Are you adequately covering GDPR within your ISMS?

However, since the GDPR came into force, we have seen an expectation from CBs, understandably, for a more robust approach where:

• The GDPR is referred to in the stated ‘risks and opportunities’ (ISO 27001 Clause 4 and 6.1.1) and whether the organisation needs to take action under Article 3 (main establishment/territorial scope)
• The GDPR is taken into account under ‘Planning’ (ISO 27001 Clause 6)• Resources (and competencies) are assigned /made available to the data protection officer (DPO) role under ‘Support’ (ISO 27001 Clause 7)
• A process is defined for dealing with all types of data subject requests (ISO 27001 Annex A Control 18.1.4) and the data subject access request (DSAR) process in particular

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• An information security breach process includes steps for notifying the ICO, i.e., ‘Reporting information security events’ (ISO 27001 Annex A, A.16)
• Data transfers to non-UK and non-EEA countries are addressed within ‘Supplier relationships’ controls (ISO 27001 Annex A, A.15 controls) and contracts.  This links back to risks and opportunities (ISO 27001 Clause 6.1) in terms of the impact of the ECJ’s ruling in the Schrems II case and the use of the ICO’s International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) and the EU standard contractual clauses (SCCs), and whether these are sufficient, particularly to cover onward transfers within the supply chain.  The IDTA, the EU clauses and the SCCs’ Annex II commitments to security measures should also be formalised to safeguard internal, inter-group transfers
• Security and privacy (i.e., privacy by design and default) are considered under ‘System acquisition, development and maintenance’ controls (ISO 27001 Annex A, A.14 and A.6.1.5)
• Personal data retention periods are specified under ‘Protection of records’ (ISO 27001 Annex A, A.18.1.3).

Whilst it can be argued that all of the above measures are appropriate and part of adequate and sensible planning, it does represent a significant step change in the expectations of the CBs.

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