ISO 27001 vs ISO 27701 in Australia — Which, When, and Why Both?

ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 are two halves of the same story — one for information security (ISMS), the other for privacy management (PIMS).

Most Australian organisations now pursue both certifications together to deliver end-to-end assurance across confidentiality, integrity, and personal data protection.

This article breaks down the key differences, pros and cons, and shows how a unified ISMS + PIMS reduces effort, cost, and vendor due-diligence headaches.

1️⃣ ISO 27001 vs ISO 27701 — Quick Overview

Aspect	ISO 27001 (ISMS)	ISO 27701 (PIMS)
Purpose	Protect information assets against security threats	Ensure lawful and transparent handling of personal data
Core System	Information Security Management System (ISMS)	Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
Framework Basis	ISO/IEC 27001:2022 & 27002:2022	ISO/IEC 27701:2025 (extension of 27001/27002)
Typical Outputs	Risk register, Statement of Applicability, internal audit plan, corrective actions	DPIA framework, ROPA, rights request logs, processor clauses, privacy metrics
Audit Focus	Risk → control → evidence → management review cycle	Lawful basis → records → oversight → data subject rights

💡 Both are certifiable. You can achieve ISO 27001 certification first and add 27701 later, or combine both in one audit program.

2️⃣ When ISO 27001 Alone Is Enough

You manage mainly business information (e.g. internal systems, credentials, IP).
Your customers only require information security assurance (not privacy governance).
You have limited personal data exposure — for instance, B2B SaaS with user emails only.
You’re building your first ISMS and want a focused certification in 8–12 weeks.

✅ Outcome: You establish a secure foundation and can expand later to 27701 without re-doing your governance system.

3️⃣ When to Add ISO 27701

You handle end-user or patient data, or any PII from EU/UK/AU residents.
You answer vendor privacy questionnaires (DPIAs, ROPA, rights requests).
You’re subject to Privacy Act reforms, GDPR equivalents, or APRA CPG 235 expectations.
You want to demonstrate “privacy by design” and “data minimisation” controls to buyers.

🧭 Hint: If your product collects, analyses, or shares personal data — ISO 27701 is no longer optional.

4️⃣ Pros & Cons of Implementing Both Together

Pros (dual implementation)	Cons (to manage)
Unified governance — one risk framework, one audit calendar, one management review	Slightly larger documentation set (privacy artefacts + security controls)
Reduced audit costs (dual certification sessions)	Requires privacy subject matter expert input early in design
Stronger buyer trust — tick both security & privacy boxes in RFPs	More internal stakeholders (Legal, IT, Security, Data Governance)
Continuous improvement across both domains drives maturity faster	Audit sampling can feel heavier if artefacts are not automated

Dual certification typically adds only 20–30 percent extra effort but delivers twice the assurance and procurement reach.

5️⃣ Typical Timelines

ISO 27001 only: 8–12 weeks with tight scope and ready evidence.
Add ISO 27701: 4–8 weeks additional if ISMS already operational.
Dual implementation: ≈ 12–16 weeks end-to-end for most SaaS or health organisations.

✅ Accelerator: When both are implemented together, the audit phases and documentation cycles can be synchronised, cutting overall certification time by 30–40%.

6️⃣ What Dual Certification Proves

Security Assurance (ISO 27001): Controls protect information and infrastructure.
Privacy Accountability (ISO 27701): You govern personal data ethically and lawfully.
Operational Integration: Risk, audit, and evidence flows are unified.
Regulatory and Buyer Trust: Fast-tracks health, government and enterprise procurements.

🎯 Bottom line: Security without privacy is half a story — dual certification shows complete governance and builds lasting trust with customers and regulators.

Next Steps

Explore our ISO 27001 services and ISO 27701 services, download the ISO 27701 readiness checklist, or book a roadmap call to plan dual implementation that delivers results faster.

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