ISO/IEC 27018:2025 is the international standard focused on protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments, particularly when a cloud service provider acts as a PII processor. It extends ISO 27002 by tailoring security and privacy controls to address cloud-specific risks. The standard requires clear accountability, transparency on data handling, breach notifications, and strict rules for subcontractor use. It also emphasizes secure collection, processing, storage, and deletion of personal data. By adopting ISO 27018, cloud providers demonstrate strong privacy practices, regulatory compliance, and a commitment to safeguarding customer data in line with global data protection expectations.
contact@qcert360.com
With the rapid adoption of cloud services, protecting personally identifiable information (PII) has become a critical priority. Cloud environments introduce unique privacy risks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and misuse of sensitive information. ISO 27018:2025 certification provides internationally recognized guidelines for cloud service providers acting as PII processors, helping organizations implement robust privacy controls, maintain compliance, and build trust with clients and stakeholders.
ISO 27018:2025 is an international standard that focuses on the protection of personal data in cloud computing environments. It extends ISO 27002 controls by providing guidelines specifically for PII processing in public clouds.
The standard is applicable to any organization that stores, processes, or manages personal data in the cloud. It ensures that cloud service providers implement strong security and privacy measures, while also defining responsibilities and accountability for handling PII.
As organizations move sensitive data to the cloud, privacy and regulatory compliance become critical. ISO 27018:2025 helps organizations manage these challenges:
Personal data protection – Ensures PII is securely stored, processed, and transmitted in cloud environments.
Regulatory compliance – Aligns cloud operations with global privacy laws and standards, such as GDPR and CCPA.
Customer trust – Demonstrates a commitment to privacy, enhancing confidence among clients and stakeholders.
Operational security – Implements structured processes for monitoring, incident management, and secure handling of PII.
Market differentiation – Positions the organization as a responsible and privacy-conscious cloud service provider.
Obtaining certification boosts brand visibility and credibility, making products and services more attractive to consumers and increasing market share in global markets.
Certification assure customers of consistent quality, safety, and reliability, fostering trust, increasing brand loyalty, and ensuring higher levels of customer satisfaction.
Certification ensure compliance with global standards and regulations, helping businesses avoid legal issues, penalties, and enabling smoother entry into diverse international markets.
Holding certification distinguishes a business from competitors, signaling superior quality and reliability, and positioning the company as an industry leader in the market.
Certification provide access to new international markets, demonstrating that a business meets global standards, which facilitates expansion and opens doors to new business opportunities worldwide.
Certifications help identify and mitigate risks, streamline operations, and reduce errors or defects, ensuring efficiency and consistency while safeguarding against operational disruptions.
ISO 27018:2025 strengthens information security by adding privacy-focused safeguards for handling personally identifiable information (PII) in the cloud:
Roles and Responsibilities – Establishes clear accountability for processing and protecting PII within cloud environments.
Data Protection Controls – Applies robust measures to preserve confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data.
Consent and Transparency – Ensures individuals are informed about data use and their consent is properly obtained and managed.
Access Management – Limits PII access strictly to authorized personnel based on roles and responsibilities.
Incident Management – Provides structured processes to detect, report, and respond to privacy-related security events.
Compliance Monitoring – Conducts regular assessments and audits to maintain adherence to regulatory and contractual obligations.
Continuous Improvement – Promotes ongoing review and updates to privacy and security practices as risks evolve.
Together, these components form a privacy-centered framework that helps organizations align cloud operations with both regulatory requirements and client expectations.
Organizations that achieve ISO 27018:2025 certification gain significant advantages that extend beyond basic compliance:
Enhanced data privacy – Safeguards personally identifiable information (PII) from unauthorized access, misuse, or accidental exposure in cloud environments.
Regulatory compliance – Demonstrates alignment with global privacy laws and industry regulations, reducing the risk of penalties or legal disputes.
Customer confidence – Strengthens trust with clients, partners, and regulators by showing commitment to secure and transparent PII handling.
Operational efficiency – Optimizes cloud privacy and security processes, minimizing risks while improving internal governance and accountability.
Competitive advantage – Distinguishes the organization as a trusted, privacy-conscious cloud service provider in a crowded marketplace.
Risk mitigation – Identifies and addresses vulnerabilities early, preventing potential privacy issues from escalating into damaging breaches.
By securing both compliance and trust, ISO 27018 certification positions organizations for sustainable growth in the data-driven economy.
ISO 27018:2025 is relevant for organizations that process PII in cloud environments, including:
Cloud service providers – Managing SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS solutions that handle personal data for clients.
IT and software companies – Developing or managing cloud-based applications that store or process PII.
Healthcare and financial institutions – Protecting sensitive client or patient information in cloud systems.
Government agencies – Ensuring secure handling of citizen data in public cloud services.
Any organization using public cloud services – Maintaining privacy, compliance, and secure management of personal data.
In short, any organization that handles PII in the cloud and wants to demonstrate responsible data management can benefit from ISO 27018:2025 certification.
ISO 27018 places strong emphasis on continuous improvement in privacy management. Organizations are expected to regularly audit how personally identifiable information (PII) is handled, assess the effectiveness of privacy controls, and stay aligned with evolving regulatory requirements. This process isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building resilience. By continuously refining policies, training staff, and updating technical safeguards, organizations can adapt to new risks, maintain secure operations, and demonstrate accountability. Over time, this commitment ensures that PII remains well-protected, obligations are consistently met, and trust with clients and stakeholders is reinforced.
ISO 27018:2025 certification goes beyond simple compliance—it provides a strategic foundation for responsible personal data management in cloud environments. By adopting this framework, organizations can safeguard sensitive information, strengthen client confidence, and ensure cloud operations remain secure, transparent, and reliable.
Qcert360 delivers end-to-end support across every stage of the ISO 27018 journey. From conducting detailed gap analyses and PII risk assessments to developing tailored policies, training staff, and preparing for audits, we make the certification process clear and efficient. Partnering with Qcert360 means not just achieving certification but also embedding a culture of privacy, accountability, and trust within your cloud ecosystem.
Qcert360 is a specialized solutions and services provider, focusing on management consulting, training programs, assessments, certifications, and managed services.
Copyright © 2018-2025 Qcert360. All rights reserved. Developed by Qcert360.
Fill out the form to get your project cost in 1 hour