ISO 27001
International standard for information security management systems
WELL
Performance-based certification for building occupant health and wellness.
Quick Verdict
ISO 27001 certifies information security management for all industries globally, while WELL verifies building health performance via on-site testing. Companies adopt ISO 27001 for cyber resilience and compliance; WELL for occupant well-being and productivity.
ISO 27001
ISO/IEC 27001:2022
Key Features
- Risk-based approach to ISMS implementation
- PDCA cycle for continual improvement
- 93 Annex A controls in 4 themes
- Internationally certifiable management standard
- Technology-agnostic across all industries
WELL
WELL Building Standard v2
Key Features
- Mandatory on-site performance verification testing
- 10 core concepts with preconditions and optimizations
- Point-based certification tiers Bronze to Platinum
- Continuous monitoring for air and thermal compliance
- Crosswalks with LEED for dual certification efficiency
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 manage information assets' confidentiality, integrity, and availability across all formats and threats.
Key Components
- **Clauses 4-10Mandatory requirements for context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
- **Annex A93 controls in 4 themes (Organizational:37, People:8, Physical:14, Technological:34).
- Built on PDCA cycle; voluntary certification via accredited auditors with Stage 1/2 audits, surveillance, recertification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Risk mitigation, fewer incidents (30% reduction), faster recovery.
- Compliance with GDPR/NIST; competitive edge in bids.
- Builds trust, enables market access, cuts insurance costs.
Implementation Overview
Phased: initiation, risk assessment, controls deployment, audits (6-18 months). Scalable for all sizes/industries; requires leadership, documentation, training.
WELL Details
What It Is
The WELL Building Standard (WELL v2) is a performance-based certification framework administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). It focuses on designing, operating, and verifying buildings to advance human health and well-being through evidence-based strategies across environmental quality, operations, and policies.
Key Components
- **10 core conceptsAir, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community (plus Innovation).
- 24 Preconditions (mandatory pass/fail) and 102 Optimizations (point-earning).
- Built on public health and building science research.
- Certification tiers: Bronze (40 points), Silver (50), Gold (60), Platinum (80) with concept minimums.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances occupant health, productivity, and ESG reporting.
- Differentiates assets via verified performance, supporting higher rents and retention.
- Mitigates risks like poor IEQ; complements LEED for holistic sustainability.
- Builds stakeholder trust through rigorous verification.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: enrollment, scorecard, documentation review, on-site performance verification, certification.
- Applies to new/existing buildings, various types via pathways like WELL Core.
- Cross-functional teams handle design, ops, HR; requires third-party testing and recertification every 3 years.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 27001 | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Information security management systems (ISMS) | Building occupant health and well-being |
| Industry | All industries, global applicability | Real estate, facilities, all sectors |
| Nature | Voluntary certification standard | Voluntary performance certification |
| Testing | Internal/external audits, certification | On-site performance verification testing |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal fines | No certification, no legal penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 27001 and WELL
ISO 27001 FAQ
WELL FAQ
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