ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Privacy information management systems — Requirements and guidance specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It also provides guidance to support organisations in putting these requirements into practice. ISO/IEC 27701 is designed for personally identifiable information (PII) controllers and processors, who hold responsibility and accountability for processing PII.
ISO/IEC 27701 provides a structured, internationally recognised framework that helps organisations show accountability, manage risks around personally identifiable information (PII), and continually improve their privacy practices.
Benefits
This standard:
strengthens data privacy and protection capabilities;
helps demonstrate compliance with global privacy regulations such as GDPR;
supports trust-building with partners, clients, and regulators;
aligns with existing ISO/IEC 27001 systems to streamline implementation;
facilitates accountability and evidence-based privacy management.
What does it cover?
| Introduction |
| 2 Normative references |
| 3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations |
| 4 Context of the organization |
| 4.1 Understanding the organization and its context |
| 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties |
| 4.3 Determining the scope of the privacy information management system |
| 4.4 Privacy information management system |
| 5 Leadership |
| 5.1 Leadership and commitment |
| 5.2 Privacy policy |
| 5.3 Roles, responsibilities and authorities |
| 6 Planning |
| 6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities |
| 6.2 Privacy objectives and planning to achieve them |
| 6.3 Planning of changes |
| 7 Support |
| 7.1 Resources |
| 7.2 Competence |
| 7.3 Awareness |
| 7.4 Communication |
| 7.5 Documented information |
| 8 Operation |
| 8.1 Operational planning and control |
| 8.2 Privacy risk assessment |
| 8.3 Privacy risk treatment |
| 9 Performance evaluation |
| 9.1 Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation |
| 9.2 Internal audit |
| 9.3 Management review |
| 10 Improvement |
| 10.1 Continual improvement |
| 10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action |
| 11 Further information on annexes |
| Annex A PIMS reference control objectives and controls for PII controllers and PII processors |
| Annex B Implementation guidance for PII controllers and PII processors |
| Annex C Mapping to ISO/IEC 29100 |
| Annex D Mapping to the General Data Protection Regulation |
| Annex E Mapping to ISO/IEC 27018 and ISO/IEC 29151 |
Implementing ISO/IEC 27701
Implementing a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) in conformity with the standard involves several key steps,
Gap Analysis
Conduct a thorough assessment of your organization’s current privacy management practices against the requirements of ISO/IEC 27701 to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Leadership Commitment
Obtain commitment and support from top management to ensure that privacy is prioritized and integrated into the organization’s overall business strategy.
Scope Definition
Define the scope of your PIMS, including the boundaries, activities, and processes covered by the system.
Risk Assessment and Treatment
Identify and assess privacy risks associated with the processing of personally identifiable information (PII) within your organization. Develop and implement controls to mitigate these risks effectively.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Ensure compliance with relevant privacy laws, regulations, and contractual obligations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, by integrating legal requirements into your PIMS.
Privacy Policies and Procedures
Develop and implement comprehensive privacy policies, procedures, and guidelines to govern the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of PII within your organization.
Training and Awareness
Provide training and awareness programs to employees, contractors, and other relevant stakeholders to enhance their understanding of privacy responsibilities and requirements.
Documented Information
Establish and maintain documented information, including policies, procedures, records, and other relevant documentation, to support the effective implementation and operation of your PIMS.
Monitoring and Measurement
Implement mechanisms to monitor, measure, and evaluate the performance of your PIMS against defined objectives, targets, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Internal Audit
Conduct regular internal audits to assess the effectiveness of your PIMS, identify non-conformities, and drive continual improvement.
Continual Improvement
Foster a culture of continual improvement by implementing corrective actions, preventive actions, and other measures to address identified non-conformities and enhance the overall performance of your PIMS.
Management Review
Hold periodic management reviews to evaluate the performance of your PIMS, identify opportunities for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to enhance its effectiveness.
In conclusion…
By following these steps, organizations can effectively implement a Privacy Information Management System in conformity with ISO/IEC 27701, thereby demonstrating their commitment to protecting individuals’ privacy rights and complying with applicable privacy laws and regulations.
ISO/IEC 27701 can be purchased through the ISO.org website.
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