Standards Comparison

    ISO 55001

    Voluntary
    2014

    International standard for asset management systems

    VS

    ISO 27018

    Voluntary
    2019

    International code of practice for PII protection in public clouds.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 55001 establishes asset management systems for lifecycle value optimization in asset-heavy industries, while ISO 27018 extends ISO 27001 with cloud-specific PII privacy controls. Organizations adopt them for governance, compliance assurance, and market trust in specialized domains.

    Asset Management

    ISO 55001

    ISO 55001:2024 Asset management — Management systems — Requirements

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

    Key Features

    • Requires Strategic Asset Management Plan linking strategy to operations
    • Formal asset management decision-making framework with explicit criteria
    • Annex SL structure for integration with other management systems
    • PDCA cycle mapping Clauses 4-10 for continual improvement
    • Balances asset performance, risks, costs, and opportunities explicitly
    Cloud Privacy

    ISO 27018

    ISO/IEC 27018:2025 Code of practice for PII protection

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

    Key Features

    • Privacy-specific controls for public cloud PII processors
    • Subprocessor transparency and location disclosure requirements
    • Prohibits PII use for marketing without consent
    • Mandates customer breach notification procedures
    • Supports data subject rights like access and erasure

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 55001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 55001:2024 is the international certification standard specifying requirements for an Asset Management System (AMS). It enables organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and improve AMS to realize value from assets across lifecycles. Adopting a management systems approach with Annex SL high-level structure and PDCA cycle, it balances performance, risks, costs, and stakeholder needs.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10: Context, Leadership, Planning, Support, Operation, Performance Evaluation, Improvement.
    • 72 'shall' requirements focused on SAMP, decision-making framework, risk/opportunity actions.
    • Built on ISO 55000 terminology and ISO 55002 guidance.
    • Certification via accredited bodies with audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Drives value realization, regulatory compliance, cost optimization.
    • Enhances resilience, breaks silos, builds stakeholder trust.
    • Provides competitive edge in asset-intensive sectors like utilities, infrastructure.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, SAMP development, competence building, operational controls.
    • Applies to all sizes, especially asset-heavy industries globally.
    • Involves training, tools, audits; 12-24 months typical timeline.

    ISO 27018 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27018 is a code of practice extending ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds where providers act as PII processors. Its primary purpose is to provide privacy-specific controls for cloud environments, focusing on multi-tenancy, cross-border data flows, and processor obligations. It follows a risk-based approach integrated into an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

    Key Components

    • Privacy controls (~25-30 additional) in areas like consent, transparency, data minimization, breach notification, and subprocessor management.
    • Built on ISO 27001 Annex A (93 controls) with cloud-PII guidance.
    • Core principles: consent/choice, purpose limitation, accuracy, security safeguards, accountability.
    • Assessed via ISO 27001 audits; no standalone certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Builds customer trust, accelerates procurement, aligns with GDPR/HIPAA.
    • Reduces risk in cloud outsourcing, supports cyber insurance.
    • Differentiates CSPs in competitive markets.

    Implementation Overview

    • Gap analysis, integrate into ISMS, update Statement of Applicability.
    • Applies to CSPs of all sizes; third-party audits required.
    • Incremental if ISO 27001-certified. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 55001
    Asset Management Systems (AMS) lifecycle governance
    ISO 27018
    PII protection in public cloud processing

    Industry

    ISO 55001
    Asset-intensive sectors (utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing)
    ISO 27018
    Cloud service providers handling personal data

    Nature

    ISO 55001
    Voluntary certifiable management system standard
    ISO 27018
    Code of practice extending ISO 27001 (non-standalone)

    Testing

    ISO 55001
    ISO 55001 certification audits (3-year cycle)
    ISO 27018
    Assessed within ISO 27001 audits (annual surveillance)

    Penalties

    ISO 55001
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    ISO 27018
    Loss of certification, no direct legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 55001 and ISO 27018

    ISO 55001 FAQ

    ISO 27018 FAQ

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