ISO 27701
ISO/IEC 27701 — Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
Extension to ISO 27001 for privacy information management
What is ISO 27701?
ISO/IEC 27701 is a privacy extension to ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 that provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It specifies requirements and guidance for PII (Personally Identifiable Information) controllers and processors.
The standard maps its requirements to GDPR, making it an effective tool for demonstrating compliance with privacy regulations worldwide. It extends the ISO 27001 ISMS controls with additional privacy-specific controls.
Organizations must first have ISO 27001 in place (or implement it concurrently) before achieving ISO 27701 certification, as it builds upon the existing ISMS framework.
Key Highlights
- Extension to ISO 27001 — requires an existing ISMS foundation
- Covers both PII controller and PII processor roles
- Maps directly to GDPR articles for easier compliance demonstration
- Adds privacy-specific controls beyond ISO 27001 Annex A
- Supports compliance with multiple privacy regulations globally
- Helps organizations manage PII processing activities systematically
Why is ISO 27701 Important?
With global privacy regulations like GDPR, DPDPA, CCPA, and LGPD becoming stricter, organizations need a systematic approach to managing personal data. ISO 27701 provides this framework while leveraging existing ISO 27001 investments.
Privacy Compliance
Demonstrate compliance with GDPR, DPDPA, CCPA, and other privacy regulations through an internationally recognized framework.
Build on ISO 27001
Leverage your existing ISMS investment by extending it with privacy-specific controls and processes.
Data Subject Trust
Show customers and data subjects that their personal information is managed responsibly and transparently.
Reduced Regulatory Risk
Minimize the risk of privacy breaches, regulatory fines, and reputational damage through systematic PII management.
Global Recognition
Use a single framework to address privacy requirements across multiple jurisdictions and regulations.
How ISO 27701 Works
ISO 27701 implementation extends your existing ISO 27001 ISMS with privacy-specific requirements and controls, typically adding 3-6 months to an existing ISMS program.
Determine PII Roles
Identify whether your organization acts as a PII controller, PII processor, or both, as this determines which controls apply.
PII Inventory and Mapping
Create a comprehensive inventory of all PII processing activities, data flows, third-party sharing, and cross-border transfers.
Privacy Risk Assessment
Extend your information security risk assessment to include privacy-specific risks related to PII processing, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
Implement Privacy Controls
Implement additional controls specified in ISO 27701 Annexes A and B for PII controllers and processors respectively.
Update Policies and Notices
Develop privacy policies, privacy notices, data subject rights procedures, breach notification processes, and consent management mechanisms.
Training and Awareness
Educate staff on privacy obligations, PII handling procedures, and their roles in protecting personal data.
Internal Audit and Review
Conduct privacy-focused internal audits and management reviews to verify the PIMS is effective.
Certification Audit
The certification body extends the ISO 27001 audit scope to include ISO 27701 PIMS requirements.
How Srida IT Helps You Achieve ISO 27701
Our end-to-end consulting process takes your organization from initial assessment to successful certification and ongoing compliance.
Gap Assessment
We assess your current privacy practices against ISO 27701 requirements for both PII controller and processor roles, identifying gaps in your existing ISMS.
Understanding the Business
We map your PII processing activities, data flows, third-party relationships, and cross-border transfers to understand your complete privacy landscape.
Risk Assessment
We conduct privacy-specific risk assessments and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing activities.
Policies Writing & Alignment
We develop privacy policies, privacy notices, consent mechanisms, data subject rights procedures, and breach notification processes aligned with applicable regulations.
Controls Implementation
We implement ISO 27701 privacy controls for PII controllers and processors, including data minimization, purpose limitation, and retention management.
Controls Validation
We validate privacy controls through testing, PII processing reviews, and verification of data subject rights fulfillment processes.
Mock Audit
We conduct a pre-certification assessment covering all ISO 27701 clauses and applicable annexes to ensure readiness.
Certification Audit Support
We provide support during the combined ISO 27001 + ISO 27701 certification audit by accredited bodies.
Annual Internal Audits
We perform annual privacy-focused internal audits to maintain PIMS effectiveness and prepare for surveillance audits.
Documentation Support
We maintain PII processing records, privacy impact assessments, consent records, and all PIMS documentation throughout the certification cycle.
Industries That Benefit from ISO 27701
Related Frameworks
ISO 27001
The global gold standard for information security management
GDPR
The European Union's comprehensive data protection regulation
DPDPA
India's comprehensive digital personal data protection legislation
CCPA
California's landmark consumer privacy legislation
Ready to Achieve ISO 27701 Compliance?
Get a free gap assessment and discover how Srida IT can guide your organization through ISO 27701 implementation and certification.