Cloud computing has made processing vast amounts of personal and confidential data easier, but it also increases the risk of breaches that can damage customer trust and confidence. To address this, data protection laws and standards must evolve. ISO 27018, introduced in 2014 as an extension of ISO 27001, focuses on protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds. PII includes names, contact details, IP addresses, financial data, and medical records.
By adopting ISO 27018, Cloud Service Providers demonstrate that they protect PII, comply with relevant privacy laws, and prevent misuse, thereby instilling client confidence. But what exactly does it cover, who should certify, and what benefits does it bring? This blog addresses these questions and explains why Akitra is your ideal partner for rapid, cost-effective certification.
What is the ISO/IEC 27018 Security Standard?
ISO/IEC 27018 is the worldwide standard for safeguarding private data in cloud storage. It includes PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and serves as a code of conduct for vendors of public cloud services.
ISO 27018 compliance accomplishes two tasks:
- Provides additional beneficial implementation advice for the controls defined in ISO/IEC 27001 (adding to ISO 27002); and,
- Provides additional advice on the public cloud’s PII protection needs.
The ISO 27002 standard does not address these further restrictions; hence, this extension is a necessary addition to the ISO 27001 security standard.
What are the Primary Objectives of ISO/IEC 27018 Compliance?
ISO 27018 compliance provides stipulated guidance on various information security categories, with accepted recommendations and best practices. The standard targets companies that offer public cloud services and handle personal information.
Its main goals are to:
- Assist the public cloud PII processor in fulfilling their duties, especially if they have a contract to supply public cloud services.
- Open up the process so potential users of cloud services can obtain safe, well-managed cloud-based PII processing services;
- Assist consumers and cloud services in creating contracts for handling PII; and,
- Provide cloud service users with an audit and compliance process.
What is PII and Why Should it be Protected?
PII is any information that you can use to identify a person. Any personal information comes under PII, including but not limited to:
- The name of a person;
- their birth year;
- their residence;
- the IP address of their bank;
- their medical records;
- And much more.
PII is often stored in the cloud to reduce operational costs and improve accessibility, especially for remote work. However, cloud storage also increases the risk of data breaches. Under ISO 27018 compliance, cloud service providers act as data processors, while your organization remains the data controller, both of which are legally responsible for protecting PII.
Robust security measures are essential, and ISO 27018 helps ensure providers demonstrate compliance and safeguard personal data using proven techniques.
- Reducing data collection and storage;
- Establishing a schedule for securely destroying data;
- Encrypting data for both transmission and storage;
- Limiting data access;
- Complying with applicable rules regarding employee training; and,
- Implementing a strategy for information governance.
Benefits of Implementing ISO/IEC 27018 Compliance
These are some of the major benefits of ISO 27018 compliance :
- Increases customer and stakeholder confidence in your company by assuring them that their personal information is secure.
- Helps you gain a competitive edge over your rivals by ensuring that your personal information is protected to the greatest standard.
- Decreases the risk of negative press resulting from data breaches, thereby protecting your brand.
- Reduces risks by making sure that they are recognised and that safeguards are in place to manage or mitigate them;
- Reduces the likelihood of fines for data breaches by ensuring that local requirements are followed; and,
- Promotes the expansion of your company by establishing uniform rules for all nations, making it simpler to conduct business internationally and establish yourself as a preferred supplier.
Recent Changes in the ISO/IEC 27018 Security Guidelines
Information security is evolving at an unprecedented rate. To keep its pace, ISO has made certain changes to the ISO 27018 compliance framework since 2014. In 2019, ISO introduced some minor revisions, including:
- a general background section; and,
- Revising it from an international standard to a document.
In 2020, the framework underwent further technical changes, with most items remaining essentially the same.
Security, AI Risk Management, and Compliance with Akitra!
In the competitive landscape of SaaS businesses, trust is paramount amidst data breaches and privacy concerns. Akitra addresses this need with its leading AI-powered Compliance Automation platform. Our platform empowers customers to prevent sensitive data disclosure and mitigate risks, meeting the expectations of customers and partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of data security and compliance. Through automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring, paired with customizable policies, Akitra ensures organizations are compliance-ready for various frameworks such as SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 42001, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, NIST AI RMF, FedRAMP, CCPA, CMMC, SOX ITGC, and more such as CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark, Australian ISM and Essential Eight etc. In addition, companies can use Akitra’s Risk Management product for overall risk management using quantitative methodologies such as Factorial Analysis of Information Risks (FAIR) and qualitative methods, including NIST-based for your company, Vulnerability Assessment and Pen Testing services, Third Party Vendor Risk Management, Trust Center, and AI-based Automated Questionnaire Response product to streamline and expedite security questionnaire response processes, delivering huge cost savings. Our compliance and security experts provide customized guidance to navigate the end-to-end compliance process confidently. Last but not least, we have also developed a resource hub called Akitra Academy, which offers easy-to-learn short video courses on security, compliance, and related topics of immense significance for today’s fast-growing companies.
Our solution offers substantial time and cost savings, including discounted audit fees, enabling fast and cost-effective compliance certification. Customers achieve continuous compliance as they grow, becoming certified under multiple frameworks through a single automation platform.
Build customer trust. Choose Akitra TODAY! To book your FREE DEMO, contact us right here.
FAQs
Who needs ISO 27018 certification?
Any cloud service provider handling PII, as well as organizations outsourcing their data storage to public clouds, should obtain ISO 27018 compliance certification to meet regulatory and customer trust requirements.
How does ISO 27018 compliance benefit businesses?
It builds customer trust, reduces the risk of data breaches, enhances global market access, and helps meet regulatory obligations for the protection of PII.
Is ISO 27018 compliance mandatory?
While not legally mandatory in all countries, many organizations pursue it voluntarily to meet contractual requirements, differentiate themselves from competitors, and demonstrate their commitment to strong data protection measures.
