About Sterling · Our story
Sterling International Consulting: our history since 2003
Sterling International Consulting's history begins in 2003, when the group started implementing ISO management systems in India. Today Sterling's expert and experienced consultants work from offices in 21 countries across ISO, ESG, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR, with 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries behind the same method, refined.
- Heritage since 2003The group has implemented ISO management systems since 2003.
- One method, refinedThe same way of working, carried from the first engagements to today's.
- A group, not a single firmConsulting, cybersecurity and GRC software under one group.
- Offices in 21 countriesLocal offices, with a global headquarters in New York.
Since 2003
Where the history of Sterling International Consulting begins
The group's story starts in 2003 in India, with Lakshy Management Consultant Pvt. Ltd. Its work was ISO implementation and certification consulting: helping organisations build a management system that works in practice and prepare for the audit an accredited certification body carries out.
Sterling International Consulting was registered as a UAE entity in 2012 and carries that heritage forward. The name is newer than the method. The way of working that began in 2003, building the system with the client's own people around the processes they already run, is the one Sterling uses today, refined over thousands of engagements.
- 2003: Lakshy Management Consultant Pvt. Ltd. is founded in India for ISO implementation and certification consulting.
- 2012: Sterling International Consulting is registered as a UAE entity, with the group's heritage behind it.
- 2016: Effivity Technologies launches its ISO and GRC software, now used in 50+ countries.
The group today
From one consultancy to a group of specialist companies
What began as ISO consulting is now a group with distinct specialisms. Sterling International Consulting is the global GRC consulting firm: ISO management systems, integrated management systems, ESG, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR. Each company does one job well, and a client can draw on more than one without changing partners.
The group's software sits inside every Sterling engagement. Effivity, a low-code and no-code GRC and ISO automation platform, is included at no additional cost, so the system your team builds with Sterling has a place to live, be maintained and be evidenced after certification.
- Sterling International Consulting: global GRC consulting across ISO, ESG, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR.
- Cyber Vantage 360, in the Philippines: cybersecurity, data privacy, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS and HIPAA.
- Effivity Technologies: ISO and GRC automation software, used in 50+ countries.
The method
How the way of working has been organised: Sterling OS™
Today the method is set out as Sterling OS™, a set of service brands in lifecycle order. Design™ is the default: we develop, and you implement under our expert advice and supervision. Drive™ is the alternative for organisations that want the work fully managed. A client chooses one or the other, never both in sequence.
After certification, Sustain™ supports surveillance and recertification audits, and extends to outcomes such as SOC 2 attestation, PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR. Automate™ brings the system onto Effivity. Revise™ handles version transitions, scope expansion and integration of a new standard. Throughout, Sterling does not certify; an accredited body audits and decides.
- Design™ or Drive™: two alternative levels of support for implementation.
- Sustain™, Automate™ and Revise™: support that continues after the certificate.
- The Sterling Promise: 100% on-time completion, 100% success, 8,100+ client engagements.
Where we work
Offices in 21 countries, with a global headquarters in New York
Sterling's global headquarters is in New York. Regional headquarters are in Dubai, Navi Mumbai, Manila, London, Enschede and Johannesburg, and further offices are in Toronto, Frankfurt, Riyadh, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney.
That reach is what 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries rests on. A client works with a consultant in its own region, while a multi-site or multi-country programme is run as one engagement with one engagement team.
- Global headquarters: New York, United States.
- Regional headquarters: United Arab Emirates, India, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and South Africa.
- Further offices across Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Addresses, telephone numbers and country e-mail addresses for every office are on the contact page.
Client experience
On the record: what clients say about working with Sterling.
The ISO project manager writes that every project milestone was met within the agreed timeframe and to the stated objectives, and that the team's expertise, meticulous planning and collaborative approach were instrumental in a smooth and efficient implementation.
The managing director writes, on behalf of the whole organisation, that the guidance and support provided during its journey to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification were invaluable, and that the certificate is a direct result of that support.
The operations manager reports that implementation gave the company a more structured approach to its inspection activities, with better process consistency, documentation control and operational effectiveness, and a clear framework for competence management and continual improvement.
The ISO core team writes that Sterling helped the company align its facilities management processes and procedures across clients and projects of very different kinds, and that its stakeholders were highly appreciative of the project.
Each account is drawn from a signed letter or e-mail on file and reported in our words, with the signatory's role and organisation attached; the original letters are available on request. Ask for references in your sector before you decide.
- 60+countries where Sterling has delivered certification
- 21countries with a Sterling office, eight regions, one coordinated team
- 2003the year the group began implementing ISO management systems; the same method, refined, since
- 8,100+client engagements across the group, from single-site SMEs to multinationals
FAQs
Questions about Sterling's history
Where the group began, what it does today and how it works with clients.
When was Sterling International Consulting founded?
Sterling International Consulting was registered as a UAE entity in 2012, and the group's heritage dates from 2003. That year Lakshy Management Consultant Pvt. Ltd. was founded in India for ISO implementation and certification consulting. Sterling carries the same method forward, refined since, and now works from offices in 21 countries with 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries.
Is Sterling a certification body?
No. Sterling is a consulting firm and does not certify. An accredited certification body carries out the certification audit and makes the decision. Sterling's expert and experienced consultants help your organisation build the management system, prepare your people and evidence, and support you through the audit and the response to any findings.
Which companies are part of the Sterling group?
The group includes Sterling International Consulting for global GRC consulting, Cyber Vantage 360 in the Philippines for cybersecurity and data privacy, and Effivity Technologies for ISO and GRC automation software. Its roots are in Lakshy Management Consultant Pvt. Ltd., founded in India in 2003. Effivity is used in 50+ countries and is included in every Sterling engagement at no additional cost.
Where does Sterling have offices?
Sterling has offices in 21 countries, with its global headquarters in New York. Regional headquarters are in Dubai, Navi Mumbai, Manila, London, Enschede and Johannesburg, with further offices across Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Each office's address, telephone number where listed and country e-mail address are on the contact page.
What does Sterling's work cover today?
Sterling's work today covers ISO management systems, integrated management systems, ESG, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR. Organisations choose Design™, where Sterling develops and they implement under expert supervision, or Drive™, a fully managed implementation. Support continues after certification through Sustain™, Automate™ on Effivity, and Revise™ for transitions and new standards.
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