Standards Comparison

    ISO 45001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for occupational health and safety management

    VS

    ISO 27032

    Voluntary
    2012

    International guidelines for Internet cybersecurity collaboration

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 45001 provides certifiable OH&S management for workplace safety across industries, while ISO 27032 offers non-certifiable cybersecurity guidelines for Internet threats. Companies adopt 45001 for compliance and injury reduction, 27032 for digital resilience and stakeholder collaboration.

    Occupational Health & Safety

    ISO 45001

    ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems

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

    Key Features

    • Leadership accountability and worker participation requirements
    • Risk-based thinking with hierarchy of controls
    • Annex SL structure for IMS integration
    • PDCA cycle across clauses 4-10
    • Operational controls for contractors and change management
    Cybersecurity

    ISO 27032

    ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Cybersecurity – Guidelines for Internet Security

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

    Key Features

    • Multi-stakeholder collaboration framework for cyberspace
    • Guidelines for Internet security risk assessment
    • Mapping to ISO/IEC 27002 controls in Annex A
    • Emphasis on detection, response, and information sharing
    • Integration with ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS processes

    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 the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provides a framework to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, improve OH&S performance, using a risk-based approach aligned with Annex SL high-level structure.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Emphasizes hierarchy of controls, worker participation, contractor management.
    • Built on PDCA cycle; no fixed controls count, scalable requirements.
    • Optional third-party certification via audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Reduces incidents, legal risks, insurance costs.
    • Enhances resilience, reputation, talent retention.
    • Enables IMS integration with ISO 9001/14001.
    • Builds stakeholder trust through proactive governance.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, controls, audits.
    • Applicable all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical.
    • Involves training, audits; certification optional but strategic.

    ISO 27032 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27032:2023, titled Cybersecurity – Guidelines for Internet Security, is an international guidance standard (not certifiable) providing collaborative approaches to manage Internet security risks. It connects information security, network security, Internet security, and CIIP, using a risk-based, stakeholder-driven methodology focused on cyberspace ecosystems.

    Key Components

    • Multi-stakeholder roles and collaboration frameworks
    • Risk assessment, threat modeling, incident management
    • Controls mapped to ISO/IEC 27002 (preventive, detective, corrective)
    • Thematic domains like vulnerability management, awareness, supply-chain resilience
    • Non-certifiable; integrates with ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Reduces legal/regulatory exposure (e.g., NIS2, GDPR fines)
    • Enhances resilience, efficiency, competitive differentiation
    • Builds trust with customers, partners, insurers
    • Mitigates operational disruptions, reputational damage

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased approach: scoping, risk assessment, controls deployment, monitoring
    • Gap analysis, training, tabletop exercises, continuous improvement
    • Applies to all sizes/industries with online presence; no certification needed

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 45001
    Occupational health & safety management systems
    ISO 27032
    Cybersecurity guidelines for Internet security

    Industry

    ISO 45001
    All sectors, high-risk industries like construction
    ISO 27032
    Digital-intensive sectors like finance, telecoms

    Nature

    ISO 45001
    Certifiable management system standard
    ISO 27032
    Non-certifiable guidance document

    Testing

    ISO 45001
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification
    ISO 27032
    Risk assessments, no formal certification required

    Penalties

    ISO 45001
    No legal penalties, loss of certification
    ISO 27032
    No direct penalties, regulatory exposure via breaches

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 45001 and ISO 27032

    ISO 45001 FAQ

    ISO 27032 FAQ

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