selfhost.directory

The index of self-hostable projects — ranked, categorized and served with live updates.
Own your data and stop giving it to big tech.

isms-builder logo

Self-host isms-builder

v1.81.2

Self-hosted ISMS platform for compliance standards

BetaOpen SourceAGPL-3.0
Updatedyesterday
LanguageJavaScript
Setup difficultyModerate
MobileNative app
ThemeDark mode
Stars
256
Port
3000 (HTTP/HTTPS listen port)
Docker
ghcr.io/coolstartnow/isms-builder
Install with Docker
Login screenDashboardStatement of ApplicabilityRisk ManagementGDPR & DatenschutzAsset ManagementGuidance & DocumentationReportsMeasures registerMeasures in the SoA

What is isms-builder?

This web application helps organizations build and maintain an Information Security Management System entirely on their own hardware. It addresses major European compliance frameworks including ISO 27001, the NIS2 directive, GDPR, and BSI IT-Grundschutz. Core capabilities span policy authoring with version control, a statement of applicability covering hundreds of controls across multiple standards, risk registers with treatment tracking, GDPR-specific tooling for processing records and breach timers, asset and vendor inventories, business continuity planning, staff training logs, an incident reporting portal, audit planning with checklists, and automated policy acknowledgment workflows. A built-in calendar aggregates deadlines from every module. Optional local AI search runs via Ollama without sending data externally. The interface supports five languages and a multi-entity organizational hierarchy. Deployment is straightforward with Docker Compose using a JSON file backend by default, while SQLite, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL are available as alternatives. A companion Android application enables offline work with synchronization, though it has not yet been publicly released. Development is led by a single practitioner with decades of CISO experience; the codebase is actively evolving and not yet considered feature-complete.

isms-builder alternatives

All self-hosted alternatives to Commercial ISMS platforms (SaaS) →

Should you self-host isms-builder?

isms-builder scores 45/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #6 of 8 in Compliance. It has 256 GitHub stars.

It shipped 15 stable releases in the past year. The latest, v1.81.2, came out on 23 October 2026. New versions land roughly every 1 days.

Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. An official Docker image is available. It is AGPL-3.0-licensed and written mostly in JavaScript.

Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is probo (62/100, 1 487 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See isms-builder vs probo side by side.

Features

  • Asset Management
  • Audit Findings
  • BCM / BCP
  • GDPR & Privacy
  • Governance
  • Incident Inbox
  • Legal & Contracts
  • Measures Register
  • Policy Management
  • Reports
  • Risk Management
  • Security Goals
  • Supplier Management
  • Training Records

isms-builder README

ISMS Builder Banner

ISMS Builder

Self-hosted Information Security Management System — open source, no cloud required

CI Tests License: AGPL-3.0 Node.js Version

📖 Wiki — Docker-Image-Nutzung & Umgebungsvariablen, Architektur & Module, FAQ, Mitwirken (DE/EN)

How to install isms-builder

Install isms-builder with Docker

Docker
Environment variables
JWT_SECRET, STORAGE_BACKEND, DB_*, SMTP_*, SSL_*, WEBDAV_*, TRUST_PROXY, PUBLIC_URL

docker run -d --name isms-builder -p 3000:3000
-e JWT_SECRET="$(openssl rand -hex 32)"
-v "$PWD/data:/app/data"
ghcr.io/coolstartnow/isms-builder:latest

JSON storage by default; for SQL backends need separate database container and network

How to configure isms-builder

  • JWT_SECRETSecret for JWT signing — at least 32 random characters (openssl rand -hex 32). Required in production.

    values: 32+ character random string

  • JWT_EXPIRES_IN8hJWT token expiration time

    values: Duration string

  • PORT3000HTTP/HTTPS listen port

    values: Port number

  • DEV_HEADER_AUTHfalseDevelopment header authentication (never true in production)

    values: true|false

  • STORAGE_BACKENDjsonStorage backend type

    values: json|sqlite|mariadb|postgres

isms-builder releases & version history

FAQ

Who maintains the project, and how fast is the response time?

One person, alongside a full-time job. Issues and discussions are usually answered within days; security reports are prioritised. For fixed timelines or guaranteed response times, a commercial vendor is recommended.

Where do I report bugs or security issues?

Regular bugs/feature requests as a GitHub Issue. Security issues should be reported privately via GitHub's private vulnerability reporting, not publicly.

How do I move from demo data to real production use?

You don't: demo and production are never mixed. Production is always a fresh installation — set up a new instance with STORAGE_BACKEND=json, create your own administrator and set your own secrets.

Why aren't the ISO 27001 controls included?

Because ISO 27001, ISO 9000, and ISO 9001 are copyright-protected standards that cannot be redistributed without a licence. BSI IT-Grundschutz, NIS2, EUCS, EU AI Act, and CRA are fully pre-installed instead, since they're based on publicly available legislation.

What's the fastest way to get started?

Easiest via the published Docker image. For a local Node.js install without Docker: clone the repo, run npm install, copy .env.example to .env, set JWT_SECRET, then npm start.

Does ISMS Builder replace certification or legal advice?

No. The tool helps organise and evidence the work towards ISO 27001, NIS2, GDPR/DSGVO, and BSI IT-Grundschutz — the actual assessment remains yours and your auditor's.

Is ISMS Builder a hosted service?

No. ISMS Builder is self-hosted only — no cloud, no SaaS fees, no managed service. Deployment, TLS, hardening, backups, updates, and access control are the user's responsibility.

More in Compliance

Rate this project

Click to rate — no account needed.

0 comments

Posting as guest
Loading comments…