ISO/IEC 27701:2025

ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management

Demonstrate compliance with GDPR and global privacy laws with the internationally recognized extension to ISO 27001 for Privacy Information Management Systems.

Privacy Information
Management System

What is ISO 27701?

ISO 27701 is an extension to ISO 27001 that specifies requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It provides a framework for Personally Identifiable Information (PII) controllers and processors to manage privacy risks and demonstrate compliance with GDPR, PDPA, and other global privacy regulations.

Organizations certified under ISO 27701 can use it as evidence of compliance in regulatory assessments. It extends the ISO 27001 ISMS to include privacy-specific controls, making it the natural complement to an existing information security program.

Whether you are a PII controller determining the purposes of data processing, or a PII processor handling data on behalf of others, ISO 27701 provides structured, internationally recognized guidance for managing your privacy obligations with confidence.

GDPR Alignment PDPA Support ISO 27001 Extension PII Protection

Privacy Information
Management System

An internationally recognized framework for managing PII and demonstrating privacy compliance

ISO/IEC 27701:2025

Key Benefits of ISO 27701 Certification

Strengthen your privacy posture, satisfy regulators, and build lasting trust with data subjects and partners.

Privacy Compliance

Demonstrate compliance with GDPR, PDPA, and other global privacy regulations through a structured, auditable framework that satisfies regulators and data protection authorities.

Reduced Breach Risk

Implement systematic controls to protect personally identifiable information (PII) and minimize data breach exposure, reducing the risk of costly regulatory penalties and reputational damage.

Customer Trust

Signal your commitment to privacy, building confidence with clients, partners, and data subjects who entrust you with their personal information.

GDPR Readiness

ISO 27701 aligns directly with GDPR Article 5 principles and serves as evidence of data protection compliance, supporting your accountability obligations under European law.

Clear Accountability

Define roles, responsibilities, and processes for PII handling across your organization, establishing clear ownership and governance for all personal data processing activities.

Competitive Differentiation

Stand out in data-sensitive markets such as healthcare, finance, and HR with recognized privacy credentials that demonstrate a genuine commitment to responsible data stewardship.

The Certification Process

A clear, structured pathway from your current privacy practices to internationally recognized ISO 27701 certification.

1
Gap Analysis

Review current privacy practices against ISO 27701 requirements and applicable regulations to identify gaps, prioritize remediation efforts, and build a realistic implementation roadmap.

2
Privacy Risk Assessment

Identify PII processing activities, map data flows, assess privacy risks across the information lifecycle, and develop risk treatment plans to address identified vulnerabilities.

3
Documentation

Develop PIMS policies, privacy notices, data inventory records, PII processing records, and all documentation required to demonstrate a systematic approach to privacy management.

4
Implementation

Apply privacy controls, train staff on data handling responsibilities, embed privacy by design principles into processes and systems, and operationalize your PIMS across the organization.

5
Internal Audit

Conduct a thorough internal audit of PIMS effectiveness, verify that privacy controls are implemented and operating as intended, and address any nonconformities before the certification audit.

6
Certification Audit

Combined ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 audit conducted by qualified ISOQACERT auditors. Stage 1 reviews documentation; Stage 2 verifies implementation and operational effectiveness on-site.

7
Certificate Issued

Receive your joint ISO 27001/27701 certificate, valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits to ensure continued conformance and drive continual improvement of your PIMS.

Who Needs ISO 27701 Certification?

Any organization that collects, stores, processes, or shares personally identifiable information should consider ISO 27701 certification.

Healthcare & Hospitals Banking & Financial Services HR & Payroll Providers E-commerce & Retail Government & Public Sector Insurance Companies Data Analytics Firms Cloud Service Providers

ISO 27701 is applicable to all organization sizes and sectors — from small businesses handling customer data to multinational corporations with complex, cross-border data flows. Any organization subject to GDPR, Sri Lanka's Personal Data Protection Act, or similar privacy legislation will benefit from this structured certification pathway.

Why Choose ISOQACERT?

Partner with a trusted certification body with deep expertise in privacy and information security management systems.

Accredited Certification

As the official representative of LL-C (Certification), Czech Republic, ISOQACERT delivers IAF-recognized certifications that are accepted by regulators, supply chains, and international business partners worldwide.

Specialist Privacy Auditors

Our audit team combines deep expertise in ISO 27001 information security with specialized knowledge of privacy law, GDPR, and PII management — ensuring a thorough, relevant, and commercially aware certification process.

End-to-End Support

From initial gap analysis through to certificate issuance and ongoing surveillance, ISOQACERT provides dedicated support at every stage of your certification journey — so you can focus on your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about ISO 27701 certification and how it applies to your organization.

Do I need ISO 27001 first to get ISO 27701 certification?

ISO 27701 is an extension to ISO 27001. You must have or be simultaneously implementing an ISO 27001-compliant ISMS to certify against ISO 27701. Many organizations pursue them together in a combined audit, which is efficient and cost-effective.

Does ISO 27701 certification prove GDPR compliance?

ISO 27701 provides strong evidence of GDPR compliance and can be used in regulatory assessments. However, GDPR compliance also depends on your specific processing activities and national implementing laws. Certification is a powerful demonstration of accountability under GDPR Article 5(2).

What is a PII Controller vs a PII Processor?

A PII Controller determines the purposes and means of processing PII (e.g., an employer processing staff data). A PII Processor processes PII on behalf of a controller (e.g., a payroll provider). ISO 27701 includes specific guidance and controls for both roles, making it applicable across the entire data supply chain.

Can ISO 27701 replace a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)?

No. A DPIA is a regulatory requirement under GDPR for high-risk processing activities. ISO 27701 complements DPIAs by providing the systematic framework to manage privacy risks identified in those assessments. The two work together rather than in place of one another.

How does ISO 27701 interact with Sri Lanka's Personal Data Protection Act?

Sri Lanka's PDPA mirrors many GDPR principles including lawfulness of processing, data subject rights, and accountability requirements. ISO 27701 certification provides a recognized framework for demonstrating PDPA compliance, particularly for data controllers and processors subject to the Act.

Ready to achieve ISO 27701 certification?

Take the first step towards recognized privacy compliance. Our expert team will guide you through every stage of the certification process.