ISO/IEC 27018: Protecting PII
ISO/IEC 27018: Protecting PII in Public Clouds and how it ensures the security of sensitive information.
About ISO/IEC 27018: Protecting PII in Public Clouds
In an era where data privacy is paramount, ISO/IEC 27018 emerges as a crucial standard for safeguarding personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments. This comprehensive guide explores the significance of ISO/IEC 27018, its implementation strategies, and the benefits it offers to organizations committed to protecting sensitive data.
Understanding ISO/IEC 27018: Protecting PII in Public Clouds
ISO/IEC 27018 is an international standard that outlines guidelines for protecting PII in public cloud services. It provides a framework for cloud service providers to implement measures that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data stored in the cloud.
What does ISO 27018 aim to achieve?
ISO 27018 offers general guidance on protecting different types of information. It focuses on public cloud service providers who handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Its primary goals are to:
- Assist public cloud PII processors in fulfilling their responsibilities, especially when providing public cloud services under contract.
- Ensure transparency, allowing potential cloud service customers to access secure and well-managed cloud-based PII processing services.
- Facilitate the establishment of contractual agreements between cloud services and users for PII processing.
- Provide cloud service customers with a method for auditing and ensuring compliance.
Quick Quote
Fill out the form below to find out more
Benefits of ISO 27018 Certification
- ISO/IEC 27018 mandates strict controls to protect PII from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
- Fosters trust among stakeholders, including customers, partners, and regulatory authorities, by providing assurance that personal data is handled responsibly.
- Provides a standardized framework for demonstrating regulatory compliance and avoiding potential fines or penalties.
- Adherence to stringent privacy standards instills confidence in customers and enhances the reputation of cloud service providers as trusted custodians of sensitive data.
Why does safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information matter?
- Preventing Identity Theft – By protecting PII, we can prevent identity theft, a prevalent cybercrime that can wreak havoc on individuals’ lives.
- Ensuring Data Security – Safeguarding PII ensures the security of sensitive information, preventing unauthorized access and potential breaches.
- Building Trust – When organizations prioritize PII protection, they build trust with customers, enhancing their reputation and credibility.
- Complying with Regulations – Adhering to PII safeguarding measures ensures compliance with data protection regulations, avoiding legal repercussions.
Certification Process
Certification involves GCC assessing your organisation in order to ascertain that management systems meet the requirements of one or more recognised standards. Becoming certified to a nationally or internationally recognised standard is of great benefit to an organization. It improves overall performance, builds confidence within stakeholder groups and broadens the scope of new opportunity.
Application/ Contract
- Application for certification by client
- GCC will review and provide certification proposal
- Client accepts the agreement and return to GCC
- Audit dates will be booked
- GCC conducts Gap Analysis (optional)
Certification Audit/ Transfer
- Stage 1 Audit, The Audit team will assess documentation and readiness of management system for Stage 2 Audit
- Stage 2, Certification Audit, Audit team will assess implementation of system and will verify any issues outstanding from the Stage 1 Audit.
- Organisation will be recommended for Certification after review and positive decision by the independent GCC certification Authority,
- A Certificate will be issued
Maintaining certification
Surveillance Audits
Each issued certificate has a three-year life period. Upon certification, an audit program will be created for regular audits over the three-year period. These audits confirm company’s on-going compliance with specified requirements of the standard. At least one surveillance audit per year is required.
Read our policy for use of Certification Marks
Re-Certification
Re-Certification
The certification expires within 3 years and a re-certification Audit will be conducted prior to the expiry date to ensure that Management System is maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO/IEC 27018 is an international standard that provides guidelines for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud services. It outlines specific requirements for cloud service providers to ensure the security and privacy of PII stored in the cloud.
ISO/IEC 27018 is important because it helps organizations safeguard sensitive data, maintain compliance with data protection regulations, and build trust with stakeholders. Compliance with ISO/IEC 27018 demonstrates a commitment to protecting individuals’ privacy rights and upholding ethical data handling practices.
ISO/IEC 27018 benefits organizations by providing a standardized framework for protecting PII in public cloud environments. Compliance with ISO/IEC 27018 helps organizations mitigate the risk of data breaches, enhance customer trust, and facilitate regulatory compliance.
Key features of ISO/IEC 27018 include strict controls for protecting PII, transparency in data processing activities, alignment with regulatory requirements, and guidelines for cloud service providers to enhance the quality of their services.
Organizations can implement ISO/IEC 27018 by conducting a risk assessment, establishing security controls, training personnel, and implementing monitoring and auditing mechanisms to ensure compliance with the standard.
For more information about ISO/IEC 27018, organizations can refer to official publications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as well as guidance from our industry experts and consulting firms.
GCC Training
Empower your team with our self-paced efficient training.
Quality Management System - ISO 9001 Courses
Find out more
Environment Management System - ISO 14001 Courses
Find out more
OHS Management System - ISO 45001 Courses
Find out more
