Standards Comparison

    K-PIPA

    Mandatory
    2011

    South Korea's stringent regulation for personal data protection

    VS

    FedRAMP

    Mandatory
    2011

    U.S. program standardizing federal cloud security assessments

    Quick Verdict

    K-PIPA mandates strict data privacy for Korean operations with consent and breach rules, while FedRAMP authorizes secure US federal cloud services via NIST controls. Companies adopt K-PIPA for Korean compliance, FedRAMP for government contracts.

    Data Privacy

    K-PIPA

    Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)

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

    Key Features

    • Mandates independent Chief Privacy Officers for all handlers
    • Requires granular opt-in consents for sensitive data transfers
    • Enforces 72-hour breach notifications to affected subjects
    • Demands 10-day responses to data subject rights requests
    • Applies extraterritorially to foreign entities targeting Koreans
    Cloud Security

    FedRAMP

    Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program

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

    Key Features

    • Assess once, use many times reusability across agencies
    • NIST 800-53 baselines at Low, Moderate, High impact levels
    • Independent 3PAO security assessments and audits
    • Continuous monitoring with monthly/annual reporting
    • FedRAMP Marketplace listing for authorized CSPs

    Detailed Analysis

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

    K-PIPA Details

    What It Is

    K-PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) is South Korea's comprehensive data protection regulation, enacted in 2011 with key amendments in 2020, 2023, and 2024. It governs collection, use, storage, transfer, and destruction of personal information, including sensitive data like health and biometrics, and unique IDs like resident registration numbers. Adopting a consent-centric, risk-based approach, it unifies rules for all data handlers via 'same conduct-same regulation' principles.

    Key Components

    • Mandatory CPOs with independence and qualifications for large entities
    • Core principles: transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, accountability
    • **Data subject rightsaccess, rectification, erasure, portability, objection (10-day timelines)
    • Security safeguards per 2024 PIPC Guidelines (encryption, access controls)
    • 72-hour breach notifications; cross-border transfer restrictions Enforced by PIPC with fines up to 3% annual revenue.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Ensures legal compliance amid extraterritorial scope for Korean-targeted services; mitigates fines (e.g., Google's KRW 70B); secures EU adequacy for data flows; enhances trust and market access in Asia-Pacific.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased roadmap: gap analysis, data mapping, CPO appointment, policy/tech build, training, audits. Applies broadly to domestic/foreign handlers of Korean residents' data; no formal certification but PIPC oversight and ISMS-P options. (178 words)

    FedRAMP Details

    What It Is

    FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is a U.S. government-wide framework standardizing security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud services used by federal agencies. Its primary purpose is enabling "assess once, use many times" to reduce duplication, based on risk-based NIST SP 800-53 controls aligned with FIPS 199 impact levels (Low, Moderate, High).

    Key Components

    • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 baselines: ~156 (Low), ~323 (Moderate), ~410 (High) controls, plus LI-SaaS tailored baseline.
    • Core artifacts: SSP, SAR, POA&M, continuous monitoring plans.
    • 3PAO independent assessments; FedRAMP Marketplace for reusability.
    • Compliance via Agency or Program Authorization, emphasizing ongoing monitoring.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Unlocks federal contracts (e.g., $20M+ opportunities) and CMMC compliance.
    • Enhances risk management, builds stakeholder trust.
    • Competitive edge as security badge for commercial sales.

    Implementation Overview

    • Multi-phase: preparation, 3PAO assessment, authorization, continuous monitoring.
    • Targets CSPs; suits various sizes but resource-intensive for federal cloud.
    • Requires audits by accredited 3PAOs; timelines 12-18 months typically. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    K-PIPA
    Personal data protection for all handlers
    FedRAMP
    Cloud security assessment/authorization

    Industry

    K-PIPA
    All sectors, South Korea residents
    FedRAMP
    Cloud providers, US federal agencies

    Nature

    K-PIPA
    Mandatory national privacy law
    FedRAMP
    Standardized government authorization program

    Testing

    K-PIPA
    CPO audits, security guidelines
    FedRAMP
    3PAO assessments, NIST 800-53 controls

    Penalties

    K-PIPA
    3% revenue fines, imprisonment
    FedRAMP
    Revocation, contract ineligibility

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about K-PIPA and FedRAMP

    K-PIPA FAQ

    FedRAMP FAQ

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