Standards Comparison

    ISO 9001

    Voluntary
    2015

    International standard for quality management systems

    VS

    MAS TRM

    Mandatory
    2021

    Singapore guidelines for financial technology risk management

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 9001 provides voluntary QMS certification for global quality excellence, while MAS TRM offers supervisory tech risk guidelines for Singapore FIs. Organizations adopt ISO 9001 for customer trust and efficiency; MAS TRM ensures cyber resilience and regulatory compliance.

    Quality Management

    ISO 9001

    ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based thinking integrated throughout QMS
    • PDCA cycle for continual improvement
    • Seven quality management principles foundation
    • High-Level Structure for standards integration
    • Process approach applicable all organizations
    Technology Risk Management

    MAS TRM

    Technology Risk Management Guidelines (January 2021)

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

    Key Features

    • Board and senior management accountability for oversight
    • Proportional controls based on asset criticality
    • Comprehensive TRM framework with risk lifecycle
    • Third-party risk assessment and ongoing monitoring
    • Annual penetration testing for internet-facing systems

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 9001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 9001:2015 is the international certification standard for quality management systems (QMS). It defines requirements for organizations to consistently meet customer and regulatory needs through a process-based, risk-oriented framework using the PDCA cycle.

    Key Components

    • 10 clauses (4-10 auditable): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Built on **7 Quality Management Principlescustomer focus, leadership, engagement, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decisions, relationships.
    • High-Level Structure (Annex SL) enables integration with other ISO standards.
    • Voluntary third-party certification with audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enhances customer satisfaction, efficiency, risk management.
    • Boosts market access, reputation, compliance.
    • Drives cost savings, continual improvement.
    • Builds stakeholder trust via 1M+ global certifications.

    Implementation Overview

    • Gap analysis, process mapping, training, internal audits.
    • 6-12 months typical; scalable to any size/sector.
    • Certification via accredited bodies, ongoing surveillance.

    MAS TRM Details

    What It Is

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

    Key Components

    • 15 sections covering governance, risk frameworks, secure development, IT service management, resilience, access controls, cryptography, cyber operations, assessments, and audit.
    • Synthesised 12 core principles like board accountability, asset inventory, third-party oversight.
    • Defence-in-depth approach with no fixed control count; compliance via supervisory review.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets MAS supervisory expectations to avoid fines/enforcement.
    • Enhances cyber resilience, operational stability, and customer trust.
    • Supports digital transformation with secure-by-design practices.
    • Builds competitive edge through robust risk management.

    Implementation Overview

    • Risk-based rollout: asset inventory, governance setup, control mapping, testing.
    • Applies to all MAS-supervised FIs; scalable by size/complexity.
    • No formal certification; evidenced via audits, metrics, board reporting. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 9001
    Quality management systems, processes, continual improvement
    MAS TRM
    Technology/cyber risks, IT resilience, financial institutions

    Industry

    ISO 9001
    All industries worldwide, any organization size
    MAS TRM
    Singapore financial institutions, banks/insurers

    Nature

    ISO 9001
    Voluntary global certification standard
    MAS TRM
    Supervisory guidelines, proportionate enforcement

    Testing

    ISO 9001
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits
    MAS TRM
    Penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, DR tests

    Penalties

    ISO 9001
    Loss of certification, market disadvantages
    MAS TRM
    Fines, license revocation, enforcement actions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 9001 and MAS TRM

    ISO 9001 FAQ

    MAS TRM FAQ

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