Benefits of obtaining a fully accredited ISO 27701 certificate (Personal Information Management System) compared to conducting a GDPR audit.

Duncan Greer, February 2023

In the current digital era, data protection and privacy have become vital concerns for businesses and organizations worldwide. With the increasing volume of personal data being processed, stored, and transmitted, the need for robust information security frameworks and data protection standards has become more significant than ever. This is where the ISO 27701 Personal Information Management System (PIMS) comes into play.

ISO 27701 is an internationally recognized standard that provides guidelines for implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a privacy information management system. This standard aims to help organizations establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a privacy management system. It provides a framework for protecting personal information by aligning the organization’s privacy management practices with its overall information security management system.

For organizations that handle personal information, gaining an ISO 27701 certification is a valuable investment that comes with several benefits. Here are some of the reasons why it’s worth getting a fully accredited certificate for ISO 27701 PIMS, rather than doing an audit for GDPR.

Compliance with GDPR
One of the significant advantages of obtaining an ISO 27701 certificate is that it automatically covers compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a comprehensive data protection law that applies to organizations that handle personal data of individuals in the European Union. By obtaining an ISO 27701 certificate, an organization can demonstrate compliance with GDPR’s requirements, including principles of data processing, data subject rights, and data breach notification.

Comprehensive Privacy Management Framework
ISO 27701 provides a comprehensive framework for managing privacy risks and protecting personal information. It enables organizations to identify and manage privacy risks, implement privacy controls, and continuously monitor and improve their privacy management system. By implementing the standard’s requirements, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to protecting personal data and minimizing privacy risks.

Enhanced Reputation
Gaining an ISO 27701 certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to protecting personal information and managing privacy risks. This can enhance its reputation and build trust with customers, partners, and other stakeholders. Organizations can use the certification as a marketing tool to differentiate themselves from competitors and demonstrate their compliance with privacy regulations.

Cost-Effective
The cost of obtaining an ISO 27701 certification is relatively low compared to the potential cost of non-compliance with privacy regulations. In addition, the cost of an ISO 27701 certification is minimal compared to the cost of conducting a GDPR audit separately. By obtaining an ISO 27701 certificate, organizations can achieve compliance with both standards at a lower cost.

In conclusion, for organizations that handle personal information, obtaining an ISO 27701 certification is a valuable investment that comes with several benefits. It provides a comprehensive framework for managing privacy risks and protecting personal information, demonstrates compliance with GDPR, enhances reputation, and is cost-effective. With the increasing importance of data protection and privacy, obtaining an ISO 27701 certification is a wise investment that can help organizations stay competitive and compliant in today’s digital landscape.

Global Compliance Certification (GCC) is a leading independent certification body for Information Security Certification according to ISO 27001, and has also applied for accreditation (JAS-ANZ) of ISO 27701 and soon will be offering accredited PIMS certification according to ISO 27701.

Contact us to start your certification journey today!