ISO 27701 Certification
What is ISO 27701 Certification? It is a question frequently asked by compliance managers and business leaders. This page explains the standard, its requirements, who needs it, and how to achieve it.
How to Get Certified
ISO 27701Definition and Scope
ISO 27701 certification covers the full range of requirements defined in the standard. The standard defines mandatory and recommended requirements.
Certification is issued by accredited bodies including Bureau Veritas, SGS, TUV, BSI, and LRQA.
At a glance
Who needs this?
Organisations that need to demonstrate compliance to clients, regulators, or procurement bodies require this certification. Specific sectors include financial services, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. Univate advises on whether the standard is mandatory or voluntary in your market.
Key Requirements
Each requirement must be implemented and evidenced before the certification audit.
Documented scope
The boundaries of the privacy management system are defined and documented.
Policy
A policy sets the direction and commitment for privacy management.
Risk assessment
Privacy and information security risks are identified and assessed.
Objectives
Measurable objectives are defined and tracked.
Internal audit
The system is reviewed internally before the certification audit.
Management review
Leadership reviews performance and drives improvement.
What ISO 27701 delivers
Provides a structured approach to managing personal information.
Helps demonstrate privacy commitments to clients and partners.
Supports alignment with applicable data protection requirements.
Clarifies privacy roles and responsibilities across the organisation.
Builds on an existing information security management system.
Supports continual improvement of privacy practices.
How to Get Certified
Gap analysis
Gap analysis against the standard.
Implementation
Implement missing controls and documentation.
Internal audit
Carry out an internal audit to confirm readiness.
Stage 1 audit
Documentation review.
Stage 2 audit
Implementation review. The certificate is issued after Stage 2.
Surveillance audits
Surveillance audits are carried out annually.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Univate’s implementation programme addresses all four from day one.
Scoping
Scoping too broadly or too narrowly.
Risk assessment
Incomplete risk assessment.
Internal audit evidence
Insufficient internal audit evidence.
Management engagement
Lack of management engagement.
ISO 27701 in nine markets
Univate Global supports ISO 27701 privacy information management certification readiness across nine markets.
UAE
Relevant to organisations in UAE that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
Saudi Arabia
Relevant to organisations in Saudi Arabia that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
Philippines
Relevant to organisations in Philippines that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
South Africa
Relevant to organisations in South Africa that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
USA
Relevant to organisations in USA that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
Singapore
Relevant to organisations in Singapore that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
Malaysia
Relevant to organisations in Malaysia that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
Vietnam
Relevant to organisations in Vietnam that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
India
Relevant to organisations in India that process personal information and want a structured, certifiable approach to privacy management.
Why Univate Global for ISO 27701
Need help achieving this certification? Univate Global delivers end-to-end implementation in 9 markets.
Univate’s implementation programme addresses the most common mistakes from day one: scoping, risk assessment, internal audit evidence and management engagement.
EXPERIENCED TEAM
Our consultants support organisations through gap analysis, implementation and audit readiness.
TAILORED SCOPE
Each engagement is scoped to the personal data, systems and markets that matter to the organisation.
Often taken alongside ISO 27701
ISO 27701 questions we get asked
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