ISO 27018
ISO 27018 is a privacy-focused security standard that extends ISO 27001 to provide additional controls for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in cloud environments.
Scope and Applicability.
ISO 27018 applies to cloud service providers (CSPs) processing PII on behalf of customers. It is particularly relevant for SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS providers, as well as organizations handling sensitive personal data in cloud environments, including healthcare, finance, and e-commerce sectors.
Key Requirements.
PII-Specific Security Controls – Extends ISO 27001 with additional data privacy protections for cloud environments.
Consent and Data Subject Rights – Ensures cloud providers obtain valid consent before processing personal data.
Data Encryption & Anonymization – Requires encryption, masking, and pseudonymization to protect cloud-stored PII.
Cloud Data Access & Transparency – Defines policies for customer access to stored data and disclosure limitations.
Third-Party & Vendor Risk Management – Ensures sub-processors and third-party cloud vendors comply with ISO 27018 privacy controls.
Enforcement and Penalties.
ISO 27018 compliance is voluntary but often required for cloud service contracts.
Non-compliance can lead to data breaches, reputational damage, and legal actions under GDPR, CCPA, and similar privacy laws.
Failure to implement PII protection measures may result in loss of business partnerships and regulatory scrutiny.
Main Challenges.
Organizations face challenges in ensuring compliance across multi-cloud environments and managing data privacy in a shared responsibility model. Implementing consistent security policies while maintaining regulatory alignmentacross different jurisdictions can be complex.
Blue INK Security provides ISO 27018 compliance consulting, cloud data privacy assessments, and PII protection strategies to help organizations secure cloud-based personal data, meet privacy regulations, and enhance consumer trust.