ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification - Privacy Information Management System | Accredify Global
What is ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification?
ISO/IEC 27701:2019 is an international privacy standard that extends ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management System – ISMS) and ISO/IEC 27002 to provide a structured approach to managing personal data privacy. It helps organizations implement a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) to comply with global data protection regulations like:
It helps organizations implement a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) to comply with global data protection regulations like:
- ✔ General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR – EU).
- ✔ California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA – USA).
- ✔ Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA – Singapore, UAE, India, etc.).
With over 80% of companies facing privacy-related legal risks, ISO/IEC 27701 helps businesses enhance data security, minimize legal liabilities, and build customer trust.
Who Needs ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification?
ISO/IEC 27701 applies to organizations that collect, store, or process personal data, including:
- âś” IT & Cloud Service Providers (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS)
- âś” Healthcare & Pharma (Patient records & medical data security)
- âś” Financial Institutions (Banks, insurance & fintech firms)
- âś” E-commerce & Retail (Customer data protection & payment security)
- âś” Telecom & Internet Providers (Data privacy for subscribers)
- âś” Government Agencies (Public data protection policies)
Key Features of ISO/IEC 27701:2019
- âś” Enhances ISO 27001 ISMS by adding privacy-specific controls.
- âś” Aligns with GDPR, CCPA, PDPA & global privacy laws
- âś” Covers Personal Data Controllers & Processors for complete compliance.
- âś” Reduces data breach risks & regulatory fines
ISO/IEC 27701:2019 and Its Major Aspects in Business
ISO/IEC 27701 defines a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) with:
Yes, the SOC has the auditor’s opinion. A SOC shall contain the opinion of the auditor covering the following areas:
- 🔹 Governance & accountability for personal data protection
- 🔹 Legal & compliance measures for global data privacy regulations
- 🔹 Privacy risk assessments & mitigation strategies
- 🔹 Security measures for data processing, storage & transmission
- 🔹 User rights, consent management & data access policies
How It Works: Controller vs. Processor Approach
- 🔹 Data Controllers (companies collecting personal data) must ensure legal basis, user consent, and secure processing.
- 🔹 Data Processors (third parties handling data) must implement privacy & security controls, encryption & access management.
The Principles of ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification
- ✅ Privacy Governance – Establishing a clear privacy management framework
- ✅ Data Minimization – Collecting & storing only necessary personal data
- ✅ Transparency & User Rights – Ensuring data subjects (users) have control over their data
- ✅ Risk-Based Approach – Assessing data breach risks & implementing mitigation strategies
- ✅ Continuous Monitoring & Compliance – Regularly auditing data privacy practices
Checklist for ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification
- âś… Establish a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
- âś… Perform data mapping & risk assessments
- âś… Implement privacy-by-design & encryption policies
- âś… Define data retention, access, and processing controls
- âś… Align with ISO 27001 ISMS for security integration
Is ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification Mandatory?
ISO/IEC 27701 is not legally mandatory, but it helps businesses comply with global data protection laws such as:
- ✔ GDPR (EU) – Avoid fines of up to €20 million or 4% of revenue
- ✔ CCPA (California) – Ensure compliance to avoid penalties
- ✔ PDPA (Singapore, UAE, India, etc.) – Meet national data protection laws
Services
Benefits of ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification
ISO/IEC 27701 is not legally mandatory, but it helps businesses comply with global data protection laws such as:
- âś” 60% reduced risk of data breaches & privacy violations
- âś” Stronger compliance with GDPR, CCPA & global privacy laws
- âś” Increased customer trust & brand credibility
- âś” Lower legal risks & financial penalties due to non-compliance
- âś” Seamless integration with ISO 27001 (Information Security Management)
Requirements for ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification
To achieve ISO/IEC 27701 certification, organizations must:
- âś” Integrate privacy management into their ISO 27001 ISMS
- âś” Define roles & responsibilities for data controllers & processors
- âś” Ensure compliance with global privacy laws & regulations
- âś” Implement data access, encryption & risk mitigation strategies
- âś” Conduct privacy audits & continuous compliance monitoring
Cost of ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification
Certification costs depend on:
- âś” Company size & data processing complexity
- âś” Number of locations & regulatory compliance needs
- âś” Implementation readiness & required security upgrades
On average, ISO/IEC 27701 certification costs range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on business scope.
PDCA Cycle | Accredify Global
- Plan – to think that what do we need to achieve in our organization
- Do – to execute a planned action which will help us achieve the required objective
- Check – monitor against the standards) (policies, objectives, requirements)
- Action – finally implementing what has been rechecked.
FAQs : ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification
Question : How can I get an ISO 27701 Certificate?
Answer : Achieving ISO 27701 Certification is not a big deal in today’s upgraded systems. There are some basic steps to become ISO 27701 Certified such as Firstly, you need to prepare all the relevant information about your company in a systematized way (It is always best and safe to hire a legal consultant). Secondly, you need to document all the relevant information about your business. Thirdly, you have to implement all the documented information in your organization. Fourthly, get ready for the internal audits which are performed first during the certification process and then periodically after. Lastly, if the certifying body approves your management system then you will be awarded the required ISO standard.
Question : What is the aim of ISO 27701 Certification?
Answer : Data privacy has become an important aspect of almost every organization. ISO 27701 Certification is the first standard that provides the framework for Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) for your organization. The main aims of ISO 27701 Standard to strengthen your Information Security Management System (ISMS) with the annex of PIMS and other privacy policies, to create a privacy management system that reflects compliance with general data privacy regulation (GDPR) and to simplify your management system from a complicated state of overlaying privacy laws.
Question : How much does it cost for ISO 27701 Certification?
Answer: The ISO 27701 certification cost varies from one organization to another. Basically, when you approach an internationally accredited certifying body for ISO Certification and they approve your management systems and all your processes, they will then quote an amount for the certificate. Moreover, the cost of achieving ISO certification depends mostly on your organization, such as the no. of employees in your organization, No. of branches your organization has, and many more.
Question : How long is an ISO 27701 certificate valid for?
Answer : Basically, an ISO Certificate is valid for three years. And during this time period of three years, a surveillance audit is conducted on an annual basis to ensure that ISO quality standards are being maintained by the organization.
Question : What is the latest version of ISO 27701 Certification?
Answer: The newest version of ISO 27701 Certification is ISO/IEC 27701:2019 which was published in the month of August 2019. This standard sets out the requirements and provides assistance for implementing, maintaining, and continually modifying a privacy management system. This standard is basically the enhancement of the ISO 27001 standard for ISMS, and it provides the framework for a privacy information management system (PIMS). It emerges as the most required standard complying with General Data Privacy regulations.
Question : How Does ISO 27701 Relate To ISO 27001?
Answer : ISO 27701 Certification is an enhanced form for ISO 27001 standard for Information Security Management System (ISMS). ISO 27701 standard provides assurance that your organization is complying with General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) and other PII regulations. Before experiencing the benefits of ISO 27701, you must have the ISO 27001 standard set up in your organization. ISO 27701 is the extended form of ISO 27001 which has the potential to minimize risks or threats regarding privacy management systems, similarly, if your company establishes ISMS, you can demonstrate that you have an efficient and effective system for data protection.
Question : How do I maintain ISO 27701 certification?
Answer: Just because you received an ISO 27701 certification, your task is not complete. For proper functioning of the management system, you need to maintain the ISO 27701 certification. For that, your company has to continually undergo an annual surveillance audit for the period of three years. After completion of the validity period, you need to get recertified.
Question : How can I apply for ISO 27701 for my company for quality?
Answer: First of all, you need to choose an internationally accredited certification body meeting all the requirements of IAS Accreditation such as SIS CERTIFICATIONS. Then an application shall be created, where all the rights and obligations will be included and will be confidential between both the applicants and the registrar. After that, the ISO auditor will review the relevant documentation related to various procedures followed in your organization. The auditors will identify gaps, and if there are any gaps you have to prepare an action plan in order to remove these gaps. Then, there will be initial certification audits which will be followed by: Stage I – where the auditors will check the changes made in your organization according to requirements. Stage II – where the auditor will do their final audit for the certification. As the auditors will approve all your processes then they will make a rep.
ISO CERTIFICATION. 3 STEPS. 30 DAYS. DONE !! | ACCREDIFY GLOBAL
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3. Audit Review & Certification
- Objective: Validate your management system through an external audit and achieve certification.
- Actions:
- Conduct an internal audit to ensure readiness for the certification audit, utilizing Accredify Global's auditing tools and resources.
- Schedule and undergo an external audit with Accredify Global's accredited certification body.
- Address any non-conformities identified during the audit with support from Accredify Global's consultants.
- Outcome: Successful certification and ongoing compliance with the ISO standard, with continuous support and guidance from Accredify Global.