🔒 ISO/IEC 27701:2019 – Privacy Information Management

📌 What is ISO/IEC 27701?

ISO/IEC 27701:2019 is the international standard that provides guidelines for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).

It is an extension of:
✔️ ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management Systems)
✔️ ISO/IEC 27002 (Security Controls)

The standard introduces additional privacy-specific requirements to help organisations strengthen their approach to data protection and privacy management.

📜 History of ISO/IEC 27701

  • Published: August 2019
  • Developed by: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) & International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
  • Draft name: Initially referred to as ISO 27552 before being finalised
  • Context: Created in response to global privacy concerns following the introduction of regulations such as EU GDPR and similar international laws

📋 Key Requirements of ISO/IEC 27701

Organisations adopting ISO/IEC 27701 should:

🔹 Build on an ISO/IEC 27001-compliant ISMS
🔹 Integrate additional privacy-specific controls
🔹 Define clear roles, including:
• PII Controller (Personal Data Owner)
• PII Processor (Entity handling data on behalf of others)
🔹 Ensure compliance with privacy practices, such as:
• Data subject rights (consent, access, erasure, rectification)
• Data lifecycle management (collection → storage → transfer → disposal)
• Data breach management processes
• Third-party data processing controls
🔹 Conduct privacy risk assessments
🔹 Maintain documented policies, procedures, and records relating to personal data

⚠️ Note: ISO/IEC 27701 is not a standalone standard — it must be implemented as an extension to ISO/IEC 27001.

👥 Who Can Benefit from ISO/IEC 27701?

This standard is valuable for any organisation that handles personal data, such as:

💻 IT and software companies
🏦 Financial institutions
🏥 Healthcare providers
🎓 Educational institutions
🛒 E-commerce platforms
🏛️ Government and public sector entities
🌍 Businesses aiming to align with global privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)

🎯 Benefits of Implementing ISO/IEC 27701

✅ Builds trust with clients, regulators, and partners
✅ Aligns with GDPR and global data protection laws
✅ Reduces risks of personal data breaches
✅ Clearly defines roles and responsibilities for privacy management
✅ Creates efficiency by integrating with ISO/IEC 27001
✅ Strengthens competitive advantage in privacy-conscious markets
✅ Encourages a culture of responsible data handling

🛠️ How DAS Supports Organisations

DAS helps businesses adopt ISO/IEC 27701 effectively by providing:

🔹 Gap Assessments – Evaluate readiness of your ISMS to integrate PIMS requirements
🔹 Implementation Support – Guidance on developing privacy policies, risk assessments, and lifecycle management practices
🔹 Training & Awareness Programmes – Build internal capacity for teams handling personal data
🔹 Integration with ISO/IEC 27001 – Practical support in combining information security and privacy management
🔹 Regulatory Alignment – Assistance in aligning with GDPR, CCPA, and emerging local data protection laws

📌 Conclusion

With data privacy becoming a global priority, ISO/IEC 27701:2019 provides a strong framework for managing personal data responsibly.

✨ By adopting this standard, organisations can demonstrate accountability, reduce risks, and build stronger trust with customers, partners, and regulators.