ISO 27701
International standard for privacy information management systems
CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity best practices framework
Quick Verdict
ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001 for privacy governance and PIMS certification, while CIS Controls provide prioritized cybersecurity safeguards. Companies adopt ISO 27701 for privacy compliance assurance and CIS for practical threat mitigation.
ISO 27701
ISO/IEC 27701 Privacy Information Management System
Key Features
- Extends ISO 27001 with Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
- Role-specific controls for PII controllers (Annex A) and processors (Annex B)
- Integrates privacy risks into ISMS PDCA cycle
- Provides mappings to GDPR (Annex D) and other regulations
- Supports three-year certification with annual surveillance audits
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 safeguards
- Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 for scalability
- Asset and software inventory requirements
- Mappings to NIST, PCI DSS, HIPAA
- Free benchmarks and assessment tools
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 27701 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27701 is the international standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It extends ISO/IEC 27001 (ISMS) and ISO/IEC 27002, providing a risk-based framework for managing privacy risks associated with PII processing by controllers and processors.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 extend ISO 27001 management system requirements for privacy.
- **Annex A39 controls for PII controllers (e.g., consent, DSARs, retention).
- **Annex B24 controls for PII processors (e.g., DPAs, sub-processors).
- Annexes C-F: Mappings to ISO 29100, GDPR, and ISO 27018/29151.
- Certification via accredited bodies, typically integrated with ISO 27001 audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives privacy accountability, regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR), and risk reduction. Enhances procurement trust, differentiates in supply chains, and provides audit-ready evidence amid rising fines and expectations.
Implementation Overview
Conduct gap analysis on existing ISMS, define PIMS scope/roles, implement controls, perform internal audits. Applies to any PII-handling organization; 6-18 months typical, with 3-year certification cycle and annual surveillance.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) v8.1 is a community-driven cybersecurity framework of prioritized, actionable best practices. It provides prescriptive safeguards to reduce cyber risks, focusing on common attack vectors through 18 controls and 153 safeguards structured by Implementation Groups (IG1–IG3) for risk-based adoption.
Key Components
- 18 core controls covering asset inventory, data protection, secure configuration, access management, vulnerability management, logging, malware defenses, incident response, and penetration testing.
- IG1 (56 safeguards) for basic hygiene; IG2/IG3 for advanced maturity.
- Built on real-world attack data; includes free CIS Benchmarks and tools like CIS-CAT for assessment.
- No formal certification; compliance via self-assessment and audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates 85% of common attacks, lowers breach costs, accelerates regulatory compliance (NIST, PCI DSS, HIPAA).
- Enhances resilience, operational efficiency, insurance discounts, and market trust.
- Applicable to all sizes/industries; strategic for MSPs and regulated sectors.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: governance, gap analysis, foundational controls (3-9 months), expansion (6-18 months), ongoing validation.
- Involves asset inventories, automation, training; suits SMBs to enterprises globally.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 27701 | CIS Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Privacy management system for PII controllers/processors | Prioritized cybersecurity safeguards across 18 controls |
| Industry | All sectors handling PII globally | All industries worldwide, any size |
| Nature | Voluntary certification standard extending ISO 27001 | Voluntary prioritized cybersecurity best practices |
| Testing | Third-party certification audits, integrated with ISO 27001 | Self-assessment, automated tools, no formal certification |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no direct fines | No penalties, voluntary framework |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 27701 and CIS Controls
ISO 27701 FAQ
CIS Controls FAQ
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