ISO 27018 Protection of Personally Identifiable Information in Cloud Services

ISO/IEC 27018:2019 is an international standard dedicated to the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments. It provides cloud service providers with a structured framework for managing and securing personal data, supporting transparency, accountability, and compliance with global privacy requirements. Kiwa assists cloud service providers and data processors in implementing and certifying ISO 27018, helping organizations demonstrate responsible data management and build customer trust in their data protection practices.

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What is ISO 27018?

ISO 27018 builds on the foundations of ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 by introducing targeted controls and best practices for protecting personal data in cloud computing environments, especially when processing information on behalf of clients. The standard offers guidance on 16 enhanced ISO 27002 controls and adds 25 privacy-specific measures, helping cloud service providers address requirements such as cooperation with data controllers, safeguarding data subject rights, upholding privacy principles like transparency and data minimization, managing subcontractors and cross-border data transfers, and strengthening accountability and incident response procedures

 

 Benefits of the Service

  • Achieving ISO 27018 certification with Kiwa delivers clear advantages:
  • Enhanced customer trust – Demonstrate to clients that their data is handled securely and ethically.
  • Reduced privacy risk – Mitigate the risk of data breaches and regulatory penalties.
  • Regulatory compliance – Aligns with GDPR and other international data protection frameworks.
  • Competitive advantage – Stand out in tenders and contracts where privacy assurance is required.
  • Extension to ISO 27001 – Builds upon your existing information security certification.
  • Comprehensive privacy framework – Ensures structured management of data privacy within cloud operations.

 

Why Choose Kiwa?

Kiwa serves as an independent and reliable certification body with extensive expertise in information security, privacy, and cloud assurance. Organizations benefit from certifications recognized worldwide, supported by in-depth knowledge of ISO standards and GDPR requirements. Kiwa’s auditors have practical experience in cloud and data privacy, ensuring assessments are both relevant and thorough. Integrated certification options, such as ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27701, and BS 10012, help streamline compliance efforts. Tailored support is provided for ongoing compliance and continual improvement, enabling organizations to strengthen confidence, resilience, and digital trust in their operations.

 

The certification process with Kiwa

    Define Scope and Prepare Proposal

    Kiwa collaborates with your organization to understand your cloud environment, the types of data you process, and your specific responsibilities. Based on this information, a tailored certification proposal is developed, clearly outlining the scope and objectives of the assessment.

    Audit and Assessment

    The certification audit is conducted in two stages.
    Stage 1: Kiwa reviews your documentation, privacy controls, and overall readiness to ensure your management system has been operational for at least three months, with completed internal audits and management reviews.
    Stage 2: An on-site or hybrid audit is carried out to assess the implementation of security measures and verify compliance with ISO 27018 requirements.

    Certification and Ongoing Improvement

    After successful completion of the audit, Kiwa issues the ISO 27018 certificate, valid for three years. To maintain certification, annual surveillance audits are performed, along with a recertification audit in the third year, supporting ongoing compliance and continual improvement.

Is ISO 27018 Certification Right for your Organization?

ISO 27018 certification helps you prove that your organization takes data privacy, transparency, and accountability seriously — essential in today’s digital economy.

ISO 27018 is designed for cloud service providers (CSPs) and organizations that process personal data on behalf of others. It is particularly relevant if you:

  • Operate cloud-based services that handle or store personal data.

 

  • Need to demonstrate compliance with GDPR or other privacy regulations.

 

  • Provide SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS platforms with global clients.

 

  • Want to strengthen customer confidence and differentiate your services through certified privacy assurance.

 

Frequent Q&A

What is ISO 27018 and who should use it?

ISO 27018 is a standard for protecting personal data in public cloud environments, intended for cloud service providers and organizations processing PII in the cloud.

How does ISO 27018 relate to other standards?

It extends ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002, and aligns with ISO 27017, ISO 27701, and BS 10012, supporting a comprehensive privacy and security framework.

What are the main benefits of ISO 27018 certification?

Certification demonstrates robust privacy controls, supports regulatory compliance, and builds trust with customers and partners.

Does ISO 27018 help with GDPR compliance?

Yes, ISO 27018 provides a structured approach to privacy that supports GDPR and other international data protection requirements.

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