In an increasingly digital world, the management and protection of personal data have become major issues for companies and organisations of all sizes. The ISO 27701 standard, which defines a privacy information management system, has established itself as an essential tool for guaranteeing compliance with regulations such as GDPR and for strengthening the security of personal information. But what is ISO 27701, and why is it so important for companies?
This article will give you a complete guide to ISO 27701, exploring its benefits, its requirements and how it can help strengthen the protection of personal data. We will also look at how to obtain this certification and build it into a risk management and security strategy.
What is ISO 27701?
Definition and context
ISO 27701 is an international standard that aims to establish a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). Its first edition, in 2019, was presented as an extension of ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. The 2025 edition, published in October, makes it a standalone management system standard: it can be implemented without an ISO 27001 ISMS, while remaining aligned with it. This standard provides a framework for managing privacy, which is essential to ensure robust regulatory compliance, in particular with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
ISO 27701 enables organisations to put solid processes in place for the processing of personal data, to document their security measures, and to demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive information.
ISO 27001 vs ISO 27701: the key differences
ISO 27001 is mainly focused on information security, defining a framework for managing the risks related to data protection. ISO 27701, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the protection of personal data, in particular in compliance with regulations such as GDPR.
The key differences include:
- ISO 27001 covers information security in the broad sense, whereas ISO 27701 is concerned with the protection of personal data (PII).
- In its 2019 edition, ISO 27701 added additional requirements to ISO 27001 to strengthen the confidentiality and security of PII. Since the 2025 edition, it carries its own management system requirements, aligned with those of ISO 27001.
Why is ISO 27701 essential for the protection of personal data?
Alignment with GDPR
One of the main reasons why ISO 27701 is so valuable is its direct alignment with GDPR. The standard is indeed designed to make GDPR compliance easier, by ensuring responsible management of personal information.
Companies that process personal data must demonstrate that they respect GDPR’s data protection principles, such as transparency, accountability and data minimisation. ISO 27701 provides a methodical framework for documenting these processes, building up evidence of compliance and preparing for possible audits.
Management of personal data (PII)
ISO 27701 focuses specifically on personal data (PII, personally identifiable information). This information, such as names, email addresses and telephone numbers, is often at the heart of companies’ operations. By implementing a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS), companies can better manage this data and protect it against leaks, theft and mishandling.
The aim is to strengthen the trust of customers, employees and partners by showing that the organisation handles personal information securely and in compliance with the rules.
The benefits of ISO 27701 certification for organisations
Strengthening stakeholder trust
ISO 27701 certification plays an essential role in strengthening stakeholder trust. Customers, employees and partners want to know that their personal data is handled with care and in accordance with the regulations in force. ISO 27701 certification is a mark of seriousness that reassures and offers a significant competitive advantage.
Reducing the risk of penalties and fines
With regulations such as GDPR, companies are exposed to heavy financial penalties in the event of non-compliance. By obtaining ISO 27701 certification, an organisation considerably reduces its risk of incurring fines for data breaches. This standard helps to anticipate and mitigate risks before they turn into a major problem.
Making audits and compliance processes easier
One of the key advantages of the ISO 27701 standard is that it makes compliance audits easier. By having a documented system for privacy management, companies can easily demonstrate their compliance with the requirements of GDPR or other local laws. This greatly simplifies external audits, while ensuring greater transparency.
How to obtain ISO 27701 certification?
Key steps towards certification
To obtain ISO 27701 certification, an organisation must follow several key steps:
- Gap analysis: identify the differences between current practices and the requirements of the standard.
- Implementation: build in the privacy management processes and policies.
- Internal audit: carry out an internal audit to check that the processes are compliant.
- External audit: a certified auditor will assess the company’s compliance before granting certification.
The audits and checks to plan for
Regular audits are an essential component of ISO 27701 certification. Companies must prepare for regular checks to make sure that they continue to meet the requirements of the standard. These audits also serve to identify possible improvements and to guarantee continuous improvement.
Building ISO 27701 into your cybersecurity and compliance strategy
The importance of an integrated ISMS
ISO 27701 benefits from being built on the existing information security management system (ISMS), as defined by ISO 27001. Since the 2025 edition it can do without one, but it remains aligned with it: the two systems can be run together, with no duplication. The aim is to create a holistic framework that covers both information security and the protection of personal data.
ISO 27701 for overall risk management
Risk management is at the heart of ISO 27701. By adopting this standard, organisations can put in place a risk-based approach to protect sensitive information, reduce vulnerabilities and prepare better for emerging threats.
The challenges of implementing ISO 27701 and how to overcome them
The main obstacles for companies
The implementation of ISO 27701 can pose certain challenges, particularly in terms of:
- Cost: the audits, the training and the implementation can represent a substantial investment.
- Complexity: integrating the standard into the existing processes can be complex.
- Resources: it may be necessary to mobilise human and technical resources in order to ensure that the standard is put in place effectively.
Solutions to simplify implementation
To overcome these obstacles, organisations can:
- Use a SaaS tool to make the management of risks and compliance processes easier.
- Train their teams to improve their understanding of the standard and their buy-in.
- Bring in external experts to obtain tailored advice.
ISO 27701 and the future of compliance with data protection regulations
New trends in data protection
With the rapid evolution of cyber threats and new laws on the protection of personal data, ISO 27701 is proving to be a flexible tool for keeping up with new regulatory requirements. Recent regulations such as DORA (digital operational resilience of the financial sector) or NIS 2 (cybersecurity of essential and important entities) belong to another field, the security of information systems, and ISO 27701 does not cover them. It does, however, share common topics with them: risk management, incidents, suppliers.
Anticipating regulatory changes with ISO 27701
By adopting this standard, companies can prepare for future regulations and guarantee that their privacy management systems remain up to date and effective, however the regulatory framework evolves.
ISO 27701 certification is a major asset for companies seeking to guarantee the protection of personal data while making their GDPR compliance easier. By providing a solid framework for information management and data security, it strengthens stakeholder trust and reduces financial risks. Thanks to this standard, organisations can also prepare for the future challenges of cybersecurity and regulation.
In Make IT Safe, the GDPR compliance module keeps the record of processing activities, data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), incidents and data subject rights requests, alongside the ISMS and its audits. To see how these elements are linked together in the tool, request a demonstration.
