ISO 31000
International guidelines for enterprise risk management framework
ISO 27018
International code of practice for cloud PII protection.
Quick Verdict
ISO 31000 provides universal risk management guidelines for all organizations, while ISO 27018 extends ISO 27001 with cloud-specific PII privacy controls for service providers. Companies adopt ISO 31000 for strategic resilience and ISO 27018 to build customer trust in cloud privacy.
ISO 31000
ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines
Key Features
- Principles-based framework with eight core principles
- Non-certifiable guidelines for flexible adoption
- Structured process: context, assessment, treatment, monitoring
- Leadership-driven integration into governance and operations
- Customized to any organization size or sector
ISO 27018
ISO/IEC 27018:2025 PII protection in public clouds
Key Features
- Extends ISO 27001 for public cloud PII processors
- Requires subprocessor transparency and location disclosure
- Prohibits PII use for advertising without consent
- Mandates breach notifications to PII controllers
- Supports data subject rights and secure deletion
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 31000 Details
What It Is
ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines is an international, principles-based framework providing non-certifiable guidance for systematic risk management. Its primary purpose is to help organizations identify, analyze, evaluate, treat, monitor, and review risks affecting objectives, applicable to any size, sector, or type.
Key Components
- Three pillars: eight principles (integrated, structured, customized, inclusive, dynamic, best information, human factors, continual improvement), framework (leadership, integration, design, implementation, evaluation, improvement), and process (communication, scope/context/criteria, assessment, treatment, monitoring/review, recording/reporting).
- No fixed controls; emphasizes PDCA-like cycles.
- Voluntary alignment model without certification.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives strategic value through better decisions, resilience, and opportunity capture. Addresses regulatory benchmarks, reduces losses, enhances stakeholder trust, and supports ESG integration. Provides competitive edge via risk-informed strategy.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: diagnose/design, build/deploy, operate/optimize, institutionalize. Involves policy development, training, tools like risk registers, and integration into processes. Suited for all organizations globally; no audits required but internal assurance recommended. (178 words)
ISO 27018 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is a code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 to protect personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds where providers act as PII processors. It focuses on cloud-specific privacy risks like multi-tenancy and cross-border flows, using a risk-based control implementation approach.
Key Components
- ~25–30 privacy-specific controls mapped to ISO 27001 Annex A (Organizational, People, Physical, Technological).
- Principles: consent/choice, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, transparency, accountability.
- Integrated into ISO 27001 ISMS; assessed via Statement of Applicability (SoA), no standalone certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Builds trust, accelerates procurement, differentiates CSPs.
- Aligns with GDPR Article 28, HIPAA processor duties.
- Manages PII risks, supports insurance, reduces contract friction.
- Enhances reputation among enterprises and regulators.
Implementation Overview
- Prerequisite: ISO 27001 certification.
- Gap analysis, policy/contract updates, training, subprocessor management.
- Applies to CSPs of all sizes globally.
- Audited within ISO 27001 process with annual surveillance.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 31000 | ISO 27018 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Enterprise risk management principles and process | PII protection in public cloud services |
| Industry | All sectors, any organization size globally | Cloud service providers handling PII |
| Nature | Voluntary non-certifiable guidelines | Code of practice extending ISO 27001 |
| Testing | Internal audits and management reviews | ISO 27001 certification audits with extensions |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, loss of alignment | No direct penalties, certification revocation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 31000 and ISO 27018
ISO 31000 FAQ
ISO 27018 FAQ
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