Standards Comparison

    ISO 41001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for facility management systems

    VS

    MAS TRM

    Mandatory
    2021

    Singapore guidelines for financial technology risk management.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 41001 provides certifiable FM systems for global organizations, while MAS TRM enforces technology risk controls for Singapore FIs. Companies adopt ISO 41001 for operational excellence and integration; MAS TRM to meet supervisory expectations and avoid fines.

    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
    • High-Level Structure aligns with other ISO standards
    • Stakeholder requirement lifecycle with updates (Clause 4.2)
    • Risk planning includes continuity and emergencies
    • Service integration and interested party coordination
    Technology Risk Management

    MAS TRM

    Technology Risk Management Guidelines

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

    Key Features

    • Board and senior management accountability
    • Proportionality based on risk and criticality
    • Third-party risk as first-class domain
    • Annual penetration testing for internet systems
    • Defence-in-depth cyber resilience controls

    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 an international certification standard for facility management systems (FMS). It specifies requirements to demonstrate effective FM delivery supporting demand organization objectives, stakeholder needs, and sustainability. Built on High-Level Structure (HLS) and PDCA cycle, it applies universally across sectors, sizes, and geographies.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10: Context, Leadership, Planning, Support, Operation, Performance Evaluation, Improvement.
    • FM-specific: Stakeholder mapping, service integration, risk/continuity planning.
    • Principles: Risk-based thinking, leadership commitment, continual improvement.
    • Certification via accredited third-party audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Strategic alignment elevates FM from cost center.
    • Risk reduction (continuity, compliance, climate via 2024 Amendment).
    • Cost savings, efficiency, ESG benefits.
    • Competitive edge in tenders, stakeholder trust.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: Gap analysis, policy/objectives, processes, audits.
    • In-house/outsourced/hybrid models.
    • 6-24 months typical; integrates with ISO 9001/14001.

    MAS TRM Details

    What It Is

    MAS Technology Risk Management (TRM) Guidelines (revised January 2021) are supervisory guidelines issued by Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for financial institutions. They provide a principles-based framework for governing technology and cyber risks, emphasizing proportionality based on risk profile, complexity, and criticality to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of systems and data.

    Key Components

    • 15 main sections covering governance, risk frameworks, secure development, IT service management, resilience, access controls, cryptography, cyber operations, assessments, and audit.
    • Synthesised into 12 core principles like board accountability, asset classification, third-party oversight, and layered cyber defenses.
    • No fixed control count; focuses on outcomes with continuous improvement.
    • Compliance via supervisory review, not formal certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory observance for MAS-supervised FIs to avoid enforcement (fines, license actions).
    • Enhances cyber resilience, operational stability, and customer trust.
    • Supports digital transformation while mitigating systemic risks.
    • Builds competitive edge through robust governance and assurance.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: governance setup, asset inventory, risk assessment, control deployment, testing, monitoring.
    • Applies to all Singapore FIs; scalable by size/risk.
    • Requires board-approved strategies, independent audits; no external cert but evidence for supervision. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 41001
    Facility management systems (PDCA, HLS)
    MAS TRM
    Technology/cyber risk in financial services

    Industry

    ISO 41001
    All sectors, global, non-sector specific
    MAS TRM
    Singapore financial institutions only

    Nature

    ISO 41001
    Voluntary certifiable management standard
    MAS TRM
    Supervisory guidelines with enforcement

    Testing

    ISO 41001
    Internal audits, management reviews annually
    MAS TRM
    Annual PT for internet systems, VA regular

    Penalties

    ISO 41001
    Loss of certification, no legal fines
    MAS TRM
    Fines, license revocation, executive bans

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 41001 and MAS TRM

    ISO 41001 FAQ

    MAS TRM FAQ

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