ISO/IEC 27701 & 42001 implementation support
We guide organisations through end-to-end implementation of:
ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management)
ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management System)
Our team helps you build compliant PIMS and AI management frameworks, streamline certification audits, and align with GDPR, UAE PDPL and emerging AI governance requirements.
Key Benefits:
✔ Certification-ready privacy and AI management frameworks
✔ Streamlined audit preparation
✔ Alignment with GDPR, UAE PDPL and AI governance standards
✔ A defensible, documented approach to AI risk
ISO/IEC 27701 and ISO/IEC 42001 in plain terms
- ISO/IEC 27701 is the international standard for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It sets out how to manage personal data responsibly and supports compliance with laws such as GDPR and the UAE PDPL. The 2025 edition, published in October 2025, is a standalone standard that can be certified without ISO/IEC 27001, although many organisations still implement the two together.
- ISO/IEC 42001 is the international standard for an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). It covers how organisations govern, develop and use AI responsibly, including risk, transparency and oversight.
Both are management-system standards. That means certification is about showing that you run a documented, repeatable and continually improving process, not about a one-off checklist. Certification is issued by independent accredited certification bodies. We prepare you for it and do not certify you ourselves. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Why organisations pursue them
- Enterprise and government customers increasingly ask for evidence of privacy and AI governance in tenders and security reviews
- A recognised framework gives your privacy and AI work structure and makes it easier to maintain
- It supports compliance with UAE PDPL, DIFC DPL, ADGM DPR, KSA PDPL, GDPR and AI rules, but does not replace the legal requirements themselves
- It reduces reliance on individual people by building clear roles, processes and records
What our implementation support covers
- Readiness and gap assessment: comparing your current practices with the standard’s requirements and controls.
- Scope and context: defining which parts of the business, systems and data are in the management system.
- Roles and governance: setting responsibilities, policies and objectives, and getting leadership commitment.
- Risk and control framework: privacy risk assessments, DPIAs and, for AI, AI risk and impact assessments.
- Documentation and records: procedures, records of processing and the evidence an auditor will ask for.
- Training and awareness: short sessions so staff understand their part in the system.
- Internal audit and management review: testing the system before the certification audit.
- Certification audit support: helping you prepare for, and respond to, the certification body’s audit.
Who it suits
Technology and SaaS companies, financial services, healthcare and professional services firms, and any organisation that handles significant volumes of personal data or builds and deploys AI and wants a credible way to prove it.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need ISO/IEC 27001 before ISO/IEC 27701?
No. Under the 2025 edition of ISO/IEC 27701, ISO/IEC 27001 certification is not a prerequisite, although an existing information security management system makes the work easier. If you already hold a certificate to the 2019 edition, check your certification body’s transition timetable. We will confirm the right approach for your situation when we scope the project.
Is ISO/IEC 42001 mandatory?
No. It is voluntary, but it is increasingly requested by customers and gives you a structured, certifiable approach to responsible AI.
Does certification mean we comply with the law?
No. A standard supports compliance but is not a substitute for it. We map the standard to the laws that apply to you so that both are covered. See our UAE and regional compliance service.
How long does it take?
It depends on your size, current maturity and scope. A gap analysis gives you a realistic timeline.
Who performs the certification audit?
An accredited certification body of your choice. We help you select and prepare for it, but we do not issue the certificate.