As a specialist global data and AI consultancy specialising in using data and AI to solve complex challenges and drive growth opportunities for businesses, Mesh-AI, was faced with many challenges of its own. Operating in tightly regulated industries such as financial services and energy, the company recognised that credibility in information security was crucial to earning client trust and unlocking enterprise opportunities.
For many AI and data-led consultancies, ISO 27001 is seen as a lengthy and arduouscompliance exercise. For Mesh-AI, however, compliance was a critical piece of the overall security puzzle and a strategic accelerator for trust, credibility, and scale.
For Mesh-AI, ISO 27001 certification represented more than an operational milestone, but was a statement of intent, a commitment to security excellence and a foundation for sustainable growth.
The challenge
At just three years old, Mesh-AI found itself at a turning point as it began engaging with larger clients. It faced increasingly stringent supplier security requirements, and without formal certification, even well-established security measures were not enough to progress beyond proof-of-concept stages.
“When talking with one of our clients, it was flagged that in order to carry out work beyond the PoC, we needed to be ISO certified to show that we were able to demonstrate our compliance with their strict supply chain requirements,” said Tom Mahoney, Operations & Staffing Director at Mesh-AI.
Although the company had a strong information security policy, it lacked the structured governance ISO 27001 demands. Achieving certification would not only validate existing practices but also position Mesh-AI as a trusted partner for high-value, multi-year contracts.
“We had one extensive infosec policy which did capture the majority of what we needed, but with ISO 27001 we were essentially going from a standing start,” Mahoney explained.
The solution
To accelerate certification, Mesh-AI adopted the ISMS.online platform, using it to map out and manage the entire compliance process in one centralised environment.
Leveraging ISMS.online’s pre-written policy and control templates, the team quickly tailored documentation using the ‘Adopt, Adapt, Add’ approach. This allowed them to align ISO standards with existing internal procedures, saving time without compromising rigour.
“The adopt, adapt, add templates were perfectly aligned with our processes and made for quick work,” said Mahoney.
Automation played a central role in keeping the project on track. Task reminders and role-based access encouraged accountability across departments, ensuring that security was a shared responsibility rather than a siloed function.
“Having everything in one place where we can navigate quickly and update things really helps. The auto-reminders are a game changer because otherwise, tasks would probably sit there until we remember they exist,” Mahoney added.
Support from ISMS.online’s expert team further eased the process, providing timely guidance and escalation whenever needed. “Any questions we had were answered immediately or escalated where needed,” Mahoney noted.
Sam Peters, Chief Product Officer, IO, commented: “Our goal is to remove as much friction from the compliance journey as possible, and Mesh-AI made excellent use of our templates and guidance with the team on hand to respond and provide clarity. Their clean audit result is a testament to that open-door policy and the partnership we established.”
The result
Within six months, Mesh-AI achieved ISO 27001 certification with zero non-conformities during its audit with Alcumus ISOQAR, an ISMS.online auditor partner. The company moved from a basic security framework to a fully integrated Information Security Management System (ISMS) in record time.
“We have managed to go from zero to ISO 27001 certification in six months,” Mahoney confirmed.
The certification has already strengthened Mesh-AI’s market position, providing assurance to clients in regulated sectors and opening doors to larger, more complex engagements. It also reinforced the company’s commitment to embedding security at the core of its data and AI operations.
“ISO 27001 is not just about documentation; it requires a culture of accountability across the organisation. Mesh-AI approached ISO 27001 recognised this from the outset and understood that what they needed was a structured framework to turn their existing good practice into an auditable ISMS. Our platform gave them that roadmap, helping them move from early-stage security maturity to full certification in a matter of months”, Peters noted.
Mesh-AI’s experience demonstrates that information security certification can be more than a compliance checkbox, and with the right tools, leadership, and mindset, it can become a catalyst for growth, trust, and long-term business resilience.
