ISO/IEC 27701:2019 is an extension of the ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS), specifically designed to address data privacy. It outlines the requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).
What makes ISO 27701 unique is its role in bridging data security and data privacy. While ISO 27001 focuses on protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, ISO 27701 adds a layer of compliance, accountability, and transparency for handling personally identifiable information (PII).
It’s not just about protecting data from breaches; it’s about handling personal data responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with international privacy regulations like GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and others.
Pacific Certifications can help your organization build and certify a PIMS that aligns with ISO 27701 and supports global data privacy mandates. Contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
How ISO 27701 Complements GDPR Compliance in IT Companies
With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) setting a high bar for privacy standards in the EU, many IT companies—especially those offering SaaS, cloud, and data processing services, face growing expectations to demonstrate regulatory alignment.
ISO 27701 helps meet GDPR’s accountability and documentation obligations by requiring organizations to implement:
- Clear privacy policies and roles
- Consent management, data subject rights, and lawful processing rules
- Documentation of processing activities and third-party transfers
- Data breach response procedures
- Vendor and subcontractor privacy risk assessments
Because ISO/IEC 27701 provides a globally recognized, auditable framework, it enables IT companies to scale compliance efforts efficiently, especially when expanding into multiple jurisdictions.
If you're looking to align your operations with GDPR and demonstrate accountability to customers, regulators, and partners, Pacific Certifications is ready to support your ISO/IEC 27701 certification. Contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
Why Tech Startups Should Care About ISO/IEC 27701 Certification
Privacy is often overlooked by early-stage startups focused on growth and product-market fit. However, as they begin handling sensitive user data, whether through mobile apps, cloud platforms, or backend analytics, the risks multiply.
ISO 27701 offers startups a chance to "build privacy by design" into their operations from day one. It serves as a guide for defining roles (like privacy managers), implementing internal controls for personal data, and building customer trust through transparency and accountability.
Startups that achieve ISO 27701 certification:
- Stand out to privacy-conscious clients and investors
- Reduce legal and reputational risk from poor data handling
- Streamline entry into EU or global markets with data localization laws
- Improve internal governance and cross-functional collaboration
Startups that adopt ISO/IEC 27701 early often avoid costly overhauls or data protection fines down the road.
Pacific Certifications supports fast-growing tech companies with ISO/IEC 27701 implementation and readiness assessments designed for lean teams. Reach out to support@pacificcert.com.
ISO 27001 vs ISO 27701: Adding Privacy to Information Security
Many organizations ask whether ISO 27001 is enough, or if ISO 27701 is also needed. The answer depends on your data profile.
ISO 27001 provides a strong foundation for securing all types of information, proprietary, financial, operational—but it doesn’t go deep into the privacy rights of individuals or specific handling rules for PII. ISO 27701, on the other hand, defines how organizations must collect, store, process, and share personal data within a legally compliant and ethically responsible framework.
Think of ISO 27001 as protecting the “how,” and ISO 27701 as protecting the “who and why.” Together, they form a comprehensive governance structure for managing both security and privacy risks.
Not sure how to integrate privacy into your ISMS? Pacific Certifications provides combined ISO 27001 & 27701 audits and implementation support. Get started at support@pacificcert.com.
Integrating ISO 27701 with ISO 27001 for Robust Privacy Protection
ISO 27701 is designed as an extension to ISO 27001. Therefore, any organization pursuing ISO 27701 certification must first implement an ISO 27001-compliant ISMS.
Once ISO 27001 is in place, ISO 27701 adds privacy-specific controls, such as:
- Governance around data processing activities
- Assigning roles like Controllers and Processors
- Risk assessments focused on privacy impacts
- Consent and user rights management
- Vendor due diligence and contract controls
The integration brings efficiency as organizations can use the same management system, documentation structure, and audit schedule for both standards.
Pacific Certifications offers bundled ISO 27001 & 27701 certifications with integrated audits, helping you reduce costs and time while achieving full-spectrum compliance. Email support@pacificcert.com to request a proposal!
Why ISO 27001 Certification Is Critical for Cybersecurity in 2025
As cyberattacks continue to rise in sophistication, 2025 is shaping up to be a critical year for cyber resilience. ISO 27001:2022, the latest version of the standard, incorporates modern controls related to threat intelligence, cloud governance, and security by design—making it more relevant than ever.
With AI, remote work, and cloud-native architectures becoming mainstream, the need for a structured, risk-based, globally accepted security standard has never been more urgent.
Organizations certified to ISO 27001 in 2025 will have:
- Documented risk registers and security policies
- Defined roles and governance structures
- Third-party risk assessment processes
- Incident response and business continuity procedures
- Alignment with regulatory frameworks like HIPAA, NIST, and ISO 27701
As governments, partners, and customers increasingly require demonstrable cybersecurity maturity, ISO 27001 will be non-negotiable for credibility and market access.
To ensure your security program meets the demands of 2025, begin your ISO 27001 certification with Pacific Certifications at support@pacificcert.com.
How ISO 27001 Can Protect Your Organization from Data Breaches
ISO 27001 helps prevent data breaches by enforcing a proactive, structured approach to identifying vulnerabilities and implementing controls. Instead of relying solely on firewalls or tools, it promotes:
- Regular risk assessments and asset inventories
- Policies for access control, encryption, and device security
- Staff training and awareness to prevent insider threats
- Secure development practices for applications
- Regular audits, testing, and continual improvement
In the event of a breach, having ISO 27001 also ensures your incident response is documented, practiced, and audit-ready, minimizing damage and demonstrating due diligence.
Organizations with certified ISMS often enjoy reduced insurance premiums, faster breach containment, and stronger customer trust post-incident.
Need help designing a risk-focused ISMS? Pacific Certifications will help your team prepare for audit and certification. Write to us at support@pacificcert.com.
ISO 27001 Implementation Roadmap for IT Firms
If your IT company is planning to implement ISO 27001, here’s a simplified roadmap to help you prepare for certification efficiently:
- Initiate the project: Define objectives, scope, and assign a project leader.
- Conduct a gap analysis: Assess current controls against ISO 27001 requirements.
- Establish ISMS policies: Develop the core documentation—security policy, risk methodology, and scope statement.
- Perform risk assessment and treatment: Identify threats, assess likelihood/impact, and implement mitigation plans.
- Implement controls: Apply Annex A controls (from ISO 27002) across people, processes, and technology.
- Train staff and build awareness: Ensure the entire organization understands its security responsibilities.
- Internal audit and management review: Conduct pre-certification evaluations and correct nonconformities.
- Undergo certification audit: Complete Stage 1 (documentation) and Stage 2 (implementation) audits with an accredited body.
The average timeline for small to mid-sized IT firms is 3–6 months, while larger or multi-site firms may require up to 9 months.
For a detailed, tailored implementation plan, Pacific Certifications offers step-by-step guidance from documentation to audit. Start by contacting support@pacificcert.com.
Building Trust with ISO 27701 and ISO 27001
In 2025 and beyond, trust will be the new currency in technology—and privacy and security are its foundation. ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 offer a cohesive, globally recognized framework to manage cybersecurity risks and privacy compliance challenges in a scalable, auditable, and transparent manner.
Whether you're an IT firm, a cloud platform, or a startup managing personal data, aligning with these standards will help you protect assets, meet regulatory expectations, and grow responsibly.
Pacific Certifications, an accredited ISO certification body, supports companies across industries in achieving ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications with integrated implementation, documentation, and audit services. Contact us at support@pacificcert.com to begin building your compliance roadmap with confidence!
FAQs on ISO/IEC 27701:2019 – The Gold Standard for Privacy Information Management
1.What is ISO/IEC 27701:2019?
Extension to ISO 27001 adding privacy controls, creating a certifiable Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).
2.Why is ISO 27701 critical for businesses?
Shows audited GDPR/CCPA compliance, cuts breach risk, wins contracts—especially when certified by Pacific Certifications.
3.How does ISO 27701 relate to ISO 27001?
Adds privacy-specific clauses to an ISO 27001 ISMS; both can be audited together by Pacific Certifications for efficiency.
4.What are the key benefits?
Improved privacy controls, smoother regulatory audits, stronger customer trust, easier vendor approvals, competitive edge.
5.What’s required for ongoing maintenance?
Annual surveillance audits, privacy risk reviews, KPI tracking, continual improvements—all guided by Pacific Certifications.
Ready to get ISO 27701 certified?
Contact Pacific Certifications to begin your certification journey today!
Suggested Certifications –
1. ISO 14001:2015
2.ISO 45001:2018
3.ISO 22000:2018
4.ISO 27001:2022
5.ISO 13485:2016
6.ISO 50001:2018
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