In the field of data protection, ISO 27701 emerges as an essential extension of the well-known ISO 27001. Designed specifically to safeguard the privacy of personal information, this standard is closely intertwined with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In an environment where electronic invoices and other sensitive documents abound on the internet, ISO 27701 stands as a beacon guiding companies in the protection of confidential data. Its approach offers a solid framework for avoiding risks, complying with regulations, and promoting secure practices. In this digital context, its application strengthens the trust of partners and customers, and at easyap we are committed to this and to data protection. Join us and we will tell you more.
What is ISO 27701?
Let's start by defining what ISO 27701 is. Likewise, it is a fundamental extension of the renowned ISO 27001 standard, but it is specifically designed to address the privacy aspects of personal information. In fact, it stands out because it is closely linked to the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
As for what ISO 27701 contains, it could be said that it establishes requirements and guidelines for implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Privacy Management System (IPMS) in any company. In this sense, its main objective is to provide a solid framework for protecting personal data and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations worldwide.
From this position, ISO 27701 focuses on managing risks related to information privacy and promoting best practices in companies for the responsible handling of personal data. That is why its application helps companies strengthen stakeholder trust and demonstrate their commitment to data protection in an increasingly digitized and globalized environment.
What is the purpose of the ISO 27701 standard?
As we have mentioned, the ISO 27701 standard derives from the ISO 27001 certificate. Similarly, it serves as a beacon that guides companies in their quest to establish and maintain a secure environment for the privacy of the information they handle. It is also useful for companies and businesses in any industry and of any type.
The fact is that the relationship between ISO 27001, ISO 27701 certification, and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is fundamental. Understanding this standard helps to comprehend how it is applied jointly in the protection of information privacy, especially personal information.
1. Serves as a comprehensive compliance framework
Firstly, ISO 27701 is a framework for managing personal information privacy, based on ISO 27001, but specifically focused on the privacy requirements of the GDPR. This framework provides a structure for organizations to effectively manage and protect personal data and comply with the principles and obligations set out in the GDPR.
2. It aligns with the principles of the GDPR.
In turn, it helps organizations align their privacy management practices with the fundamental principles of the GDPR. We are referring to principles such as consent, data minimization, integrity and confidentiality, and the responsibility of the data controller and processor.
3. Focuses on mitigating risks
Like the GDPR, ISO 27701 takes a risk-based approach to protecting the privacy of personal information. Therefore, companies must identify and assess the risks associated with the processing of personal data and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. This is how they ensure a good level of data security and protection.
4. Add additional GDPR requirements
Furthermore, it complements the requirements established by the GDPR by providing specific and practical guidelines for implementing controls. These include defining roles and responsibilities, adopting appropriate technical and organizational measures, and conducting periodic data protection impact assessments.
5. Demonstrate and prove commitment
ISO 27701 provides a framework for organizations to obtain independent certification of their compliance with GDPR privacy requirements. This certification provides organizations with a tangible way to demonstrate their commitment to privacy protection and can help build trust among customers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
In summary, ISO 27701 is a key tool to help companies effectively comply with GDPR privacy requirements. In this scenario, it provides a comprehensive framework for data privacy management while demonstrating that companies are duly compliant with international data privacy standards.
Who issues the ISO 27001 certificate?
Another common question about the ISO 27701 certification is who issues it. In this regard, we would first like to point out that this certification is an extension of ISO 27001, which focuses on information privacy management. However, not all entities that grant ISO 27001 also grant this certificate.
However, it is currently granted by various organizations that grant both this and other digital certificates with different characteristics and uses. Some of the best known are BSI Group (British Standards Institution), TÜV SÜD, DNV GL, Bureau Veritas, SGS or Intertek, among others.
Precisely in order to analyze whether a company deserves certification, these entities carry out exhaustive audits. In these audits, they evaluate compliance with the requirements of the standard. What is clear is that its award provides certified organizations with a guarantee of excellence in information privacy management.
How is ISO 27701 applied?
At the same time, from a business perspective, many companies are wondering how to implement it and follow its guidelines. When considering this question, the first thing to bear in mind is that the implementation of the ISO 27701 standard requires employers and managers to follow a meticulous and systematic approach.
Specifically, and to help you implement it, at easyap we want to detail the fundamental steps that your organization (and any other) should follow to effectively implement the requirements of the standard:
- Understand your business context. Before beginning implementation, it is crucial that you understand your organization's objectives, the environment in which you operate, and your needs and expectations regarding information privacy.
- Define the scope of the SGPI. You must also clearly establish the scope of your Information Privacy Management System (IPMS). To do this, you must define the limits and applications of this system throughout your organization.
- Classify personal data and information assets. It is imperative that you identify all the critical personal data and information assets that you handle. We are referring to confidential data, information systems, intellectual property data, and any other data that is subject to privacy regulations.
- Assess the risks. You should analyze potential threats, vulnerabilities, and possible consequences of information privacy incidents. This is the best way to determine the risks your organization is exposed to.
- Establish appropriate privacy controls. Based on the risk assessment, establish appropriate controls and security measures to mitigate those privacy risks. This will be the best way to reduce their impact, for which it is very useful to establish policies, procedures, technical controls, and measures.
- Monitor and measure the performance of the SGPI. Establish mechanisms to monitor and measure the performance of your SGPI. The objective will be to identify areas for improvement and ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 27701 requirements.
- Conduct regular internal audits. Finally, it is essential that you conduct sporadic internal audits. These will allow you to evaluate the effectiveness of the ISMS and ensure that it is aligned with the requirements of the standard. Therefore, they will help you identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
In summary, implementing ISO 27701 requires a strong commitment from the entire organization and a deep understanding of processes and risks. But with these steps and a focus on continuous improvement, any company will strengthen its information privacy posture and protect personal data in accordance with regulations.
easyap and the ISO 27701 standard
At this point, we would like to announce and highlight a recent achievement that we are very proud of: at the end of last year, 2023, easyap obtained the coveted ISO 27701 certification. Above all, we are pleased to announce this because with this accreditation we are positioned as one of the pioneering companies in the sector to achieve this milestone.
This certification represents our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of privacy and information security policies and personal data protection. By obtaining ISO 27701 certification, we demonstrate our ability to manage and safeguard the privacy of our customers' information. Likewise, our solutions provide peace of mind, as well as efficiency and a number of other advantages.
This distinction not only reinforces easyap's position as a leader in the field of business digitization. It also underscores our ongoing commitment to excellence and security in information management. With ISO 27701, we continue to move toward a future where data protection is a top priority. Now all that's left is for you to get in touch with us and see for yourself.
