What is the primary objective of **COBIT**?

**COBIT's primary objective is to help organizations create value from I&T initiatives, manage risk, and optimize resources through enterprise governance and management (EGIT).** COBIT 2019 defines a core model of **40 governance and management objectives** across five domains—**EDM (Evaluate, Direct, Monitor)**, **APO (Align, Plan, Organize)**, **BAI (Build, Acquire, Implement)**, **DSS (Deliver, Service, Support)**, and **MEA (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess)**—supported by **six governance system principles** and **seven components** (processes, structures, etc.). It uses a **goals cascade** to translate stakeholder needs into enterprise goals and alignment goals.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **COBIT**?

**No organizations are legally required to comply with COBIT, as it is a voluntary framework developed by ISACA, not a regulation.** Professionally, it is adopted by enterprises relying on I&T for value creation, particularly in regulated sectors like finance and utilities, where boards and executives use it for EGIT to meet stakeholder expectations, demonstrate audit-readiness via **MEA04 Managed Assurance**, and align with design factors such as risk profile and compliance requirements.

Does **COBIT** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**COBIT does not require external audit or third-party certification, as it is a framework, not a certifiable standard.** Organizations may conduct internal capability assessments using the **CMMI-based performance management model (levels 0-5)** or engage ISACA-accredited assessors for voluntary maturity appraisals. **MEA04 Managed Assurance** supports assurance activities, but certification is optional via ISACA credentials like **COBIT 2019 Design & Implementation**.

How often should an assessment for **COBIT** be performed?

**COBIT assessments should be performed periodically based on organizational context, typically annually or after significant changes, using the CMMI-aligned capability levels (0-5).** The **dynamic governance system principle** requires ongoing monitoring via **MEA** objectives, with formal gap analyses (e.g., via design factors and goals cascade) during initial implementation, post-pilots, and when enterprise strategy, threat landscape, or sourcing models shift.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **COBIT**?

**Non-compliance with COBIT carries no direct legal penalties, as it is a voluntary framework, but it exposes organizations to indirect risks like unoptimized I&T value, unmanaged risks, and regulatory scrutiny gaps.** Weak EGIT may lead to audit findings, operational failures, or failure to demonstrate conformance in **MEA**, undermining stakeholder trust and increasing vulnerability to I&T-related issues without tailored governance.

Can **COBIT** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, COBIT 2019 explicitly supports mapping to other international frameworks through its governance framework principles emphasizing alignment.** The **openness and flexibility** principle, plus design factors, enable integration as an umbrella model, with the core 40 objectives and components providing crosswalks for standards via ISACA resources.

What is the first step to begin implementing **COBIT**?

**The first step to implement COBIT is to evaluate enterprise context using the goals cascade and 11 design factors to define a tailored governance system scope.** Per **APO02 Managed Strategy**, understand stakeholder needs, assess current capabilities and digital maturity, then prioritize objectives via the design workflow and toolkit for an initial scope.

What is the primary objective of **ISO 27018**?

**ISO 27018 provides a code of practice for protecting **Personally Identifiable Information (PII)** in public clouds where the provider acts as a PII processor.** It extends **ISO 27001** and **ISO 27002** with ~25–30 privacy-specific controls addressing cloud risks like multi-tenancy, subprocessors, consent, purpose limitation, data minimization, breach notification, and restrictions on secondary PII use (e.g., no advertising without consent). The 2025 edition aligns with **ISO 27002:2022**, emphasizing transparency and accountability for CSPs.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **ISO 27018**?

**ISO 27018 applies to public cloud service providers (CSPs) acting as PII processors, not controllers.** Targeted at hyperscalers, regional CSPs, and sector-specific platforms (e.g., health, finance), it is a professional best practice for demonstrating processor obligations under contracts and regulations like GDPR Article 28. Controllers use it for vendor due diligence; no legal mandate exists, but procurement and insurers often require alignment.

Does **ISO 27018** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**ISO 27018 does not offer standalone certification; controls are assessed within **ISO 27001** audits by accredited bodies under **ISO/IEC 17021** and **ISO/IEC 27006**.** Auditors review **Statement of Applicability (SoA)** integration during Stage 1 (documents) and Stage 2 (effectiveness) audits. Certificates reference both standards, valid for 3 years with annual surveillance.

How often should an assessment for **ISO 27018** be performed?

**ISO 27018 assessments occur via annual surveillance audits post-**ISO 27001** certification, with full recertification every 3 years.** Internal gap analyses and risk assessments should be continual, integrated into the **ISMS**, to address evolving cloud services, subprocessors, and incidents.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **ISO 27018**?

**Non-compliance with ISO 27018 risks loss of market trust, procurement delays, and failure to meet processor obligations under laws like GDPR.** CSPs face rejected contracts, cyber insurance issues, and legal liability for breaches (e.g., inadequate notification). No direct fines from the standard, but it exposes gaps in **ISMS**, amplifying regulatory penalties.

Can **ISO 27018** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, ISO 27018 maps directly to **ISO 27001** Annex A (93 controls), **ISO 27002:2022**, **ISO 27017** (cloud security), and **ISO 27701** (PIMS).** Controls align with GDPR Article 28, OECD guidelines, and **ISO/IEC 29100** principles like consent and transparency, enabling unified **SoA** for cloud PII processing.

What is the first step to begin implementing **ISO 27018**?

**Conduct a gap analysis against current **ISMS** to identify deficiencies in **ISO 27018** controls.** Engage stakeholders for discovery, review policies/contracts/technical setups, prioritize remediations in a **Statement of Applicability**, and plan integration assuming **ISO 27001** baseline.

COBIT vs ISO 27018

Standards Comparison

COBIT

Voluntary

2019

Framework for enterprise IT governance and management

ISO 27018

Voluntary

2019

International code of practice for PII protection in public clouds.

Quick Verdict

COBIT provides comprehensive I&T governance frameworks for enterprises, while ISO 27018 offers cloud-specific PII protection controls. Companies adopt COBIT for strategic alignment and risk management; ISO 27018 for privacy compliance in public cloud services.

IT Governance

COBIT

COBIT 2019: Governance and Management Objectives

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Tailors governance using 11 design factors and workflow
Defines 40 objectives across five domains EDM-APO-BAI-DSS-MEA
Employs CMMI-based capability levels 0-5 for performance
Separates governance responsibilities from management execution
Goals cascade links stakeholder needs to metrics

Cloud Privacy

ISO 27018

ISO/IEC 27018:2025 PII protection in public clouds

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

PII protection code for public cloud processors
Subprocessor transparency and disclosure requirements
Prohibits PII use for marketing without consent
Mandates customer breach notification procedures
Supports data subject rights and deletion

Detailed Analysis

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

COBIT Details

What It Is

COBIT 2019, officially Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies, is a voluntary framework for enterprise governance and management of IT (EGIT). It helps organizations create value from IT, manage risk, and optimize resources by translating stakeholder needs into tailored objectives via a design-factor-driven methodology.

Key Components

**Five domainsEDM (governance), APO (strategy), BAI (delivery), DSS (operations), MEA (assurance)
40 governance and management objectives in core model
Six governance principles and seven components (processes, structures, culture, etc.)
CMMI-based performance management (capability levels 0-5); assessments, no certification

Why Organizations Use It

Aligns IT strategy with business via goals cascade
Supports compliance (SOX, GDPR mappings) and risk optimization
Enables measurable improvements and resource efficiency
Builds board-level trust through auditable systems

Implementation Overview

**Phased workflowgap analysis, design with 11 factors, pilots, MEA monitoring
Suits all sizes/industries; involves training (ISACA certs), RACI, metrics
Voluntary; assurance via internal/external audits (181 words)

ISO 27018 Details

What It Is

ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is a code of practice extending ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 specifically for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) processed by public cloud service providers acting as PII processors. Its scope focuses on cloud environments, emphasizing multi-tenancy, cross-border data flows, and processor obligations via a risk-based control implementation within an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Key Components

Approximately 25-30 additional privacy-specific controls covering consent, purpose limitation, data minimization, transparency, and accountability.
Mapped to ISO 27001:2022 Annex A (93 controls across organizational, people, physical, technological themes).
Core principles include transparency, security safeguards, limited retention/disclosure.
Integrated into ISO 27001 certification audits, not standalone.

Why Organizations Use It

Enhances customer trust and accelerates procurement through audited Statement of Applicability.
Supports compliance with GDPR Article 28, HIPAA processor requirements.
Mitigates privacy risks in cloud, aids cyber insurance.
Provides competitive differentiation for CSPs signaling privacy stewardship.

Implementation Overview

Conduct gap analysis on existing ISO 27001 ISMS, update policies, implement subprocessors disclosure, breach procedures.
Applicable to CSPs globally, scalable by size.
Third-party audits via ISO 27001 stages 1-2, annual surveillance.

Key Differences

Aspect	COBIT	ISO 27018
Scope	Enterprise I&T governance and management	PII protection in public cloud processing
Industry	All industries, enterprise-wide	Cloud service providers, privacy-focused
Nature	Voluntary governance framework	Code of practice, ISO 27001 extension
Testing	Capability assessments, no certification	ISO 27001 audits with surveillance
Penalties	No legal penalties	Loss of certification, no direct fines

Scope

COBIT

Enterprise I&T governance and management

ISO 27018

PII protection in public cloud processing

Industry

COBIT

All industries, enterprise-wide

ISO 27018

Cloud service providers, privacy-focused

Nature

COBIT

Voluntary governance framework

ISO 27018

Code of practice, ISO 27001 extension

Testing

COBIT

Capability assessments, no certification

ISO 27018

ISO 27001 audits with surveillance

Penalties

COBIT

No legal penalties

ISO 27018

Loss of certification, no direct fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about COBIT and ISO 27018

COBIT FAQ

ISO 27018 FAQ

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COBIT

ISO 27018

Quick Verdict

COBIT

Key Features

ISO 27018

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

COBIT Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

ISO 27018 Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

COBIT FAQ

What is the primary objective of COBIT?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with COBIT?

Does COBIT require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for COBIT be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with COBIT?

Can COBIT be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing COBIT?

ISO 27018 FAQ

What is the primary objective of ISO 27018?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with ISO 27018?

Does ISO 27018 require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for ISO 27018 be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with ISO 27018?

Can ISO 27018 be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing ISO 27018?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide to ISO 27701: Building a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) on Your ISO 27001 Foundation

Top 5 Reasons TISAX Tabletop Exercises Prevent €10M+ Supply Chain Breaches for ADAS Tier 1 Suppliers in 2025

Top 10 NIST CSF 2.0 Myths Busted: Separating Hype from Reality for Smarter Adoption

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

NIST 800-53 vs REACH

ITIL vs ISO 30301

ISO 20000 vs WELL