ISO 27001 vs ISO 27701: Key Differences and How They Work Together
3 min read
In today’s digital age, data security and privacy are critical for businesses. Organizations must safeguard sensitive information while ensuring compliance with regulations. Two widely recognized standards help achieve this: ISO 27001 and ISO 27701. While ISO 27001 focuses on information security, ISO 27701 extends it to privacy management.
This blog will break down both standards, their differences, and how they complement each other to create a robust security and privacy framework.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach to securing sensitive company information, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Key Aspects of ISO 27001:
Risk Management: Identifies, assesses, and mitigates security risks.
Security Controls: Includes policies, procedures, and technical measures to protect information.
Compliance: Helps organizations meet regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and others.
Certification: Organizations can get certified to demonstrate their commitment to information security.
What is ISO 27701?
ISO/IEC 27701 is an extension of ISO 27001 that focuses on Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It helps organizations manage personally identifiable information (PII) and comply with privacy laws like GDPR, CCPA, and others.
Key Aspects of ISO 27701:
Privacy Risk Management: Addresses risks related to personal data processing.
Roles & Responsibilities: Defines data controller and processor responsibilities.
Legal & Regulatory Alignment: Helps organizations comply with privacy regulations.
Enhancing Trust: Demonstrates a commitment to privacy protection.
Key Differences Between ISO 27001 and ISO 27701
| Features | ISO 27001 (ISMS) | ISO 27701 (PIMS) |
| Focus | Information security | Privacy information management |
| Scope | Protects all types of data | Focuses on personal data (PII) |
| Regulatory Compliance | Supports security regulations | Supports privacy regulations |
| Applicability | Any organization handling information | Organizations processing personal data |
| Certification | Can be certified independently | Requires ISO 27001 certification as a base |
How ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 Work Together
ISO 27001 establishes a foundation for information security, and ISO 27701 builds upon it to address privacy concerns. Here’s how they complement each other:
Shared Security Principles: Both use risk-based approaches and security controls to protect information.
Privacy-Specific Enhancements: ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001 by adding privacy-focused policies and controls.
Regulatory Compliance: Together, they help meet both security (ISO 27001) and privacy (ISO 27701) legal requirements.
Integrated Certification: Organizations implementing ISO 27001 can easily extend their ISMS to include privacy controls under ISO 27701.
Why Compliance Professionals and HR Should Care
Compliance Professionals: These standards provide a clear framework to manage security and privacy risks, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
HR Departments: HR teams handle large amounts of employee PII. Implementing ISO 27701 ensures proper privacy controls are in place.
Business Leaders: Having both certifications enhances brand trust, reduces data breach risks, and improves customer confidence.
Conclusion
ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 are essential standards for organizations handling information security and privacy. While ISO 27001 protects all data, ISO 27701 specifically focuses on personal data privacy. Together, they create a comprehensive security and privacy framework that enhances compliance, strengthens risk management, and builds trust with customers and employees.
If your organization already follows ISO 27001, adopting ISO 27701 is a logical next step to strengthen privacy management. Investing in these certifications not only ensures compliance but also demonstrates a strong commitment to security and privacy.