ISO 22301
International standard for business continuity management systems
GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy
Quick Verdict
ISO 22301 provides voluntary BCMS certification for global resilience against disruptions, while GDPR mandates data protection for EU residents with hefty fines. Companies adopt ISO 22301 for trust and efficiency; GDPR for legal compliance.
ISO 22301
ISO 22301:2019 Business continuity management systems
Key Features
- PDCA cycle for continual BCMS improvement
- Business Impact Analysis and risk assessment core
- Annex SL structure for standards integration
- Operational planning with testing exercises
- Leadership commitment and policy requirements
GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope targeting EU residents worldwide
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover
- One-stop-shop for cross-border enforcement
- Accountability principle with privacy-by-design mandates
- Data subject rights including right to erasure
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 22301 Details
What It Is
ISO 22301:2019 is an international certification standard for Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS). It provides requirements to protect against, reduce likelihood of, respond to, and recover from disruptions, ensuring critical operations continue. Built on a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach with Annex SL high-level structure for seamless integration.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning (including BIA and risk assessment), support, operations (strategies, testing), evaluation (audits, reviews), and improvement.
- No prescriptive controls; flexible, tailored requirements.
- Core principles: resilience, continual improvement, stakeholder focus.
- Certification valid 3 years with annual surveillance audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Enhances resilience against cyberattacks, disasters, supply failures; reduces downtime, financial losses. Meets regulations like NIS Directive; builds trust, reputation, competitive edges. Certified firms report lower insurance, procurement advantages.
Implementation Overview
Gap analysis, BIA, policy development, training, testing, audits. Applies to all sizes/sectors globally. Typical 60 days to 6 months; two-stage certification process.
GDPR Details
What It Is
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) is a directly applicable EU regulation. It protects personal data of EU residents, with extraterritorial scope applying globally. Primary purpose: harmonize data protection, ensure free data flow in digital single market. Adopts risk-based, accountability-driven approach.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection).
- Obligations: DPIAs, DPO appointment, breach notification within 72 hours, records of processing.
- One-stop-shop enforcement model; fines up to €20M or 4% global turnover.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for EU data processing; reduces compliance fragmentation. Enhances risk management, builds trust, boosts reputation. Drives global competitiveness via Brussels Effect.
Implementation Overview
Gap analysis, policy updates, training, tech upgrades. Applies universally; SMEs face high burden. No certification, but ongoing audits by DPAs. Typical: 18-24 months.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 22301 | GDPR |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Business continuity management systems | Personal data protection and privacy |
| Industry | All sectors, sizes, worldwide | Any processing EU residents' data, global |
| Nature | Voluntary certification standard | Mandatory EU regulation |
| Testing | BCMS exercises, audits every 3 years | DPIAs for high-risk, no certification |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no fines | Up to 4% global turnover fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 22301 and GDPR
ISO 22301 FAQ
GDPR FAQ
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