You just got handed compliance.

Maybe you're the new IT manager. Maybe you're the founder who drew the short straw.

Either way, you're staring at ISO 27001 or NIS2 thinking: "Where do I even start?"

Here's how to build confidence fast.

You're Not Behind—You're Just Starting

Why compliance feels impossible at first:

• Jargon overload: ISMS, controls, risk registers, SOA

• Scope creep: 114 ISO controls feel like 114 projects

• Imposter syndrome: "Everyone else knows this"

• High stakes: "If I mess up, we lose deals"

Truth bomb: Everyone feels this way at first. Even consultants.

Reality check: Compliance isn't rocket science. It's organized common sense.

The people who look confident? They just started earlier. That's it.

You Already Know More Than You Think

What you probably already understand:

• Backups matter → That's business continuity (ISO control)

• Don't share passwords → That's access control

• Lock your laptop → That's physical security

• Update software → That's vulnerability management

Key insight: Compliance frameworks formalize common sense.

Exercise: List 5 security things you already do.

Example: A new compliance manager realized existing IT practices covered 40+ ISO controls. They just needed to document them.

Start Small, Build Momentum

Confidence comes from small wins.

Week 1: Map what exists

List all tools (Google Workspace, Slack, AWS). Note built-in security features.

You'll discover you're more compliant than you thought.

Week 2: Pick one easy control

Choose something simple: "We require 2FA."

Write a one-paragraph policy. Check which tools have it enabled. Document it.

Week 3: Create one recurring task

Example: "Review user access every 90 days."

Add to calendar. Create simple tracking spreadsheet.

You're now operationalizing compliance.

Week 4: Talk to someone who's done it

Join compliance communities (Reddit, LinkedIn, Slack).

Ask questions. Everyone struggled at first. People love helping.

Confidence builder: Each small win proves you can do this.

Mindset shift: You're not becoming an expert overnight. You're building a system, one piece at a time.

Example: Founder went from "I have no idea" to "I can handle this" in 3 weeks by focusing on one control per day.

Learn Fast With the Right Resources

Skip these:

❌ 500-page ISO standard (too dense)
❌ Expensive multi-day training (too slow)
❌ Generic compliance courses (too theoretical)

Use these:
✅ Compliance communities (ask real questions)
✅ Practical templates (real company policies)
✅ Platforms like CyberJuice (guided, step-by-step)

Learning approach:

• Learn one control at a time

• Implement as you learn

• Ask questions when stuck

Time investment: 30 minutes/day for 4 weeks = solid foundation.

Key insight: Confidence comes from doing, not reading.

You Don't Need to Know Everything

You don't need to be an expert to get certified.

You need to:

• Understand the basics

• Document your processes

• Follow what you document

That's it.

The auditor isn't testing theoretical knowledge. They're checking if you have a functioning ISMS you actually use.

You can Google during audits. You can ask for clarification. You can say "Let me check our documentation."

All acceptable.

What you can't do: Make things up or have no documentation.

Start today:

Pick one control. Document it. Implement it. Move to next.

In a month, you'll be surprised how far you've come.

In three months, you'll help others starting out.

In six months, you might be certified.

You don't need to know everything on day one.

You just need to start.

🔧 Start with our free Startup Essentials plan—guided, step-by-step

📚 Download our ISO 27001 Quick Start Guide