Privacy information management system (PIMS) issues stem from insufficient controls or protections. In addition to causing regulatory fines and reputational damage, these failures threaten business continuity by forcing organizations to shift focus from critical operations to crisis response, remediation and recovery efforts.
The Link Between Privacy Information Management and Business Continuity
Data privacy failures paralyze operations. Teams are forced to focus on incident response rather than their essential, everyday responsibilities. When a breach occurs, teams must immediately pivot to contain the damage, notify affected parties and coordinate with legal counsel. Businesses may face mandatory system shutdowns during forensic investigations. Employees cannot access critical systems, which prevents them from serving customers or completing transactions.
Customer trust and brand loyalty suffer in the months and years following an incident. Customer churn and diminished company value can affect cash flow, impeding a company’s ability to maintain critical operations. When stakeholders lose confidence, revenue declines at the worst possible time — just when the organization needs capital for recovery and rebuilding.
Common Data Privacy Challenges Organizations Face
Risk managers must determine which certification bodies hold legitimate accreditation from recognized authorities. The marketplace includes numerous providers, but not all meet stringent competency benchmarks or can deliver audits that withstand regulatory scrutiny. Without clear guidance on accreditation status, companies may invest time and resources in programs that cannot demonstrate genuine compliance capability.
What Is the Standard for Privacy Information Management?
ISO 27701:2019 is a data privacy extension to ISO 27001. It provides a framework for complying with data privacy requirements across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments. Those pursuing ISO 27701 certification need either an existing ISO 27001 certification or can implement both standards together in a single audit.
Since ISO/IEC 27701:2025 is the international standard for a PIMS, achieving it requires all relevant controls cover an organization's operating context. This often includes the processes in place for management and oversight.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest developer of voluntary international standards. ISO certification signals organizational maturity and demonstrates a privacy-first mindset to stakeholders, regulators and customers who are evaluating risk posture.
The Business Benefits of Becoming ISO 27701 Certified
ISO 27701 helps businesses effectively manage personal data risks and demonstrate compliance with global privacy regulations, including GDPR, CCPA and similar frameworks. The standard provides a structured approach to identifying where personally identifiable information resides, how it flows through systems and what controls protect it throughout its life cycle.
An ISO 27701-certified PIMS modernizes privacy management practices by making them clearer, more defensible and better aligned with modern regulations. Companies gain documented procedures which support current compliance obligations while building a foundation adaptable to emerging requirements.
Studies show the number of ISO certifications a firm has correlates positively with its return on assets and Tobin's Q, the ratio between its market value and the replacement cost of its assets. This financial impact extends beyond compliance costs to measurable improvements in operational efficiency and market valuation.
Certification demonstrates a company takes data privacy seriously, building trust among clients and customers. It provides transparency into how personal information is handled and establishes accountability through independent third-party verification. This perception advantage can differentiate companies in competitive markets where buyers evaluate vendor risk management capabilities.
The rigorous requirements also push companies to establish clear roles and responsibilities. Through certification processes, organizational structures support both transparency and accountability.
What Are the Top-Rated ISO 27701 Certification Providers?
When evaluating top-rated ISO 27701 certification providers, enterprise risk managers prioritize ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation, technical competence and ISO/IEC 27001 integration with existing frameworks, such as those offered by NQA, A-LIGN, Intertek and DNV.
Whether pursuing certification for the first time or transitioning from ISO 27701:2019 to ISO 27701:2025, businesses can trust these providers to deliver thorough, credible audits.
NQA is an accredited certification body providing global audit, certification, training and support services. It helps companies implement and maintain management systems and has issued tens of thousands of certificates to clients in over 90 countries.
NQA became ANAB-accredited for ISO 27701 services in early 2020. Its more than 12 trained, mentored and experienced PIMS auditors conducted some of the first ISO 27701 audits in the United States. Its third-party auditing approach offers additional insights into ISO/IEC 27001 integration and how organizations can meet both standards simultaneously.
ISO 27701 requires companies to meet stringent requirements and successfully complete an audit. The auditor must review multiple environments to ensure privacy management is adequate and documented across all relevant systems and processes.
A-LIGN is a leading ISO 27001 certification provider, delivering in-depth audits on time and on budget. As an accredited ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 body, it holds recognition from major accreditation authorities.
It was the first to receive ANAB accreditation for ISO 27701:2025. This positions it at the forefront of updated standard implementation. Rather than checking boxes, it tailors each audit to the business. It takes time to understand the workplace's inner workings, which is why the company has a 96% client satisfaction rating.
Since its founding in 2009, its team of 400 auditors has completed over 36,000 audits and almost 6,000 ISO assessments. It works with companies of all sizes, ranging from startups to enterprises. The team can conduct multiple audits simultaneously. By reusing submissions across additional frameworks, companies save thousands in resource costs.
As a total quality assurance provider, Intertek delivers compliance assurance services, certifying systems meet safety, quality and sustainability standards. As an accredited certification body, Intertek supports ISO/IEC 27001 programs for firms establishing information security management systems.
Its third-party auditing service offers independent, objective assurance by formally confirming products and services meet all relevant standards. Beyond issuing certificates, Intertek equips clients with tools to minimize security and privacy risks through ongoing monitoring and assessment.
As an accredited third-party certification body, DNV helps businesses achieve ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701 certifications. Its auditors have real-world experience in information and communications technology. This enables them to understand the challenges tech companies face in the U.S. market.
These U.S.-based auditors understand domestic regulations, industry trends and client expectations specific to the North American context. Clients also have access to a dedicated customer experience manager who keeps the certification process seamless.
DNV offers a digital tool suite for use throughout the certification life cycle. The suite supports progress tracking, documentation management and compliance maintenance. These tools help both startups and enterprises maintain their status and prepare for surveillance audits.
Comparing ISO 27701 Certification Bodies at a Glance
The table below compares key attributes of each provider to help businesses evaluate options beyond marketing claims. Accreditation status, privacy expertise, and global coverage are key factors which will help risk managers make informed decisions about auditor competence and consistency.
| Provider | Accreditation Status | Privacy and InfoSec Expertise | Global Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NQA | ANAB accredited since 2018 | Has 12 trained PIMS auditors. Conducts combined ISO 27001/27701 audits | Over 90 countries |
| A-LIGN | First firm to receive ANAB accreditation for ISO 27701:2025 | Has 400 auditors. Has conducted 6,000 ISO assessments | Multinational capability |
| Intertek | Accredited certification body | Total quality assurance provider with a security and privacy focus | Global operations |
| DNV | Accredited certification body | Auditors have real-world ICT experience | U.S.-based with international reach |
Frequently Asked Questions About ISO 27701 Certification
Organizations evaluating ISO 27701 often have practical questions about implementation, cost savings, and requirements for transitioning between standard versions. The following questions address common concerns risk managers face when planning privacy management initiatives.
Why is privacy management important?
Privacy information management should safeguard against financial, legal and reputational damage. It establishes proactive controls that prevent breaches rather than reacting to incidents after they occur.
What if a company is already certified under ISO 27701:2019?
Companies with ISO 27701:2019 certificates must formally transition to ISO 27701:2025. A formal transition period has been established following publication of the revised standard. This period typically lasts up to three years but is subject to the accreditation body’s rules. The deadline falls in 2028, giving companies time to update their privacy controls to align with the revised requirements.
Is it possible to combine ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 audits?
Companies with ISO 27001 in place can integrate ISO 27701 into their next audit and assessment cycle. Companies without ISO 27001 certification can pursue both standards simultaneously to establish their information security and privacy management programs.
Combining audits saves time, preparation effort and resource costs. ISO/IEC 27001 integration streamlines processes by enabling organizations to address both standards in a unified approach. They thus avoid duplicating evidence collection and reduce the auditor's on-site time.
Organizations Should Invest in Data Privacy Compliance
Companies that establish robust data privacy through integration with ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 position themselves for success. Should incidents occur, they can withstand regulatory scrutiny, maintain customer trust and ensure operational stability.
Effective PIMS is a strategic imperative for modern business continuity and resilience. By working with ANAB-accredited certification bodies, risk managers gain the assurance to protect both data and continuity.
