Standards Comparison

    ISO 27701

    Voluntary
    2019

    International standard for privacy information management systems

    VS

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules

    Mandatory
    2023

    U.S. SEC regulation for cybersecurity incident disclosure and governance

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 27701 certifies privacy management systems globally for PII handlers, while U.S. SEC rules mandate public firms disclose material cyber incidents in 4 days and annual governance to protect investors.

    Privacy Management

    ISO 27701

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Privacy Information Management

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

    Key Features

    • Extends ISO 27001 with PIMS requirements
    • Role-specific controls for controllers/processors
    • Annexes mapping to GDPR and privacy frameworks
    • PDCA cycle for continual privacy improvement
    • Auditable evidence for privacy accountability
    Capital Markets

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules

    Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure

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

    Key Features

    • Four-business-day material incident disclosure on Form 8-K
    • Annual risk management, strategy, governance in Form 10-K
    • Inline XBRL tagging for machine-readable disclosures
    • Board oversight and management expertise requirements
    • Third-party cybersecurity risk oversight processes

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 27701 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 is an international standard extending ISO/IEC 27001 to establish a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It specifies requirements for managing privacy risks in processing personally identifiable information (PII), using a risk-based, PDCA methodology for controllers and processors.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10 extend ISO 27001 with privacy scope, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • **Annex A39 controls for PII controllers (e.g., lawful basis, DSARs).
    • **Annex B24 controls for PII processors (e.g., processor agreements).
    • Mappings in Annexes C–F to GDPR, ISO 29100, etc.
    • Three-year certification with annual surveillance audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Demonstrates accountability for global privacy laws like GDPR; integrates with ISMS for efficiency; reduces risks via evidence generation; enhances procurement trust and regulatory assurance.

    Implementation Overview

    Gap analysis against existing ISMS; role mapping (controller/processor); risk assessments, RoPA, SoA development. Phased: 6–18 months typical; suits all sizes/sectors processing PII; requires accredited certification body audits.

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules Details

    What It Is

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules (Release No. 33-11216) is a federal regulation mandating standardized disclosures for public companies. It focuses on timely reporting of material cybersecurity incidents and ongoing risk management, strategy, and governance. The approach is materiality-based, aligned with securities law principles like TSC Industries v. Northway.

    Key Components

    • **Incident disclosureForm 8-K Item 1.05 requires reporting material incidents within four business days.
    • **Annual disclosuresRegulation S-K Item 106 covers risk processes, board oversight, and management roles in Forms 10-K/20-F.
    • **Structured dataInline XBRL tagging for comparability.
    • No fixed controls; emphasizes processes over technical details. Compliance via SEC filings, no separate certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Enhances investor protection through uniform, timely information. Mandatory for Exchange Act registrants; reduces asymmetry, supports capital efficiency. Builds board accountability, integrates cyber into ERM, mitigates enforcement risks like Yahoo penalties.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased rollout: incident reporting from Dec 2023 (SRCs June 2024). Involves cross-functional playbooks, materiality frameworks, governance updates, third-party oversight. Applies to all public issuers; no audits but SEC reviews filings.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 27701
    PIMS for privacy controls and governance
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    Public company cyber incident and governance disclosures

    Industry

    ISO 27701
    All PII-processing organizations globally
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    U.S. public companies and FPIs only

    Nature

    ISO 27701
    Voluntary certification standard
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    Mandatory SEC reporting regulation

    Testing

    ISO 27701
    Third-party certification audits
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    SEC staff review of disclosures

    Penalties

    ISO 27701
    Loss of certification
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    SEC enforcement fines and sanctions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 27701 and U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules

    ISO 27701 FAQ

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules FAQ

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