Standards Comparison

    ISO 37001

    Voluntary
    2025

    International standard for anti-bribery management systems

    VS

    IEC 62443

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for IACS cybersecurity

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 37001 provides certifiable anti-bribery management for all organizations worldwide, mitigating corruption risks through due diligence and culture. IEC 62443 delivers OT cybersecurity standards for industrial control systems, using zones, security levels, and supplier assurance to protect critical infrastructure.

    Anti-Bribery/Compliance

    ISO 37001

    ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management Systems

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based bribery risk assessment and controls
    • Mandatory third-party due diligence and monitoring
    • Leadership commitment and compliance function
    • PDCA cycle for continual improvement
    • Internationally certifiable management system standard
    Industrial Cybersecurity

    IEC 62443

    IEC 62443: IACS Security Standards Series

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Zones and conduits segmentation model
    • Security Levels SL-T, SL-C, SL-A triad
    • Shared responsibility across stakeholders
    • Seven Foundational Requirements FR1-7
    • ISASecure modular certification schemes

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 37001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37001 is the international standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS), providing certifiable requirements to prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. It applies to all organization types and sizes, focusing on direct/indirect bribery involving personnel and third parties via a risk-based, proportionate approach structured around the Harmonized Structure (HS) and PDCA cycle.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operations, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Core elements: anti-bribery policy, risk assessments, due diligence, financial/non-financial controls, training, reporting, audits.
    • Built on proportionality to bribery risks; optional third-party certification with annual surveillance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates legal risks (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act) via evidentiary "reasonable steps".
    • Drives efficiencies (up to 15% compliance cost reduction), reputational trust, ESG alignment.
    • Enables market access, stakeholder confidence in high-risk sectors like extractives, construction.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, control design, training, audits, certification.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; integrates with ISO 9001/27001; 6-12 months typical timeline.

    IEC 62443 Details

    What It Is

    IEC 62443 is the international consensus-based series of standards for securing Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). It provides a comprehensive, risk-based framework tailored to OT environments, emphasizing lifecycle security from governance to components.

    Key Components

    • Four groupings: General (-1), Policies (-2), System (-3), Components (-4).
    • Seven Foundational Requirements (FR1-7) like authentication, integrity, and availability.
    • Zones/conduits model, Security Levels (SL0-4) with SL-T/C/A triad.
    • ~127 CSMS requirements; supported by ISASecure modular certifications (SDLA, CSA, SSA).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates OT-specific risks (safety, availability, legacy systems).
    • Meets regulatory references (e.g., NIS-2, NERC CIP alignments).
    • Enables shared responsibility, supply chain assurance, reduced downtime.
    • Builds stakeholder trust via certifications, competitive edge in procurement.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: CSMS governance (-2-1), risk assessment/zoning (-3-2), controls (-3-3/-4-2). Applies to critical infrastructure globally; requires OT expertise, audits for certification. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 37001
    Anti-bribery management systems (ABMS)
    IEC 62443
    IACS/OT cybersecurity lifecycle

    Industry

    ISO 37001
    All sectors, global applicability
    IEC 62443
    Industrial automation, critical infrastructure

    Nature

    ISO 37001
    Voluntary certifiable management standard
    IEC 62443
    Consensus-based cybersecurity standards series

    Testing

    ISO 37001
    Third-party certification audits, annual surveillance
    IEC 62443
    ISASecure modular certification, SL assessments

    Penalties

    ISO 37001
    No legal penalties, certification loss
    IEC 62443
    No direct penalties, operational/regulatory risks

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 37001 and IEC 62443

    ISO 37001 FAQ

    IEC 62443 FAQ

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