Earning ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO/IEC 42001 accreditation for a certification body is an impressive feat. It takes time, resources and dedication to meet a high level of quality in an organization’s information security and artificial intelligence management systems program. 

However, not all accreditation bodies are created equal. If you’re committing to protecting information and taking steps to improve your cybersecurity posture, don’t you want the highest level of quality from your accreditation body as possible? 

Which bodies can oversee ISO 27001 and 42001 accreditations? 

There are three major certification bodies in the United States: ANAB, IAS and UAF. The two most prominent bodies for ISO management system certification are the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the International Accreditation Service (IAS). 

ANAB was the first management systems accreditation body in the United States. It is the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in the western hemisphere, with more than 3,000 organizations accredited in approximately 80 countries. The organization is a non-governmental organization and subsidiary of the American National Standards Institute, a non-profit organization. ANAB accredits organizations in compliance with several ISO/IEC frameworks across industries. 

When you are looking for an auditor for ISO 27001 or ISO 42001 certification, make sure you choose a certification body that is accredited by a leading accreditation body. Most auditors have the accreditation body logo on their website, but if you don’t see it – do your due diligence and ask. 

Why A-LIGN trusts ANAB for ISO certification 

One of A-LIGN’s core values is “do the right thing, always.” That means we do the best thing for our clients as a part of our commitment to quality and don’t shy away from hard things. When it comes to choosing accreditation bodies, that means opting for the highest-quality choice. In the U.S., the gold standard for ISO accreditation is ANAB, which is why they have been our accreditation body of choice since the beginning.  

Keep reading to learn about ANAB’s commitment to quality and why they are the superior choice for ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 accreditation. 

Why ANAB: Stronger global and regulatory recognition 

One of the key advantages of ANAB accreditation is its global recognition within the information security industry. ANAB is a signatory of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), which ensures that ISO 27001 certifications accredited by ANAB are recognized internationally. These memberships are critical for businesses operating across borders, as many global clients require an internationally accepted accreditation. 

Why ANAB: More rigorous accreditation process for ISO 27001 and 42001 

ANAB’s accreditation process for ISO certification bodies is notoriously stringent, ensuring that only the most competent, well-audited certification bodies can issue certifications. 

Key aspects of ANAB’s superior accreditation process include: 

• Comprehensive audits of certification bodies, including technical evaluations of their ability to assess ISMS compliance. 

• Strong oversight and continuous monitoring, ensuring accredited certification bodies maintain high standards. ANAB regularly looks for quality audits that follow the standards required for certification bodies. 

• Alignment with ISO/IEC 17021-1, the key standard for bodies certifying management systems, with enhanced scrutiny for information security assessments. 

Industry experts believe that ANAB’s high level of scrutiny results in stronger, more reliable ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 certifications, making it the preferred accreditation body for cybersecurity and compliance-driven organizations in North America. ANAB, trusted by firms including EY and Moss Adams, is associated with ANSI, an organization with more than 100 years of standards experience, which sets the stage for higher quality accreditation processes. 

Why ANAB: Market and industry preference for ANAB-accredited certifications 

In the cybersecurity and information security industries, ANAB accreditation is the gold standard. Many large enterprises, government agencies, and security-conscious organizations explicitly require ANAB-accredited ISO certification from their vendors and partners because of its high standards and reputation. 

Companies in sectors such as cloud computing, fintech, healthcare IT, and SaaS often prefer ANAB-accredited certifications because: 

• It enhances credibility with customers who prioritize security. 

• It facilitates compliance with regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2. 

• It ensures international recognition, allowing businesses to operate in multiple regions without accreditation-related issues. 

Other accreditation bodies do not hold the same influence or trust in the cybersecurity and compliance space. ANAB accreditation is the clear choice for ISO certification in the information security industry. Its strong global recognition, regulatory trust, rigorous accreditation process, and industry preference makes ANAB the accreditation body with the highest standards. 

Ready to get started on your organization’s journey to ISO 27001 or 42001? Contact us today to get started with an ANAB-accredited certification body, A-LIGN.