How ISO 27001 and 27701 can help address client’s GDPR needs

At a glance:

• The main takeaway: ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 are international frameworks that can help organizations build and optimize ISMS and PIMS that meet or provide a strong foundation for meeting GDPR requirements.
• The impact on your business: Meeting ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 standards for managing information security and privacy brings organizations much closer to meeting GDPR standards than they would be otherwise.
• Next steps: Evaluate your ISMS and PIMS, see if they meet the requirements and contact Aprio for help getting through the certification process.

Schedule a consultation with Aprio’s Information Assurance Services and Risk Management team today.

The full story:

ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 are international standards that focus on information security management systems (ISMS) and privacy information management systems (PIMS), respectively. While ISO 27001 primarily addresses information security, ISO 27701 is an extension specifically designed to help organizations manage privacy information. Aprio has performed hundreds of certifications and can help guide you in your certification process.

When it comes to addressing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements, both ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 can be valuable tools. Here’s how they can help:

1. Comprehensive Framework:

• ISO 27001: Provides a comprehensive framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an ISMS. It includes a risk management approach, which aligns with the GDPR’s requirement for organizations to assess and mitigate risks to data subjects’ rights and freedoms.
• ISO 27701: Extends the ISMS to include specific requirements for managing privacy information, aligning with GDPR requirements related to the processing of personal data.

2. Risk Assessment and Management:

• Both standards emphasize a risk-based approach, which is crucial for GDPR compliance. Organizations need to identify and assess the risks associated with personal data processing, implement measures to mitigate those risks and regularly review and update their risk assessments.

3. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA):

• GDPR requires organizations to conduct DPIAs in certain situations. ISO 27701, as an extension of ISO 27001, incorporates elements that can help organizations conduct DPIAs effectively, ensuring that privacy risks are identified and addressed.

4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance:

• Both standards emphasize the importance of understanding and complying with legal and regulatory requirements. By implementing these standards, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to compliance, including GDPR requirements.

5. Documentation and Recordkeeping:

• ISO standards require organizations to maintain documentation and records of their processes, activities, information security and privacy controls. This documentation can serve as evidence of compliance with GDPR requirements for accountability and transparency.

6. Third-Party Management:

• GDPR requires organizations to ensure that third-party processors also comply with data protection requirements. ISO standards provide guidance on assessing and managing risks associated with third-party relationships, helping organizations ensure that their data processing activities meet GDPR standards.

7. Continuous Improvement:

• Both standards promote a culture of continuous improvement. Regular monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation of information security and privacy controls help organizations adapt to changing threats and regulatory requirements, including those of the GDPR.

8. Demonstration of Compliance:

• Achieving ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certification can serve as evidence of an organization’s commitment to information security and privacy, which can be beneficial in demonstrating GDPR compliance to regulators, customers and other stakeholders.

ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 provide a structured and systematic approach to managing information security and privacy, respectively. Implementing and maintaining these standards can help organizations align with GDPR requirements and demonstrate their commitment to protecting personal data. However, it’s important to note that achieving ISO certification does not automatically guarantee GDPR compliance, and organizations should conduct specific assessments to ensure alignment with GDPR’s unique requirements.

Schedule a consultation with Aprio’s Information Assurance Services and Risk Management team for help meeting and exceeding international standards today.

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