# Cognisys Reviews **Vendor:** Cognisys **Category:** [Cybersecurity Consulting Services](https://www.g2.com/categories/cybersecurity-consulting) **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 41 ## About Cognisys Cognisys is a global cybersecurity services, consulting partner and CREST-accredited penetration testing provider. We turn security from a business blocker into a business enabler, working with fast-growing companies and established enterprises to reduce risk, unlock revenue, and build customer confidence with security programmes that are practical, measurable, and built to scale. As Vanta’s #1 Global Service Partner, we combine GRC platform automation with hands-on expertise so teams prove trust faster and stay continuously audit-ready. Our consultants support security and privacy compliance across leading frameworks, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act. Our CREST-accredited penetration testing simulates real-world attack paths across web applications, APIs, cloud environments, and infrastructure. We help you validate controls, uncover exploitable weaknesses, and prioritise remediation based on true risk. We align our testing to recognised best practices, including OWASP, MITRE, and NCSC guidance, and we deliver clear, business-focused findings that engineering teams can act on immediately. ## Cognisys Reviews ### 1. Streamlined Certification Journey with Expert Guidance **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pierre C. | Senior Advisor, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 13, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I use Cognisys to help me achieve an ISO 27001 certification, and they absolutely streamline our certification process. They knew exactly what aspects of the certification might cause issues and helped us resolve them. It was a very good team engagement and they were very knowledgeable, which eventually led us to achieve certification. I find their expertise very valuable, as they not only understand ISO 27001 but also the typical perspective from the auditor, which is extremely helpful. They were also able to generate some early stage documents that were extremely useful for us to build our portfolio of policies. They're very flexible, easygoing, and knowledgeable, making it a real pleasure working with them. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** In the very case of this engagement, if Cognisys had some people speaking French, that would have helped since the certification was to take place in France. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Cognisys to streamline our ISO 27001 certification, helping resolve issues, engage knowledgeable teams, and build policy portfolios, which was crucial for achieving certification. ### 2. Expertise and Empathy with Compliance **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Amod M. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 31, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I like our experience with Cognisys. They have been very prompt and helpful, especially in figuring out how to best contextualize compliance requirements with our business context. Their expertise is deep, and they demonstrate deep empathy with us and the stage of our journey. We've thrown a ton of questions and clarifications at them, and they've always been prompt, precise, and helpful. Their focus on pointing out every detail that matters and showing how we can use Vanta's features to reduce the burden of compliance substantially is something I truly appreciate. This allows us to stay true to the compliance requirements without becoming overbearing. I also appreciate their deep expertise, healthy respect for compliance, and great empathy for customers. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** None at the moment. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helps us contextualize compliance requirements effectively, easing the compliance burden. They have deep expertise, great empathy, and provide prompt, precise support, making compliance manageable without it becoming overbearing. ### 3. Invaluable ISO 27001 Guidance and Fantastic Support **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Frank S. | Managing Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 31, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I found Cognisys's guidance through the ISO 27001 audit journey invaluable. They helped our small team focus on the right tasks at the right times with their knowledge of the Vanta platform. Their group and individual workshops are great, and they do a great job of clearly breaking down audit requirements. I also appreciate how Cognisys tailors their advice to individual business needs and their impressive knowledge of the digital sector. They helped us understand where our organisation is exposed to risk and streamlined our operational efficiency, leading to better documentation and risk mitigation. I also enjoy working with their team; they're a pleasure to collaborate with and have a deep understanding of the subject matter. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** The only thing I would change would be a more individually tailored and clearer timeline. Not all companies are equal in size and resources - and a more individual approach to the various steps and tasks. But I understand that this might not be feasible. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys guided us through our ISO 27001 audit journey, helping our small team focus on the right things at the right time while implementing Vanta and Nucleus. This improved our efficiency by streamlining processes, clearly documenting tasks, and mitigating risks. ### 4. Streamlined Certification with Great Support **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Paul M. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 30, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I appreciate Cognisys for their ability to streamline the process and help ensure that our platform meets the stringent certification requirements for ISO 27,001 and SOC 2, providing actual security. They are very good at helping us understand the Vanta platform and ensuring our team works efficiently within its constraints, preparing us well for our ISO 27,001 independent audit. I also like the personal service they provide, which is very helpful as our team navigates security implementation. Additionally, the combination of their personal service, technical awareness, and depth of their team is supportive. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Setting expectations up front about the level of commitment and complexity of achieving ISO 27001 and SOC2 would be helpful. Once we understood the resources that we would need internally and had committed those resources, they were a good partner to guide us rather than doing the work for us, which is important for ISO 27,001 anyway because, ultimately, it's a standard for your own company's security. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Cognisys to for consultancy around ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification process, while using Vanta, ensuring necessary policies, procedures and technologies are in place. They help us work efficiently with Vanta and be prepared for independent audits. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for sharing your feedback! It’s great to hear that the team’s support, expertise, and approach have been valuable in helping you navigate the process and work efficiently. We also appreciate your feedback around setting expectations upfront. This is something we’re continuously working to improve, ensuring teams have a clear understanding of the journey and what’s required from the outset. Thanks again! ### 5. Essential Partner for Security Compliance **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Georgia S. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 04, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really appreciate Cognisys for being incredibly supportive, always willing to help us and answer our questions. They prepared all the paperwork and guided us step by step for our ISO 27,001 and SOC 2, which gave us massive value since many clients required those accreditations. The team at Cognisys is great and nice to work with, and the way they present the work is just the best. I find it incredibly useful that Cognisys ensures we are not muddling through confusion, as their expertise provides clarity. Their frequent experience in the field is invaluable, and they've implemented substantial improvements we never had before, like using password keepers and ensuring proper access checks. I'm thoroughly pleased with the partnership. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys guides us through ISO 27001 and SOC 2 processes, providing step-by-step support and examples. They ensure our compliance, helping us meet client demands for these certifications, which has been vital in securing our business relationships. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're really pleased to hear that working with the Cognisys team has been a positive experience and that our support has helped make the compliance journey clearer and more manageable. We also appreciate the feedback on invoicing and will keep looking at ways we can make things even clearer. Thanks again. ### 6. Exceptional ISO compliance partner — zero nonconformities across three audits **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Samuel O. | Platform Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 02, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Cognisys delivered outstanding ISO compliance consultancy from start to finish. Enda Maguire was hands-on, proactive, and highly available throughout — from initial gap analysis to audit day. The team drafted and uploaded all required policies to Vanta, prepared comprehensive written meeting summaries after each session, and meticulously tracked every action item. We went from 59% Vanta completion to fully audit-ready in just a few weeks. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Very little to criticise. There was a last-minute substitution of a consultant on audit day, but it was communicated promptly and handled professionally. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped Zeno achieve ISO 27001:2017, ISO 27017, and ISO 27018 certification — a critical milestone for our business. Their structured approach and hands-on support enabled us to pass all three external audits with zero nonconformities. The compliance framework they put in place has also set us up well for future certifications (SOC 2, ISO 42001). ### 7. Cognisys Made Cyber Essentials Clear, Structured, and Stress-Free **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Milad T. | Managing Director of eAI and Advanced Analytics, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 19, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** What we liked best about Cognisys was their combination of deep expertise, responsiveness, and practical support. They were very knowledgeable about both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, but just as importantly, they explained everything clearly and guided us through the process in a way that felt structured and manageable. They were also highly responsive whenever we had questions, and their approach gave us confidence that we were focusing on the right areas. Overall, they made what could have been a stressful and complex process much smoother, more efficient, and easier for the team to handle. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** There was very little to dislike about working with Cognisys. Our experience was very positive overall. If anything, the process naturally requires internal time and coordination on our side, but Cognisys made that as straightforward as possible through clear guidance, responsiveness, and a very practical approach. Overall, they were professional, supportive, and easy to work with throughout. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** I would definitely recommend Cognisys to any organisation looking for support with Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus. My advice would be to engage with them early, be open about your current setup, and make full use of their expertise. They are very knowledgeable, responsive, and practical, and they make the whole process much clearer and more manageable. For us, they were a trusted partner throughout the certification journey and added real value beyond just helping us achieve compliance. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us solve the challenge of navigating Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus in a clear, structured, and practical way. What could have been a time-consuming and complex process became much more manageable because they gave us the right guidance, helped us understand the requirements properly, and kept us focused on what really mattered. The benefit for us was not just achieving the certifications, but also gaining greater confidence in our security controls, improving our internal readiness, and saving a significant amount of time and effort. Their support made the whole process smoother, more efficient, and far less stressful for the team. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed and thoughtful feedback! It’s great to hear that our team’s expertise, responsiveness, and practical approach helped make the process feel more manageable. We’re especially pleased that the experience not only supported you in achieving certification but also helped build confidence along the way. Thank you as well for your recommendation! ### 8. Empowering Compliance and Growth with Stellar Support **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Megan S. | Chief of Staff, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 18, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I use Cognisys to obtain our compliance certifications for SOC 2, ISO, and cyber essentials. I appreciate how Cognisys has enabled us to work with enterprise organizations by meeting these essential compliance requirements. I find the certifications set by Cognisys to be crucial in establishing our organization's security posture, as security, compliance, and trust are foundational for us. The sessions with Cognisys's experts on certifications have been incredibly helpful, especially since I don't have a compliance background. It's been great to get direction and support when steering in the wrong direction. Additionally, I enjoy the engagement with technical experts for certifications and their assistance in utilizing Vanta to its full potential. Furthermore, the strong Slack channel with the Cognisys team makes it really easy to communicate and get quick responses, which I find very effective. Overall, I really enjoy the engagement and have even expanded to using their virtual CISO to continue our partnership. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** NA **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Cognisys to help us obtain compliance certifications. It supports our security posture and helps us close deals with large enterprises. The expert guidance on certifications is valuable because I don't have a compliance background, and they help us use Vanta effectively. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback! It’s great to hear that the support, guidance, and collaboration with the team have been valuable, especially in helping you navigate compliance and build confidence along the way. We’re also pleased that the engagement is supporting your ability to work with larger organisations and strengthen your overall security posture. Thanks again. ### 9. Agile and Reliable Consulting for ISO 27001 Certification **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Erik R. | CEO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really liked Cognisys's approach. They instilled confidence in the process and used a very agile methodology. They helped to understand all the requirements of the ISO 27001 certification, to map my weaknesses, and to find solutions much faster than would be possible alone or with another company. The journey they build is very assertive, clear, with a beginning, middle, and end. They have a deep knowledge of what the ISO certification requires, which made me feel confident to be approved. Furthermore, the service is very fast, practical, and efficient, with a communication channel that is always active. The organization of the journey as a whole is one of their strong points. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** There was nothing I didn't like. But I think it would be important to have people with knowledge in Portuguese. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped me understand requirements, map weaknesses, and find agile solutions for ISO 27001 certification. They offer deep knowledge and security in the process, as well as an agile methodology, which makes the entire path clearer and more efficient. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We’re especially pleased to hear that you felt our approach was efficient and well-guided from start to finish. We also appreciate your suggestion around language support. As we continue to grow, feedback like this is valuable in helping us improve. Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 10. Essential Partner for ISO Accreditation Success **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** James G. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really liked how Cognisys helped us with the ISO 27001 process, guiding us through it even though we initially didn't know much. They were very helpful in getting us accredited quickly. Working with Cognisys provided a structured method to identify potential risks and measure success, which was great for our business. Their guidance was incredibly valuable in setting up processes correctly from the start. The direct communication channel through Slack was excellent for quick interactions and ensuring tasks were on track. Also, the seminars or small meetings we had once or twice a week were very informative, especially with David explaining concepts in detail. Cognisys also helped us implement Vanta, a compliance platform that has been fantastic for tracking our compliance needs. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Sometimes I would ask messages on Slack and they would be acknowledged very quickly. That was a common thing. They were always acknowledged. Rarely they'd be like, oh, let me check that for you. But then nothing would actually happen, and I would have to chase again. Again, very minor and they always got back to me. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us with the ISO 27001 process, structured our business, and identified risks. Their guidance in setting up the process correctly was invaluable. Communication was excellent, allowing us to stay on track and informed. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! It’s great to hear that the support, structure, and guidance throughout your compliance journey have been valuable, and that the communication and collaboration worked well for your team. We also appreciate your note around follow-ups on Slack. While we’re glad everything was resolved, we recognise the importance of closing the loop promptly and will continue to improve on this. Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 11. Streamlined Compliance with Expert Support **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** David G. | Chief Operating Officer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 05, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really like Cognisys’ collaborative approach, with regular touchpoints and consistent communication. Their overall support has been very helpful throughout. I also appreciate how quickly they were able to get up to speed from the start, helping us navigate regulatory requirements and stay compliant. The team’s expertise, especially around policies and the necessary tooling, makes the service genuinely valuable. Implementing our chosen ISMS, Vanta, was straightforward, and it was great to complement that with access to additional services for Vulnerability Testing. Their experience and know-how in delivering these solutions in the best way for our needs significantly sped up the process. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** They clearly are very busy, and sometimes this leads to some delays in communications, so perhaps they need to consider more capacity to remove bottlenecks? **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** They are a great service provider if you are looking for expert support in compliance and readiness. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys has supported our business with Information Security Compliance, which is a key part of our future growth plans. They helped us achieve ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certification by developing our ISMS and the associated policies, and they also acted as our internal auditor to make sure we were fully prepared for the external audit and certification. Their expert team navigates regulatory requirements quickly and has helped us implement tools such as Vanta for compliance and vulnerability testing. As a result, our clients feel reassured, and it has helped us secure new work. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review, we really appreciate your feedback. We’re so pleased that your experience has been valuable and even helped you secure new work! We also appreciate your honest feedback around bottlenecks. We’re actively hiring and expanding the team to help increase capacity and ensure we continue delivering the level of responsiveness and support our clients expect. Thanks again. ### 12. Expert Guidance for ISO Certification Success **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Hugo C. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 23, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really value the expertise of Cognisys's people, specifically their guidance through our ISO 27,001 certification process. Their availability through Slack and responsiveness to any requests on our side have been incredibly beneficial. The consultants are true experts in dealing with certification processes, which was really helpful for addressing issues and conducting our mandatory management review meetings and other assessments. I'm also encouraged by their ability to guide us through ongoing and future certifications like SOC 2 or GDPR compliance. This expertise makes me consider expanding our partnership with them. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** nothing to add **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helps us with setting up and reviewing our information security management system, ensuring compliance with ISO 27001 standards. They guide us through certification processes, prepare our organization, and check policies and standards. Their consultancy vastly benefits our compliance activities. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, we really appreciate it! It’s great to hear that the team’s expertise, responsiveness, and support have been valuable throughout your journey. We’re especially pleased that the experience has helped build confidence as you continue to develop and expand your compliance efforts. Thanks again. ### 13. Fast, Seamless Collaboration - Cognysis Fits Smoothly Into Our Slack Workflow **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Felix F. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 30, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Fast, seamless collaboration. We use Slack, and Cognysis has integrated smoothly into our workflow. For example, we have a dedicated channel where we can discuss topics and keep conversations in one place. This is supplemented by regular bi-weekly meetings, so we’re always up to date and aligned. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing really. There wasn't anything we didn't like. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Cognysis can offer support and assistance in many areas. That said, even Cognysis can’t do everything on its own. It helps a lot if you already bring your own ideas, knowledge, and at least a rough concept to start from. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognysis supports us with our ISO 27001 implementation, acting as both our consulting firm and internal auditor. Overall, Cognysis helps us follow information security best practices and address any related issues as they arise. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you! It’s great to hear that the collaboration has been seamless and we’re pleased that the regular touchpoints and communication help keep everything aligned and moving forward. ### 14. Reliable Compliance Partner with Excellent Support **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Martin C. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 04, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really value the overall support from the Cognisys team, particularly their subject matter knowledge and the speed of problem-solving. Their assistance in audit readiness is greatly appreciated. It's extremely valuable to have access to their expertise for any queries or compliance demands. This allows us to stay lean as a company. The engagement and support from the team are very good and highly valued. Their guidance, especially from Naomi, Alice, and Sara, is appreciated in the ongoing management of the services we receive. With Cognisys's help, we efficiently use our time to monitor and maintain compliance standards. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** . **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys supports our compliance demands with SOC2, ISO27001, and Cyber Essentials Plus. They're a reliable partner for Vanta platform management, ensuring we efficiently maintain standards. Their expert advice allows us to stay lean while addressing any compliance queries quickly. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review, we really appreciate the feedback! It’s great to hear that our team’s support, responsiveness, and expertise have been valuable to you. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the team. Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 15. Swift, Professional, and Comprehensive Cybersecurity **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Simon S. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 06, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I like Cognisys because they are approachable and handle new requests swiftly and professionally. I appreciate their excellent support and sales services. The comprehensive proposals they deliver, like the one for a full SOC service, are impressive, even if they don't always fit our operational needs. I find their penetration testing particularly helpful, especially the internal tests that help manage vulnerabilities quickly and easily. Their openness and customer engagement approach work really well for TIMCO, and we need a partner who can react quickly, which Cognisys provides. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** I can't really think of much I'd change. The services provide good value and meet our needs well. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helps us by performing regular penetration tests, managing vulnerabilities quickly, and providing expertise in areas where we are lacking resources internally. Their approachability and swift handling of requests are also valuable. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! It’s great to hear that our approachability, responsiveness, and support have been valuable to your team. We’re pleased the collaboration is helping you move quickly and effectively where it matters most. Thanks again for your kind words. ### 16. Expert ISO 27001 Implementation with Friendly, Flexible Service **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Lindsay M. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 27, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really appreciate the friendly nature of the staff assigned to our project at Cognisys and their willingness to be flexible with implementation timelines. Their expertise in the Vanta platform and standardized methods for policy design were instrumental in helping us move quickly in our ISO 27,001 implementation. As a small IT team, their assistance with implementing the ISO 27,001 standard within the Vanta platform was crucial. Their professional services related to policy design and process implementation were a big help. Everything we experienced during the project was agreeable and meaningful. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** No specific dislikes **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** I find Cognisys's expertise in ISO 27,001 implementation instrumental. As a small IT team, their standardized methods and flexible timelines were vital in quickly achieving our compliance goals, benefiting our organization's needs. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for sharing your feedback! It’s great to hear that the team’s flexibility, expertise, and support made a positive impact, especially in helping your team move forward efficiently. We’re pleased the experience was valuable and meaningful throughout. Thanks again. ### 17. Essential for ISO Certification Success **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Gilles V. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really appreciated Cognisys for their quick response times and well-structured approach. Their support is invaluable in preparing for ISO 27001:2022 certification, as they divide the workload into manageable chunks with realistic deadlines. The thorough documentation and reports for our meetings have been instrumental for ISO audits. The certification itself is a token of credibility, helping us significantly in closing deals with bigger corporate leads. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** I wish there was an FAQ or a guide on how to prepare for the audits themselves. We did overestimate the scrutiny of those audits a bit, and prepared a bit too much. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use Cognisys for our ISO 27001:2022 certification, which helps close deals with stricter corporate leads. It reduces management effort in compliance, dividing workload with realistic deadlines, and supports us with documentation and quick responses. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback, we really appreciate it. It’s great to hear that our structured approach, responsiveness, and support have been valuable throughout your journey. We also appreciate your suggestion around audit preparation guidance, it's something we’ll take on board! Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 18. Essential Support for SOC 2 Audit Readiness **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Siim N. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 31, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I find Cognisys incredibly helpful in preparing us for the SOC 2 audit. They provide us with templates for standard policies and guide us through the SOC 2 process, always ready to answer questions in the Slack channel. Their hands-on guidance and clear explanations of what SOC 2 expects have been most helpful, making the audit process manageable by clarifying expectations and reviewing necessities. Additionally, their support with Vanta implementation, responsiveness, and practical guidance encourage our continued partnership. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helps us prepare for the SOC 2 audit by providing templates, guidance, and clear explanations. They answer questions and ensure we're ready for the audit, making the process manageable. Their support with Vanta implementation and responsiveness boost our readiness. ### 19. Expert vCISO and Compliance Partner **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Gambling & Casinos | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 07, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I find Cognisys's vCISO service highly valuable. Their knowledge of procedures and certification expectations has been crucial. The vCISO approach is a cost-effective way for us to manage information security without needing an in-house resource. Cognisys guided us through the ISO 27001 certification process by helping us fill knowledge gaps and support policy drafting. Their flexibility matches our style, which I greatly appreciate. They helped us onboard, understand, operationalize, and manage the Vanta platform, which was entirely new to us. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** I would probably ask them to be stricter and harsher on us with deliverables, as well as themselves, so we can progress even faster. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Make sure you’re clear on exactly what you want to achieve. Be open and transparent with the Cognisys team, and work closely with them so everything is tailored to your company’s specific use cases. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us achieve ISO 27001, EU GDPR, and other compliances quickly, easing operations and license applications. Their vCISO filled knowledge gaps, supported policy drafting, and made information security management cost-effective without needing in-house resources. ### 20. Great support during our ISO 27001 journey **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Markus B. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** The team was very supportive and responsive whenever we had questions. This made the whole certification process much less stressful for us. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Honestly there is not much to dislike. Sometimes the process can feel a bit heavy because ISO 27001 itself requires a lot of documentation and steps but Cognisys helped guide us through it clearly **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** If you are planning to get ISO 27001 certification, I would recommend working with Cognisys. They have strong expertise and guide you step by step through the process. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us manage the whole process to get our ISO 27001 certification. Before, it was difficult to understand all requirements, documentation and controls. With their guidance, we could organize policies, track tasks, and prepare for the audit much easier. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that the team’s support and responsiveness helped make the process feel more manageable. We understand that certification can feel heavy at times, so we’re pleased we could help bring clarity and structure along the way. Thanks again! ### 21. A Vital Partner for Compliance Certification **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Prokopios G. | Co-founder & CTO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 23, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I appreciate Cognisys for preparing us for SOC 2 and helping us with ISO certifications. Their guidance in understanding the roadmap, bridging gaps, and providing guidance, help, and clarifications has been extremely valuable. They respond quickly and are always happy to help, which makes them of immense value to us. Their expertise in managing the certification process, highlighting what is important and what to watch out for, is valuable. They effectively helped us connect the dots. Overall, they have been great. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing to mention here **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helps us with SOC 2 and ISO certifications by understanding the road map, bridging the gap, and providing guidance. They respond quickly, ensuring smooth compliance. Their expertise on certification priorities is very valuable. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for your feedback! It’s great to hear that our support, responsiveness, and guidance have been valuable throughout your journey. We’re especially pleased that the experience has helped bring clarity and structure to the process. Thanks again. ### 22. Happy ISO 27001 Customer **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 30, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Having expert advice at hand is invaluable. With few exceptions, they are able to answer our questions when there is something we are unsure of. They are very responsive and we particularly like how they are available on Slack as it makes the communication faster and easier. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Our primary objective is to get us prepared and through the ISO 27001 audit every year. Cognisys' plans seemingly only support pre-audit support or an annual plan. We are forced to choose the latter as we want support during the audit. However, the post-audit support is not something we value hugely. Ultimately, this is not a big deal but if there was a more cost effective plan that ran up to and including the audit we would likely choose that. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** If you are doing your first year ISO/SOC audit, get Cognisys involved sooner rather than later. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys have successfully guided us through our ISO 27001 audit preparation and process several years in a row. ### 23. Streamlined Security Certification with Cognisys **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rauli R. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 13, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I appreciate Cognisys for helping us get the SOC 2 Type II certification, which is crucial for selling to big corporations and makes our security stance much more robust. Their pricing and quick program to achieve the certification were major factors in choosing them. I like their expertise in security, which gives me confidence in expanding our partnership with them for yearly services on security monitoring. Cognisys did a great job, and I would rate them 9 out of 10 for recommending to others. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** - **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us achieve SOC 2 Type II certification, allowing us to sell to big corporations and strengthening our security. Their expertise and Vanta's monitoring ensure process follow-up, making our security stance more robust. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that the experience has been positive a positive one and that the outcome is supporting your ability to work with larger organisations and strengthen your overall security position! Thanks again. ### 24. Streamlined Our ISO Certification with Ease **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Loïc P. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 16, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I like how Cognisys helped us with getting our ISO certificate by delivering templates and making sure all documents were ready for Vanta. They guided us through the whole process, which was very value-creating since they helped us fill in the right details and make sure everything was correct. I also appreciate that we communicated through a Slack channel, which was very helpful for asking questions and getting quick answers. Their professional and quick services were impressive. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us get our ISO certification by providing the right document templates and ensuring the content was correct. Their support through Slack was convenient and prompt. Their consulting made our certification process smooth and guided us correctly. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that the support, guidance, and communication throughout the process made things smooth and straightforward for your team. Thanks again! ### 25. Competent support for IT certifications **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Felix K. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 05, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I appreciate Cognisys's expertise in IT security and certifications, especially in penetration testing. Their vCISO offering is also very interesting. Additionally, they have competently supported us in the creation of policies and the execution of internal audits. This expertise ensures that we are happy to work with Cognisys again for recertifications. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Our roadmap has been slightly delayed a few times, as it was not always clear when the next milestone would be completed and results have shifted slightly. One could work more strictly with deadlines for the deliverables. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys has supported us in internal audits and the creation of policies for ISO 27001:2022 and C5 Type 2 certifications. Their expertise in IT security and compliance is particularly valuable. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! It’s great to know the collaboration has been helpful, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future. We also appreciate your comments around timelines and milestones. Feedback like this is important and we’re always looking for ways to improve clarity and communication. Thanks again! ### 26. Streamlined ISO 27001 Prep with a Startup Edge **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Christophe G. | Co-Founder & CTO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 30, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I like Cognisys because they have been very helpful in my ISO 27001 certification preparation. Their consulting services are extremely helpful, and they offer a structured way of working with the Vanta tool, which is the market leader. I appreciate their startup mentality; they are friendly, down to earth, and don't overcomplicate things. Their link with Vanta is a great combo deal that influenced my decision to choose them. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** NA **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helps me get ISO 27001-certified, which we need to sell to bigger corporates, and it matures our cybersecurity setup. ### 27. Responsive, Knowledgeable Support **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** George G. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 16, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Responsive and knowledgeable, but if they don't know the answer, i get told and they go and find out for me, no guessing or telling me the wrong thing and then correcting themselves on it **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Have not had a bad experience, will admin I am new to them and have only done my basic cyber essentials, but there was nothing to fault **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Be clear in what you want to get out of them and it will absolutely be provided for **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Helped me get Cyber Essential certified much quicker than other providers have done in the past. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that you’ve found the team responsive, knowledgeable, and transparent in their approach. We believe it’s important to be clear and accurate, so it’s great to know that came through in your experience. Thank you! ### 28. Perfect for Ensuring Audit Compliance **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Abhishek B. | Associate Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 27, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** I really appreciate Cognisys because the team members assigned to us are very technically sound. They know exactly what is expected, and they always provide the right responses, which I think is perfect. I also find them very approachable, and they genuinely understand the client's problems and business. This responsiveness is very important to me and makes Cognisys my go-to choice. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** NOTHING **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** NCognisys helps us be compliant with ISO and SOC 2 before external audits, making compliance easier. Their team is technically sound and understands our needs, providing perfect responses. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that the team’s expertise, responsiveness, and understanding of your business have made a positive impact. Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 29. Collaborative Slack Support and an easy to use platform **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 30, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** The dedicated Slack channel makes communication easy and responsive — it feels collaborative rather than transactional. The Vanta platform is well set up and once you're familiar it, it's straightforward to navigate and track progress against controls. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** The initial learning curve on Vanta takes some time to get through before it becomes intuitive. Nothing significant to flag — generally a positive experience so far. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Make sure you do some foundational work to understand the platform and its capabilities before diving straight in. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys is supporting Lobaso through ISO 27001 certification readiness — helping us structure our information security management system, identify non-conformances, and work towards certification. The benefit is a credible, audit-ready security posture that we can use commercially with enterprise clients. ### 30. Fast, Logical, and Refreshingly Simple **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Merilin H. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 17, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Speed of doing things, logic and simplicity. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** None so far, we have had a really good experience. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are a small startup working with large corporations as clients, so we need our compliance to be strong. However, we don’t have a dedicated role for compliance or cybersecurity, so everyone is involved, and I, as the Head of Operations, am responsible for managing everything related to it. Cognisys offers a reliable platform and partner to help us manage compliance, which is important for achieving our business goals. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that you’ve found our approach simple, logical, and efficient, and that the experience has been a positive one so far. We’re especially pleased to be supporting your team in managing compliance alongside your wider responsibilities. Thanks again for sharing your experience! ### 31. Structured compliance support with scope for better coordination **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Insurance | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 26, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** The platform is structured and aligns well with compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO. It provides a clear pathway for managing audit requirements, which is especially useful for teams going through these processes for the first time. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** At times, communication and coordination could be more proactive. There were instances where quicker responses or clearer timelines would have helped keep things moving more smoothly. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Cognisys is a solid option for teams looking to simplify compliance workflows. It’s helpful to establish clear communication cadence and expectations early on to ensure a seamless experience. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys provides a DTA program designed to support SOC 2 and ISO compliance. It offers a structured approach to managing requirements, tracking progress, and preparing for audits. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! It’s great to hear that you’ve found the platform structured and helpful in navigating compliance requirements, especially when going through these processes for the first time. We also appreciate your feedback around communication and coordination. This is something we’re actively working to improve, ensuring timelines and updates are as clear and proactive as possible from the outset. Thanks again. ### 32. Effective ISO27001 Certification Support **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Anurag M. | Founder’s Associate, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 09, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** They did a great job with ISO27001 it was value for money and Lenu and Sara were very supportive. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** There is always a room for improvement in things but they did an overall very good job with the ISO27001 support. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Cognisys for ISO 27001 certification, which I didn't know how to achieve. Their DTA program provided regular calls and helpful consultants like Lino. The support was good, but expectation setting about additional certifications was an issue. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for your feedback! It’s great to hear that you found the experience valuable and that the support from the team made a positive difference throughout your journey. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on. ### 33. Thorough Assessments and Clear, Concise Reports **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 06, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** They are thorough with their assessments and create clear and concise reports. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** They are expensive, but at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Consider the value for money you get. They might be a little pricier, but the outcome is usually worth it. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys are a great company to approach if you want a fresh pair of eyes to check over your set up. I got a report through of changes that needed to be made and what kind of priority to assign them. They road map out other recommendations and these reports are easy to read and follow and highlight the more important changes which need to occur. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > We’re pleased to hear that you have had an overall positive experience! Making findings practical and actionable is something we put a lot of focus on, so it’s great to know that came through in your experience. We also appreciate your comments around pricing. Our goal is always to deliver meaningful outcomes and value for money. Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 34. Friendly, Helpful Customer Support You Can Rely On **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Maleakhi W. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 05, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Friendly customer support, give helpful advice **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Can be quite costly and price changes quite a lot from last year **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** If you need help improving your security posture, getting certification, or maintaining it, don’t hesitate to reach out to Cognisys. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped me obtain SOC 2 certification and made sure our company’s security processes are top-notch. They also supported us with black-box and software testing, which helped strengthen our overall approach. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that you’ve found the team friendly and the support helpful. We also appreciate your comments around pricing. Thanks again! ### 35. Responsive, Solution-Oriented Team That Gets It Done **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** A create responsive team who would clearly articulate and problem solve issues for us. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing to dislike when you are working with a great team! **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** Ask questions, they are very helpful! **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** The Team at Cognisys helped successfully guide the business through our ISO 27001 audit. The team were on hand to advise and answer and questions that we had about the process, this hands on approach led to our business successfully passing the audit earlier this year. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for the kind review, we really appreciate you sharing your experience! ### 36. Excellent Team Collaboration and Support in Slack **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Alexander K. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** The collaboration and support from the team in Slack **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Not much, I would like to have had a little bit of a more clear roadmap at the start. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Tried to get ISO Certified quick to close enterprise deals! **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s great to hear that the collaboration and support from the team have been helpful! We also appreciate your feedback around having a clearer roadmap at the start. This is something we’re continuously improving to ensure expectations and timelines are as clear as possible from day one. Thanks again! ### 37. Professional, Friendly Consultants Who Are Always There When You Need Them **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 06, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** The consultants are very professional while still being friendly. They’re generally available whenever something comes up, which I really appreciate. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** There’s nothing in particular to point out with this one **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys is supporting us with the certification and maintenance of ISO standards (27001, 27701, and 42001). Their know-how is valuable and helps facilitate the entire process, guiding us through the documentation and the actions needed to stay aligned with the norms. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for your feedback! It’s great to hear that you’ve found the team both professional and approachable, and that their availability and support have made a positive difference. We’re pleased the experience has been helpful in guiding you through your ongoing work. Thanks again. ### 38. Friendly, Knowledgeable Team with Fast Responses **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Everyone in the team is extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and they act quickly. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing, everything worked out perfectly with Cognisys. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us perform the internal audit for our ISO certifications. ### 39. Premium Service Worth It **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 06, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Very fast communications, they really understand the certification processes, and were easily able to help us get up to speed. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Their service is a bit pricey and is a monthly commitment instead of a fixed-price for the service like I would prefer. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cognisys helped us manuever through our ISO 27001 certification process with ease. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thanks for your feedback! It’s great to hear that our team’s responsiveness and expertise helped you get up to speed quickly and navigate the process smoothly. We also appreciate your comments around pricing and structure. Feedback like this is valuable as we continue to refine how we package and deliver our services. Thanks again for sharing your experience. ### 40. Fantastic Experience with a Great Team **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 13, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** The team was great, and working with them was a fantastic experience for us. **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** Nothing to complain about, it was truly perfect. I would 100% recommend it. **Recommendations to others considering Cognisys:** I definitely recommend using them; they were super valuable for us. **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** They helped us with our ISO certification. **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for the kind words! It’s great to hear that you found the engagement valuable and had such a positive experience working with the team. We’re pleased to have been able to support you along the way. ### 41. Proactive, Thorough Consultants Who Deliver **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Biotechnology | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 27, 2026 **What do you like best about Cognisys?** Our consultants were very proactive and thorough in responses **What do you dislike about Cognisys?** nothing to complain, all consultants were friendly and competent **What problems is Cognisys solving and how is that benefiting you?** ISO 27001 certification **Official Response from Aston Smith:** > Thank you for your review! - [View Cognisys pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/cognisys/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-06-16+07%3A46%3A31+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=f1a13bd8-1d98-4520-aed2-a96e202e64ed&secure%5Btoken%5D=c38359d855eeabd1196166e144ee682cc08442c7cee992f3bbec9192b1e0b736&format=llm_user) ## Cognisys Features **Planning** - Needs Assessment - Resource Allocation - Stayed within Budget - Statement of Work - Best Practices **Delivery** - Technical Expertise - Met Deadlines - Meeting Management - Project Updates - Scope Management - Roll-out **Team Quality** - Change Management Skills - Executive Presence - Vertical Expertise - Technology Partnerships ## Top Cognisys Alternatives - [Insight Assurance](https://www.g2.com/products/insight-assurance/reviews) - 4.8/5.0 (132 reviews) - [Johanson Group](https://www.g2.com/products/johanson-group/reviews) - 4.9/5.0 (104 reviews) - [Atom Assurances Services](https://www.g2.com/products/atom-assurances-services/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (79 reviews)