ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Privacy Information Management Certification in Dubai & UAE

Customers, employees and partners trust organisations with personal data, and regulators expect that trust to be protected by more than good intentions. In the UAE, personal data protection law applies to many businesses, and international clients routinely send privacy questionnaires. ISO/IEC 27701 provides a structured privacy information management system (PIMS) that you can certify independently. BRSM Global helps organisations in Dubai and across the UAE design, implement and certify a PIMS.

What is ISO/IEC 27701 Privacy Certification?

ISO/IEC 27701 is the international standard for privacy information management systems. It specifies requirements and gives guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a PIMS, covering organisations that act as controllers of personal data, as processors, or both. The first edition, published in 2019, was an extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002. A second edition was published in October 2025 as a standalone standard, so organisations can now implement it without first holding ISO/IEC 27001, although many still combine the two.

Because the standard is about personal data rather than all information, it concentrates on privacy-specific topics: identifying lawful bases and purposes, records of processing, privacy notices, handling data subject requests, privacy by design, vendor and processor management, cross-border transfers, breach response and retention. It supports legal compliance but does not replace it; certification is evidence of a managed system, not a legal opinion. If you already run an information security system, see our ISO 27001 Information Security Certification page, and for people-focused controls read building a security awareness programme.

Benefits of ISO/IEC 27701 for UAE Businesses

Evidence of privacy governance

A certificate shows that roles, procedures and controls for personal data are defined, applied and audited by an independent body.

Easier client and procurement reviews

Standard evidence shortens privacy questionnaires, due diligence and data processing negotiations.

Better control of data flows

Records of processing and data mapping reveal where personal data goes, who has it and why.

Prepared for incidents and requests

Defined procedures for breaches, access requests and complaints reduce confusion and delay.

Alignment with security controls

Privacy controls sit alongside your security controls, so risk is managed consistently.

ISO/IEC 27701 Requirements

The standard requires you to demonstrate:

Context and scope (clause 4): your role as controller, processor or both, applicable legal and contractual requirements, and the scope of the PIMS.
Leadership (clause 5): a privacy policy, assigned privacy responsibilities and top management commitment.
Planning (clause 6): privacy risk assessment and treatment, objectives and planning of changes.
Support (clause 7): competence, awareness, communication and documented information.
Operation (clause 8): implementing the controls selected for your privacy risks, including those for controllers and for processors.
Performance evaluation and improvement (clauses 9 and 10): monitoring, internal audit, management review, corrective action and continual improvement.

ISO/IEC 27701 Certification Process: How BRSM Global Gets You Certified

Our approach follows the four-stage process that BRSM Global applies to every management system project: guidance, implementation, auditing and post-certification. For ISO/IEC 27701 certification, that translates into the following eight practical steps.

Step 1: Free consultation and scope definition

We start with a conversation about your business, sites, activities and customers. We confirm whether ISO/IEC 27701 fits your goals, define the scope of certification and agree a realistic timeline.

Step 2: Gap analysis

Our consultants compare your current practices, documents and records with the requirements of ISO/IEC 27701. You receive a clear gap report with priorities, so effort goes where it matters.

Step 3: Planning and fixed quote

Based on the gap analysis we prepare a project plan with responsibilities and milestones and a fixed written quote, so you know the investment before work begins.

Step 4: Documentation and implementation

We help you develop the policies, procedures, registers and records the standard requires, in plain language and sized to your organisation, and we help your team put them into daily practice. This is the 'Guidance' and 'Implementation' stage of our process.

Step 5: Training and awareness

Management and staff are trained on their responsibilities under ISO/IEC 27701. Where relevant we also train internal auditors, who will later audit your system.

Step 6: Internal audit and management review

Once the system has been operating, we help you run an internal audit and a management review. These are mandatory and give you the chance to fix weaknesses before the external auditors arrive.

Step 7: Certification audit support

The independent certification audit is carried out in two stages. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness. Stage 2 verifies implementation on site through interviews, observation and records. We prepare your team and support you during the audit; this is the 'Auditing' stage of our process. Our guide to preparing for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit explains what auditors look for.

Step 8: Certificate issue and post-certification support

After any nonconformities are closed, the certificate is issued, normally for three years with annual surveillance audits. We stay with you after certification, advising on changes, standard updates and surveillance audit preparation, which is our 'Post-certification' stage.

Documents Required for ISO/IEC 27701

Common documented information includes:

PIMS scope and privacy policy
Record of processing activities and data inventory
Privacy risk assessment and treatment plan
Statement of applicability for privacy controls
Privacy notices and consent or other lawful basis records
Data subject request procedure and logs
Processor and vendor agreements with assessment records
Breach response procedure and incident log
Retention schedule and secure disposal records
Internal audit, management review and corrective action records

How Long Does ISO/IEC 27701 Take?

A typical ISO/IEC 27701 project takes about 3 to 6 months where an information security management system already exists, and 6 to 9 months where privacy and security are being built together. Certification follows a two-stage audit, with a three-year certificate and annual surveillance audits. ISO/IEC 27701:2019 was withdrawn when the 2025 edition was published. The common transition deadline for existing certificates is 31 October 2028, so confirm your certification body's own schedule when you plan.

Who Needs ISO/IEC 27701?

This is relevant to a wide range of organisations, including:

Technology companies, SaaS providers and managed service providers handling client data
Healthcare, education and financial services organisations
Retail, hospitality and e-commerce businesses with large customer databases
HR, recruitment and outsourcing companies
Any organisation that acts as a processor for other companies

ISO/IEC 27701 in Dubai and the UAE

The UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data has been in force since January 2022 and applies to the processing of personal data of UAE residents, including by some overseas organisations. Financial free zones such as DIFC and ADGM have their own data protection regimes. Organisations operating in more than one regime need clear records and consistent procedures, which is where a PIMS helps.

ISO/IEC 27701 can support compliance work, but it does not by itself guarantee compliance with any specific law, and legal advice is still needed for interpretation. For Dubai companies serving global customers, the standard also provides a common language that international clients recognise. We build the system around your real data flows and your legal advisers' guidance, and integrate it with your existing management systems.

Why Choose BRSM Global in Dubai & UAE?

Choosing the right partner is as important as choosing the right standard. BRSM Global is an international inspection, training and certification group with a one-stop approach to ISO and related certifications, and our Dubai team is close to your business.

Local presence in Dubai and the UAE

Our UAE office is at Executive Towers, Tower 1, Office 1102, Business Bay, Dubai. We meet you on site, understand local practice and respond quickly. We also have offices in Riyadh (Al Olaya, Al Faisaliah Tower) and Muscat (Al Khuwair), which helps if your organisation operates across the Gulf.

Proven experience

BRSM Global has completed more than 5,000 projects for over 2,500 clients in more than 10 countries, working with 20+ associations. Our consultants combine hands-on industry experience with deep knowledge of the standards.

Practical systems, not paperwork

We design systems that fit your size and your sector, so your team actually uses them. Explore our Information Technology sector page and our other industry sectors to see where we work.

Complete one-stop service

From gap analysis and documentation to training, internal audit, certification audit support and ongoing advice, one team supports you at every stage. You can read more about our company on the About Us page or browse practical insights on our blog.

Transparent and independent

We give you a fixed written quote after the gap analysis, explain what is included, and keep consultancy separate from the independent certification audit so that your certificate retains its credibility. Before you commit to any certification body, we recommend you verify its accreditation status for your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions About ISO/IEC 27701

What is ISO/IEC 27701?

The international standard for privacy information management systems, covering how organisations manage personal data as controllers or processors.

Do we need ISO 27001 first?

Under the 2025 edition, ISO/IEC 27701 is a standalone standard, so ISO 27001 is not a prerequisite. Combining them is still common and efficient.

Does ISO 27701 make us compliant with UAE data protection law?

It supports compliance but is not a legal guarantee. Legal requirements must be assessed separately.

We hold the 2019 edition. What now?

Published transition arrangements allow certified organisations time to move to the 2025 edition. We help you plan the gap review and transition.

How much does ISO 27701 certification cost in the UAE?

It depends on the size, the amount and sensitivity of personal data and the number of sites. We quote after a scoping review.

Does it apply to processors?

Yes. The standard has controls for both controllers and processors, and the scope is written to match your role.

Related Services

Many organisations combine standards in one integrated management system. You may also be interested in:

For practical background reading, see building a security awareness programme and how to prepare for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit.

Get Your ISO/IEC 27701 Certification with BRSM Global

Ready to start your ISO/IEC 27701 journey in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? Tell us about your business and we will respond with a gap analysis plan and a fixed quote.