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ISO/IEC 27701:2019 · PIMS

ISO 27701 Certification:
Build a Privacy Information Management System
You Can Prove

A structured, auditable way to handle personal information responsibly — extending your ISO 27001 ISMS to meet Privacy Act and GDPR expectations, and to show customers their data is in safe hands.

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Compliance checklist

Australia-wide audits

Compliance checklist

Extends your existing ISO 27001 ISMS

Compliance checklist

GDPR & Privacy Act aligned

1,113

notifications, last 12 months

That’s how many privacy breaches were reported under Australia’s Notifiable Data Breaches scheme in the past year. The Privacy Act and the EU’s GDPR set the legal bar, but legislation alone doesn’t stop a breach — organisations need a structured system to manage personal data responsibly. That’s what ISO 27701 provides.

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AUSTRALIAN-BASED AUDIT TEAM
01 — Definition

The Standard

What Is ISO 27701 Certification?

ISO 27701 is the international privacy extension to ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 — it turns a security management system into one that also governs personal data.

This page walks through the standard, the certification process, and what it takes to get your organisation certified — so you can start your ISO 27001 journey with confidence.

Formally titled ISO/IEC 27701 — Security techniques — Extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 for privacy information management, the standard gives organisations a practical framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).

It sets out specific controls for organisations acting as PII controllers and PII processors, covering how personally identifiable information is collected, used, retained and disposed of — so your privacy practice is not just a policy document, but a system that’s audited, evidenced and continually improved.

02 — Applicability

Who It's For

Who Needs a Privacy Information Management System?

Any organisation that collects, stores or processes personal information is exposed to privacy risk — certification is especially valuable where trust is part of the sale.

SaaS & cloud platforms
Data centres & hosting
Banking & financial services
Healthcare providers
HR & recruitment
IT & managed services
Any processor handling client PII
03 — Advantages

Why Certify

Advantages of ISO 27701 Certification

A certified PIMS turns privacy from a policy on paper into an operating discipline, with benefits that reach well beyond the audit.

Enhanced data privacy controls

Establishes clear, documented privacy processes and governance across every team that touches personal data.

Supports legal compliance

Helps demonstrate alignment with the Privacy Act, GDPR and other privacy legislation you operate under.

Reduced risk of data breaches

Encourages proactive identification and mitigation of privacy risk, before it becomes an incident.

Customer & stakeholder confidence

Shows partners, regulators and customers a demonstrable commitment to protecting sensitive information.

Seamless fit with ISO 27001

Builds directly on your existing ISMS framework, saving implementation time and audit resources.

Stronger privacy culture

Improves internal awareness and accountability for personal data across every level of the business.

Free Resources

Before you talk to us, see where you stand

PDF · Service Brochure

ISO 27001 Certification Service Brochure

The full scope of our certification service, timelines and what to expect at every stage.

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PDF · Pre-Assessment Checklist

ISO 27001 Readiness Checklist

A self-assessment checklist to see how close your current controls are to ISO 27001 requirements.

Download the Checklist
04 — Considerations

Go In With Eyes Open

Challenges and Considerations

Certification is worthwhile, but it isn’t effortless. Knowing the real commitment up front is what makes implementation smooth.

Implementation costs

Requires time, training and resources to establish and maintain compliance properly.

Ongoing maintenance

Certification involves continuous improvement, internal review and regular surveillance audits.

Complex legal alignment

Navigating multiple privacy laws and jurisdictions can be difficult without experienced guidance.

Organisational commitment

Success depends on leadership buy-in and genuine, company-wide participation.

05 — Comparison

Know The Difference

ISO 27701 vs. ISO 27001: What's the Difference?

ISO 27701 doesn’t replace ISO 27001 — it sits on top of it. Here’s how the two standards divide the work.

Comparison of scope, focus and outcome between ISO 27001 and ISO 27701

Document
Aspect ISO 27001 ISO 27701
Core focus Information security in general — confidentiality, integrity and availability of all data. Privacy specifically — how personally identifiable information (PII) is handled.
Foundation required Stands alone as a management system. Extends an existing or parallel ISO 27001 ISMS.
Key roles addressed Information asset owners generally. PII controllers and PII processors specifically.
Supports Broad information security posture and client due-diligence requirements. Privacy Act, GDPR and other data-protection law alignment.
Typical certificate ISO/IEC 27001 certificate. ISO/IEC 27001 certificate with ISO/IEC 27701 extension noted.

Already have an ISMS? See our ISO 27001 Information Security Management System certification page to check what’s already covered.

06 — Pathway

How It Works

Your Path to ISO 27701 Certification

A clear, staged process — most organisations move from first assessment to certificate within three to six months.

01

Gap analysis

Assess your current position

We review your existing ISMS and privacy practices against ISO 27701 requirements and flag the gaps to close.

02

Implementation

Build the PIMS

Document PII processing records, roles, consent and retention controls, and embed them into daily operations.

03

Stage 1 audit

Documentation review

An auditor checks your PIMS documentation is complete and ready for operational assessment.

04

Stage 2 audit

Operational assessment

We verify the system is actually being followed in practice, not just written down.

05

Certification

Certificate & surveillance

Certification is issued, with annual surveillance audits to keep your PIMS current and compliant.

07 — Outcome

The Value of Certification

Certification That Proves the Trust You Ask For

Achieving ISO 27701 certification shows your organisation doesn’t just comply with privacy regulation — it actively demonstrates trust, transparency and accountability in how it handles personal data. As privacy expectations rise and breach numbers climb, ISO 27701 isn’t only about compliance; it’s about long-term customer confidence and business resilience.

08 — FAQ

Common Questions

ISO 27701 Certification:
Frequently Asked Questions

ISO/IEC 27701 extends ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 to cover privacy, giving organisations requirements for a Privacy Information Management System that manages PII responsibly and supports alignment with the Privacy Act and GDPR.

No — it’s voluntary. It provides independent evidence that personal information is managed responsibly, which matters increasingly to regulators, customers and business partners.

Yes. ISO 27701 extends ISO 27001, so a conforming ISMS needs to be in place — either already certified or implemented alongside your PIMS — before ISO 27701 certification can be issued.

It depends on your size and how mature your ISO 27001 system already is, but most organisations move from gap analysis to certification audit within three to six months.

No. It’s a management system standard, not a law. It gives you a structured framework that supports and evidences legal compliance, but the legal obligations themselves remain separate.

Yes. The standard scales to the size and complexity of the organisation — small businesses handling client PII often find it a strong differentiator with enterprise customers.

Client Testimonials

What clients put on record

Unedited, from businesses who certified or transferred with us.

Made it easy to switch from a long-standing relationship. A special call-out to the team who made the transition seamless.

“

Craig Hopwood — Faber-Castell

The auditor gave real-life guidance during and after the audit, and was understanding that new staff weren’t up to speed on the IMS yet.

“

Jason Cliff — JAC Pumps

Great company and auditor — very helpful and understanding of exactly what we needed to get certified.

“

Stephen Smolenaars — Engineering Construction Services

Let's achieve ISO 27701 certification, together.

Find out how much ISO 27701 certification could cost your business — get a free, no-obligation quote from our team.

Get your Free Quote
Talk with an Expert

Let's achieve ISO 27701 certification, together.

Find out how much ISO 27701 certification could cost your business — get a free, no-obligation quote from our team.

Get your Free Quote
Talk with an Expert

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ISO 27701
Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)

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Protecting Personal Data and Building Trust

With privacy breaches on the rise, safeguarding personal information has become a critical responsibility for all organisations. Did you know there were 1,113 notifications of privacy breaches in the last 12 months?

Both the Privacy Act in Australia and the GDPR in the European Union have long been established to protect individuals from the risk of data and privacy breaches. However, legislation alone cannot guarantee compliance; organisations need a structured system to manage personal data responsibly.

That’s where ISO 27701 comes in.

What Is ISO 27701?

ISO 27701 is an international privacy extension to ISO 27001 and ISO 27002, designed to help organizations establish, implement, maintain, and continuously improve a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).

This standard provides a practical framework for managing personally identifiable information (PII), ensuring alignment with data protection laws and building customer confidence through accountability and transparency.

Advantages of ISO 27701 Certification

Security

Enhanced Data Privacy Controls

Establishes clear privacy processes and governance.

simplified-compliance

Supports Compliance

Helps demonstrate alignment with GDPR, Privacy Act, and other privacy laws.

Risk-reduce

Reduced Risk of Data Breaches

Encourages proactive identification and mitigation of privacy risks.

Customer-Trust

Customer & Stakeholder Confidence

Shows commitment to protecting sensitive information.

Processing-Integrity

Seamless Integration with ISO 27001

Builds upon your existing ISMS framework, saving time and resources.

security-awareness

Stronger Privacy Culture

Improves internal awareness and accountability across all teams.

Challenges and Considerations

Decrease costs

Implementation Costs

Requires time, training, and resources to establish and maintain compliance.

Lack of leadership commitment

Ongoing Maintenance

Certification involves continuous improvement and regular audits.

audit-outdated-document

Complex Legal Alignment

Navigating multiple privacy laws and jurisdictions can be challenging without expert guidance.

market-credibility

Organisational Commitment

Success depends on management buy-in and company-wide participation.

The Value of Certification

Achieving ISO 27701 certification shows that your organization not only complies with privacy regulations but also actively demonstrates trust, transparency, and accountability in handling personal data.

As privacy expectations evolve and breaches increase, adopting ISO 27701 isn’t just about compliance it’s about building long-term customer confidence and business resilience.

Let’s Achieve ISO 27701 Certification Today.

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