Standards Comparison

    LGPD

    Mandatory
    2020

    Brazil's federal law for personal data protection

    VS

    ISO 27701

    Voluntary
    2019

    International standard for privacy information management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    LGPD mandates data protection for Brazilian residents with fines up to 2% revenue, while ISO 27701 offers voluntary PIMS certification for global privacy governance. Companies adopt LGPD for legal compliance in Brazil; ISO 27701 for auditable accountability and market trust.

    Data Privacy

    LGPD

    Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (Law 13.709/2018)

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

    Key Features

    • Extraterritorial scope targets Brazilian residents' data globally
    • 10 principles include prevention and non-discrimination beyond GDPR
    • Data subject rights feature anonymization and portability
    • Fines up to 2% Brazilian revenue capped R$50M
    • 3-business-day breach notifications to ANPD and subjects
    Privacy Management

    ISO 27701

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Privacy Information Management

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

    Key Features

    • Role-specific controls for PII controllers and processors
    • Extends ISO 27001 with privacy management system
    • Risk-based PDCA cycle for continual improvement
    • Annex mappings to GDPR and other regulations
    • Auditable evidence via RoPA and DSAR processes

    Detailed Analysis

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

    LGPD Details

    What It Is

    Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (LGPD), Law No. 13.709/2018, is Brazil's comprehensive federal data protection regulation. Enacted in 2018 and enforced since 2021, it governs personal data processing with extraterritorial scope targeting Brazilian residents. Built on a risk-based approach with 10 core principles like purpose limitation, necessity, and accountability.

    Key Components

    • **10 principlesPurpose limitation, adequacy, necessity, transparency, security, prevention, non-discrimination, accountability.
    • **Data subject rightsAccess, correction, deletion, portability, anonymization, objection to automated decisions.
    • **10 legal basesConsent, contracts, legitimate interests, etc.; stricter for sensitive data.
    • Governance via DPO, processing records (RoPAs), DPIAs for high-risk; ANPD enforcement with graduated sanctions.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for processors of Brazilian data to avoid fines up to 2% Brazilian revenue (R$50M cap), suspensions. Enhances trust, enables market access, reduces breach risks, supports innovation via anonymization exemptions.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased risk-based: governance/DPO appointment, data mapping/RoPAs, policies/DSRs, technical controls, vendor DPAs/SCCs, training, audits. Applies universally across sizes/industries/geographies; ANPD audits, no formal certification.

    ISO 27701 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27701:2025 is the international standard providing requirements and guidance for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It focuses on managing privacy risks for PII controllers and processors, building on ISO 27001 via a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) management system approach.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10 extending management system requirements (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement).
    • **Annex A37 controls for PII controllers (e.g., consent, transparency, DSARs, retention).
    • **Annex B24 controls for PII processors (e.g., contracts, confidentiality, sub-processors).
    • Mappings to GDPR (Annex D), ISO 27002, and others; Statement of Applicability (SoA) for control justification.
    • Certification model: 3-year validity with annual surveillance audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Demonstrates accountability for privacy laws like GDPR, reducing fines and risks.
    • Integrates privacy into security, enhancing supply-chain trust and procurement.
    • Provides auditable evidence (RoPA, DSAR logs) for regulators and stakeholders.
    • Builds competitive differentiation through certified governance.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, controls, internal audits.
    • All sizes/industries processing PII; 6–12 months with ISMS.
    • Requires documentation, training, RoPA; accredited audits optional but recommended.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    LGPD
    Personal data processing in Brazil
    ISO 27701
    Privacy management system (PIMS)

    Industry

    LGPD
    All sectors targeting Brazilian residents
    ISO 27701
    All PII-processing organizations globally

    Nature

    LGPD
    Mandatory national data protection law
    ISO 27701
    Voluntary international certification standard

    Testing

    LGPD
    ANPD audits and investigations
    ISO 27701
    Third-party certification audits (3-year cycle)

    Penalties

    LGPD
    Fines up to 2% Brazilian revenue (R$50M cap)
    ISO 27701
    Loss of certification, no legal fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about LGPD and ISO 27701

    LGPD FAQ

    ISO 27701 FAQ

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