What is ISO/IEC 27701? Privacy information management explained

Privacy information management explained

Organizations hold more personal data than ever, and customers, regulators, and business partners increasingly want proof that it is handled responsibly.

Privacy laws such as the GDPR set out what organizations must do, but they do not explain how to organize privacy across an entire organization in a consistent, repeatable way.

That is the role of ISO/IEC 27701, the international standard for privacy information management systems.

This guide explains what ISO/IEC 27701 is, what changed in the 2025 edition, how it supports GDPR compliance, and how professionals can build expertise in it.

What is ISO/IEC 27701?

ISO/IEC 27701 specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a privacy information management system (PIMS).

A PIMS is the set of policies, processes, roles, and controls an organization uses to manage the processing of personally identifiable information (PII) and protect the privacy of the individuals it relates to.

The standard applies to organizations of any size and sector, whether they act as PII controllers, which decide why and how personal data is processed, or as PII processors, which process it on behalf of others.

What changed in ISO/IEC 27701:2025?

The second edition, ISO/IEC 27701:2025, was published in October 2025 and replaces the 2019 edition. The most important change is structural.

From extension to standalone standard

The 2019 edition was written as an extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002. To implement a PIMS, an organization effectively needed an information security management system (ISMS) in place first.

The 2025 edition is a standalone management system standard. Organizations can implement a PIMS on its own, while those that already have an ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS can still integrate the two.

Its own management system clauses

ISO/IEC 27701:2025 now contains its own management system requirements, following the common structure used across ISO management system standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 9001, and ISO/IEC 42001. This covers context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement.

Controls for controllers and processors

The standard includes privacy controls for PII controllers and PII processors, together with the information security controls a standalone PIMS needs, so that privacy and security are addressed together.

Key elements of a privacy information management system

• Understanding the context – the organization’s role as controller and/or processor, applicable laws, and the expectations of interested parties
• Leadership and roles – top management commitment, a privacy policy, and clear privacy responsibilities
• Privacy risk assessment and treatment – identifying and addressing risks related to the processing of PII, including risks to the individuals concerned
• Controls – covering areas such as lawful basis, purpose limitation, data subject rights, records of processing, retention and disposal, sharing and transfers, and security
• Monitoring, audit, and review – checking that the PIMS works as intended
• Continual improvement – correcting problems and improving the system over time

ISO/IEC 27701 and the GDPR

ISO/IEC 27701 is not a law, and certification does not by itself prove compliance with the GDPR or any other privacy law. However, the two are closely aligned.

The standard provides guidance on how its requirements relate to the GDPR and to other privacy frameworks such as ISO/IEC 29100. A PIMS gives organizations a structured way to:

• Maintain records of processing activities
• Handle data subject requests consistently
• Manage relationships with processors and sub-processors
• Carry out privacy risk assessments and impact assessments
• Demonstrate accountability, one of the GDPR’s core principles

For many organizations, ISO/IEC 27701 turns legal requirements into an organized, auditable management system.

ISO/IEC 27701 and ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on protecting information of all kinds, while ISO/IEC 27701 focuses on the privacy of individuals whose personal data is processed.

The two are complementary. Information security is essential to privacy, but privacy goes further, covering questions such as whether data should be collected at all, how long it is kept, and how individuals can exercise their rights.

Organizations with an existing ISMS can extend their governance to privacy efficiently, while organizations focused mainly on personal data can now start directly with a PIMS.

Benefits of ISO/IEC 27701

• Trust – independent certification shows customers and partners that privacy is managed systematically
• Efficiency – one framework for privacy obligations across multiple laws and jurisdictions
• Supplier assurance – processors can demonstrate their privacy capabilities to controllers
• Integration – a PIMS can run alongside or together with an ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS
• Clear responsibilities – privacy roles are defined across the organization, not left to one person

Transitioning from the 2019 edition

Organizations certified against ISO/IEC 27701:2019 will need to move to the 2025 edition within the transition period set through accreditation rules. They should confirm the exact deadline with their certification body.

A typical transition includes a gap analysis against the new edition, mapping the existing PIMS to its standalone structure, reviewing privacy risk assessment and controls, updating documentation, and completing an internal audit and management review.

Who should learn ISO/IEC 27701?

ISO/IEC 27701 knowledge is valuable for data protection officers, privacy managers, information security managers, compliance and legal professionals, consultants, and auditors.

It is particularly relevant for organizations that process large amounts of personal data, such as technology and cloud providers, healthcare organizations, financial services firms, and service providers acting as processors.

Training paths for ISO/IEC 27701

Professionals can build ISO/IEC 27701 expertise through several PECB training paths available at MIC:

ISO/IEC 27701 Foundation

A good starting point for professionals who need to understand the main concepts and requirements of a privacy information management system.

ISO/IEC 27701 Lead Implementer

This course develops the competence to plan, implement, manage, and maintain a PIMS based on ISO/IEC 27701:2025. It is particularly relevant to privacy and information security managers, DPOs, and consultants.

ISO/IEC 27701 Lead Auditor

For professionals who want to develop the competence to audit a PIMS against the requirements of ISO/IEC 27701.

ISO/IEC 27701 Transition

For professionals already certified on the 2019 edition who need to understand the changes and update their knowledge to ISO/IEC 27701:2025.

GDPR Certified Data Protection Officer

For professionals who want to combine a privacy management system with in-depth knowledge of the GDPR and the role of the data protection officer.

Start your ISO/IEC 27701 learning journey with MIC

Privacy is now a core business responsibility, and organizations need professionals who can turn privacy requirements into a working management system.

My ISO Certification (MIC) provides access to official PECB training, with study materials, the exam, and the certification application fee included.

Ready to build privacy management expertise?

Explore the ISO/IEC 27701 Lead Implementer course and take the next step toward helping organizations protect personal data.

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