GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection privacy
ISO 27017
International code for cloud security controls.
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates comprehensive personal data protection for EU residents globally, with severe fines for non-compliance. ISO 27017 provides voluntary cloud security guidance within ISO 27001. Companies adopt GDPR for legal compliance, ISO 27017 for cloud assurance.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)
Key Features
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover
- Extraterritorial scope for non-EU organizations
- Accountability principle requiring demonstrable compliance
- Enhanced data subject rights like erasure
- 72-hour mandatory breach notification requirement
ISO 27017
ISO/IEC 27017:2015
Key Features
- Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
- Adds 7 cloud-specific CLD security controls
- Provides guidance for 37 ISO 27002 cloud adaptations
- Addresses multi-tenancy and VM segregation controls
- Integrates directly into ISO 27001 ISMS audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2016/679, known as the GDPR, is a directly applicable EU regulation protecting natural persons' personal data. It modernizes privacy for the digital age, replacing the 1995 Directive, with extraterritorial scope applying globally to EU data subjects. Core approach: accountability-based, requiring organizations to demonstrate compliance.
Key Components
- Seven principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Data subject rights: access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection.
- Obligations: DPIAs, DPO appointment, breach notifications, records of processing.
- Enforcement: fines up to €20M or 4% turnover; no certification, but compliance mandatory.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal obligation for EU data processors; reduces risks from breaches/fines; builds trust; enables secure data flows in Digital Single Market; global benchmark influencing worldwide laws.
Implementation Overview
Risk assessments, policy updates, training, DPIAs; applies to all sizes processing EU data. Two-year transition (2016-2018); ongoing audits by DPAs; high complexity for SMEs.
ISO 27017 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is a code of practice providing cloud-specific guidance for information security controls, extending ISO/IEC 27002. It offers implementation advice for 37 existing controls and adds 7 new CLD controls, integrated within a risk-based ISO 27001 ISMS for public, private, and hybrid clouds.
Key Components
- 37 adapted ISO 27002 controls with cloud guidance.
- **7 CLD controlsshared responsibilities (CLD.6.3.1), virtual segregation (CLD.9.5.1), VM hardening (CLD.9.5.2), admin operations, monitoring, asset removal, network alignment.
- Dual perspectives for CSPs and CSCs.
- No standalone certification; audited via ISO 27001.
Why Organizations Use It
- Clarifies shared responsibility in cloud models.
- Meets procurement and regulatory demands (e.g., GDPR alignment).
- Mitigates multi-tenancy risks, builds customer trust.
- Enhances competitive differentiation for CSPs.
Implementation Overview
- Integrate into ISO 27001 ISMS via risk assessment and SoA updates.
- Map controls, configure cloud environments, train staff.
- Applies to CSPs/CSCs of all sizes globally.
- Joint audits typically 9-12 months.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | ISO 27017 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection, rights, processing | Cloud-specific information security controls |
| Industry | All sectors handling EU data, global reach | Cloud providers and users, all industries |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation, legally binding | Voluntary code of practice, guidance standard |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, DPA oversight | ISO 27001 audits with cloud controls |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover fines | No penalties, loss of certification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and ISO 27017
GDPR FAQ
ISO 27017 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
TISAX Tabletop Exercises for EV Battery Suppliers: Ransomware Drill Scripts and AAR Templates with 2025 ENX Podcast Breakdown
Practical TISAX tabletop scripts for EV battery suppliers facing 'Very High' ASLP. Download ransomware AAR templates, get 2024 ENX lessons & 2025 podcast on VDA
Decoding Tomorrow's Regulations: How Advanced Compliance Tools Predict and Prepare for Future Shifts
Advanced compliance tools use AI, analytics & real-time monitoring to predict regulatory shifts, cut non-compliance costs 3x, and ensure audit readiness. Stay p
The Regulatory Radar: How Data-Driven Compliance Tools Provide Strategic Foresight
Unlock strategic foresight with data-driven compliance tools. Act as your regulatory radar: real-time monitoring, automated insights, and 3x cost cuts. Anticipa
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
ISO 19600 vs Australian Privacy Act
Compare ISO 19600 vs Australian Privacy Act: CMS guidelines for governance, risk & PDCA vs APPs, NDB scheme & OAIC enforcement. Align for scalable compliance. Dive in now.
ISO 37001 vs SAMA CSF
Compare ISO 37001 anti-bribery vs SAMA CSF cybersecurity: key differences, maturity models, controls & Saudi compliance tips. Strengthen governance today!
C-TPAT vs ISO 22301
Compare C-TPAT vs ISO 22301: CBP's trusted trader security vs ISO's BCM resilience. Key diffs in criteria, validation, supply chain benefits. Secure operations—discover the best fit now!