What is ISO 29100?
ISO/IEC 29100:2024 establishes a high-level privacy framework that outlines privacy principles and provides guidance on implementing privacy controls in systems that process personally identifiable information (PII). As the demand for stronger privacy protection grows across industries, especially with the rise of AI, IoT, and global data transfers ISO/IEC 29100 serves as a foundation for building privacy-by-design systems aligned with both technological and regulatory requirements.
The 2024 revision enhances the original framework by addressing modern challenges in cross-border data flows, cloud computing, data sovereignty, and automated decision-making, making it more relevant to today’s rapidly evolving digital environments.
If you are looking for ISO/IEC 29100 certification alignment or audit support, contact us at support@pacificcert.com
Purpose
The purpose of ISO/IEC 29100:2024 is to:
Provide a common privacy terminology and structure for implementing data protection measures across systems and services.
Define privacy principles and governance controls applicable to organizations, developers, service providers, and regulators.
Support the development and evaluation of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and architectures.
Align with international legal frameworks, such as the EU GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and others, to enable global privacy assurance.
This framework can be applied to designing, building, operating, or auditing systems that collect or process personal data.
Scope and Applicability
ISO/IEC 29100:2024 applies to any organization, system, or technology involved in the processing of personal data. It is applicable regardless of the size or sector of the entity. The standard is technology-neutral and can be applied across on-premise systems, cloud environments, mobile applications, and distributed platforms such as blockchain or AI.
Applicability:
- Data controllers and data processors
- Software and system developers
- IT governance and privacy officers
- Cloud service providers and digital platforms
- Regulatory agencies and auditors
- Organizations developing or using privacy-enhancing technologies
If your organization handles personal data and seeks structured privacy controls, contact us at support@pacificcert.com
Key Definitions
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Any information that can be used to identify, directly or indirectly, an individual.
- Privacy Controls: Organizational, technical, or procedural safeguards to manage the collection, use, disclosure, and retention of PII.
- Data Subject: The individual to whom the PII relates.
- Privacy Stakeholders: Individuals or entities (data subjects, processors, regulators) affected by privacy decisions or processes.
- Use Limitation: A core principle requiring that PII be used only for purposes agreed upon by the data subject or authorized by law.
Clause-wise Structure of ISO 29100
Clause | Title | Overview |
1 | Scope | Defines the boundaries of the framework and its application to privacy-related contexts. |
2 | Normative References | Lists the other standards that support ISO/IEC 29100 (e.g., ISO/IEC 27000 series). |
3 | Terms and Definitions | Provides terminology used throughout the standard, ensuring consistent understanding. |
4 | Privacy Framework Overview | Introduces the purpose and general structure of privacy governance. |
5 | Roles and Responsibilities | Defines roles such as data controller, data processor, and data subject within a privacy governance model. |
6 | Privacy Principles | Lists foundational principles for privacy protection (e.g., consent, data minimization, transparency). |
7 | Privacy Safeguards and Controls | Outlines the types of technical and organizational controls to manage PII. |
8 | Application of the Framework | Explains how to integrate the principles and controls into system design, policy, and compliance audits. |
Core Privacy Principles of ISO 29100
ISO/IEC 29100 defines a set of 11 privacy principles that form the ethical and operational foundation for PII protection:
- Consent and Choice
- Purpose, Legitimacy, and Specification
- Collection Limitation
- Data Minimization
- Use, Retention, and Disclosure Limitation
- Accuracy and Quality
- Openness, Transparency, and Notice
- Individual Participation and Access
- Accountability
- Information Security
- Compliance and Enforcement
These principles closely align with global privacy laws and serve as the baseline for data protection policies and technical implementations.
Integration with Other Standards
ISO/IEC 29100:2024 is designed to work alongside other ISO/IEC cybersecurity and data protection standards, such as:
- ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management Systems)
- ISO/IEC 27018 (Protection of PII in public clouds)
- ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management System – Extension to ISO/IEC 27001)
- ISO/IEC 29134 (Privacy impact assessments)
- ISO/IEC 27002 (Security controls for PII processing environments)
If you are working within a broader ISO/IEC 27000 ecosystem, aligning with ISO/IEC 29100 is both logical and beneficial.
What are the requirements of ISO 29100?
To implement ISO/IEC 29100:2024 effectively, organizations should:
- Establish a privacy governance structure defining roles and responsibilities for managing personal data.
- Map out data flows and processing activities to identify where PII is collected, stored, and transferred.
- Implement privacy controls to ensure consent, access, data minimization, and retention policies are enforced.
- Design or redesign systems using privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default principles.
- Train staff on data protection responsibilities and maintain documentation for compliance.
- Conduct periodic privacy risk assessments and integrate privacy into internal audits and compliance reporting.
If you are planning to assess your privacy posture under this standard, contact us at support@pacificcert.com
Documentation Required
- Privacy policy and data subject rights documentation
- Data inventory and mapping logs
- Consent records and data usage logs
- Data retention and disposal procedures
- Risk assessments and impact analysis reports
- Internal privacy controls checklist
- Roles and accountability matrices
- Audit trails for PII access and handling
- Incident response plan including privacy breaches
What are the benefits of ISO 29100?
ISO/IEC 29100:2024 offers a comprehensive privacy framework that assists organizations in managing personally identifiable information systems. By establishing a common privacy terminology and outlining privacy safeguarding considerations, the standard enhances data protection practices:
- Supports alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and other data protection regulations.
- Demonstrates commitment to respecting user privacy and ethical data practices.
- Acts as a stepping stone for implementing ISO/IEC 27701.
- Helps identify and reduce risks associated with PII misuse.
- Embeds privacy safeguards into cloud, AI, and data analytics workflows.
- Reduces likelihood of privacy-related breaches and regulatory penalties.
- Promotes standardized privacy language and controls across jurisdictions and industries.
ISO/IEC 29100:2024 establishes a comprehensive privacy framework that assists organizations in managing personally identifiable information (PII) within information and communication technology (ICT) systems. By specifying common privacy terminology, defining roles and responsibilities and outlining privacy safeguarding considerations, the standard enhances data protection practices.
What is the certification cost?
The cost of such certification depends on:
- Size and complexity of the organization
- Volume and types of personal data processed
- Integration with other standards (ISO/IEC 27001, 27701)
- Number of locations and systems covered
- Audit duration and documentation readiness
To receive a tailored cost estimate for ISO/IEC 29100 alignment or integrated privacy audits, contact us at support@pacificcert.com
Certification Timeline
ISO/IEC 29100 timeline follows:
Week | Activity | Details |
Week 1 | Application and documentation review | Submit privacy documentation, data flow maps, and policy framework. |
Week 2–3 | Gap analysis and risk assessment | Identify areas lacking alignment with ISO/IEC 29100 principles. |
Week 4–5 | Audit planning and interviews | Prepare for system audits and stakeholder interviews. |
Week 6 | Audit execution and report issuance | Conduct integrated audits (if with ISO/IEC 27701), review findings. |
Week 7 | Certificate issuance or statement of alignment | Provided upon successful compliance or conformance review. |
For a full certification roadmap, contact us at support@pacificcert.com.
How Pacific Certifications Can Help?
Pacific Certifications, accredited by ABIS, offers independent audit and certification services focused on privacy and information security standards.
We assist with:
- Auditing privacy frameworks aligned with ISO/IEC 29100 principles
- Conducting integrated assessments for ISO/IEC 27701 or ISO/IEC 27001 with ISO/IEC 29100 mapping
- Reviewing privacy controls, documentation, and policy enforcement mechanisms
- Issuing certificates of compliance or statements of conformance upon successful review
- Performing surveillance and recertification audits to ensure continual alignment
If you are looking for ISO/IEC 29100 alignment or privacy certification, contact us at support@pacificcert.com
FAQs – ISO 29100
Can ISO/IEC 29100 be used alone for certification?
No, it is a framework standard. However, it can be included in certification scopes like ISO/IEC 27701 or 27001.
Who should implement ISO/IEC 29100?
Any organization that handles PII—especially in sectors like healthcare, finance, education, or technology.
How is ISO/IEC 29100 different from ISO/IEC 27701?
ISO/IEC 29100 is a framework with privacy principles, while ISO/IEC 27701 is a certifiable extension of ISO/IEC 27001 that operationalizes those principles.
Is ISO/IEC 29100 GDPR-compliant?
It aligns with GDPR principles but is not a substitute for legal compliance. It helps structure and demonstrate accountability.
How often should the privacy framework be reviewed?
At least annually or upon significant changes to systems, processing activities, or regulatory updates.
Ready to get ISO 29100 certified?
Contact Pacific Certifications to begin your certification journey today!
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