.svg)
Two names pop up fast when teams start sorting out privacy and security responsibilities: GDPR and ISO 27001. They are not competing “either-or” choices, and they do not solve the same problem. GDPR is a legal requirement for personal data processing, while ISO 27001 is a certifiable management system for information security.
But how do they relate to each other? Where do they differ? And how can they support one another?
In this blog, we’ll briefly go through ISO 27001 and GDPR, look at their similarities and differences, and explain how ISO 27001 can support GDPR compliance. We’ll also take a quick look at why GDPR and ISO 27701 are often mentioned together.
ISO 27001 and GDPR: a quick introduction
Let’s start with a short recap of the two chosen frameworks.
ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It provides a structured approach for managing information security risks.
By implementing an ISMS, organizations can:
- Identify and assess information security risks
- Implement appropriate security controlsContinuously improve their security posture
In short, ISO 27001 helps you build a systematic and risk-based approach to protecting information assets.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
GDPR is an EU regulation designed to protect individuals’ personal data and privacy. It sets requirements for how organizations collect, process, store, and transfer personal data.
Under GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is:
- Processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently
- Collected for specific purposes
- Limited to what is necessary
- Kept accurate and up to date
- Stored only as long as needed
- Properly secured
GDPR also strengthens individuals’ rights and requires organizations to clearly explain how personal data is used, typically through privacy notices and policies.
How ISO 27001 compliance can help with GDPR requirements
Over 60% of organizations use ISO 27001 as a framework to meet GDPR requirements.
While ISO 27001 -standard does not cover the GDPR entirely, it can it significantly help organizations meet GDPR requirements and beyond.
1. Data protection
To start with the most obvious one, this is a core focus for both frameworks.
ISO 27001 helps organizations implement technical and organizational security measures to protect information, including personal data. GDPR requires these same types of measures to ensure “appropriate security.”
The difference is that:
⭐️ GDPR defines the legal requirements to protect personal data through technical and organizational measures
🌐 ISO 27001 provides a structured way to implement them
2. Risk management
Risk management is another core principle in both ISO 27001 and GDPR.
GDPR requires organizations to assess data protection risks, for example through Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). ISO 27001, on the other hand, is built around continuous risk assessment and treatment.
With ISO 27001, organizations:
- Identify risks to information (including personal data)
- Evaluate their impact and likelihood
- Implement controls to reduce them
- Continuously monitor and improve
This directly supports GDPR’s requirement to implement "appropriate" technical and organizational measures.
3. Third-party management
Both ISO 27001:2022 and GDPR emphasize managing third-party risks.
🌐 ISO 27001 requires organizations to assess and manage supplier security risks.
⭐️ GDPR requires organizations to ensure that data processors comply with data protection requirements.
Implementing ISO 27001’s supplier management processes helps meet GDPR’s due diligence and contractual requirements for external data processors.
4. Continuous improvement
GDPR compliance is not a one-time project. It requires ongoing monitoring, updates, and training.
ISO 27001 supports this through:
- Internal audits
- Management reviews
- Corrective actions
- Continuous improvement processes
This ensures that data protection measures are regularly reviewed and improved, aligning directly with GDPR expectations.
5. Confidentiality & Data Retention
Confidentiality and access control are essential when we are talking about data protection. GDPR states that organizations need to place sufficient measures to guard sensitive data, and ISO 27001 goes even more detailed by requiring organizations to build and implement access control policy with appropriate procedures.
Organisation need to also comply with data retention requirements, as GDPR requires the personal data to only be kept as long as needed, and ISO 27001 can help define the retention policies and safe deletion of data.
6. Incident management
GDPR and ISO 27001 both play a role in incident management.
GDPR mandates that organizations detect, report, and respond to data breaches, with certain breaches requiring notification within 72 hours.
ISO 27001 provides a structured incident management process to help organizations efficiently detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. Implementing this framework ensures compliance with GDPR’s breach notification rules and reduces risks to data subjects.
7. Accountability & documentation
Accountability is a key principle under GDPR. Organizations must be able to demonstrate compliance.
GDPR mandates that data controllers and processors maintain records of processing activities and security measures, while ISO 27001 requires documented policies and security controls as proof of adherence.
Both frameworks also stress top management commitment and continuous improvement, ensuring security and privacy are integrated into organizational culture.
ISO 27001 requires documented:
- Policies
- Procedures
- Risk assessments
- Controls
- Audit records
This structured documentation makes it easier to show compliance during a GDPR audit and reduces the overall compliance burden.
Compare GDPR and ISO 27001 in practice
If you want to see how GDPR and ISO 27001 overlap in more detail, you can use Cyberday’s free Framework Comparison Tool. It allows you to compare the requirements side by side and see how much of GDPR is supported by ISO 27001 controls and where additional work may be needed.
Bonus: ISO 27701 + GDPR ⭐️
ISO 27701 is an extension of ISO 27001, provides guidelines for privacy management, supporting GDPR compliance further. While ISO 27001 focuses on information security, ISO 27701 enhances it by adding privacy controls, aligning closely with GDPR’s data protection requirements.
While ISO 27001 concentrates on information security, ISO 27701 adds privacy controls and aligns closely with GDPR requirements.
With ISO 27701, organizations can:
- Define roles of data controllers and processors
- Structure privacy processes
- Support data subject rights management
- Strengthen privacy governance
Together, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 create a strong framework for both information security and privacy management. This combination makes it easier to demonstrate GDPR compliance and adapt to future regulatory changes.
In conclusion
Overall, both ISO 27001 an GDPR have the common goal to protect data. Although the requirements may differ between the frameworks the main idea is the same for many of the themes.
ISO 27001 supports many GDPR requirements. For example, if we look at access control: while GDPR requires organisations to put in place appropriate technical and organisational measures, ISO 27001 provides concrete measures on how access control should be done.
By combining all these frameworks, you protect sensitive data and build trust with clients and stakeholders, showing your commitment to top data protection standards. Embracing ISO 27001 ensures you have both the technical tools and the right mindset to succeed in a data-focused world.
