ISO 27701 vs ISO 27001: Which Standard Should Your Organization Implement First?

Since companies grow their digital processes and process an increasing amount of sensitive data, the necessity to implement strong security and privacy systems becomes a priority. Two internationally accepted standards that assist companies in enhancing security and privacy practices are ISO 27001 and ISO 27701. Nevertheless, there is a general question that would emerge: Which should an organization adopt first, ISO 27701 or ISO 27001?

This blog dissects ISO 27701 vs ISO 27001, their association, and the best order to follow when implementing them.

Understanding the Two Standards

What Is ISO 27001?

An international standard known as ISO 27001 sets out the requirements of an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It assists organizations in guarding information using systematic checks in connection with:

• Access management 
• Risk assessment 
• Incident response 
• Asset protection 
• Continuity of business, as far as information security is concerned. 

It is concerned not with privacy, but with security.

What Is ISO 27701?

The ISO 27701 is a variation of the ISO 27001, which introduces the requirements of a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It instructs organizations on how to deal with Personally Identifiable Information (PII) by:

• Privacy governance 
• Data lifecycle management 
• PII controller and processors’ roles. 
• Privacy risk assessments 

The ISO 27701 is based on the ISO 27001 to enhance privacy practices.

Key Differences Between ISO 27001 and ISO 27701

The following is a basic comparison to comprehend the difference between the two standards.

Aspect	ISO 27001	ISO 27701
Primary Focus	Information security	Data privacy
System Type	Information Security Management System (ISMS)	Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
Applicability	All types of organizations	Organizations handling PII
Certification	Can be certified independently	Requires ISO 27001 as a foundation
Controls	Annex A controls for security	Additional privacy-specific controls
Objective	Protect information from threats	Protect personal data and manage privacy risks

Connection of ISO 27001 and ISO 27701

ISO 27701 cannot stand alone. It is structured in the form of an extension, i.e., organizations should have the ISO 27001 in place before they are certified to ISO 27701.

What is the Relationship between the Standards?

• PIMS is based on a secure ISMS. 
• Privacy controls, by nature, are dependent on security controls. 
• ISO 27701 is based on the model of ISO 27001, which is used to establish privacy roles and responsibilities. 

In simple terms: 

ISO 27001 can be considered without ISO 27701, but not ISO 27701 without ISO 27001.

What Standard Should Your Organization Adopt First?

1. Start with ISO 27001

The perfect order is to apply first ISO 27001 as it establishes the basis of information security. It would otherwise not make your organization have the structural framework you need to govern privacy.

ISO 27001:

• Develops security policies. 
• Assigns roles and responsibilities. 
• Carries out security risk analysis. 
• Makes technical and organizational controls. 
• Provides control and constant betterment. 

A powerful ISMS simplifies the incorporation of privacy controls in the future.

2. Extend to ISO 27701

With ISO 27001 in place, it would be an extension of its natural course to add ISO 27701. The ISO 27701 will improve the ability of your organization to handle privacy risks by:

• Privacy-related documentation. 
• PII handling procedures 
• Data subject rights mechanisms. 
• Open privacy communication. 

This is a multi-layered solution that will give you security and privacy.

Scenarios to Help You Decide

Scenario 1: Starting with Nothing.

Begin with ISO 27001 in case you are a newcomer to world standards. 

This develops the requisite framework that is necessary in risk management and risk controls, and a monitoring framework.

Scenario 2: You already practice good security.

In the case your organization is already practicing good security measures (although this does not make it certified), you can proceed to work on ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 concurrently, but the first step remains that of the implementation of ISO 27001.

Scenario 3: You Process Volume PII

The companies that can take good advantage of both include SaaS firms, financial institutions, medical websites, and online stores.

Scenario 4: You are planning GDPR or other Privacy laws.

The ISO 27701 facilitates a privacy compliance structure in the world. 

Nevertheless, it cannot substitute legal observance. It just adds power to your privacy governance framework.

Positives of Adopting the Two Standards

Enhanced Trust

The stakeholders are assured that you are guarding sensitive information as well as personal information.

Better Risk Management

Security and privacy risks are dealt with as a whole and not as single entities.

Even Greater Compliance Readiness

The ISO 27701 is in line with the majority of data protection regulations in the world, and, therefore, it is easier to comply with.

Streamlined Processes

The combination of ISMS and PIMS will have removed duplication of documentation and processes.

The choice of the ISO implementation can be made between ISO 27001 vs ISO 27701, with the priorities of your organization being the first, though the most logical and efficient path is to apply ISO 27001 and follow this with ISO 27701. Combined, these standards contribute to the creation of a full-fledged environment of information and personal data protection. To organizations that are willing to bolster their security and privacy models, Blue Wolf Certifications would offer professionalism and customer-oriented advice to the certification process.

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