Standards Comparison

    CAA

    Mandatory
    1970

    U.S. federal law for air quality standards and emissions control

    VS

    ISO 27017

    Voluntary
    2015

    International standard for cloud-specific information security controls

    Quick Verdict

    CAA enforces U.S. air quality standards via permits and emissions monitoring for all industries, while ISO 27017 provides voluntary cloud security guidance extending ISO 27001. Companies adopt CAA for legal compliance; ISO 27017 for global cloud assurance.

    Air Quality

    CAA

    Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Sets NAAQS for six criteria pollutants protecting health
    • Mandates SIPs for state-level attainment and planning
    • Imposes NSPS and MACT technology-based emission standards
    • Requires Title V permits consolidating compliance obligations
    • Enforces via penalties, sanctions, and citizen suits
    Cloud Security

    ISO 27017

    ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Code of practice for cloud security

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
    • Adds 7 cloud-specific controls for multi-tenancy and virtualization
    • Provides guidance on 37 ISO 27002 controls for cloud
    • Addresses virtual machine configuration and hardening
    • Supports customer monitoring of cloud service activities

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    CAA Details

    What It Is

    Clean Air Act (CAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., is a comprehensive U.S. federal statute regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. It establishes national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and technology-based emission limits through a cooperative federalism model where EPA sets floors and states implement via SIPs.

    Key Components

    • NAAQS for six criteria pollutants (ozone, PM, CO, Pb, SO2, NO2) with primary/secondary standards.
    • SIPs, NSPS, MACT/NESHAPs, Title V permits, and enforcement tools.
    • Built on ambient outcomes, source controls, and accountability pillars; no fixed control count but layered requirements.
    • Compliance via permits, monitoring, and federal oversight.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for emitters; drives compliance to avoid penalties, sanctions, FIPs. Reduces health/environmental risks, enables permitting, supports ESG via emission reductions. Builds stakeholder trust through transparent reporting.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, permitting, controls installation, monitoring setup. Applies to major sources/industries nationwide; requires CEMS/testing, SIP adherence. No certification but EPA/state audits enforce.

    ISO 27017 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is an international code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27002 for information security controls in cloud services. It provides cloud-specific guidance within an ISO 27001 ISMS, focusing on shared responsibilities, multi-tenancy, and virtualization risks using a risk-based approach.

    Key Components

    • Guidance on 37 ISO 27002 controls adapted for cloud.
    • 7 additional cloud-specific CLD controls (e.g., segregation, VM hardening, asset removal).
    • Built on ISO 27001 ISMS framework.
    • Assessed via ISO 27001 audits with 27017 extension; no standalone certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Addresses cloud gaps in generic standards.
    • Meets procurement demands and regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR).
    • Enhances risk management and customer trust.
    • Differentiates CSPs/CSCs competitively.

    Implementation Overview

    • Integrate into existing ISO 27001 via risk assessment and control mapping.
    • Key activities: shared responsibility matrices, configuration hardening, monitoring setup.
    • Applies to CSPs/CSCs of all sizes/industries using cloud.
    • Requires auditor inclusion in ISO 27001 certification (9-12 months for joint audits).

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CAA
    Air quality standards, emissions, permitting
    ISO 27017
    Cloud-specific information security controls

    Industry

    CAA
    All industries, U.S.-focused stationary/mobile sources
    ISO 27017
    Cloud providers/customers, global applicability

    Nature

    CAA
    U.S. federal law with enforcement/sanctions
    ISO 27017
    Voluntary code of practice, ISO 27001 extension

    Testing

    CAA
    CEMS, stack tests, Title V permit audits
    ISO 27017
    ISO 27001 audits with cloud control review

    Penalties

    CAA
    Fines, sanctions, FIPs, criminal liability
    ISO 27017
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CAA and ISO 27017

    CAA FAQ

    ISO 27017 FAQ

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