Privacy Information Management

ISO/IEC 27701 Certification

Independent third-party ISO/IEC 27701 certification for organizations that collect or process personal data. Answer customer privacy reviews with a recognized, verifiable certificate.

The Standard

What Is ISO/IEC 27701?

ISO/IEC 27701 specifies requirements for a privacy information management system (PIMS). It defines how an organization governs and protects personally identifiable information (PII), with controls for both PII controllers, who decide why data is processed, and PII processors, who handle data on a customer's behalf.

It is designed to work alongside ISO/IEC 27001, adding privacy governance to information security. Certification means an independent auditor has evaluated your privacy management system in operation.

Why Certify

Why Organizations Get ISO/IEC 27701 Certified

Clear Privacy Reviews

Enterprise customers and procurement teams want evidence of privacy governance before sharing personal data with a vendor.

Show Accountability

A certified PIMS documents how you handle personal data, which supports accountability expectations under privacy laws.

Extend Your ISMS

Organizations with ISO/IEC 27001 add privacy controls on the same management system rather than building a new one.

  • Covers both PII controllers and PII processors
  • Pairs with ISO/IEC 27001 on a single integrated audit program
  • Fits SaaS, MSPs, healthcare, HR and payroll services, and any organization handling customer data
The Process

How ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Works

GMCS runs a defined, two-stage certification audit. You always know where you are in the process and what comes next.

1. Quote and applicationTell us your size, sites, and timeline. We scope the audit program and send a proposal.
2. Optional pre-assessmentA readiness audit that finds gaps before the certification audit. Recommended for first-time certifications.
3. Stage 1 auditReview of your documented privacy information management system and confirmation you are ready for Stage 2.
4. Stage 2 auditThe certification audit: your system evaluated in operation against ISO/IEC 27701 requirements.
5. CertificationCertificate issued once any audit findings are closed.
6. Surveillance and recertificationAnnual surveillance audits maintain the certificate; recertification renews it at year three.
Cost

What Determines ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Cost

There is no one-size price. Your quote is scoped from audit time, which is driven by four factors. Organizations with fewer than 100 employees qualify for the GMCS Small Organization Program's discounted pricing.

Get a Scoped Quote
Employee countTotal headcount including part-time and contractors sets baseline audit time
Number of sitesEach location in scope adds audit activity
Process complexityScope, risk, and regulated work take longer to audit
Certification pathNew certification, transfer, or recertification each scope differently
Transfers

Already ISO/IEC 27701 Certified? Transfer to GMCS.

If your current certification body is slow to schedule, slow to answer, or priced for someone else's overhead, transfer your certificate to GMCS. Your certification cycle and surveillance schedule continue, and in most cases there is no repeat of Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Start a Transfer

Why GMCS for ISO/IEC 27701

  • Certification body accredited by IAS to ISO/IEC 17021-1
  • Auditors from commercial, government, and regulated environments
  • Direct access to decision makers, no layers of process
  • Independent certification only, never a consulting upsell
FAQ

ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Questions

Do we need ISO/IEC 27001 before ISO/IEC 27701?
Most organizations certify ISO/IEC 27701 together with ISO/IEC 27001, since privacy controls build on an information security management system. GMCS will confirm how the requirements apply to your scope when we prepare your quote.
Does ISO/IEC 27701 make us GDPR or CCPA compliant?
No certificate equals legal compliance. ISO/IEC 27701 gives you a structured privacy program and independent evidence of it, which supports your compliance work with privacy laws.
How long does ISO/IEC 27701 certification take?
Timing depends on the maturity of your privacy and security programs. Once your controls and records are in operation, certification is a two-stage audit, often combined with ISO/IEC 27001.
How much does ISO/IEC 27701 certification cost?
Cost is driven by organization size, number of sites, and the complexity of your data processing. A combined ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 audit is usually more efficient than two separate audits.
Can we transfer our existing ISO/IEC 27701 certificate to GMCS?
In most cases, yes. GMCS reviews your current certificate and audit history, and your certification cycle continues without starting over.
Does GMCS provide privacy consulting?
No. GMCS is an independent certification body. Certification body rules prohibit certifying a system we helped build, and that independence keeps your certificate credible with customers.

Get Your ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Quote

Tell us your organization size, sites, and timeline. We'll scope the audit program and send a proposal, with no consulting upsell.

Request a Certification Quote
Accreditation & Recognition

Credentials You Can Verify

Verify GMCS’s accreditation, scope, and the status of any certificate we issue.

IAS Accredited Management Systems Certification Body GSA Contract Holder, Contract #47QRAA18D002C IAF CertSearch, Status: Active IAF Member of Multilateral Recognition Arrangement