ISO 45001
International standard for occupational health and safety management
GLBA
U.S. law for financial privacy notices and data safeguards
Quick Verdict
ISO 45001 provides global OH&S management for all industries, while GLBA mandates US financial data privacy/security. Companies adopt ISO 45001 for certification and safety culture; GLBA for legal compliance and breach avoidance.
ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management
Key Features
- Mandates leadership accountability and worker participation
- Aligns with Annex SL for IMS integration
- Enforces hierarchy of controls prioritizing elimination
- Proactively addresses risks and opportunities
- Drives PDCA continual improvement cycle
GLBA
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
Key Features
- Privacy notices and opt-out rights for NPI sharing
- Comprehensive Safeguards Rule security program
- Qualified Individual with board reporting
- 30-day FTC breach notification for 500+ consumers
- Service provider oversight and risk assessments
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 45001 Details
What It Is
ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard specifying requirements for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems. It provides a framework to prevent work-related injuries, ill health, and improve OH&S performance proactively. Built on the Annex SL High-Level Structure (HLS) and PDCA cycle, it emphasizes risk-based thinking across Clauses 4-10.
Key Components
- Core clauses: Context (4), Leadership/participation (5), Planning (6), Support (7), Operation (8), Evaluation (9), Improvement (10).
- Key elements: Hierarchy of controls, worker consultation, hazard identification, legal compliance.
- No fixed controls count; scalable requirements.
- Optional third-party certification via audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces incidents, costs, and downtime.
- Enhances resilience, insurance savings, talent retention.
- Meets stakeholder/supply-chain expectations; boosts reputation.
- Integrates with ISO 9001/14001 for efficiency.
- Voluntary but strategic for high-risk sectors.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: Gap analysis, policy/objectives, controls rollout, audits.
- Applies to all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical.
- Involves training, culture change, contractor management.
GLBA Details
What It Is
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is a U.S. federal regulation enacted in 1999. It establishes privacy and security standards for financial institutions handling nonpublic personal information (NPI). GLBA uses a risk-based approach focusing on transparency in data sharing and comprehensive safeguards against threats.
Key Components
- **Privacy Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 313)Requires initial/annual notices and opt-out rights for nonaffiliated third-party sharing.
- **Safeguards Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 314)Mandates a written information security program with administrative, technical, and physical controls; includes nine core elements like risk assessment and Qualified Individual oversight.
- **Pretexting ProvisionsProhibits obtaining NPI under false pretenses. Compliance is enforced by FTC for non-banks, with no formal certification but ongoing audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for broad financial entities (banks, lenders, tax firms).
- Mitigates enforcement risks (fines up to $100K/violation).
- Enhances customer trust, operational resilience, and vendor management.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: scoping, risk assessment, policy development, technical controls, testing. Applies to U.S. financial activities; suits all sizes with scaled exemptions for small entities.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 45001 | GLBA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Occupational health & safety management | Consumer financial data privacy & security |
| Industry | All industries worldwide, scalable | Financial institutions, US-focused |
| Nature | Voluntary ISO certification standard | Mandatory US federal regulation |
| Testing | Internal audits, management reviews | Risk assessments, penetration testing |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no fines | Civil penalties up to $100K per violation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 45001 and GLBA
ISO 45001 FAQ
GLBA FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

Beyond the Burden: How Intuitive Compliance Software Transforms Daily Workflows
Explore intuitive compliance software that automates workflows, simplifies onboarding, and reduces stress. Cut non-compliance costs 3x and boost efficiency for

Unpacking the True Cost: A Guide to Calculating TCO for Modern Compliance Monitoring Software
Unpack the true Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for compliance monitoring software. Factor in licenses, implementation, training, maintenance, and ROI savings for

Scaling Compliance: How Modern Tools Transform Lean Teams into Regulatory Powerhouses
Discover how compliance monitoring tools empower lean teams to automate real-time checks, ensure GDPR/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and scale oversight efficiently. T
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
ENERGY STAR vs WEEE
Discover ENERGY STAR vs WEEE: US voluntary efficiency benchmark vs EU mandatory e-waste rules. Compare standards, compliance & impacts to master global sustainability. Dive in!
COPPA vs ISO 17025
Compare COPPA vs ISO 17025: Child privacy laws meet lab accreditation standards. Key differences, compliance tips & risks. Boost your strategy today!
ISO 14064 vs CIS Controls
Compare ISO 14064 vs CIS Controls: GHG standards for emissions vs cybersecurity hygiene. Uncover differences in principles, implementation & compliance benefits—boost sustainability & security now.