What You Should Know About ISO 27018 Compliance

 


In today’s digital-first world, organizations heavily rely on cloud computing to store, manage, and process personal and confidential data. While cloud technology has revolutionized operational agility and cost efficiency, it also brings increased exposure to cyber threats. A single breach can damage customer trust, ruin reputations, and invite regulatory scrutiny.

This is why data privacy standards need to be both comprehensive and continuously updated. Among the most critical additions to global data protection regulations is ISO/IEC 27018 — a specialized extension of the ISO 27001 framework, designed specifically to address personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments.

So, what does ISO 27018 entail? Who needs it? And how can your organization get certified? Let’s break it all down.

What Is the ISO/IEC 27018 Security Standard?

ISO/IEC 27018 is the first international standard focused on protecting PII in cloud services. Published in 2014, it builds upon ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002, offering a code of practice specifically for public cloud service providers who act as PII processors.

It serves two main purposes:

  1. Enhancing the controls of ISO/IEC 27001 with cloud-specific privacy protections.

  2. Guiding cloud providers in implementing safeguards to meet the unique risks and legal requirements associated with PII.

This standard addresses cloud-specific risks that ISO 27002 does not fully cover, making ISO 27018 an essential layer for any business operating in the cloud.

Why PII Protection Matters in the Cloud

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can be used to uniquely identify an individual. Common examples include:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Address

  • Phone number

  • IP address

  • Bank account details

  • Medical history

As companies transition from on-premise systems to the cloud, securing PII becomes increasingly important. Cloud platforms enable better accessibility and scalability, but they also heighten the risk of data breaches. Under ISO 27018, cloud service providers are categorized as data processors, while the businesses that own the data remain data controllers. Both are accountable for protecting sensitive information.

Key practices to protect PII include:

  • Data minimization – only collecting and retaining essential information

  • Encryption – during both storage and transmission

  • Access controls – limiting access to authorized users

  • Employee training – ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities

  • Secure deletion policies – for removing outdated data

  • Information governance strategies – defining roles and controls for data lifecycle management

Core Objectives of ISO/IEC 27018 Compliance

ISO 27018 provides a structured approach for public cloud providers to demonstrate trustworthiness in how they manage PII. Its objectives include:

  • Helping cloud providers fulfill contractual obligations and protect personal data effectively

  • Ensuring potential clients have access to well-managed cloud-based PII services

  • Assisting organizations and cloud vendors in drafting compliant service contracts

  • Providing a reliable audit and compliance framework for PII protection in the cloud

Benefits of ISO/IEC 27018 Compliance

Organizations that adopt ISO/IEC 27018 stand to gain multiple strategic advantages:

  • Boosted customer confidence through transparent data protection practices

  • Competitive differentiation in the cloud services market

  • Reduced risk of data breaches and associated reputational harm

  • Minimized legal and regulatory penalties through better compliance

  • Simplified international operations with standardized data governance

  • Stronger vendor-client trust by aligning with globally recognized protocols

Recent Changes to the ISO/IEC 27018 Standard

Since its inception, ISO 27018 has seen a few updates to stay relevant:

  • 2019 Update: Introduced background context and reclassified it from a full standard to a guidance document

  • 2020 Update: Incorporated minor technical revisions, with core principles remaining intact

These updates reflect the growing complexity of cloud environments and evolving privacy expectations.

Get ISO 27018 Certified with Akitra

In today’s hyper-connected digital economy, trust is a competitive advantage. With increasing scrutiny on how companies handle sensitive data, clients and partners are prioritizing vendors who can prove they take privacy seriously. ISO 27018 certification is a powerful way to earn that trust.

At Akitra, we make compliance simple and scalable. Our AI-powered Compliance Automation Platform streamlines the entire ISO 27018 certification process — from policy creation to automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring. We also support a wide range of frameworks, including:

  • ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27017, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA

  • NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, NIST CSF, FedRAMP, CMMC

  • CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark and more

With Akitra, you can:

  • Achieve ISO 27018 compliance faster and at lower cost

  • Avoid audit delays with automated readiness checks

  • Scale compliance efforts across multiple standards

  • Tap into expert guidance from start to finish

We also offer advanced tools like Risk Management, Trust Center, and AI-based Questionnaire Response Automation to simplify your compliance lifecycle and save on operational costs.

Final Thoughts

ISO 27018 compliance is no longer optional for organizations managing personal data in the cloud — it’s a strategic imperative. Whether you’re a cloud service provider or a SaaS company handling sensitive client data, aligning with ISO 27018 not only strengthens your security posture but also enhances trust with customers and stakeholders.

Ready to make your cloud privacy strategy bulletproof? Partner with Akitra and achieve ISO 27018 certification with confidence.


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