K-PIPA
South Korea's comprehensive regulation for personal information protection
ISO 27017
International standard for cloud security controls.
Quick Verdict
K-PIPA mandates Korean personal data protection with consent and fines, while ISO 27017 provides voluntary cloud security guidance. Companies adopt K-PIPA for legal compliance in Korea; ISO 27017 for global cloud assurance and ISO 27001 integration.
K-PIPA
Korea Personal Information Protection Act (K-PIPA)
Key Features
- Mandatory Chief Privacy Officer appointment for all controllers
- Granular explicit consent for sensitive data and transfers
- 72-hour breach notifications for significant incidents
- Prohibits consent-based processing of resident registration numbers
- Tiered obligations for large-scale data processors
ISO 27017
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Cloud Security Controls
Key Features
- Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
- Adds 7 cloud-specific CLD controls for multi-tenancy
- Provides guidance on 37 ISO 27002 cloud adaptations
- Addresses VM hardening and segregation in virtual environments
- Enables customer monitoring of cloud service activities
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
K-PIPA Details
What It Is
K-PIPA (Korea Personal Information Protection Act), enacted in 2011 and amended in 2020, 2023, is South Korea's comprehensive statutory regulation governing collection, use, storage, transfer, and destruction of personal information. It adopts a risk-based, purpose-limited approach similar to GDPR, applying to all entities processing Korean residents' data, including extraterritorial foreign operators.
Key Components
- Core obligations: explicit consent, data minimization, subject rights (access, erasure, portability), security measures.
- Mandatory CPO appointment; tiered rules for large processors (e.g., 72-hour breach alerts).
- Strict handling of sensitive PI and unique identifiers like resident registration numbers.
- Built on principles of transparency, accountability; enforced by PIPC with fines up to 3% revenue.
Why Organizations Use It
Compliance avoids KRW 5-10 billion fines, criminal liability; enables market access, builds consumer trust in privacy-aware Korea. Strategic benefits include AI-safe data use, vendor confidence, operational efficiency via privacy-by-design.
Implementation Overview
Phased framework: governance, gap analysis, policy design, technical controls (encryption, IAM), training, audits. Applies to all sectors processing PI; multidisciplinary effort, 18-30 months to maturity, no formal certification but PIPC reporting for large entities.
ISO 27017 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is an international code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27002 with cloud-specific guidance. It provides implementation advice for information security controls in cloud services, focusing on public, private, and hybrid models across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Its risk-based approach integrates into ISO 27001 ISMS.
Key Components
- Guidance on 37 ISO 27002 controls adapted for cloud.
- 7 additional CLD controls for shared responsibility, multi-tenancy, VM hardening, admin operations, monitoring, asset removal, and network alignment.
- Built on ISO 27001 framework; assessed via ISMS audits, not standalone certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Addresses cloud risks like segregation and shared duties.
- Meets procurement demands, regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR).
- Enhances risk management, builds customer trust, differentiates CSPs/CSCs.
Implementation Overview
- Extend existing ISO 27001 ISMS with cloud risk assessment.
- Map controls, implement via tooling/automation; joint audits 9-12 months.
- Suits CSPs, customers, all sizes; global applicability.
Key Differences
| Aspect | K-PIPA | ISO 27017 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection, consent, rights | Cloud-specific security controls |
| Industry | All sectors in Korea, extraterritorial | Cloud providers/customers globally |
| Nature | Mandatory Korean privacy law | Voluntary ISO guidance standard |
| Testing | PIPC audits, no certification required | ISO 27001 audits with 27017 scope |
| Penalties | Fines to 3% revenue, imprisonment | Loss of certification, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about K-PIPA and ISO 27017
K-PIPA FAQ
ISO 27017 FAQ
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