Standards Comparison

    ISO 27017

    Voluntary
    2015

    International code for cloud-specific information security controls

    VS

    ISO 56002

    Voluntary
    2019

    International standard for innovation management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 27017 provides cloud-specific security guidance extending ISO 27001 for CSPs and customers, while ISO 56002 offers IMS framework for systematic innovation. CSPs adopt 27017 for trust; organizations use 56002 to govern value creation.

    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 additional cloud-specific CLD controls
    • Provides cloud guidance for 37 ISO 27002 controls
    • Ensures virtual machine segregation and hardening
    • Enables customer monitoring of cloud service activities
    Innovation Management

    ISO 56002

    ISO 56002:2019 Innovation management system guidance

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • PDCA cycle for IMS implementation and improvement
    • Leadership commitment and future-focused governance
    • Portfolio management balancing risk and horizons
    • Tailorable to all sizes, sectors, innovation types
    • Integration with existing ISO management systems

    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 guidance. It provides implementation advice for information security controls in cloud services, focusing on shared responsibilities between cloud service providers (CSPs) and customers (CSCs). Its risk-based approach integrates seamlessly into an ISO 27001 ISMS.

    Key Components

    • Guidance on 37 ISO 27002 controls adapted for cloud.
    • Seven new CLD controls covering shared roles, multi-tenancy segregation, VM hardening, admin operations, monitoring, asset lifecycle, and network alignment.
    • Built on ISO 27001/27002; assessed within ISO 27001 audits, no standalone certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Enhances cloud risk management, clarifies responsibilities to prevent gaps, supports regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR), boosts procurement trust, and differentiates CSPs. Builds stakeholder confidence through auditable cloud controls.

    Implementation Overview

    Integrate into existing ISO 27001 ISMS via risk assessment, control mapping, and cloud configurations. Applies to CSPs/CSCs across IaaS/PaaS/SaaS; suits mid-to-large organizations. Auditors include in ISO 27001 scope during joint assessments (9-12 months typical).

    ISO 56002 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 56002:2019 is an international guidance standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Innovation Management System (IMS). It provides a generic, non-prescriptive framework applicable to all organizations, focusing on transforming innovation into a strategic capability using the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle.

    Key Components

    • Seven core clauses (4-10): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Eight principles: value realization, future-focused leadership, strategic direction, culture, insights, uncertainty management, adaptability, systems thinking.
    • Built on ISO High-Level Structure for integration; no fixed controls, emphasizes tailoring.
    • Guidance only; pairs with certifiable ISO 56001.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Drives repeatable value from innovation, improves ROI, portfolio governance.
    • Mitigates risks like resource waste, zombie projects.
    • Builds leadership commitment, culture of learning.
    • Enhances competitiveness, stakeholder confidence; voluntary but strategic for SMEs/enterprises.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: diagnose, design, pilot (6-18 months), scale, sustain.
    • Involves maturity assessments (e.g., PII), policy creation, tooling, audits.
    • Universal applicability; no certification required for ISO 56002.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 27017
    Cloud-specific security controls
    ISO 56002
    Innovation management systems

    Industry

    ISO 27017
    Cloud providers, all sectors globally
    ISO 56002
    All organizations, all sectors globally

    Nature

    ISO 27017
    Guidance, ISO 27001 extension
    ISO 56002
    Guidance for IMS, voluntary

    Testing

    ISO 27017
    ISO 27001 audits include controls
    ISO 56002
    Internal audits, management reviews

    Penalties

    ISO 27017
    Loss of certification, no legal
    ISO 56002
    No penalties, internal improvement

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 27017 and ISO 56002

    ISO 27017 FAQ

    ISO 56002 FAQ

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