Six Sigma
De facto methodology for data-driven defect reduction
ISO 27018
Code of practice for PII protection in public clouds
Quick Verdict
Six Sigma drives process excellence through DMAIC and belts across industries, while ISO 27018 extends ISO 27001 for cloud PII protection. Companies adopt Six Sigma for cost savings and quality; ISO 27018 for privacy compliance and customer trust in cloud services.
Six Sigma
ISO 13053:2011 Six Sigma Methodology
Key Features
- DMAIC structured methodology for process improvement
- Belt hierarchy with professional roles and training
- Data-driven statistical tools and MSA validation
- Tollgate governance linking to strategic objectives
- SPC control plans for sustained improvements
ISO 27018
ISO/IEC 27018:2025 Code of practice for PII protection
Key Features
- Privacy controls for PII in public cloud processors
- Extends ISO 27001 with ~25-30 cloud-specific additions
- Mandates subprocessor and location transparency
- Requires customer breach notification procedures
- Prohibits unauthorized PII use like marketing
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
Six Sigma Details
What It Is
Six Sigma is a de facto industry framework and disciplined methodology for enhancing process performance via variation reduction and defect prevention. Anchored in ISO 13053:2011, it uses DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) for existing processes and DMADV for designs. Core aim: 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO) using statistical rigor.
Key Components
- DMAIC/DMADV phases with tollgates and deliverables like charters, SIPOC, FMEA
- **Belt systemChampions, Master Black Belts, Black/ Green Belts
- Statistical tools: Gage R&R, DOE, SPC, hypothesis testing
- Governance tying projects to financial returns
- Certification (e.g., ASQ CSSBB) requiring projects, experience
Why Organizations Use It
Drives savings (Motorola $17B, GE $1B+), customer CTQs, risk mitigation. Voluntary for competitive advantage, compliance integration (ISO 9001), data culture in manufacturing, healthcare, finance.
Implementation Overview
Phased: sponsorship, training, portfolio selection, DMAIC execution, audits. Enterprise-scale, all sectors. Provider certifications; 12-24 months to maturity.
ISO 27018 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is a code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 specifically for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) processed by public cloud service providers acting as PII processors. It focuses on cloud-specific privacy risks like multi-tenancy and cross-border flows, using a risk-based control implementation approach.
Key Components
- ~25–30 additional privacy controls mapped to ISO 27001 Annex A themes (organizational, people, physical, technological)
- Core principles: consent/choice, purpose limitation, data minimization, transparency, accountability, security safeguards
- Integrated into ISO 27001 ISMS; assessed via Statement of Applicability during certification audits, no standalone certificate
Why Organizations Use It
- Builds trust and accelerates procurement for CSPs
- Aligns with GDPR Art. 28, HIPAA processor duties
- Mitigates risks, supports cyber insurance, enables differentiation
- Demonstrates due care in PII handling
Implementation Overview
- Conduct gap analysis on existing ISMS, update SoA and policies
- Implement subprocessors disclosure, breach notification, rights support
- Scalable for all CSP sizes; requires accredited audits with ISO 27001 Annual surveillance maintains compliance.
Key Differences
| Aspect | Six Sigma | ISO 27018 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Process improvement, defect reduction via DMAIC | PII protection in public cloud processors |
| Industry | All industries worldwide, any size | Cloud service providers globally |
| Nature | Voluntary methodology, no certification body | Voluntary code of practice, ISO 27001 extension |
| Testing | Project tollgates, belt exams | ISO 27001 audits with surveillance |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, program failure risk | No legal penalties, certification loss |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Six Sigma and ISO 27018
Six Sigma FAQ
ISO 27018 FAQ
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