Standards Comparison

    ISO 27017

    Voluntary
    2015

    International code of practice for cloud security controls

    VS

    Basel III

    Mandatory
    2010

    Global framework for bank capital, leverage, and liquidity standards.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 27017 provides cloud security guidance for all industries via ISO 27001 audits, while Basel III mandates capital, leverage, and liquidity rules for banks. Organizations adopt 27017 for cloud trust and Basel III for regulatory compliance and resilience.

    Cloud Security

    ISO 27017

    ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Code of practice for cloud security controls

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
    • Introduces seven cloud-specific security controls
    • Provides guidance for 37 ISO 27002 cloud adaptations
    • Addresses multi-tenancy and virtual machine isolation
    • Enables customer monitoring of cloud service activities
    Financial Risk Management

    Basel III

    Basel III: Finalising post-crisis reforms

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Strengthened CET1 capital requirements and buffers
    • Non-risk-based leverage ratio minimum 3%
    • Liquidity Coverage Ratio for 30-day stress
    • Net Stable Funding Ratio for one-year horizon
    • Output floor limiting internal model benefits

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 27017 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is a code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27002 with cloud-specific information security controls. It provides implementation guidance for cloud services, focusing on shared responsibilities in public, private, and hybrid environments. Its risk-based approach integrates into ISO 27001 ISMS.

    Key Components

    • Guidance on 37 ISO 27002 controls adapted for cloud.
    • Seven additional CLD cloud-specific controls (e.g., multi-tenancy segregation, VM hardening).
    • Dual perspectives for CSPs and CSCs.
    • Assessed within ISO 27001 audits, no standalone certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Enhances cloud risk management, clarifies responsibilities, supports regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR). Builds customer trust, aids procurement, differentiates CSPs. Reduces incidents from misconfigurations and shared model gaps.

    Implementation Overview

    Integrate into existing ISO 27001 ISMS via risk assessment, control mapping, and documentation updates. Applies to CSPs, CSCs across industries; requires cloud maturity. Joint audits with ISO 27001 typical, 9-12 months timeline.

    Basel III Details

    What It Is

    Basel III is the global regulatory framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) post-2007-09 financial crisis. It sets prudential standards for banks to enhance resilience through improved capital quality and quantity, leverage constraints, and liquidity requirements. The risk-based approach combines minimum ratios with buffers and non-risk metrics.

    Key Components

    • **Three PillarsPillar 1 (capital, leverage, LCR, NSFR), Pillar 2 (supervisory review/ICAAP), Pillar 3 (disclosures).
    • Core elements: CET1 4.5%, Tier 1 6%, Total Capital 8%; 2.5% conservation buffer; 3% leverage ratio; LCR/NSFR ≥100%.
    • Built on revised RWA methods, output floor (72.5%), and standardized approaches.
    • Compliance via national implementation, no central certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Banks adopt for regulatory compliance, as BCBS standards become binding via domestic laws. Benefits include crisis resilience, reduced leverage risks, better funding stability. Enhances investor trust, avoids penalties, and supports strategic balance-sheet optimization amid jurisdictional variations.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased enterprise transformation: gap analysis, data/system upgrades, model validation, training. Applies to internationally active banks globally; involves PMO governance, QIS, parallel runs. No formal certification; audited via supervisory reviews and Pillar 3 reporting.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 27017
    Cloud-specific information security controls
    Basel III
    Bank capital, leverage, liquidity requirements

    Industry

    ISO 27017
    All industries using cloud services globally
    Basel III
    Banking and financial institutions globally

    Nature

    ISO 27017
    Voluntary code of practice, ISO 27001 extension
    Basel III
    Mandatory prudential regulatory framework

    Testing

    ISO 27017
    ISO 27001 audits include 27017 controls
    Basel III
    Continuous supervisory review, stress testing

    Penalties

    ISO 27017
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    Basel III
    Fines, asset caps, business restrictions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 27017 and Basel III

    ISO 27017 FAQ

    Basel III FAQ

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