ISO 22301
International standard for business continuity management systems
GDPR UK
UK regulation for personal data protection and privacy.
Quick Verdict
ISO 22301 provides voluntary BCMS certification for operational resilience across industries, while GDPR UK mandates data protection compliance for personal data handlers with hefty fines. Companies adopt ISO 22301 for trust and efficiency; GDPR UK to avoid penalties and build privacy trust.
ISO 22301
ISO 22301:2019 Business continuity management systems requirements
Key Features
- PDCA cycle drives continual BCMS improvement
- Mandates BIA and risk assessments for priorities
- Annex SL enables seamless ISO standards integration
- Requires leadership commitment and policy establishment
- Demands operational testing and recovery exercises
GDPR UK
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
Key Features
- Accountability principle requiring demonstrable compliance
- Seven core data processing principles
- Enforceable data subject rights including erasure
- Risk-based DPIAs for high-risk processing
- Fines up to 4% global annual turnover
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, and recover from disruptions, applicable to all organization sizes and sectors. Built on a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach with Annex SL high-level structure.
Key Components
- 10 clauses (4-10 core): context, leadership, planning (BIA/risk assessment), support, operation (strategies/testing), evaluation, improvement.
- No prescriptive controls; flexible, tailored requirements.
- Core principles: resilience, continual improvement, integration with ISO 27001/31000.
- 3-year certification with annual surveillance audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Enhances resilience, minimizes downtime/financial losses, ensures regulatory compliance (e.g., NIS Directive), builds stakeholder trust/reputation, offers competitive edges like procurement advantages and lower insurance. Addresses cyber, natural disasters, supply chain risks.
Implementation Overview
Gap analysis, BIA, policy development, training, testing, audits. 60 days to 6 months typical; suits SMEs to multinationals globally. Two-stage certification process.
GDPR UK Details
What It Is
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation) is the UK's post-Brexit adaptation of the EU GDPR, a binding regulation enforced by the ICO. It governs personal data processing with a risk-based, accountability-focused approach for organisations handling UK data subjects' information.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security, accountability.
- Individual rights: access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection.
- Controller/processor obligations: RoPAs, contracts, DPIAs, breach notifications.
- No certification; compliance via demonstrable governance and ICO enforcement (fines to 4% turnover).
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for legal compliance, avoiding £17.5M+ fines.
- Enhances risk management, trust, operational efficiency.
- Builds stakeholder confidence, enables cross-border operations.
Implementation Overview
Phased: governance, data mapping (RoPA), policies, DPIAs, training, audits. Applies to all sizes processing UK data; ongoing, no formal certification but ICO audits possible. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 22301 | GDPR UK |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Business continuity management systems | Personal data protection and privacy |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide, all sizes | All handling UK personal data, UK-focused |
| Nature | Voluntary certification standard | Mandatory legal regulation |
| Testing | BIA, exercises, internal/external audits | DPIAs, audits, no certification required |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no fines | Fines up to £17.5M or 4% turnover |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 22301 and GDPR UK
ISO 22301 FAQ
GDPR UK FAQ
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