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Data privacy

The ongoing digital transformation across all sectors has increased focus on the adequacy of regulatory frameworks that govern how organizations manage information products, services, and platforms. Data privacy standards can help you ensure the security of all types of information within your organization and comply with legal requirements.

Accountability and trust for personal information

Explore how standards inspire trust by protecting the privacy of data

Reimagining data privacy compliance with BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025
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Reimagining data privacy compliance with BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025

According to the UK Business Data Survey 2024, 75% of businesses said it felt like a burden to comply with UK data protection laws. With regulatory complexity rising and stakeholder expectations at an all-time high, organizations are looking for smarter, more sustainable ways to manage privacy. That’s where BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025 comes in. A modern privacy standard built for flexibility BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection – Privacy Information management systems – Requirements and guidance provides a comprehensive, scalable framework for managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in line with global regulations. Unlike its predecessor, this new edition is a stand-alone  a stand-alone Type A Management System Standard (MSS), no longer dependent on BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 or BS EN ISO/IEC 27002. This shift makes it easier for organizations, whether mature or just beginning their privacy journey, to implement a future-ready Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). Whether you're a data controller, processor, or subcontractor, this standard is designed to help you manage privacy risk efficiently while demonstrating accountability and trustworthiness. Explore how standards empower organizations to navigate digital transformation with confidence. Visit our Digital industry page to learn more. Who can use BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025? This standard is designed for any organization that collects, processes, stores, or manages personal data, regardless of size, sector, or geographic location. It’s highly relevant for: PII Controllers and Processors including subcontractors and third-party service providers. Technology Companies dealing with cloud, SaaS, AI, and user analytics. Healthcare Providers managing patient records, diagnostics, and sensitive health data. Financial Services handling transactional and identity data under strict regulatory oversight. Public Sector Bodies managing citizen data and digital services with public trust at stake. Retail and E-commerce processing vast volumes of consumer data, often across borders.  What’s new in BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025? This revision introduces several important updates: Stand-alone MSS: Now established as a Type A Management System Standard, aligned to ISO’s Harmonized Structure and no longer dependent on BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 or BS EN ISO/IEC 27002. Broader applicability: Designed for organizations of any size, sector, or jurisdiction that manage personal data whether they already operate an Information Security Management System. Reorganized controls: Existing controller, processor and subcontractor requirements have been consolidated into a single, clearer annex structure. The intent remains the same, but numbering and layout have been updated for easier implementation. Strengthened risk-based approach: Privacy-specific risk assessment and treatment are now embedded within the core management-system clauses, reinforcing accountability and continual improvement. Clearer roles and accountability: Refined definitions and responsibilities for PII controllers, processors and subcontractors provide greater operational clarity, especially where organizations act in multiple roles. Modern context: The updated text reflects contemporary data-processing environments such as cloud computing, cross-border transfers and emerging AI-related activities, ensuring the standard remains relevant without adding new technical controls. Three ways BS EN ISO/IEC 27701 adds value to your organization BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025 offers organizations a powerful way to elevate their privacy practices beyond baseline compliance. 1. Confident and compliant data management By adopting this stand-alone framework, businesses gain a structured and internationally recognized approach to managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that is both practical and future ready. It enables companies to respond effectively to evolving data protection laws and regulatory scrutiny, while also reinforcing internal governance and accountability.  2. Operational clarity in a complex digital landscape The standard brings clarity to roles and responsibilities, making it easier for data controllers and processors to coordinate their efforts, reduce risks, and maintain operational transparency. For organizations navigating complex digital environments, particularly those using cloud-based services, AI, or operating across jurisdictions - BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025 provides much-needed alignment with frameworks such as GDPR. 3. Building trust while reducing compliance burden Beyond compliance, the standard supports stronger stakeholder trust. With privacy now central to public perception and brand reputation, demonstrating commitment through a robust, certifiable management system can differentiate an organization in the marketplace.  BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025 also streamlines internal processes, reduces the cost and complexity of audits, and provides a flexible model that can grow with an organization’s privacy maturity over time. Ready to take control of your privacy management? Download your copy of BS EN ISO/IEC 27701:2025 today and equip your organization with a trusted, future-ready framework for data protection, compliance, and stakeholder confidence.Read more
From risk to resilience: Strengthening cybersecurity with ISO/IEC 27000 series of standards
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From risk to resilience: Strengthening cybersecurity with ISO/IEC 27000 series of standards

In recent months, a wave of cyberattacks targeting several major UK businesses has sent a stark message to organizations across every sector: cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue, but a critical management issue involving serious business risks and impacts. These high-profile breaches are prompting many organizations to reassess their strategies, strengthen safeguards, and elevate cyber risk management to the executive agenda. But amid this menacing landscape of risks and threats, there is a tried-and-tested set of international standards can help organizations of all sizes strengthen their cyber defences and reduce their risk - the BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series (the national adoption of the international standards). This family of standards, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), offers a robust framework for information security management. By implementing the controls and principles outlined in these standards, businesses can create a structured approach to identifying risks, protecting systems, and responding to incidents. Understanding the BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series The BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series is a comprehensive set of standards designed to support organizations in managing the security of information assets such as financial data, intellectual property, employee details, and information entrusted by third parties. There are several standards in the series, and these are centered around BS EN ISO/IEC 27001. This standard is the global benchmark for establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Here's a quick overview of key standards within the series:  BS EN ISO/IEC 27000: Provides an overview of the entire series.  BS EN ISO/IEC 27001: Specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an ISMS. BS EN ISO/IEC 27002: Offers guidance on information security controls that can be selected during implementation.  BS EN ISO/IEC 27005: Focuses on information security risk management. BS EN ISO/IEC 27017 and BS EN ISO/IEC 27018: Provide guidelines for cloud security. BS ISO/IEC 27031: Provides guidance on ICT readiness for business continuity, helping organizations ensure their information and communication systems can support critical operations during disruption. BS ISO/IEC 27035: A multi-part standard offering comprehensive guidance on managing information security incidents - from planning and detection to response and lessons learned. Each standard complements the others and together they form a unified strategy to mitigate risks, enhance resilience, and support regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR). Learn more about how standards can help your organization reduce cybersecurity risks by visiting our Digital page. Cybercriminal tactics and the modern digital risk landscape Today’s cybercriminals are sophisticated, well organized, and increasingly successful in their attacks on businesses. Recent attacks have highlighted several core methods in their arsenal: Social engineering: Gaining trust or exploiting the human weakness of employees to trick them into divulging credentials or approving unauthorised actions, Phishing methods: Using fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, or websites to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details, Ransomware: a type of malware which prevents you from accessing your device and the data stored on it, usually by encrypting your files, Credential stuffing: Using leaked passwords from previous breaches to access accounts, Supply chain attacks: Targeting smaller suppliers to eventually compromise larger organizations. This arsenal of attacks underscore why businesses must go beyond antivirus software and firewalls. The BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series is specifically designed to address these complex risks, particularly those involving human behaviour, identity compromise, and lack of procedural and management controls. By incorporating human factors, enforcing strong identity and access controls, and embedding clear security policies, these standards empower organizations to take a proactive, structured approach to cybersecurity rather than simply reacting to incidents after they occur. BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 in action: Building a resilient ISMS At the heart of the BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 standard is the Information Security Management System (ISMS). This framework is designed to be risk-based approach to information security, integrating security into daily operations rather than treating it as a standalone concern, and ensuring the security control profile an organisation adopts is continually reviewed to reflect the changing environment it operates in. Key benefits of implementing an ISMS include: Top management and support: Establishes management requirements for leadership and commitment, awareness and training, management reviews and internal audits, Risk management: Systematic identification and treatment of risks tailored to the business environment, Compliance: Simplifies meeting legal and regulatory requirements such as GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act, and PCI DSS, Business continuity: Ensures the organisation  remain available and operational in the event of a breach or disruption, Customer trust: Certification provides assurance to clients and partners about your commitment to information security. The ISMS also drives internal improvements, creating clear policies, accountability structures, and audit trails, fostering a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. Discover more about BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 by reading our article Achieve better information security management with the revised BS EN ISO/IEC 27001. Cybersecurity for small businesses A common misconception about cyber risk is that only large organizations are attractive targets. In truth, micro-business as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly the target of cybercriminals, often because they lack the robust defences of larger counterparts. From family-run retailers to growing SaaS start-ups, smaller businesses are frequently seen as easy targets and, in many cases, as potential gateways into the supply chains of bigger firms. The BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series is particularly well-suited to address these challenges. Its framework is scalable, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Even without pursuing full certification, micro-business  and SMEs can benefit significantly by applying the core principles of BS EN ISO/IEC 27001. For instance, introducing structured security practices such as implementing stronger authentication protocols, classifying sensitive data, and managing access based on user roles can markedly reduce exposure to common threats. Guidance on the design and implementation of information security controls is available in BS EN ISO/IEC 27002, not only providing a comprehensive list of controls that any organisation should consider but providing guidance on the design and development of them. Just as critical is the ability to prepare for and respond to cyber incidents. The four-part BS ISO/IEC 27035 series provide valuable direction on how to detect, contain, and manage security breaches effectively, helping smaller businesses build resilience even with limited internal resources. . Complementing this is BS ISO/IEC 27031, which focuses on ICT readiness for business continuity. It offers guidance to help organizations ensure that their information and communication technology can continue to support critical business operations during and after a disruption, forming a crucial link between cybersecurity and broader business resilience planning. In today’s landscape, it’s no longer viable for small businesses to treat cybersecurity as an afterthought. Embracing the BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series equips them with the tools and strategies needed to defend against modern threats and secure their future. A roadmap to implementation For organizations considering adoption, here’s a basic roadmap to leveraging the BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series: 1. Top management support, commitment and leadership: Ensure Top Management is managing the process with necessary support, commitment and resources and the board understands cybersecurity as a business risk, not just an IT issue. 2. Define the ISMS scope: Clarify what parts of the business the ISMS will cover. 3. Assess and manage risk: Follow BS EN ISO/IEC 27005 to perform a risk assessment and define treatment plans. 4. Implement risk treatment plan: Determine a set of controls from relevant sources (for example ISO, IEC, NIST, COBIT standards etc) to mitigate the assessed risks and then do a comparison with the reference set of controls BS EN ISO/IEC 27002 to check that no controls are missing from this reference set.  The set of controls to be implemented should be included in a risk treatment plan. 5. Training and awareness: Build a culture of security from the ground up. 6. Performance evaluation and continuous improvement: Monitor, audit, and revise the ISMS regularly using process specified in BS EN ISO/IEC 27001. Accredited third-party certification bodies in the UK can provide external validation, adding a layer of trust and marketability to your security posture. Take control of your cybersecurity future today Whether you’re leading a multinational organization or running a growing small business, the BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series offers a proven path to stronger, smarter security. These internationally recognized standards help you identify vulnerabilities, protect sensitive data, and respond with confidence to the evolving threat landscape. Get your copy of the standards in the BS EN ISO/IEC 27000 series here.
Seizing opportunities: Planning for the big data future
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Seizing opportunities: Planning for the big data future

Big Data represents a very substantial and fast-growing opportunity. In order to truly reap the sizeable predicted benefits of Big Data, best practices must be established and shared, with data standards and information management standards playing a key role. While Big Data is perhaps not an entirely new concept, it is certainly a hot topic of the modern, digital era. However, it is an evolving concept, and any standards created must take into account that what is classed as ‘Big Data’ today is likely to change rapidly over the next few years (and may even cease to be called ‘Big Data’). Standards must therefore look beyond the ‘here and now’ of how Big Data is currently being used and instead seek to establish frameworks for dealing with data sets that represent a significant logistical challenge. What are the challenges to embracing Big Data? The true power of Big Data does not lie in gradual improvements in efficiency, but rather in changing the approach of entire organizations to become data-driven. Data-driven approaches can revolutionize internal strategy and future planning, through optimizing efficiencies in logistics, to delivering a truly personalized experience to the customer. However, there are three main challenges that might be preventing businesses from capitalizing on these Big Data opportunities: Technical Challenges - at the heart of many organizations are decades-old ICT systems. Often cumbersome, disjointed, and inflexible, these ICT systems present a very tangible barrier to growth in Big Data usage. This is particularly a challenge when it comes to creating single, holistic data sources, as migrating data from one system to another is far from straightforward. For many organizations, investment in Big Data will need to be accompanied by investment in IT systems and will almost certainly involve the usage of cloud technology. Cultural Challenges – a lack of strategic leadership on Big Data is a serious challenge for many organizations. Without a strategic imperative at the highest level within businesses to ask the right questions, little will be truly achieved. Businesses must adopt a different attitude towards data; rather than seeing data sources as pieces of property that are owned by individual functions within the business, they must instead consider data as a single and unifying company resource. This requires cooperation and collaboration between all functions within the organization – something that isn’t always easy but is vital for becoming a data-driven organization. Perceptual Challenges - whilst some data is ‘un-sensitive’ – few people for example would be concerned about what is done with data regarding rainfall in London – much of the data involved in Big Data analytics includes at least an element of sensitive and often personal information. As such, customers and the public are vital stakeholders in Big Data initiatives. It is a cliché that as humans we are scared of things we don’t understand; however, it is also often true – not least when it comes to Big Data. As a result, in many cases, the public harbours serious concerns about Big Data usage. To read more on the topic of managing data privacy, click here. Key Standards that support Big Data BSI wants to take a lead on Big Data standards. By engaging the market, collaboratively developing standards content, and promoting best practices, it aims to provide businesses with the help they need in order to flourish. There is great potential for standards to help advance business success and market growth in Big Data, particularly in three areas: Best practice for ensuring quality in, and responsible use of, metadata. Best practice guidance for how to communicate Big Data activities. A ‘how to’ guide for any business considering embarking on a Big Data initiative. Whilst standards for these areas continue to be developed, for example, BS ISO/IEC 27045 Information technology, the standard for Big Data security and privacy is currently in its draft stage, there are existing standards that your organization can adopt to manage and protect your companies’ data. These will give your business credibility and increase trust with your consumers. These standards are as follows; Data protection and privacy standards BS 10012:27017+A1 (Specification for a personal information management system), BS ISO/IEC 29100 (Privacy framework), BS ISO/IEC 29101 (Privacy architecture framework), and BS EN ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy information management systems). Data protection standards, including Personally Identifiable Information BS ISO/IEC 29134 (Guidelines for privacy impact assessment), BS ISO/IEC 29184 (Online privacy notices and consent). BS ISO/IEC 29151 (Code of practice for personally identifiable information (PII) protection), BS ISO/IEC 27018 (Code of practice for protection of PII in public clouds acting as PII Processors), and BS ISO/IEC CD 27555.2 (Guidelines on PII deletion). Privacy techniques standards BS 10010 (Information classification, marking and handling), and BS ISO/IEC 20889 (Privacy-enhancing data de-identification terminology and classification of techniques). Prepare your organization for the Big Data future, by adding these information management standards to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge As uses for big data continue to advance rapidly, accessing the standards your business needs to adapt to these emerging processes does not have to be complicated and time-consuming. Our tailored BSI Knowledge subscription service provides flexibility, access, visibility, and control over the standards and insights your team needs to get the most from your data opportunities. Request to learn more about how a BSI Knowledge subscription can help your business.
ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO/IEC 42001: The AI and information security standard decision checklist
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ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO/IEC 42001: The AI and information security standard decision checklist

As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates across industries, ensuring information security and ethical AI governance has become paramount. According to our research, ‘81% of business leaders state their organization is already investing in artificial intelligence (AI).’ However, with this investment comes a host of new challenges, from managing operational risks to adhering to evolving regulations. To aid organizations in addressing these challenges, we’ve developed a free AI and information security standard decision checklist. Designed for decision-makers, consultants, and organizations exploring AI integration, this tool provides guidance on adopting ISO/IEC 42001 for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS) or ISO/IEC 27001 for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). This checklist will help you identify which standard aligns best with your goals, ensuring that your AI initiatives are secure and responsibly managed. Why information security matters in AI development AI systems require large datasets to deliver accurate, high-quality outputs, which raises unique information security and privacy concerns. ISO/IEC 27001 is an industry-leading framework for protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, breaches, and data loss. It establishes a comprehensive management structure based on the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ensuring data is handled securely at every level. Key ISO/IEC 27001 components The ISO/IEC 27001 framework emphasizes: Organizational context: Understanding specific industry risks and operational factors. Central information security policies: Defining policies to guide security practices. Risk evaluation and treatment: Identifying and addressing security risks effectively. Resource allocation: Ensuring resources for maintaining and improving information security. Management involvement: Engaging leadership in continuous improvement of information security. Learn more about ISO/IEC 27001 by reading our article Achieve better information security management with the revised BS EN ISO/IEC 27001. Understanding AI risks with ISO/IEC 42001 With the growing focus on AI, ISO/IEC 42001 addresses the unique risks that AI technologies bring, providing an AIMS framework that promotes responsible AI governance across the AI lifecycle—from data collection to model deployment. This standard aids in managing AI-specific risks such as model bias, decision transparency, and unintended social impacts. Learn more about ISO/IEC 42001 by reading our article Maximizing the value of AI for society with BS ISO/IEC 42001. Key considerations for AI security and governance For organizations already utilizing ISO/IEC 27001, it’s essential to evaluate whether: AI risks should be treated separately from traditional information security risks: AI introduces risks that go beyond data protection, affecting model integrity and decision-making processes. Existing ISO/IEC 27001 controls are sufficient: AI’s unique challenges, such as model evasion and bias, may require additional controls provided by ISO/IEC 42001. Determining your path: ISMS, AIMS, or both? The decision to adopt ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, or a combination of both should be informed by your organization’s data maturity and readiness for AI integration. For companies with robust data governance practices, ISO/IEC 42001 may provide the added structure needed for responsible AI management, while others may benefit from starting with the foundational security measures in ISO/IEC 27001. Take the next step: Get your free copy of the checklist Ready to secure your organization’s data and responsibly manage AI? Our checklist walks you through these considerations, allowing you to assess your readiness and understand how each standard fits within your organization’s risk management and governance strategy. Download our free AI and Information Security Standard Decision Interactive Checklist now to guide your strategy with ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 27001.

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