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ISO 27701 2019: THE KEY TO PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION
Written by Vigneswar Ravi & Vignesh M R II
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) has never been more important than it is in today’s digital age. As technology advances and the internet expands, entities are collecting, storing, and processing data on a massive scale, raising growing concerns about their use and safeguarding.
ISO 27701:2019 recognizes data privacy’s importance and offers a framework for organizations to responsibly and securely manage personal data. It addresses all aspects of personal data processing. This includes implementing privacy controls, conducting privacy impact assessments, managing data breaches, and keeping privacy records.
What is ISO 27701:2019?
This framework specifies requirements and guidelines for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). This would expand to ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 for privacy management within the organization’s context.
The Privacy Information Management Framework applies to PPI – regulators, processors, handlers, transmitters, and guides organizations looking to implement systems to support compliance with GDPR and other data privacy requirements. It applies to all types and sizes of organizations, whether public or private companies, government entities, non-profit organizations, or any other entity that is a PII controller or PII processor operating within an ISMS.
Need for ISO 27701 Certification
PII is increasingly prevalent in various forms within organizations, being gathered, processed, saved, and transmitted daily in diverse formats.
Organizations that gather, process, save, or transmit PII must recognize and accept their responsibilities, and be held accountable. Seeking ISO 27701 certification helps businesses comply with GDPR and reduce customer and supplier audit costs.
It provides guidelines for organizations to manage and protect personally identifiable information (PII) through a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). The standard improves information security management systems (ISMS) and offers practical approaches for managing PII risks. Implementing a PIMS based on ISO 27701 offers a competitive advantage, improves reputation, enhances customer satisfaction, and increases trust in the organization. Certification to the standard can enhance transparency and safeguard the integrity of processes and procedures. By managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) appropriately, businesses can instill confidence in customers.
The Main Objectives
- Protecting private information assets.
- Demonstrating compliance with privacy and data protection regulations – regardless of location or industry.
- Reducing the threat to individual and the organization’s privacy rights to confidentiality by enhancing the current Information Security Management System.
- Demonstrating to customers and stakeholders, both internal and external, that effective systems are in place to support compliance with GDPR and other related privacy legislations.
Implementing an ISO 27701-compliant PIMS enables organizations to assess, react, and reduce risks associated with personal information. While it does not confirm GDPR compliance, ISO 27701 certification provides a valuable framework for companies to support their legislative efforts.
Structure of ISO 27701
ISO 27701 is an extension of ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. It extends the ISO 27001:2013 requirements and ISO 27002:2013 guidelines by providing additional PIMS-specific requirements.
ISO 27701 Process
Audit Process of ISO 27701
The certification body has developed an efficient five-step process to support your ISO 27701 certification:
- Readiness Review: Understanding the standard’s objectives and the information required for the audit.
- Audit by Experts: Conducting audits by experts of your PII protection activities, assessing how you store and process customer information.
- Non-conformance resolution: Implementing post-audit measures to correct any non-conformances identified.
- Issuance of audit report and certificate: The certification body issues the ISO 27701 certificate, which businesses can use to demonstrate their compliance with their network and clients.
- Annual Sustenance and Surveillance: To adhere to ISO data management standards, businesses must retain 100% sustenance of the PIMS controls, which the certification body should validate during the annual surveillance audit.
Summary
ISO 27701:2019 is essential for organizations seeking to protect personal data, foster trust, and demonstrate privacy commitment. Adopting this standard assures robust privacy information management systems and compliance with the latest regulations.