The increasing importance of Privacy and Personal Information Management system (PIMS) has prompted ISO to release a dedicated certifiable standard ISO27701:2025 in replacement of the ISO27701:2019 which was an extension of ISO 27001.
ISO 27701:2025 introduces a dedicated PIMS-specific management system framework with clauses 4-10 defining the structure, moving away from the previous dependency on ISO 27001’s framework. The standard maintains the traditional Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle structure but now provides specific guidance for privacy management systems. This restructuring includes context of organization, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement sections tailored for privacy management.
The 2025 version consolidates the previously separate annexes for PII controllers and processors into a single Annex A, simplifying compliance and implementation processes. A new Annex B has been introduced, providing detailed implementation guidance with practical steps for organizations setting up their privacy management framework. This enhancement addresses the limited guidance available in the previous version and offers clearer instructions for practical implementation.
Annex A has been reorganized into distinct controls for PII Controllers (31), PII Processors (18), and shared security controls (29). This clarifies roles and responsibilities.
ISO 27701:2025 encompasses 184 privacy controls organized into five main categories: security management, information security incident management, information security controls, business continuity management, and information security risk management. The standard helps organizations manage personally identifiable information (PII) effectively, whether they act as PII controllers or processors.
The standard provides a jurisdiction-neutral framework that aligns with major privacy regulations including GDPR, making it an effective tool for demonstrating compliance across multiple jurisdictions. It includes specific mappings to GDPR and other international privacy frameworks, helping organizations navigate complex regulatory landscapes while maintaining a single, coherent privacy management approach.
