Standards Comparison

    ISO 27018

    Voluntary
    2019

    Code of practice for PII protection in public clouds

    VS

    ISO 56002

    Voluntary
    2019

    International standard for innovation management system guidance

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 27018 provides cloud PII privacy controls for CSPs, extending ISO 27001. ISO 56002 offers innovation management guidance for all organizations. Companies adopt 27018 for privacy trust and procurement; 56002 for systematic value creation and strategic agility.

    Cloud Privacy

    ISO 27018

    ISO/IEC 27018:2025 PII protection in public clouds

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

    Key Features

    • Tailored privacy controls for public cloud PII processors
    • Mandates subprocessor transparency and location disclosure
    • Requires customer breach notifications without undue delay
    • Prohibits PII use for marketing without consent
    • Integrates seamlessly with ISO 27001 ISMS audits
    Innovation Management

    ISO 56002

    ISO 56002:2019 Innovation management system β€” Guidance

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

    Key Features

    • PDCA cycle aligned with High-Level Structure
    • Leadership commitment and policy requirements
    • Portfolio management and uncertainty handling
    • End-to-end innovation operational processes
    • KPIs, audits, and continual improvement

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 27018 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is a code of practice extending ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds where providers act as PII processors. Its primary scope targets cloud service providers (CSPs), focusing on privacy-specific controls for multi-tenant environments, cross-border processing, and processor obligations. It employs a risk-based approach integrated into an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

    Key Components

    • Core domains: transparency, contractual commitments, data subject rights support, breach management, data handling.
    • Approximately 25-30 additional privacy controls mapped to ISO 27001 Annex A.
    • Built on principles like consent, purpose limitation, data minimization, security, accountability.
    • Compliance via ISO 27001 audits; no standalone certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Enhances customer trust, accelerates procurement, aligns with GDPR Article 28, reduces risk in cloud outsourcing. Offers competitive differentiation for CSPs, favorable cyber insurance, evidence of due care.

    Implementation Overview

    Conduct gap analysis against existing ISMS, integrate controls into Statement of Applicability, update contracts/policies. Applies to CSPs of all sizes; requires third-party audits as ISO 27001 extension, annual surveillance.

    ISO 56002 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 56002:2019, titled Innovation management β€” Innovation management system β€” Guidance, is a guidance framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Innovation Management System (IMS). Its primary purpose is to enable organizations to manage innovation systematically, converting opportunities into value across all types, sizes, and sectors. It uses a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle aligned with ISO's High-Level Structure (HLS).

    Key Components

    • Seven core clauses (4-10): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Eight principles: value realization, leadership, strategic direction, culture, portfolio thinking, uncertainty management, learning, stakeholder engagement.
    • Non-prescriptive; no fixed controls, focuses on tailored governance.
    • Conformity via self-assessment or third-party audits; links to certifiable ISO 56001.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Drives strategic innovation governance, reduces 'innovation theater'.
    • Enhances portfolio decisions, risk management, stakeholder trust.
    • Integrates with ISO 9001/27001 for efficiency.
    • Boosts competitiveness, growth via repeatable value creation.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: diagnosis, design, pilot, scale, sustain (12-18 months typical).
    • Involves gap analysis, policy development, training, KPIs, audits.
    • Applicable to all organizations; voluntary, scalable for SMEs.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 27018
    PII protection in public clouds for processors
    ISO 56002
    Innovation management systems for value creation

    Industry

    ISO 27018
    Cloud service providers, all sectors globally
    ISO 56002
    All organizations, sectors, sizes worldwide

    Nature

    ISO 27018
    Code of practice, voluntary guidance
    ISO 56002
    Guidance standard, non-certifiable directly

    Testing

    ISO 27018
    Assessed in ISO 27001 audits annually
    ISO 56002
    Internal audits, management reviews, no certification

    Penalties

    ISO 27018
    No legal penalties, loss of audit compliance
    ISO 56002
    No penalties, internal performance impacts only

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 27018 and ISO 56002

    ISO 27018 FAQ

    ISO 56002 FAQ

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