What Are The Roles And Responsibilities Of An Iso 27701 Lead Implementer?

By Author: Emma
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ISO 27701 is an international standard that was made specifically for the improvement of privacy management by including requirements for Privacy Information Management Systems in the way of ISO 27001. An ISO 27701 Lead Implementer is responsible for establishing, implementing, maintaining, or developing further an organization's privacy management system as per this standard.

Roles and Responsibilities of an ISO 27701 Lead Implementer

Strategic Planning and Implementation
An ISO 27701 Lead Implementer is responsible for developing a strategic plan for implementing ISO 27701 in an organization, and executing such a plan. This requires the development of a privacy management framework in keeping with business objectives and regulatory requirements. It would identify and allocate the necessary resources for an effective implementation.

Privacy Risk Assessment and Management
Conduct a risk assessment of privacy and document which activities in data processing present a potential vulnerability. Implements controls to mitigate the identified risks and ensure compliance with data protection laws. ...
... Regularly review and update risk management policies to reflect changes in threats and new legislative developments.
Documentation and Compliance

Documentation such as: policies, procedures, and records, as required by the standards for ISO 27701 certification will be developed and maintained. Compliance with applicable privacy laws, such as GDPR and CCPA, must always be maintained. The legal teams need to be engaged if privacy requires certain coordination to comply with a regulatory mandate.

Training and Awareness Programs
Organizing ISO 27701 Lead Implementer training for an organization will help familiarize employees with privacy policies, controls, and associated best practices. These activities will help the organization become more aware of the importance of personal data protection so that privacy and security permeate all departments.

Internal Audits and Continuous Improvement
Another major responsibility is for the planning and conducting of internal audits to evaluate how effectively PIMS is being implemented. The identification of improvement opportunities and proposals for corrective action are helpful for enhancing privacy measures. The continuous improvement process ensures that privacy protection measures remain valid over time.

Coordination with Key Stakeholders
Collaboration between the IT, legal, HR, and other departments are necessary in ensuring smooth implementation. Engaging with external auditors and certification bodies helps with ISO 27701 certification. The Lead Implementer is also the main contact for any customer or regulator queries related to privacy.

Incident Management and Response
Building and implementing a privacy incident management framework for managing data breaches or privacy violations is very essential. A timely report, investigation, and resolution of incidents will cause minimal interruption. Working closely with cybersecurity teams helps bolster data protection strategies.

ISO 27701 Lead Implementers are critical in establishing effective privacy management systems in alignment with the global data protection legislation. They are responsible for everything from the strategic planning of privacy-related functions and compliance management to training and continuous improvement. As organizations aim at strengthening the implementation of their data privacy practices, having a trained ISO 27701 Lead Implementer becomes a significant support in facilitating the effective attainment of certification.