Standards Comparison

    ISO 41001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for facility management systems

    VS

    ISO 27018

    Voluntary
    2019

    International code for PII protection in public cloud processors.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 41001 establishes facility management systems supporting organizational objectives via PDCA, while ISO 27018 extends ISO 27001 for PII protection in public clouds. Organizations adopt them for structured governance, certification, and demonstrating compliance in FM and cloud privacy.

    Facility Management

    ISO 41001

    ISO 41001:2018 Facility management management systems requirements

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

    Key Features

    • Distinguishes FM organization from demand organization for alignment
    • High-Level Structure enables integration with other management systems
    • Mandates stakeholder requirements lifecycle and mapping
    • Requires business continuity in risk-based planning
    • Emphasizes integrated service delivery and coordination
    Cloud Privacy

    ISO 27018

    ISO/IEC 27018:2025 PII protection public cloud processors

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

    Key Features

    • PII protection for public cloud processors
    • Consent and purpose limitation controls
    • Subprocessor transparency and management
    • Secure data deletion on contract termination
    • Breach notification and auditability requirements

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 41001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 41001:2018 is the international standard titled Facility management — Management systems — Requirements with guidance for use. It establishes a certifiable management system framework for facility management (FM), focusing on effective, efficient FM delivery supporting the demand organization's objectives, stakeholder needs, and sustainability. It uses a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach aligned with ISO's High-Level Structure (HLS).

    Key Components

    • Core clauses: Context (4), Leadership (5), Planning (6), Support (7), Operation (8), Performance evaluation (9), Improvement (10).
    • FM-specific elements like demand organization alignment, stakeholder lifecycle, service integration, and climate action (Amendment 1:2024).
    • Built on HLS for interoperability; voluntary third-party certification via accredited bodies.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Drives strategic FM alignment, cost control, occupant wellbeing, and ESG compliance.
    • Mitigates risks in continuity, emergencies, and supply chains.
    • Enhances competitive bidding, market access, and reputation through certification.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, processes, audits, certification.
    • Applicable to all organizations (in-house, outsourced, hybrid FM); non-sector-specific.
    • Involves internal audits, management reviews; certification via Stage 1/2 audits.

    ISO 27018 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is a code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27002 security controls for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments where providers act as PII processors. Its primary purpose is to address cloud-specific privacy risks like multi-tenancy and cross-border transfers through risk-based privacy controls.

    Key Components

    • Core themes: consent/purpose limitation, transparency, data minimization, subcontractor management, logging/auditability, breach notification, secure deletion.
    • Builds on ISO/IEC 29100 privacy principles with ~25-30 additional controls.
    • Certification model integrates with ISMS audits, using Statements of Applicability.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Demonstrates robust PII safeguards for cloud services, aiding GDPR alignment and customer trust.
    • Reduces procurement friction via audited processor obligations.
    • Enhances risk management in dynamic cloud ecosystems; competitive edge for SaaS/cloud providers.

    Implementation Overview

    • Layer onto existing ISMS via gap analysis, control mapping, policy updates.
    • Applies to cloud PII processors of all sizes; involves tooling for monitoring/logs.
    • Requires external audits as ISMS extension, with annual surveillance.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 41001
    Facility management systems for service delivery
    ISO 27018
    PII protection in public cloud processors

    Industry

    ISO 41001
    All sectors, non-sector specific globally
    ISO 27018
    Cloud service providers worldwide

    Nature

    ISO 41001
    Voluntary certifiable management system standard
    ISO 27018
    Code of practice extending ISO 27001

    Testing

    ISO 41001
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification
    ISO 27018
    Integrated with ISO 27001 audits and surveillance

    Penalties

    ISO 41001
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    ISO 27018
    Loss of certification, no direct penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 41001 and ISO 27018

    ISO 41001 FAQ

    ISO 27018 FAQ

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