Organization’s Path to Privacy: ISO 27701 Certification and Accreditation in the Middle East

In today's data-driven world, protecting personal information is paramount. Consumers in the KSA, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Pakistan and other countries are increasingly aware of their privacy rights, and governments across the region are enacting stricter data protection regulations. This growing focus on privacy has created a critical need for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to responsible information management.

ISO 27701, the international standard for Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS), provides a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their privacy practices.  Achieving ISO 27701 certification can be a powerful tool for businesses, offering a competitive edge and fostering trust with stakeholders.

What is ISO 27701 and who needs it?

ISO 27701 builds upon the foundation of ISO 27001, the information security management system standard.  While ISO 27001 focuses on protecting all types of information, ISO 27701 specifically addresses the protection of personal information.

Who should consider ISO 27701 certification?

Businesses operating in any industry that collects and processes personal data, including:

• Financial institutions
• Healthcare providers
• Telecommunications companies
• E-commerce platforms
• Marketing Social media companies
• Government organizations
• Software and Cloud-computing companies

Why is ISO 27701 Certification Important?

There are several compelling reasons for organizations to pursue ISO 27701 certification:

• Enhanced Customer Trust: Demonstrates your organization's commitment to protecting personal data, leading to increased customer confidence and loyalty.
• Reduced Risk of Data Breaches: The robust framework of ISO 27701 helps identify and mitigate potential privacy risks, minimizing the chances of costly data breaches.
• Improved Compliance: Staying ahead of the curve on evolving national data privacy regulations.
• Competitive Advantage: Certification can be a differentiator in a competitive market, showcasing your organization's commitment to responsible data practices.
• Increased Operational Efficiency: Streamlining data handling processes through a structured PIMS.

Simplifying the ISO 27701 Certification Process

Obtaining ISO 27701 certification, essential for demonstrating robust privacy information management, involves a structured five-step process managed by accredited certification bodies like SGS. Here’s a simplified overview:

1. Prerequisite Certification: ISO 27001:2022 Required - Before proceeding with ISO 27701 certification, organizations must first be certified in ISO 27001:2022 to establish a foundational information security management system.
2. Readiness Review - Begin by evaluating your current privacy management practices against the ISO 27701 standards to identify improvement areas.
3. Certification Audit by SGS Experts - An expert audit examines how your organization manages and protects Personal Identifiable Information (PII), assessing compliance with the standards.
4. Non-conformance Resolution - Address any gaps identified during the audit to align your practices with ISO 27701 requirements.
5. Issuance of Audit Report and Certificate - After resolving non-conformances, receive your ISO 27701 certificate, a testament to your compliance and a tool for building trust with clients.
6. Annual Sustenance and Surveillance - Maintain the certification with annual audits to ensure ongoing adherence to data management standards. 

Understanding the Difference Between Certification and Accreditation

In the context of ISO 27701 and similar standards, it's crucial to distinguish between certification and accreditation, as they serve different but complementary roles in the process of establishing and verifying compliance with standards.

Certification

Certification is the process through which organizations like yours demonstrate compliance with a specific standard, such as ISO 27701. Certification bodies like SGS conduct audits and provide training to ensure your organization meets the necessary requirements of the standard. After successful audits, these bodies issue certificates to organizations, validating their effective management of privacy information in accordance with ISO 27701.

Accreditation

Accreditation, however, is a formal, third-party recognition of competence for certification bodies. Accreditation bodies assess the capability and performance of certifiers like SGS to ensure they are competent to audit and certify organizations according to the standard. Essentially, while certification bodies audit organizations, accreditation bodies audit the certifiers.

SGS: Your Local Partner for ISO 27701 Certification

In the Middle East, SGS provides ISO 27701 certification services under two accreditations: by UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board, the largest accreditation body in North America).

Under any of these accreditations, SGS can be your trusted partner for achieving ISO 27701 certification. With a vast network of offices and local experts across the region, including UAE, KSA, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Jordan, we offer unparalleled support throughout your certification journey.

Why Choose SGS for Your ISO 27701 Certification?

• Regional Expertise: Our local teams understand the specific data privacy landscape and regulations within Arabian Peninsula country and Pakistan.
• Experienced Auditors: We have a pool of highly qualified and accredited local ISO 27701 auditors with extensive experience in the region.
• Comprehensive Services: We offer a complete suite of services, including gap analysis, training, and certification audits.
• Global Network: SGS's global presence ensures consistent and high-quality standards.

Contact us via web-form for assistance and guidance with your ISO 27701 certification needs.

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.