ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management Consultant

Introduction

ISO/IEC 27701 extends ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 with requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).

What is ISO/IEC 27701?

ISO 27701 provides a framework for Personally Identifiable Information (PII) controllers and processors to manage privacy risks, protect individual rights, and demonstrate compliance with data protection laws.

Benefits of ISO/IEC 27701 Certification

Demonstrates accountability under GDPR, India's DPDP Act, and other data laws
Builds high customer trust through structured handling of personal data
Integrates privacy management seamlessly into an existing ISO 27001 ISMS
Reduces the risk of data breaches, security incidents, and regulatory fines
Strengthens vendor and third-party data processor agreements

Who Needs ISO/IEC 27701 Certification?

IT and SaaS companies handling user data
E-commerce and consumer platforms
Healthcare providers and medical research centres
Financial services and fintech platforms
Third-party data processors and call centres

ISO/IEC 27701 Requirements

Context of the organisation regarding PII processing (Clause 4)
Information security policies updated for privacy (Clause 5)
PII risk assessment and treatment plan (Clause 6)
Specific controls for PII Controllers (Annex A)
Specific controls for PII Processors (Annex B)
Customer consent and individual privacy rights management

ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Process

Initial Consultation

Discuss scope, objectives and current state.

Gap Analysis

Assess current practices against the standard’s requirements.

Documentation Development

Build the policies, procedures and records the standard calls for.

Implementation & Internal Audit

Roll out the system and test it with an internal audit.

Management Review

Leadership reviews performance and readiness for certification.

Certification Audit

An accredited certification body audits conformance.

Certification Awarded

The certification body issues the accredited certificate.

Surveillance Audits

Annual audits maintain certification status.

Documents Required

PII processing scope definition
Privacy Policy and cookie notices
Records of Processing Activities (ROPA)
Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs)
Consent logs and individual request tracking procedures
Data transfer and processor agreements (DPAs)

ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Cost

We don’t publish a fixed price, because cost depends on organisation size, number of locations, scope, process complexity, audit duration, consulting requirements and certification body fees. Request a scoped estimate and we’ll walk you through each factor.

Certification Timeline

Timelines depend on organisational readiness, scope and the complexity of your processes. A well-prepared, single-site organisation typically moves faster than a multi-site or highly regulated one — we’ll give you a realistic timeline after the initial gap analysis.

ISO 27701 vs GDPR

GDPR is a legal regulation applicable to data processing in the EU. ISO 27701 is an international, auditable management standard. Implementing ISO 27701 provides a structured, certified methodology to prove you meet the core requirements of GDPR.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO 27701?

The international standard for Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS), extending ISO 27001 to cover personal data protection.

Can I certify to ISO 27701 alone?

No. ISO 27701 is an extension standard, meaning you must implement it alongside or as an add-on to an active ISO 27001 certification.

What is the difference between a Controller and a Processor?

A Controller determines the purposes and means of processing personal data. A Processor processes personal data only on behalf of and under the instructions of a Controller.

ISO 27701 Certification