They expertly mapped the overlapping controls between SOC 2 and ISO 27001, which saved us from duplicating work.
Jasreet Kaur B.Silicon Physical Design Engineer · Small-BusinessSOC 2 + ISO 27001 · August 2026
ISO/IEC 27701 · PRIVACY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Extend ISO 27001 with comprehensive privacy controls. Achieve GDPR alignment and demonstrate privacy maturity with ISO 27701 PIMS certification.
Extends ISO 27001 with 50+ privacy controls
100% GDPR and privacy regulation aligned
Controller and processor controls covered
ISO 27001 Extension · 50+ Privacy Controls · GDPR Aligned
1,000+Audits DeliveredTo date
300+SOC 2 EngagementsTo date
6–10moTime to CertificationWith ISO 27001 in place
3-yearCertificate CycleAnnual surveillance
Overview
What is ISO 27701?
ISO/IEC 27701 is an extension to ISO 27001 that adds Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) requirements. Published in 2019, it provides a framework for managing personal data as a controller and/or processor. ISO publishes the standard as ISO/IEC 27701:2019, defining it as a PIMS that extends ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 with a documented mapping to the EU GDPR.
The standard maps directly to GDPR requirements including records of processing activities, privacy by design, data subject rights, privacy impact assessments, and processor obligations — the same control areas that underpin India's DPDP Act 2023. ISO 27701 certification demonstrates systematic privacy management and regulatory alignment.
- Extends ISO 27001 with PIMS controller (Annex A) and processor (Annex B) controls
- GDPR, UK GDPR, and India DPDP Act aligned
Key Takeaways
- ISO/IEC 27701:2019 is a privacy (PIMS) extension to ISO 27001 — it cannot be certified standalone, so you must hold or pursue ISO 27001 in parallel (Source: ISO/IEC 27701).
- It splits requirements into Annex A controls for PII controllers and Annex B controls for PII processors, and ships an explicit mapping to the EU GDPR.
- The same controls — RoPA, lawful basis, consent, DPIAs, data-subject rights and breach notification — map onto other data-protection laws such as India’s DPDP Act 2023.
- Tranquility has delivered 1,000+ audits to date. ISO 27701 engagement pricing is scoped case by case — request a quote via our contact page.
Benefits
ISO 27701 Delivers Business Value
ISO 27701 certification demonstrates privacy maturity, reduces regulatory risk, and enables enterprise sales requiring privacy compliance proof.
GDPR Alignment
ISO 27701 provides a structured framework aligned with GDPR, UK GDPR, and global privacy regulations.
Extends ISO 27001
Build on existing ISO 27001 certification by adding comprehensive privacy management controls.
Privacy Competitive Edge
Demonstrate privacy maturity to enterprise customers and differentiate from competitors in RFPs.
Privacy Controls
PIMS Control Framework
ISO 27701 provides controller and processor controls that extend ISO 27001 with comprehensive privacy management requirements.
Privacy Management
Conditions for Collection & Processing
Identify and document the legal basis for all personal data processing activities.
7.2.1 · Controllers & Processors
Privacy Management
Privacy by Design & Default
Implement technical and organizational measures that embed privacy into system design.
7.2.2 · Controllers & Processors
Privacy Operations
Data Subject Rights
Establish processes for handling access, rectification, erasure, and portability requests.
7.3.2 · Controllers
Third-Party Management
Shared Processing
Manage contractual obligations and responsibilities for joint controllers and processors.
7.4.7 · Controllers & Processors
Risk Management
Privacy Impact Assessment
Conduct PIAs for high-risk processing activities as required by GDPR Article 35.
7.5.1 · Controllers
Documentation
Records of Processing Activities
Maintain comprehensive records of all personal data processing (GDPR Article 30).
6.15.1.1 · Controllers & Processors
From the Audit Team
What Our Lead Auditors Tell Clients
Practical guidance from the people who run the certification — not theory.
“The single biggest reason PIMS audits stall is an incomplete Record of Processing Activities. Before you write a policy, map every system that touches personal data and pin a lawful basis to each flow — get the RoPA right and 70% of the Annex A evidence falls into place on its own.”
“Most teams already hold ISO 27001, so 27701 is not a fresh build — it is a privacy overlay. We reuse the existing ISMS risk register and Statement of Applicability, then bolt on controller and processor controls. Treating it as a delta, not a new project, is what keeps the timeline at six to ten months.”
Why Certify
ISO 27701 vs Standalone GDPR / DPDP Compliance
Regulations tell you what privacy outcomes are required. ISO 27701 gives you an auditable management system that proves how you achieve them — and an accredited certificate enterprise buyers and regulators recognise.
| Dimension | ISO 27701 PIMS | GDPR / DPDP Only |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Certifiable management system (PIMS) with external audit | Legal obligation — self-attested, no certificate |
| Third-party proof | Accredited certificate accepted in RFPs and vendor reviews | Internal documentation only, so buyers must take your word |
| Structure | Annex A (controller) + Annex B (processor) controls, mapped to GDPR | Principles and rights, and you design your own controls |
| Continuous assurance | Mandatory surveillance audits keep the PIMS live | No recurring external check until a regulator or breach forces one |
| Multi-regulation reach | One PIMS maps to GDPR, UK GDPR and India DPDP at once | Each regime managed separately, often with duplicated effort |
| Audit readiness | RoPA, DPIAs and SoA maintained as standing evidence | Evidence frequently assembled reactively under deadline |
Control structure and GDPR mapping per ISO/IEC 27701:2019. Certification does not by itself constitute legal compliance with any privacy law.
What's Included
Comprehensive ISO 27701 Certification Services
End-to-end support from privacy gap analysis through successful PIMS certification and ongoing privacy management.
Privacy Gap Analysis
Comprehensive assessment of current privacy posture against ISO 27701 requirements.
PIMS Documentation
Develop complete Privacy Information Management System documentation and policies.
Privacy Impact Assessments
Conduct PIAs for high-risk processing activities and establish PIA frameworks.
Control Implementation
Deploy privacy controls across ISO 27701 controller and processor requirements.
Internal Privacy Audit
Conduct complete internal PIMS audit before certification body assessment.
Certification Support
Coordinate with certification bodies and manage all auditor interactions.
Your Path to ISO 27701
Certification Timeline
Here is how a typical engagement runs, week by week. Your scope sets the actual pace.
- Weeks 1-2
Privacy Scoping & Gap Analysis
Define PIMS scope, map personal data flows, and assess current privacy posture against ISO 27701.
- Weeks 3-8
PIMS Documentation
Develop privacy policies, data protection procedures, records of processing activities (ROPA).
- Weeks 9-16
Privacy Controls Implementation
Deploy controller and processor controls, establish data subject rights processes.
- Weeks 17-20
Privacy Impact Assessments
Conduct PIAs for high-risk processing, document mitigation measures.
- Weeks 21-24
Internal Privacy Audit
Perform internal PIMS audit, management review, and remediate gaps.
- Weeks 25-28
Certification Audit
Stage 1 (document review) and Stage 2 (on-site audit) by accredited certification body.
Why Choose Us
Your Trusted Privacy Partner
Choose Tranquility for unparalleled expertise in ISO 27701 PIMS certification and global privacy law alignment.
ISO 27001 + PIMS Expertise
Deep experience implementing ISO 27701 as an extension to existing ISO 27001 certified organizations.
Global Privacy Knowledge
Expert understanding of GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA, and international privacy law alignment.
6–10 Month Timeline
Structured PIMS implementation roadmap from gap analysis to certification.
Learning Resources
Explore Our ISO 27701 Hub
Comprehensive guides, templates, and resources to support your PIMS certification journey.
PIMS Guide
Privacy Management Framework
Complete guide to establishing Privacy Information Management System for ISO 27701 certification.
GDPR Mapping
GDPR Compliance Alignment
How ISO 27701 maps to GDPR requirements and reduces compliance burden.
Controller Guide
Controller Controls
Implementation guidance for ISO 27701 controller-specific privacy controls.
Processor Guide
Processor Controls
Implementation guidance for ISO 27701 processor-specific privacy controls.
Process Guide
Certification Process
What to expect during ISO 27701 certification: Stage 1, Stage 2, and surveillance audits.
Resources
Templates & Downloads
Free ISO 27701 templates, ROPA registers, privacy policies, and PIA frameworks.
Proof
In their words.
Quotes verbatim from G2. Company names added where the client confirmed them.
Instead of simply providing generic templates or checklists, their team took the time to understand our environment and requirements.
Anand .Market Risk Analyst · Mid-MarketCompliance readiness · September 2026
The team’s willingness to work with us and ease of communication.
sam v.CEO · Small-BusinessSOC 2 Type I + ISO 27001 · August 2026
They delivered the project with speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
Maneet P.Mid-MarketSOC 2 · August 2026
My only regret is that we didn’t engage them sooner in our compliance journey, which would have saved us even more time.
Mahesh Raju C. · XonarSmall-BusinessSOC 2 · GRC · August 2026
They were always responsive and willing to go the extra mile whenever we had questions or needed guidance.
Chandan J. · DsiderSmall-BusinessSOC 2 Type I · August 2026
Managing the auditor relationship on our behalf was especially valuable — it took a lot of pressure off our internal team.
Achyut B.Senior Software Engineer · Small-BusinessSOC 2 + ISO 27001 · September 2026
Their focus on ensuring that we were genuinely audit-ready rather than simply completing documentation.
Ravi V.Founder & CEO · Mid-MarketSOC 2 Type II · August 2026
The guidance was not generic or simply based on a standard checklist — they suggested practical approaches that made sense for our business.
Verified UserInternational Trade and Development · Small-BusinessSOC 2 + ISO 27001 · September 2026
What I like best is the hands-on support and clear guidance throughout the SOC 1 and SOC 2 process.
Sai Sudha S. · ExcersSmall-BusinessSOC 1 + SOC 2 · September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything teams ask before starting an ISO 27701 PIMS engagement.
What is ISO 27701 and how does it relate to ISO 27001?
ISO/IEC 27701:2019 is an extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 that adds Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) requirements. It provides additional controls for managing personally identifiable information (PII) as a controller and/or processor. Per ISO, organizations must hold (or pursue in parallel) ISO 27001 certification to achieve ISO 27701 certification, because the PIMS extends the underlying ISMS.
How does ISO 27701 help with GDPR and India's DPDP Act compliance?
ISO 27701 includes a published mapping to the EU GDPR. It operationalises records of processing activities (Article 30), data protection by design and by default (Article 25), data protection impact assessments (Article 35), data subject rights, and processor obligations (Article 28). The same PIMS controls — lawful basis, purpose limitation, consent, breach notification and data-principal rights — map cleanly onto India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023. Certification is not automatic legal compliance, but it gives auditors and regulators documented, systematic evidence of privacy governance.
Do I need ISO 27001 before pursuing ISO 27701?
Yes. ISO 27701 is a PIMS extension to ISO 27001 — it cannot be certified standalone. You must either hold a valid ISO 27001 certificate or implement both standards simultaneously. ISO 27701 layers controller-specific (Annex A) and processor-specific (Annex B) privacy controls on top of the ISO 27001 information-security foundation.
What is the difference between controller and processor controls?
ISO 27701 splits its PII-specific requirements into two annexes. Annex A controls (Clause 7) apply to PII controllers — organisations that determine the purposes and means of processing (e.g. deciding what customer data to collect). Annex B controls (Clause 8) apply to PII processors — organisations that process data on behalf of controllers (e.g. SaaS platforms, payroll providers, cloud vendors). Many organisations are both, and the Statement of Applicability must justify which controls apply.
What do auditors actually check in an ISO 27701 audit?
Auditors verify that your data inventory and Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) are complete and current, that a lawful basis is documented for every processing activity, and that data-subject-rights requests (access, rectification, erasure, portability) are handled within statutory deadlines with evidence. They sample Data Protection Impact Assessments for high-risk processing, test data-processing agreements with sub-processors, and review breach-notification runbooks. The PIMS-specific Statement of Applicability and a privacy-focused management review are mandatory artefacts at Stage 1.
How long does ISO 27701 certification take?
Timeline depends on your ISO 27001 status. If you already hold ISO 27001, expect roughly 6–10 months for PIMS implementation and certification. If pursuing both standards together, plan for 12–18 months. The main variables are data-processing complexity, the number of sub-processors and cross-border transfers, organisational size, and existing privacy maturity.
How much does ISO 27701 certification cost?
At Tranquility, ISO 27701 engagements are scoped case by case, depending on scope, number of processing activities and whether it is bundled with ISO 27001. The engagement covers consulting (gap analysis, PIMS documentation, RoPA build, internal audit) and certification-body coordination. Accredited certification-body Stage 1/Stage 2 and surveillance fees are billed separately by the registrar. Request a scoped quote via our contact page.
Keep Exploring
Related Reading.
Privacy
ISO 27701 Certification Guide
Combined ISO 27001 + 27701 audit path to a PIMS certificate.
Read morePrivacy
PIMS Framework Explained
How the Privacy Information Management System extends an ISMS.
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Controller Controls (Annex A)
PII controller-specific controls mapped to GDPR obligations.
Read morePrivacy
ISO 27701 × GDPR Alignment
How ISO 27701 maps onto GDPR Articles — and what it proves.
Read moreISO 27001
ISO 27001 Overview
The ISMS standard — the baseline certificate global buyers ask for.
Read morePrivacy
GDPR Compliance
The EU's data protection regulation for any company with EU users.
Read more