ISO/IEC 27018 Certification – International Recognition

Given the increasing number of personal data breaches and the emergence of strict regulations such as GDPR, businesses using cloud storage services to manage customer personal information are required to prioritize security and comply with data protection principles. Introduced in 2014, the ISO/IEC 27018 standard serves as a framework to help assess and improve the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud computing environments.

SQC VIETNAM CERTIFICATION PROVIDES ISO 27018:2019 CERTIFICATION SERVICES

• ISO 27018:2019 certification is globally recognized by UAF and IAF.
• Supporting businesses in optimizing costs and complying with both domestic and international regulations.
• Highly experienced auditors dedicated to supporting clients.
• Deliver long-term benefits for businesses.

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ISO 27018 – CLOUD DATA PROTECTION STANDARD

The ISO/IEC 27018:2019 standard is an international standard for protecting personal data in cloud storage. The term used for personal data in this standard is Personally Identifiable Information (PII). ISO 27018 is a code of practice for public cloud service providers.

ISO 27018 serves two main purposes:

• Provides additional implementation guidance (supplementing ISO 27002) for controls published in ISO/IEC 27001.
• Offers additional guidance on PII protection requirements for public cloud environments.

These additional control measures are not covered in ISO 27002.

Objectives of ISO 27018:

This standard provides guidelines and principles for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) that organizations collect, process, and store in cloud computing environments, especially from the perspective of cloud service providers.

WHAT IS ISO 27018 CERTIFICATION?

ISO/IEC 27018:2019 certification is the process of assessing and confirming that an organization’s system fully complies with the requirements of the international standard ISO/IEC 27018:2019. This assessment is conducted by a certification body that is authorized and internationally accredited. The objective of the certification is to ensure that the organization operates a structured, effective management system aligned with global standards.

WHICH BUSINESSES SHOULD OBTAIN ISO 27018 CERTIFICATION?

Obtaining ISO 27018:2019 certification is considered one of the first important milestones for businesses. This certification is particularly suitable for:

• Cloud service providers (CSPs)
• Organizations processing large volumes of personal data on cloud platforms
• Technology companies offering software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), or infrastructure as a service (IaaS).

BENEFITS OF ACHIEVING ISO/IEC 27018 CERTIFICATION

In the context where personally identifiable information (PII) is increasingly becoming a sensitive asset – especially when stored and processed in cloud environments – complying with ISO/IEC 27018 brings many practical values to businesses.

Below are the key benefits of achieving ISO/IEC 27018 certification:

Implementation of best security practices

ISO/IEC 27018 certification helps businesses implement advanced, globally recognized data protection principles, ensuring a secure and trustworthy cloud environment.

Risk reduction and reputation protection

Compliance with ISO/IEC 27018:2019 enables businesses to better control access, transmission, and storage of PII, thereby minimizing the risk of data breaches and related reputational damage.

Competitive advantage in the market

In many industries, holding ISO/IEC 27018 certification can be a prerequisite for participating in tenders or signing contracts with major partners who place strong emphasis on data security.

Increasing customer trust

Obtaining ISO/IEC 27018 certification from a reputable body like SQC not only demonstrates a company’s data protection capabilities but also saves time when responding to security assessment questionnaires from potential customers.

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ISO/IEC 27018:2019 CERTIFICATION PROCESS AT SQC CERT VIETNAM

SQC Certification Vietnam provides ISO/IEC 27018 certification services to support businesses in protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in cloud computing environments. The certification process at SQCCERT is designed to be systematic, transparent, and compliant with international principles, including the following steps:

Step 1: Application intake

Businesses provide necessary information to the certification body, including company size, scope of cloud services, and current management systems.
The certification body will then provide a quotation appropriate to the organization’s needs.

Step 2: Contract agreement

Both parties agree on contract terms, regarding the scope, certification timeline, audit duration, and related costs. A formal contract is designed to proceed with the assessment process.

Step 3: Stage 1 audit (Document review)

SQC Certification Vietnam experts review the organization’s information security management system documentation related to PII protection under ISO/IEC 27018.

They also assess the organization’s readiness for the formal audit.

Step 4: Stage 2 audit (On-site assessment)

The certification body will conduct an on-site audit at the organization’s premises to evaluate the implementation and operation of controls in accordance with ISO/IEC 27018. During this stage, both conformities and nonconformities (if any) are recorded, along with opportunities for improvement.

Step 5: Corrective actions (if any)

The organization implements corrective actions based on SQC Certification Vietnam’s guidance and provides evidence of completion within the required timeframe.

Step 6: Certification issuance

If the organization meets all ISO/IEC 27018 requirements, SQC Certification Vietnam issues a certificate valid for three years.

The certificate is internationally recognized, helping enhance the organization’s credibility and competitiveness in the global market.

Step 7: Surveillance audits

SQC Certification Vietnam conducts annual surveillance audits to ensure the system remains effective and compliant with the standard.
This helps ensure continuous improvement in protecting personal data.

Step 8: Recertification audit (after 3 years)

Before the certificate expires, SQC Certification Vietnam conducts a recertification audit to renew the certification for the next cycle.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SQC CERTIFICATION VIETNAM FOR BUSINESSES

When businesses pursue the ISO/IEC 27018 certification, developing a system to protect personally identifiable information (PII) in cloud environments should be carried out systematically and in full compliance with the standard’s requirements. Simultaneously, businesses should understand key recommendations from the certification body (CB) to ensure a smooth and effective audit process. Below are key recommendations from SQC Certification Vietnam:

Define the scope and types of PII processing

Organizations should clearly define the scope of ISO/IEC 27018 application – whether it covers the entire cloud platform, specific services, or a particular data center. Clear scoping helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures the certification aligns with actual operations.

Develop complete system documentation in line with ISO/IEC 27018

The certification body will review documents such as PII protection policies, control measures, personal data handling procedures, incident response processes, and related records. Documentation should be clear, consistent, and reflective of actual practices.

Ensure accurate representation of personal information protection Employees, especially those in IT, cybersecurity, and cloud operations, must clearly understand their roles, responsibilities, and procedures for protecting PII. Training on ISO/IEC 27018 awareness formulas is a necessary step to prepare well for the interview and assessment process from certification experts.

Conduct at least one internal audit and management review

Before certification, organizations must provide evidence of conducting an internal audit of the ISO/IEC 27018 system and a management review. These records demonstrate system control and top management commitment to protecting personal data.

Address nonconformities before the official audit

If internal audits identify nonconformities, organizations should implement corrective actions, maintain proper documentation, and track results to ensure issues are fully resolved.

Manage risks and handle data-related incidents

ISO/IEC 27018 requires organizations to assess and address risks related to the collection, storage, processing, and transmission of PII. Additionally, incident response procedures must be in place to handle data breaches and demonstrate readiness for emergencies.

Maintain transparency and honesty during audits

SQC Certification Vietnam and reputable certification bodies emphasize integrity. Organizations should not conceal information or falsify documents, as this may lead to rejection or withdrawal of certification.

Prepare thoroughly for on-site audits

Organizations should schedule audit sessions with relevant departments, prepare necessary documentation, ensure system access, and maintain well-controlled cloud data processing areas. Auditors will verify actual operations against provided records and documentation.

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REASONS TO CHOOSE SQC CERTIFICATION

SQC Certification Vietnam is a member of SQC Certification India and has a global presence, including in Vietnam. We are proud to partner with businesses in their journey to establish their position and integrate internationally.

At SQC Certification Vietnam, we pride ourselves on certifying organizations and fostering a culture of continuous improvement through advanced Management System Assessment and Training programs. SQC Vietnam has been and continues to be a trusted choice for many large organizations nationwide in achieving ISO 27018:2019 certification.

We possess a team of leading domestic and international experts with extensive experience who will deliver practical value and the most professional experience to our clients.

Customers using SQC Certification Vietnam’s services will receive:

• Industry specialization
• High reputation
• Global reach
• Customer-centric approach
• Results-oriented approach
• No intermediaries

Choosing SQC Certification Vietnam as your certification provider ensures you receive in-depth certification and a simplified certification process, paving the way for your educational institution to achieve ISO 27018:2019 certification.

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Let SQC Certification Vietnam help your business achieve international standards professionally and sustainably.

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• Website: https://sqccert.com.vn/
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