January 13 2026 | Deals | Risk Management | Technology | Audits and compliance | Security and risk management
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised standard for information security. For CFOs, boards and compliance leaders, Ansarada’s certification means fewer surprises, smoother audits, and a lower likelihood of security issues delaying a deal.
Teams trust Ansarada with critical financials, forecasts and deal documents shared across multiple internal and external parties. Without strong controls, the impact can be significant. Impacts can range from delays and remediation efforts to regulatory exposure and reputational damage. ISO 27001 helps improve business resilience, reduce friction and manage risk, so the deal stays front and centre.
Why security standards matter more than security slogans
Many other virtual data room platforms say they “take security seriously,” but slogans do not satisfy board-level scrutiny or audit requirements. Independent assurance does. That is why Ansarada is certified to internationally recognised, independently audited standards, including the most updated version, ISO 27001:2022.
In M&A and capital raising, a security incident is not just a technical issue. It can create operational disruption and lead to regulatory scrutiny, legal exposure, and reputational impact. For CFOs and deal teams, ISO 27001 certification helps reduce risks such as:
- Data leakage during due diligence
- Audit delays caused by insufficient evidence or control gaps
- Bidder delays or reduced confidence due to security concerns
That is why verifiable standards matter. If the platform running your virtual data room is not certified against a recognised international standard, you may be carrying avoidable risk.
Learn more about our secure virtual data rooms today.
What is ISO 27001 in plain language?
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the formal name for the ISO 27001 standard, which sets out how organisations manage information security. It is best understood as an independently audited information security management system (ISMS). It is a structured approach to managing risk across people, process, and technology, rather than a checklist of security tools.
ISO 27001 requires organisations to demonstrate that they:
- Identify and assess information security risks
- Implement controls to reduce those risks
- Document policies and procedures for handling information securely
- Operate technical and organisational controls such as access management, encryption, and monitoring
- Monitor, test, and continuously improve security controls
- Undergo internal reviews and independent external audits
Be cautious of vague statements. “Working towards ISO 27001” typically means a program is underway, but certification has not been issued. “Aligned with ISO 27001” often indicates a self-assessment against the standard.
By contrast, ISO 27001 certification requires an independent, accredited auditor to assess the ISMS against the standard and issue certification.
The “2022” version is the latest update of the standard. It modernises the control set and language to better reflect how organisations operate today (cloud services, suppliers, remote work, and evolving cyber threats), while keeping the same core requirement: demonstrate effective security practices through evidence, internal oversight, and independent audit.
For high-stakes deal environments, that distinction matters. Certification provides independent assurance that a structured security management system is in place and operating.
What can go wrong without ISO 27001 audited controls
Without ISO 27001-level governance and controls, security gaps can surface at the worst possible time, particularly under transaction pressure. When issues do arise, they can contribute to delays, increased due diligence, renegotiated terms, and escalated stakeholder scrutiny.
Scenario 1: Unauthorised access
A bidder shares login credentials internally. Without strong identity controls and monitoring, sensitive documents may be accessed by unapproved parties. This can result in confidentiality issues, contractual or legal consequences, and a loss of trust that can jeopardise the transaction.
Scenario 2: Limited audit trail
Auditors, clients, or regulators ask who accessed specific documents and when. Without reliable audit logging, teams may rely on informal records or incomplete evidence. This increases follow-up questions, slows assurance processes, and can elevate governance risk during critical deal stages.
Scenario 3: Weak incident response
A suspected security incident occurs and may involve sensitive documents or client information. Without a tested incident response process to investigate, contain, and communicate appropriately, organisations can lose time and control. Delays can increase impact, complicate stakeholder management, and heighten regulatory and reputational exposure.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is designed to reduce the likelihood and impact of these scenarios by requiring documented, tested controls and continuous improvement.
By reducing your audit burden and minimising governance risk, teams can rest assured that these examples will never catch you out.
How ISO 27001 shows up in a virtual data room
Ansarada’s ISO 27001-certified approach is embedded into our virtual data rooms (VDRs), giving CFOs, advisors, and deal teams practical controls they can rely on.
Key controls include:
- Encryption at rest and in transit
- Multi-factor authentication and single sign-on
- Granular access controls, watermarking, view-only modes, print or download restrictions, expiry controls, and remote revoke
- Detailed audit logs and reporting
Ansarada also supports a broader compliance posture and operates on secure, audited infrastructure.
These controls are designed to be governed, tested and continuously improved as part of Ansarada's formal ISMS. It gives CFOs and boards evidence of implementing these measures as part of “enterprise-grade document security ,” rather than improvised half-measures.
What ISO 27001 means for CFOs, boards and compliance leaders
ISO 27001 certification means turning technical, complex security frameworks into actionable corporate governance and risk outcomes that strengthen an organisation.
They deliver a host of tangible outcomes at the leadership level:
For CFOs
It gives stronger assurance that important non-public information is handled under a recognised framework. CFOs can have easier conversations with auditors, regulators and investors when asked how information security is governed. Most importantly, it leads to a lower probability of deal-related breaches that could affect deal speed, valuation and financing.
For Boards
Certification shows clear evidence that management has taken reasonable steps to secure sensitive information in line with international standards. Security breaches are not impossible, and poor vendor security can quickly become a board-level issue. ISO 27001 compliance is a concrete way to reduce exposure because it increases defensibility and shows documented controls, logs and incident response processes in the event of a security incident.
For compliance and risk leaders
When a provider is ISO 27001-certified, it makes vendor risk assessments easy, with quick, efficient and smooth documentation or processes. Compliance leaders can rest assured that they’re using a deal platform whose controls align with internal policies for greater confidence in deal outcomes and to reduce the risk of getting caught in a bad security situation.
Why Ansarada’s ISO 27001-certified VDR is the safest bet
Ansarada doesn’t just talk about compliance; we back it up. Ansarada’s virtual data room is ISO 27001-certified and has maintained this certification for many years.
Certification is supported by concrete security and compliance features such as:
- Encryption at rest and in transit.
- Multi-factor authentication and single sign-on.
- Granular access control, watermarks, view-only modes, print or download restrictions, document self-destruct and remote revoke.
- Detailed audit logs and security reports for every deal.
Ansarada is proud to support a robust compliance posture, including GDPR compliance and hosting on secure, audited infrastructure such as AWS with multiple compliance certifications.
While competitors talk about ‘compliance’, Ansarada can demonstrate independent certification plus concrete security features in line with its ISO 27001 certification for true deal security .
Turn security claims into certified assurance
ISO 27001 is the difference between “trust us” and independently verified information security for your deal.
For CFOs, boards and compliance leaders, this means lower regulatory risk, easier auditing, strong investor confidence and better protection for valuation and reputation.
Secure your next deal in an ISO 27001-certified data room. Start for free with Ansarada Deals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ISO 27001 standard?
The ISO 27001 standard is the international standard for information security management systems, covering people, processes and technology. It covers how organisations protect information and installs a framework to follow. It is formally known as ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
What is ISO 27001 certification?
Certification means an accredited third party has audited and confirmed that the organisation’s ISMS meets the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard. Without third-party auditing, an organisation cannot receive certification.
Why does ISO 27001 matter for M&A and capital raising?
Without certification, it opens up deals that involve highly sensitive information to regulatory and reputation risk. ISO 27001 provides defensible controls that support due diligence, investor confidence and audit readiness.
Is Ansarada ISO 27001-certified?
Ansarada’s virtual data room is ISO 27001-certified and has maintained this certification since 2009, alongside other security and compliance measures.
How does ISO 27001 affect your choice of virtual data room provider?
For high-stakes deals, a non-certified VDR provider introduces an avoidable risk that can lead to substantial risk for an organisation. Choosing an ISO 27001-certified VDR aligns the platform with internal security and compliance expectations, which gives CFOs, board members and compliance leaders peace of mind.
