Standards Comparison

    CCPA

    Mandatory
    2020

    California regulation granting residents rights over personal data

    VS

    ISO 27701

    Voluntary
    2019

    International standard for privacy information management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    CCPA mandates California consumer rights like know, delete, opt-out for qualifying businesses, enforced by fines. ISO 27701 provides voluntary global PIMS certification for privacy governance. Companies adopt CCPA for legal compliance, ISO 27701 for auditable assurance and trust.

    Data Privacy

    CCPA

    California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA)

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

    Key Features

    • Grants residents rights to know, delete, correct personal data
    • Requires opt-out of sales/sharing via GPC signals
    • Applies to businesses over $25M revenue or 100K CA consumers
    • Mandates notices at collection and comprehensive privacy policies
    • Enforces fines up to $7,500 per violation plus breach actions
    Privacy Management

    ISO 27701

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Privacy Information Management

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

    Key Features

    • Establishes Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
    • Controller/processor-specific privacy controls in annexes
    • Extends ISO 27001 with GDPR-aligned mappings
    • Risk-based PDCA cycle for continual improvement
    • 3-year certification with annual surveillance audits

    Detailed Analysis

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

    CCPA Details

    What It Is

    California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), is a state regulation providing California residents rights over personal information. It targets for-profit businesses meeting thresholds like $25M revenue or handling 100K+ consumers' data. Primary purpose: empower consumers with control via opt-out model; risk-based with data minimization and security focus.

    Key Components

    • Consumer rights: know/access, delete, correct, opt-out sales/sharing, limit sensitive data
    • Obligations: notices at collection, privacy policies, vendor contracts, DSAR handling within 45 days
    • Enforcement by CPPA and Attorney General; no certification, but audits and compliance demonstration required
    • Built on broad personal information definition including inferences, households

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for qualifying businesses to avoid $7,500/violation fines, breach litigation ($100-$750/consumer). Reduces risks, builds trust, enables market access; strategic for data governance efficiency, GDPR alignment.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: scoping/gap analysis (0-3 months), policies/contracts (1-4 months), technical controls (2-6 months), operationalization/audits (ongoing). Applies globally to CA data handlers; cross-functional, tech-heavy for enterprises.

    ISO 27701 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 is an international standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It extends the ISO 27001 information security framework with privacy-specific requirements, using a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) management system approach for organizations acting as PII controllers or processors.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Annex A (controllers) and Annex B (processors) provide ~50 privacy controls on consent, DSARs, retention, transfers.
    • Built on ISO 27001/27002; includes GDPR mappings (Annex D).
    • Certification via accredited bodies, 3-year cycle with surveillance audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Demonstrates accountability for global privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA).
    • Reduces risks from breaches, fines; enhances supply-chain trust.
    • Provides audit-ready evidence for regulators, procurement.
    • Builds competitive edge through certified privacy governance.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: scope, gap analysis, controls, audits (6-12 months typical).
    • Applies to all sizes/sectors handling PII; integrates with ISMS.
    • Requires RoPA, DSAR processes, training, vendor contracts.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CCPA
    California consumer rights, data sales/sharing
    ISO 27701
    Global PIMS for PII controllers/processors

    Industry

    CCPA
    Businesses meeting CA thresholds, global reach
    ISO 27701
    All PII-handling organizations worldwide

    Nature

    CCPA
    Mandatory state regulation with fines
    ISO 27701
    Voluntary certification standard

    Testing

    CCPA
    No formal certification, internal compliance checks
    ISO 27701
    Third-party audits, 3-year certification cycle

    Penalties

    CCPA
    $2,500-$7,500 per violation, private actions
    ISO 27701
    Loss of certification, no legal fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CCPA and ISO 27701

    CCPA FAQ

    ISO 27701 FAQ

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