ISO 27001
International standard for information security management systems
ISO 27017
International standard for cloud-specific information security controls.
Quick Verdict
ISO 27001 establishes a comprehensive ISMS for all organizations, while ISO 27017 provides cloud-specific control guidance. Companies adopt 27001 for broad certification and 27017 to address cloud risks within it, ensuring shared responsibilities with providers.
ISO 27001
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information security management systems
Key Features
- Risk-based ISMS framework for all industries
- 93 Annex A controls in four themes
- PDCA cycle for continual improvement
- Internationally recognized certification standard
- Clauses 4-10 mandatory management requirements
ISO 27017
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Code of practice for cloud security controls
Key Features
- Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
- Adds 7 cloud-specific CLD security controls
- Provides guidance for 37 ISO 27002 controls in cloud
- Addresses multi-tenancy and VM hardening risks
- Integrates seamlessly into ISO 27001 ISMS audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 27001 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the international certification standard for establishing and maintaining an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a risk-based framework to manage information security risks across confidentiality, integrity, and availability for all organization sizes and industries.
Key Components
- **Clauses 4-10Mandatory requirements for context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
- **Annex A93 controls in four themes (Organizational: 37, People: 8, Physical: 14, Technological: 34).
- Built on PDCA cycle for continual improvement.
- Certification via accredited auditors with Stage 1/2 audits, surveillance, and recertification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates breach risks (avg. $4.45M cost) and ensures compliance (GDPR, NIS2).
- Builds stakeholder trust, wins contracts, reduces insurance premiums.
- Enables strategic resilience and competitive edge via certified maturity.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: initiation, risk assessment, control deployment (6-18 months). Scalable for SMEs/enterprises; requires audits for certification.
ISO 27017 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is a code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27002 for cloud services. It provides implementation guidance for information security controls in cloud environments (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), using a risk-based approach within an ISO 27001 ISMS to address shared responsibilities and multi-tenancy.
Key Components
- Cloud-specific guidance for 37 ISO 27002 controls
- 7 additional CLD controls (e.g., shared roles CLD.6.3.1, VM segregation CLD.9.5.1)
- Built on ISO 27001/27002 frameworks
- Integrated into ISO 27001 certification audits, no standalone cert
Why Organizations Use It
- Clarifies CSP-CSC responsibilities for procurement and contracts
- Mitigates cloud risks like isolation failures and data remanence
- Meets regulatory (GDPR) and customer demands
- Enhances trust, differentiation for CSPs
Implementation Overview
- Extend existing ISO 27001 ISMS via risk assessment
- Map/implement controls, update SoA
- Applies to CSPs/CSCs globally, all sizes
- Audited jointly (9-12 months typical)
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 27001 | ISO 27017 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Broad ISMS for all info security risks | Cloud-specific controls and guidance |
| Industry | All industries, sizes, global | Cloud providers/customers, global |
| Nature | Certifiable management system standard | Guidance/code of practice, not certifiable alone |
| Testing | Stage 1/2 audits, surveillance, recert every 3yrs | Assessed within ISO 27001 audits |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no direct fines | No standalone penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 27001 and ISO 27017
ISO 27001 FAQ
ISO 27017 FAQ
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