS-accredited.
While this can be a valid starting point, especially for early-stage businesses, importantly it does not carry the same weight with regulators or enterprise clients and are often not recognised.
UKAS vs Non-UKAS for ISO 27001
The image below shows some of the key differences between UKAS vs Non-UKAS providers.
What About Other Accreditation Bodies?
UKAS is not the only accreditation body operating in the UK. There are others that independently accredit certification bodies, offering ISO 27001 certification routes outside the UKAS set framework. One example is the Accreditation Service for Certifying Bodies (ASCB).
ASCB-accredited certification can offer a more cost-effective and accessible route, particularly for early-stage startups just starting their compliance journey. Having said this, it's worth noting ASCB is not recognised by the UK Government or widely accepted across the UK public sector.
Does UKAS Accreditation Apply Outside of the UK?
Yes! Although UKAS is the UK's national accreditation body, UKAS-accredited ISO 27001 certificates are recognised internationally. Importantly, unlike ASCB, UKAS is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), a global network of national accreditation bodies that operate under "mutual recognition agreements". This means a UKAS-accredited certificate is accepted internationally.
Most countries have their own national accreditation body which are also members of IAF, such as ANAB in the US or DAkkS in Germany. If you're outside of the UK and looking for certification, what matters most is not that your auditor is UKAS-accredited specifically, but that the certification body you choose is accredited by a recognised national accreditation body that is a member of the IAF. This alignment is what ensures the international credibility of your certificate!
Why UKAS Accreditation Matters for Healthtech
For healthtechs, the difference between UKAS and non-UKAS can be important. Many digital health companies choose ISO 27001 to show they take information security seriously, especially when handling sensitive patient data. When ISO 27001 is UKAS accredited, it gives the NHS and other stakeholders confidence that the certification has been independently and robustly assessed, which supports requirements such as DSPT and DTAC.
A UKAS-accredited ISO 27001 certificate...
- Demonstrates robust information security, audited to the highest standards.
- Provides assurance and confidence with NHS customers and partners, regulators, and investors.
- Builds trust with patients, clinicians, and enterprise customers, showing your systems meet high security standards.
For startups, non-UKAS certification can be a great stepping stone. But once you’re engaging with large NHS contracts (or other large healthcare organisations), UKAS accreditation is often expected.
How Assuric Helps Healthtech Companies Achieve ISO 27001
Assuric is a compliance platform designed to simplify ISO 27001 and healthtech compliance.
As mentioned, we recently got our own ISO 27001 certification using the Assuric platform, read more about the process and exactly how Assuric helps here ⤵
Here's a quick breakdown of how Assuric helps...
- Centralised compliance: Manage ISO 27001, NHS DSPT, HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR (and more!) all in one platform.
- Audit-ready evidence: Assuric ensures documentation and risk management are fully organised and audit-proof, ensuring you pass all audits smoothly.
- Collaboration made easy: Collaborate across your organisation, with tasks ranging from Info Governance to Clinical Safety teams.
- AI-driven productivity: Get compliance done faster with AI-driven workflows to boost speed, efficiency and give better oversight on compliance tasks.
- Create scalable processes: From startup to enterprise, Assuric supports the transition from non-UKAS to UKAS certification without rework or duplication.
With Assuric, healthtech companies can meet regulatory requirements efficiently while demonstrating trustworthiness to customers, regulators, and partners.
UKAS vs Non-UKAS: Which Route Should I Choose?
In the simplest terms...
- UKAS-accredited certification: is best practice for regulated industries (including healthcare!), plus those who work with large enterprise clients, or any organisation handling particularly sensitive data.
- Non-UKAS certification: Can work for small businesses or early-stage startups as a cost-effective starting point - but you should eventually plan to upgrade when scaling.
The right choice does depend on your sector, customers, and growth stage, so bear all of this in mind when choosing your auditor!
