ISO 27001
International standard for information security management systems
ISO 27018
International code of practice for public cloud PII protection
Quick Verdict
ISO 27001 establishes comprehensive ISMS for all information security across industries, while ISO 27018 extends it with PII-specific controls for public cloud processors. Organizations adopt 27001 for broad compliance; 27018 for trusted cloud privacy assurance.
ISO 27001
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management Systems
Key Features
- Risk-based ISMS framework with PDCA cycle
- 93 Annex A controls in four themes
- Technology and industry agnostic applicability
- Internationally recognized certification standard
- Continual improvement via audits and reviews
ISO 27018
ISO/IEC 27018:2025 Code of practice for PII protection
Key Features
- PII protection for public cloud processors
- Extends ISO 27001 with 25-30 privacy controls
- Subprocessor transparency and disclosure requirements
- Mandatory breach notification to customers
- Prohibits PII use for marketing without consent
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 an international certification standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It uses a risk-based approach to protect information assets' confidentiality, integrity, and availability across all industries and sizes.
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 modelTwo-stage audits, annual surveillance, triennial recertification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Manages risks from cyber threats, ensuring resilience.
- Meets regulatory needs (e.g., GDPR alignment) voluntarily.
- Builds stakeholder trust, wins bids, reduces breach costs.
- Provides competitive edge via certified maturity.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: Initiation, risk assessment, control deployment, audits.
- 6-18 months typical; scales for SMEs to enterprises.
- Requires leadership commitment, training, documentation.
ISO 27018 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is an international code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 to protect personally identifiable information (PII) processed by public cloud service providers (CSPs) acting as PII processors. It addresses cloud-specific privacy risks like multi-tenancy and cross-border transfers through risk-based controls integrated into an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Key Components
- ~25–30 additional privacy-specific controls mapped to ISO 27001 Annex A themes (organizational, people, physical, technological)
- Core principles: consent/choice, purpose limitation, data minimization, transparency, accountability, security safeguards
- Assessed within ISO 27001 certification audits; no standalone certification
Why Organizations Use It
Drives customer trust, accelerates procurement via Statement of Applicability (SoA), aligns with GDPR processor obligations, reduces cyber insurance friction, and differentiates CSPs in regulated markets like healthcare and finance.
Implementation Overview
Conduct gap analysis on existing ISMS, integrate controls, update contracts/subprocessor disclosures, train staff. Suited for CSPs all sizes with ISO 27001 base; involves third-party audits with annual surveillance. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 27001 | ISO 27018 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | All information assets, broad ISMS framework | PII protection in public clouds for processors |
| Industry | All industries, all sizes worldwide | Cloud service providers handling PII globally |
| Nature | Certifiable ISMS standard, voluntary | Code of practice extending 27001, voluntary |
| Testing | Stage 1/2 audits, annual surveillance | Assessed within 27001 audits, no standalone cert |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no direct fines | Loss of 27001 cert, reputational impact |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 27001 and ISO 27018
ISO 27001 FAQ
ISO 27018 FAQ
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