email-svg
Get in touch
info@canadiancyber.ca

Manual vs. Automated ISMS

Manual vs automated ISMS: see how automation inside Microsoft 365 transforms audit preparation, reduces risk, and eliminates compliance chaos.

Main Hero Image

Manual vs. Automated ISMS

A Tale of Two Companies (And Two Very Different Audit Days)

There are two types of companies preparing for an audit.

One is calm.

The other is sweating.

Company A: Spreadsheet Security
Company B: Structured Automation

Both are Canadian SaaS companies.
Both have around 60 employees.
Both are pursuing ISO 27001.
But their outcomes couldn’t be more different.


Month 1: The Beginning

Company A – Manual ISMS

Excel risk registers
Policies in random folders
Email-based approvals
Calendar reminders
Shared drive evidence storage

It works. At first.

Company B – Automated ISMS

SharePoint as a central hub
Structured risk register
Policy version control
Power Automate reminders
Teams-based workflows
Continuous evidence collection

It feels structured. Intentional. Calm.


Month 3: The Cracks Begin

Company A

A quarterly access review is due.

Manager on vacation
Spreadsheet not updated
Evidence not saved
No follow-up

They assume they’ll “fix it later.”

Company B

Automatic Teams alert
Assigned control owner
Approval tracked
Evidence logged
Dashboard updated

No chasing. No guessing.

See What Structured Compliance Looks Like

Curious how automation inside Microsoft 365 transforms audit preparation?
Explore our ISMS automation platform in action.

Month 5: Enterprise Deal on the Line

Company A

They panic.

Who has the latest risk register?
Where is the signed policy?
Did we document the incident?
Are vendors assessed?

Sales cycle stalls. Stress rises.

Company B

Risk register exported
Vendor documentation ready
Incident logs structured
Policy versions tracked

Documentation sent within 24 hours.


Audit Week

Company A: Fire Drill

Missing evidence. Inconsistent logs. Remediation required. Certification delayed.

Company B: Structured Confidence

Dashboard shared. Logs time-stamped. Minimal findings. Smooth issuance.

Manual ISMS creates uncertainty.
Automated ISMS creates control.

Make Your Next Audit Calm — Not Chaotic

If your compliance process feels manual, scattered, and stressful,
it’s time to move from spreadsheets to structure.

Stay Connected With Canadian Cyber

Follow us for compliance automation insights and audit readiness guidance:

Related Post