How is this different from a one-off ISO 27001 project?
An implementation project ends at certification. The managed service keeps the ISMS operating, audited and re-certified year after year — covering every framework in scope.
Extended FAQs
Extended FAQs — Managed Compliance Service
Extended answers to the questions buyers, boards and procurement teams ask before commissioning Managed Compliance Service.
- ISO/IEC 27001 Certified
- ISO/IEC 27701 Certified
- ISO 9001 Certified
Delivered by an ISO/IEC 27001, 27701 & 9001 certified organisation
Can you cover multiple frameworks at once?
Yes. The service is designed for organisations holding three or more concurrent obligations — typically ISO 27001, SOC 2 and a regional regulator.
What is the typical engagement size?
Most managed-compliance clients have 50 to 1,500 employees and 2 to 6 active frameworks. We deliver fixed-fee monthly retainers scaled to that surface area.
Will we lose internal capability?
No — we operate as an embedded function with named counterparts in your team. Knowledge, evidence and tooling stay with you; we provide the discipline and specialist capacity.
What is the minimum commitment?
12-month initial term to absorb the stabilisation phase, then monthly rolling. We have never lost a managed-compliance client at renewal.
How do you handle audits and certifications?
We schedule, prepare, evidence and host every internal and external audit. Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, SOC 2 Type II observation and regulator submissions are part of the standard service.
Can you handle a sudden new obligation (for example a new tender requirement)?
Yes — new frameworks are added through a change request. Typical timeline: 8 to 14 weeks from request to readiness for the new scheme.
What tooling is included?
We work on your existing GRC stack (Vanta, Drata, Archer, ServiceNow, AuditBoard) or operate without one for small surfaces. Tooling licences are passed through at cost.
How experienced is the team that will actually deliver Managed Compliance Service?
Every engagement is led by a partner or principal with at least 12 years in managed services and supported by certified consultants (CISA, CISM, CISSP, CIPP/E, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, ISO 42001 Lead Implementer, OSCP, CREST). You meet the actual delivery team before contracts are signed.
How do you handle confidentiality and data residency?
All client data stays within the regions you authorise. NDAs are signed before scoping calls, and we offer fully on-premise delivery for sensitive engagements. For UAE and KSA clients, evidence remains in-country by default.
Can MAST work alongside our existing Big 4 auditor?
Yes. We routinely collaborate with EY, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, BDO and Grant Thornton as your implementation partner while they retain audit independence. Roles are agreed upfront in writing to preserve auditor independence rules.
Do you offer multi-year continuous compliance?
Yes — our Managed Compliance Service operates the programme on a monthly subscription, covering control monitoring, evidence collection, internal audit and recertification across every framework in scope.
How is success measured?
Success criteria are agreed in the engagement charter — typically a passed certification or regulator submission, an audit-ready evidence repository, trained control owners and a 12-month continuous-improvement plan.