UL Certification
Third-party certification for product safety standards compliance
ISO 27017
International code of practice for cloud security controls
Quick Verdict
UL Certification ensures product safety through testing and marks for market access, while ISO 27017 provides cloud security guidance within ISO 27001. Companies adopt UL for compliance and trust, ISO 27017 for shared cloud responsibility clarity.
UL Certification
Underwriters Laboratories Product Certification Program
Key Features
- Develops own consensus safety standards for testing
- Distinct marks: Listed end-products, Recognized components
- Requires ongoing factory follow-up inspections
- OSHA-recognized NRTL for U.S. regulatory acceptance
- Enhanced Smart marks with QR traceability
ISO 27017
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Code of practice for cloud controls
Key Features
- Clarifies shared responsibilities for CSPs and CSCs
- Adds seven cloud-specific CLD security controls
- Provides guidance on 37 ISO 27002 cloud adaptations
- Addresses multi-tenancy and VM hardening requirements
- Integrates with ISO 27001 ISMS audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
UL Certification Details
What It Is
UL Certification is Underwriters Laboratories' integrated conformity assessment system, founded in 1894. It is a third-party certification framework evaluating products against UL-authored consensus safety standards. Primary purpose: verify safety from fire, shock, mechanical hazards across industries like electronics, energy, building. Key approach: risk-based testing, representative sampling, ongoing surveillance.
Key Components
- **Mark typesUL Listed (end-products), Recognized (components), Classified (limited scope), Verified (performance claims).
- Over 1500 standards covering safety, EMC, environmental, cybersecurity.
- Core principles: construction, performance testing, marking, factory controls.
- Certification model: lab evaluation, factory inspection, follow-up services.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives market access via retailer/procurement demands, reduces liability/insurance costs. Strategic benefits: trust signaling, ESG alignment, global harmonization. Builds stakeholder confidence despite voluntary nature (often de facto required).
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, design/testing, documentation, factory audit, surveillance. Applies to all sizes/industries (electronics to energy), North America focus. Requires UL lab testing, periodic inspections for mark authorization.
ISO 27017 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is an international code of practice that extends ISO/IEC 27002 with cloud-specific guidance for information security controls. It focuses on securing cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) across public, private, and hybrid models, employing a risk-based approach within an ISO 27001 ISMS.
Key Components
- Cloud-adapted guidance for 37 ISO 27002 controls
- 7 additional CLD controls (e.g., shared responsibilities, VM segregation, asset removal)
- Built on ISO 27001; no standalone certification
- Domains: access, operations, supplier relationships, multi-tenancy
Why Organizations Use It
- Addresses shared responsibility gaps in cloud contracts
- Supports regulatory compliance (GDPR, CCPA) and procurement demands
- Mitigates cloud risks like isolation failures and data remanence
- Builds stakeholder trust and competitive differentiation for CSPs/CSCs
Implementation Overview
- Integrate via ISO 27001 risk assessment and control mapping
- Activities: define roles, harden VMs, enable monitoring, audit prep
- Suits CSPs, CSCs globally, all sizes
- Assessed in ISO 27001 audits (joint scopes: 9-12 months)
Key Differences
| Aspect | UL Certification | ISO 27017 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Product safety, performance testing across industries | Cloud-specific information security controls |
| Industry | Electronics, appliances, energy global | Cloud providers, customers worldwide |
| Nature | Voluntary third-party product certification | Guidance code within ISO 27001 ISMS |
| Testing | Lab testing, factory inspections, surveillance | ISO 27001 audits with cloud controls |
| Penalties | Loss of mark, market access denial | No direct penalties, audit nonconformities |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UL Certification and ISO 27017
UL Certification FAQ
ISO 27017 FAQ
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