A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering ISO 27001 for Senior M&A Integration Leads
Build repeatable information security integration playbooks that scale across global acquisitions
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Information security integration in M&A is often reactive, siloed, and invisible to leadership, despite being mission-critical.
The situation this course is for
Acquired entities bring fragmented controls. Teams rebuild the same playbooks every time. Executives don’t see the work until something goes wrong. That pattern keeps high-impact efforts out of strategic view.
Who this is for
Senior M&A leader in a global enterprise who leads cross-functional integration teams and owns compliance outcomes in post-deal transitions
Who this is not for
Junior analysts, standalone auditors, or IT security specialists without integration mandates
What you walk away with
- Own the ISO 27001 integration track from due diligence through handover
- Turn integration artifacts into reusable compliance templates
- Earn consistent executive-line visibility on integration milestones
- Shorten time to compliance sign-off by leveraging proven control mappings
- Document and showcase leadership influence across technical and business teams
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of ISO 27001 in M&A Context
Understand how ISO 27001 applies uniquely in acquisition scenarios, including risk assessment handoffs and pre-acquisition scoping.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining ISO 27001 applicability in target environments
- Mapping acquired entities to control domains
- Timing compliance activities around deal milestones
- Integrating ISO 27001 into initial due diligence checklists
- Leveraging existing certifications in target companies
- Identifying control gaps during pre-close assessment
- Role of CISO vs M&A teams in control validation
- Documenting control inheritance decisions
- Using ISO 27001 to de-risk integration timelines
- Common pitfalls in inherited control environments
- Aligning scope with business unit boundaries
- Building compliance-aware deal playbooks
Module 2. Due Diligence Integration Planning
Embed ISO 27001 requirements early in M&A due diligence to avoid downstream delays.
12 chapters in this module
- Structuring security questionnaires for ISO 27001
- Reviewing target company SoA documentation
- Assessing maturity of existing ISMS
- Identifying critical control dependencies
- Evaluating third-party compliance posture
- Prioritizing findings by integration risk
- Documenting compliance assumptions in LOI
- Coordinating with legal on representations
- Flagging material gaps to deal leadership
- Establishing pre-close compliance timelines
- Negotiating compliance remediation clauses
- Handing off findings to integration leads
Module 3. Control Gap Assessment Framework
Systematically evaluate control deficiencies and define remediation paths.
12 chapters in this module
- Benchmarking target controls against parent standards
- Categorizing gaps by severity and scope
- Using ISO 27001 Annex A for gap alignment
- Creating heat maps for leadership reporting
- Prioritizing remediation by business impact
- Estimating effort for control implementation
- Identifying inherited control reuse
- Documenting compensating controls
- Linking gaps to integration milestones
- Reporting gap status to executive sponsors
- Validating remediation ownership
- Closing gaps prior to system integration
Module 4. Information Security Policy Integration
Adapt and extend corporate policies to acquired entities under ISO 27001.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing policy alignment across organizations
- Identifying conflicting policy language
- Developing harmonized policy drafts
- Establishing enforcement timelines
- Communicating policy updates to new teams
- Documenting policy exceptions
- Gaining legal and compliance sign-off
- Training newly acquired staff
- Integrating policy into onboarding
- Auditing policy adherence post-integration
- Updating policy ownership records
- Maintaining version control across entities
Module 5. SoA Development and Maintenance
Build a Statement of Applicability that reflects integrated environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Incorporating acquired assets into SoA
- Determining control applicability post-merger
- Documenting new control implementations
- Updating SoA for cross-entity risks
- Reviewing SoA with internal audit
- Aligning SoA with organizational changes
- Versioning SoA across integration phases
- Securing leadership approval
- Using SoA in external audits
- Maintaining SoA in distributed teams
- Automating SoA updates
- Auditing SoA completeness
Module 6. Cross-Functional Alignment Execution
Lead collaboration between legal, IT, security, and business units.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying key stakeholders in integration
- Establishing RACI for compliance tasks
- Running cross-functional integration meetings
- Resolving ownership conflicts
- Escalating blockers to executive sponsors
- Documenting integration decisions
- Maintaining integration timelines
- Using shared drives for artifact control
- Standardizing communication templates
- Tracking action items across teams
- Measuring team alignment maturity
- Improving integration handoffs
Module 7. Risk Assessment Integration
Merge risk registers and update assessments post-acquisition.
12 chapters in this module
- Consolidating risk registers
- Aligning risk criteria across entities
- Reassessing top risks after integration
- Updating risk treatment plans
- Incorporating new threat vectors
- Validating risk ownership transfers
- Reporting integrated risk posture
- Using risk data for audit planning
- Linking risks to control gaps
- Maintaining risk register access controls
- Scheduling periodic risk reviews
- Building risk-aware integration culture
Module 8. Audit Readiness and Evidence Collection
Prepare for internal and external audits in merged environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying audit scope post-integration
- Collecting evidence from acquired teams
- Standardizing evidence formats
- Using automation for evidence gathering
- Documenting control implementation dates
- Preparing for surprise audits
- Responding to auditor inquiries
- Maintaining audit trails
- Training teams on audit protocols
- Running pre-audit mock reviews
- Addressing findings quickly
- Reporting audit status to leadership
Module 9. Vendor and Third-Party Compliance
Extend ISO 27001 requirements to acquired vendors.
12 chapters in this module
- Inheriting vendor contracts with compliance clauses
- Assessing vendor compliance posture
- Requiring ISO 27001 documentation
- Conducting vendor security assessments
- Managing vendor risk exceptions
- Updating vendor management policies
- Onboarding vendors to parent standards
- Monitoring vendor compliance over time
- Terminating non-compliant vendors
- Documenting vendor oversight
- Integrating vendor data into dashboards
- Reporting vendor risk to leadership
Module 10. Employee Awareness and Training
Scale security culture across newly integrated teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing existing training programs
- Aligning training content to parent standards
- Scheduling onboarding sessions
- Delivering role-based training
- Tracking completion metrics
- Conducting phishing simulations
- Updating acceptable use policies
- Communicating security updates
- Engaging leadership in awareness
- Measuring training effectiveness
- Maintaining training records
- Scaling training across regions
Module 11. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
Establish feedback loops to strengthen post-integration security.
12 chapters in this module
- Setting up compliance dashboards
- Tracking control effectiveness
- Scheduling periodic control reviews
- Using metrics for improvement
- Conducting internal audits
- Identifying process bottlenecks
- Updating playbooks based on findings
- Sharing best practices across deals
- Building improvement into integration cycles
- Recognizing high-performing teams
- Reporting maturity gains to leadership
- Planning for future ISO 27001 cycles
Module 12. Executive Communication and Reporting
Frame compliance work for leadership visibility and strategic impact.
12 chapters in this module
- Crafting executive summaries
- Reporting integration progress
- Highlighting risk reduction
- Using visuals for clarity
- Aligning messages with business goals
- Presenting to senior leaders
- Documenting lessons learned
- Sharing success stories
- Positioning compliance as enabler
- Earning recognition for clean integrations
- Building reputation as go-to expert
- Securing future strategic assignments
How this maps to your situation
- During due diligence of a new acquisition
- Post-close integration planning
- Pre-audit preparation phase
- Ongoing compliance management
Before vs. after
Before
Compliance integration is ad hoc, reactive, and operates under the radar despite high stakes.
After
You lead structured, visible integration cycles where your work is recognized by senior leadership and shapes future deals.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 12 hours total , designed to fit within executive schedules.
If nothing changes
Continuing with inconsistent integration practices risks delays, audit findings, and missed opportunities for strategic recognition.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic ISO 27001 courses, this program is tailored for M&A leaders who need to translate compliance into integration velocity and leadership visibility.
Frequently asked
Is this course technical or strategic?
It’s strategic with technical grounding, designed for M&A leaders who need to oversee compliance, not implement controls themselves.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I receive templates I can use immediately?
Yes, every module includes downloadable, customizable templates and real-world examples.
$199 one-time. Approximately 12 hours total , designed to fit within executive schedules..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours