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ISO 27701 Certification

What is ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification ?

ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification is a global standard that establishes the framework for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS), also known as a Personal Information Management System. It is designed for organizations to manage the privacy of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) by defining the roles and responsibilities of PII Controllers and Processors.

The standard outlines the requirements for establishing, controlling, maintaining, and continually improving a PIMS. It provides organizations with tools and techniques to implement necessary controls for protecting personal information. The approach is risk-based, helping organizations identify potential risks and select appropriate controls to enhance both current and future operations.

What is the difference between ISO 27701 Certification and ISO 27001 Certification?

ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification is an extension of the ISO 27001 standard, with key differences between the two. ISO/IEC 27701:2019 is designed to help organizations comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and focuses primarily on data protection and information privacy risks. In contrast, ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is a widely recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), concentrating on managing risks and implementing security controls to protect information. While both standards are related to data security, ISO/IEC 27701 specifically addresses privacy concerns, whereas ISO 27001 covers broader information security management.

When was ISO 27701 Certification published?

ISO 27701 Certification is an international standard published in August 2019. It is the first global standard specifically focused on Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS). As an extension of the ISO 27001 standard, it assists organizations in implementing, maintaining, and continually improving their PIMS by enhancing their existing Information Security Management System (ISMS). This standard is applicable to organizations of all sizes, industries, and complexities, regardless of their type or scope.

ISO 27701 Benefits

ISO 27701 Certification offers several key benefits for organizations. First, it ensures compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and allows your company to meet other privacy-related requirements and legal obligations using a single standard.

Additionally, ISO 27701 helps build integrity and confidence in your organization, as it demonstrates that you have robust security management and risk management practices in place for your business processes.

The certification also improves time management by enabling your organization to efficiently address security questionnaires, comply with security legislation, and assure stakeholders that effective risk identification and management systems are operational.

Lastly, achieving ISO 27701 prepares your business for future updates to the Data Protection Act (DPA), with the Privacy Information Management System framework already established.

ISO 27701 Requirements

ISO 27701 Certification follows the High-level Structure (HLS) based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. The standard is divided into 10 sections, with the first three serving as introductory content and the remaining seven providing auditable requirements for implementing a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). These sections outline essential requirements for successfully deploying a PIMS in your organization.
Section 4, “Context of the Organization,” focuses on identifying all relevant processes, operations, and activities within the scope of ISO/IEC 27701 Certification to ensure a proper privacy management system is in place.
Section 5, “Leadership,” highlights the importance of top management and auditors in driving the PIMS implementation. It defines the roles and responsibilities of management to prevent potential conflicts during the process.
Section 6, “Planning,” focuses on setting objectives for the management system and identifying risks, with the goal of eliminating them from the organization.
Section 7, “Support,” provides guidelines on the tools, technologies, and resources needed for PIMS implementation. This section covers the competencies, awareness, maintenance, and control of documented data or information required by the standard.
Section 8, “Operation,” addresses operational processes and assesses progress toward objectives. A key requirement here is conducting regular risk assessments to ensure the effectiveness of operations.
Section 9, “Performance Evaluation,” emphasizes the need for periodic reviews of the management system, including its processes and controls. Management should continuously monitor all activities to maintain an effective privacy management system.
Section 10, “Improvement,” ensures ongoing enhancement of the privacy management system. It focuses on continuous improvement to address risks and optimize the system’s performance.

Importance of ISO 27701:2019 Certification?

The ISO 27701:2019 certification is vital for organizations of all sizes and industries, regardless of their location. It offers a framework for data privacy that complements an Information Security Management System (ISMS), enabling organizations to establish an effective privacy management system.

Achieving ISO 27701 helps organizations avoid regulatory penalties by demonstrating compliance with privacy laws and regulations. This certification provides numerous benefits, including:

  • Strengthening trust and confidence with users, which leads to the retention of existing customers and the acquisition of new ones.
  • Offering a competitive edge and enhancing the organization's position in the market.
  • Building a resilient privacy management infrastructure that allows the organization to adapt to changes effectively.
  • Ensuring compliance with a wide range of privacy and data security laws, including GDPR and related standards.

PDCA Cycle

  • Plan: Identify the goals and objectives that need to be achieved within the organization.
  • Do: Implement the planned actions that will help accomplish the identified objectives.
  • Check: Monitor progress and compare the outcomes against the established standards, policies, and requirements.
  • Act: Take corrective actions based on the evaluation to ensure continuous improvement.

3 Steps to Certification

With the assistance of CyberClad Global, the certification process can be completed in as little as 40 days.

Gap Analysis

  • Assess your management system's compliance with the requirements of the applicable standard.
  • Discuss what needs to be included in the project plan and agree on any remedial actions.
  • Identify any non-conforming areas.
  • Set the groundwork for a project plan.

Implementation

  • ISO certification is a comprehensive process that requires expertise and experience.
  • CyberClad Global is not involved in the implementation or preparation of documents to obtain ISO Certification.
  • To maintain integrity and impartiality as a certifying authority, CyberClad Global does not participate in the implementation phase.
  • Organizations must allocate appropriate resources, time, and effort to implement management systems and procedures effectively.

Certification Process

  • Application Form : Clients provide essential organizational details by completing the application form.
  • Contract Review : The quality team evaluates the client’s specific requirements.
  • Audit : Conducted in two stages (Stage 1 and Stage 2) to assess compliance.
  • Decision Making : The Decision-Making team evaluates the audit results and approves the certification.

There are mandatory processes for obtaining ISO certifications. After completing the necessary documentation, follow these steps:

Stage One (Documentation Review): Auditors from the certification body will assess if your documentation meets ISO 37001 requirements.

Stage Two (Main Audit): The auditors will evaluate whether your actual processes align with the documentation and comply with ISO 37001 standards.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

The quality manual procedures should be diligently followed by the company. Noncompliance with these procedures can result in the loss of certification. A quality manual serves as a specific form of system procedure and may be requested by customers when needed.


The work instruction manual outlines the detailed steps for executing procedures, including forms, quality records, specifications, and master lists. These documents must be properly maintained to avoid significant issues during ISO 27701 implementation.


Quality management principles represent a comprehensive set of beliefs that guide an organization’s operations, with the goal of continually improving performance over the long term. These principles prioritize customer satisfaction while addressing the needs of all stakeholders.

ISO 27701 Frequently Asked Questions Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)

Achieving ISO 27701 Certification is relatively straightforward with today’s advanced systems. The basic steps to becoming ISO 27701 certified include: First, organizing all relevant information about your company in a systematic manner (it’s recommended to hire a legal consultant for this process). Second, documenting all the necessary details about your business. Third, implementing the documented information within your organization. Fourth, preparing for internal audits, which are conducted initially during the certification process and periodically thereafter. Finally, once the certifying body approves your management system, you will be awarded the ISO certification.

Data privacy has become a critical focus for nearly every organization. ISO 27701 Certification is the first standard to offer a framework for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) within your organization. The primary goals of the ISO 27701 standard are to enhance your Information Security Management System (ISMS) by integrating PIMS and other privacy policies, to establish a privacy management system that ensures compliance with general data privacy regulations (GDPR), and to streamline your management system by consolidating complex privacy laws.

The cost of ISO 27701 certification can vary between organizations. When you approach an internationally accredited certifying body, they will assess your management systems and processes before providing a quote for the certification. The overall cost is influenced by factors such as the size of your organization, the number of employees, the number of branches, and other specific details related to your business.

An ISO certificate is typically valid for three years. During this period, an annual surveillance audit is conducted to ensure the organization continues to meet ISO quality standards.

The latest version of ISO 27701 certification, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, was published in August 2019. This standard outlines the requirements for implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving a privacy management system. It is an enhancement of the ISO 27001 standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) and provides a framework for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It is widely recognized as a critical standard for compliance with General Data Privacy regulations.

ISO 27701 certification is an enhanced version of the ISO 27001 standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It ensures that your organization is compliant with General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) regulations. To fully benefit from ISO 27701, your organization must first implement ISO 27001. ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001 by focusing on privacy management, helping to minimize risks related to data privacy. By establishing an ISMS, your company can demonstrate that it has an effective and efficient system in place for data protection.