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Overview
FGI Worldwide is a trusted global provider of financial services, known for its rigorous approach to security and operational resilience. As the organization continued to expand and engage with more security-conscious customers, the next natural step was to formalize its security and compliance approach by building an Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with ISO/IEC 27001.
Challenge: Elevating Compliance to Match a Strong Security Posture
FGI had already developed a solid security foundation, but achieving ISO 27001 required formalizing processes, aligning governance, and closing gaps that hadn’t previously been documented or tested under audit scrutiny. To support this effort, FGI Worldwide brought in BD Emerson to guide the entire compliance journey from ISMS design and control implementation to internal audit readiness and final certification.
Key goals of the engagement included:
- Building and operationalizing an ISMS framework tailored to FGI’s business and risk profile
- Aligning strong existing technical controls with formal governance and compliance documentation
- Advising leadership, especially the CTO, on practical steps to rapidly mature policies and processes
- Conducting a fully independent internal audit to validate readiness for the certification process
- Supporting both Stage 1 and Stage 2 ISO 27001 audits with confidence and clarity
Solution: Embedded Expertise, Audit Readiness, and Rapid Execution
BD Emerson embedded directly within FGI’s team, aligning closely with the CTO, engineering, and operational stakeholders. As expert advisors, the firm brought strategic clarity and technical precision to the process, helping the organization move from informal controls to a documented, tested, and defendable ISMS.
To ensure objective oversight and separation of duties, BD Emerson’s internal audit team, distinct from the implementation advisors, conducted a detailed internal audit that external auditors later praised for its thoroughness and maturity.
Despite the aggressive timeline and first-time compliance challenges, BD Emerson worked in lockstep with the FGI team to stand up new processes, implement controls, and guide audit walkthroughs.
"We needed a partner who could move quickly, without sacrificing precision. BD Emerson brought the expertise, structure, and speed we were looking for. Their team became an extension of ours, embedding themselves across the organization, guiding us step by step, and giving us confidence in areas we hadn’t tackled before. The internal audit they conducted was so detailed that even the external auditors called it out. Achieving ISO 27001 with zero nonconformities says everything you need to know about the quality of the partnership."
Waleed Souilem, CTO @ FGI Worldwide
Outcomes: Rapid ISO 27001 Success and a Scalable Compliance Foundation
Through its partnership with BD Emerson, FGI Worldwide achieved ISO 27001 certification with zero nonconformities, a clear sign of a mature, well-executed compliance program.
Key results include:
- Successful ISO 27001 Certification (Stage 1 and 2)
FGI passed Stage 1 with only minor areas of concern, then achieved Stage 2 certification with zero nonconformities, reflecting the strength of its ISMS. - Detailed Internal Audit Praised by Certifiers
BD Emerson’s internal audit was cited by external auditors as a high-quality example of readiness and due diligence. - Rapid Maturity of First-Time Processes
BD Emerson worked side by side with the CTO to rapidly build and operationalize policies, evidence procedures, and review cycles, ensuring compliance readiness on a compressed timeline.
- Future-Ready Compliance Infrastructure
The ISMS now serves as the backbone for future audits, renewals, and governance processes, aligning security and compliance with long-term business growth.
Need a Partner That Can Deliver Fast Without Cutting Corners?
At BD Emerson, we help companies build and scale compliance programs that stand up to scrutiny and move at the speed of business. Whether you’re just starting your ISO 27001 journey or preparing for certification, we bring the depth, clarity, and execution you need.
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