Expert ISO 27018 Compliance Audit and Certification Services by Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today.

Lazarus Alliance is an accredited ISO 27018 certification body specializing in independent, efficient audits for cloud service providers worldwide. Our proactive approach, powered by proprietary tools like the IT Audit Machine, helps you achieve ISO 27018 certification faster and more cost-effectively than traditional auditors—ensuring robust protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments.

ISO 27018 Certification with Lazarus Alliance ISO/IEC 27018 is the international standard for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds, acting as PII processors. Building on ISO/IEC 27001, it provides guidelines and controls for cloud privacy and data protection. As a fully accredited certification body, Lazarus Alliance conducts impartial Stage 1 (documentation and readiness review) and Stage 2 (implementation and effectiveness) audits, issuing your official 3-year certificate upon successful compliance.

Lazarus Alliance is one of the few globally accredited certification bodies authorized to audit and issue ISO/IEC 27018 certificates — the international standard for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud services.

We also offer optional gap analyses and readiness assessments to uncover deficiencies early, dramatically reducing risk, rework, and cost before the formal certification audit. Due to strict accreditation rules, we maintain complete independence and do not provide consulting services for designing or implementing your PII protection controls.

Why Choose Lazarus Alliance for Your ISO 27018 Certification Audit?

  • Fully accredited expertise with decades of global cloud privacy experience
  • Accelerated audits powered by the industry-leading tools like the IT Audit Machine
  • Transparent, competitive pricing scaled to your organization’s size and cloud scope
  • Annual surveillance audits and re-certification support to maintain continuous compliance
  • Proven success helping cloud service providers (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) of all sizes achieve ISO 27018 certification faster and more cost-effectively

Ready to demonstrate world-class cloud privacy and build customer trust? Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today or visit lazarusalliance.com for a free consultation and customized quote.

For the fastest, most reliable path to ISO 27018 certification using the #1 ranked audit platform in the industry, partner with Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580  to get started. — Michael Peters, CEO & Founder

The ISO 27018 Certification Process with Lazarus Alliance

Optional Pre-Certification Steps (Highly Recommended)

  • Gap Analysis – Early identification of missing PII protection controls vs. ISO 27018 requirements
  • Readiness Assessment – Comprehensive pre-assessment of your scope, policies, risk treatment plan, and cloud-specific controls so you enter the formal audit fully prepared

Formal Two-Stage Certification Audit (Required)

  1. Stage 1 Audit – Off-site or remote review of your ISO 27018 documentation, including policies for PII processing, data subject rights, subcontractor management, and Statement of Applicability (SoA).
  2. Stage 2 Audit – On-site or remote evaluation of implementation and operating effectiveness across your cloud environment(s). Includes interviews, control testing, and evidence sampling. Upon success, Lazarus Alliance issues your official ISO/IEC 27018 certificate valid for 3 years.

Post-Certification

  • Certificate valid for 3 years
  • Annual surveillance audits to verify ongoing compliance
  • Full re-certification audit in year 3

Timeline varies from 3–12 months depending on your current maturity, cloud complexity, and number of regions/services in scope.

Take the proactive approach to cloud privacy. Contact Lazarus Alliance today at +1 (888) 896-7580 for expert ISO 27018 audit services that save time, reduce risk, and deliver accredited certification you can trust.

The ISO 27018 Certification Process with Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today.

Basic ISO 27018 Audit Timeline – What to Expect with Lazarus Alliance

Achieving ISO/IEC 27018 certification with Lazarus Alliance, a globally accredited certification body, follows a structured, impartial two-stage audit process focused on protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public cloud environments. The overall timeline varies based on your organization’s size, cloud service scope (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), complexity, number of regions/services, and current maturity of PII protection controls—typically ranging from 3–12 months. Lazarus Alliance’s proactive methodology and proprietary IT Audit Machine accelerate assessments, helping cloud providers reach certification faster and more efficiently.

Here’s a typical timeline breakdown:

Pre-Certification Preparation (Optional but Highly Recommended: 1–6+ Months)

  • Gap Analysis or Readiness Assessment: Ideal starting point for cloud providers building or validating PII protection controls. Lazarus Alliance conducts a thorough yet informal review of your scope, policies, risk treatment plan, subcontractor agreements, data subject rights processes, and cloud-specific controls to pinpoint gaps early.

    • Duration: A few weeks (based on availability and scope).

  • Implementation of Controls: Develop or enhance your PII protection framework independently (or with a separate consultant—Lazarus Alliance cannot offer implementation consulting due to strict accreditation independence requirements).

    • This phase is usually the longest for most organizations.

Initial Certification Audit (2–12 Weeks Once Fully Prepared)

  1. Stage 1 Audit (Documentation and Readiness Review): Lazarus Alliance examines your ISO 27018 documentation, including PII processing policies, risk assessments, Statement of Applicability (SoA), and evidence of cloud privacy controls. Conducted remotely or onsite.

    • Duration: 1–2 weeks.
    • Outcome: Identification of any concerns; you’ll have time (typically 2–8 weeks) to resolve them.

  2. Stage 2 Audit (Implementation and Effectiveness Review): Comprehensive evaluation—remote or onsite—of how effectively your controls are implemented and operating in your cloud environment. Includes staff interviews, process observation, control testing, and evidence sampling.

    • Duration: 1–4 weeks (depending on scope, locations, and cloud complexity).
    • Outcome: Upon success, Lazarus Alliance issues your official ISO/IEC 27018 certificate, valid for 3 years.

Post-Certification Maintenance (Ongoing Over 3 Years)

  • Certification Validity: 3 years from issuance.

  • Annual Surveillance Audits: Focused reviews to verify continued compliance, assess changes, and sample key PII protection controls.

    • Duration: Typically 1–2 days each (Years 1 and 2).

  • Re-Certification Audit: Complete audit prior to expiry to renew for another 3 years.

    • Similar scope to initial certification but emphasizes continual improvement and evolving cloud risks.

Lazarus Alliance stresses that the faster you address gaps upfront through optional assessments, the smoother and quicker the formal audit process becomes. Many cloud service providers achieve certification efficiently with this proactive preparation.

Ready to strengthen cloud privacy and build customer trust with an accredited ISO 27018 certification? Contact Lazarus Alliance today at +1 (888) 896-7580 or visit lazarusalliance.com for a free consultation, customized quote, and personalized timeline estimate from a trusted global partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

ISO/IEC 27001 is the core standard for establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), focusing on overall information security risks. ISO 27018 extends ISO 27001 with privacy-specific guidelines and controls tailored to PII protection in public clouds, such as data subject rights, breach notification, and subcontractor management. Certification typically involves both, with 27018 audited as an extension.

Public cloud service providers (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) processing PII on behalf of customers, such as those handling personal data under contract, benefit most. It's ideal for organizations in regulated industries or those seeking to assure clients of robust cloud privacy practices. While not mandatory, it's increasingly required in contracts with enterprises and government entities.

The process follows a two-stage audit, typically alongside ISO 27001:

  • Stage 1: Documentation and readiness review (policies, scope, risk assessments).
  • Stage 2: In-depth evaluation of implementation and effectiveness (interviews, testing controls). Optional pre-assessments, like gap analysis, help prepare. Upon success, a 3-year certificate is issued, with annual surveillance audits.

Timelines vary from 3–12 months, depending on your organization's size, cloud complexity, existing ISO 27001 maturity, and preparation. Proactive tools and early gap assessments can accelerate the process significantly.

Costs depend on scope, organization size, locations, and readiness. Factors include audit days, travel (if onsite), and preparatory work. Lazarus Alliance offers competitive, tailored pricing—contact us at +1 (888) 896-7580 for a customized quote.

  • Enhanced PII protection and reduced risk of privacy breaches/fines
  • Stronger customer trust and a competitive edge in winning contracts
  • Alignment with global privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA)
  • Improved transparency, incident response, and operational efficiency. It transforms cloud privacy into a strategic business advantage.

As an accredited certification body, Lazarus Alliance specializes in independent, efficient ISO 27018 audits worldwide. Our proactive approach, powered by proprietary tools like the IT Audit Machine, delivers faster, cost-effective certification without consulting conflicts. With decades of expertise, we help cloud providers achieve and maintain compliance seamlessly—call +1 (888) 896-7580 today!

Expert ISO 27018 Compliance Audit Services by Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today!

Credentials You Can Count On

American Accreditation Association (AAA), ISO/IEC 17021-accredited certification number SC21202.

American Accreditation Association (AAA) ISO/IEC 17021 accredited certification number SC21202.

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We're here to answer any questions you may have.

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Expert ISO 27018 Compliance Audit Services by Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today!
Expert ISO 27018 Compliance Audit Services by Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today!

Benefits of ISO 27018 Certification

Achieving ISO/IEC 27018 certification demonstrates that your public cloud services meet the internationally recognized standard for protecting personally identifiable information (PII). Here are the key benefits for cloud service providers acting as PII processors:

  1. Robust Cloud Privacy and PII Protection: Provides a comprehensive, risk-based framework specifically designed to safeguard personally identifiable information in public cloud environments, reducing the risk of privacy breaches and unauthorized data disclosure.
  2. Reduced Risk of Privacy Incidents and Costly Fines: Proactive controls help prevent PII leaks or misuse, avoiding significant regulatory penalties (e.g., under GDPR, CCPA, or other data protection laws), legal costs, reputational damage, and remediation expenses.
  3. Strong Competitive Advantage in Cloud Services: Certification acts as a powerful market differentiator, enabling cloud providers (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) to win contracts with privacy-conscious enterprises, government agencies, and regulated industries where ISO 27018 compliance is increasingly required or preferred.
  4. Builds Greater Trust with Customers and Data Subjects: Publicly verifies your commitment to transparent PII processing, data subject rights, and privacy-by-design principles, enhancing customer confidence and loyalty—especially critical when handling sensitive personal data on behalf of clients.
  5. Simplified Regulatory and Compliance Alignment: Directly supports compliance with major privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, HIPAA) and complements frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIST, streamlining audits and demonstrating accountability to regulators and clients.
  6. Enhanced Operational Transparency and Efficiency: Establishes clear policies for PII handling, subcontractor management, and breach notification, streamlining processes, reducing redundancies, and embedding continual privacy improvement into cloud operations.
  7. Improved Incident Response and Breach Management: Mandates structured processes for detecting, reporting, and responding to PII incidents, minimizing impact and ensuring timely notification to data subjects and controllers.
  8. Stronger Market Reputation and Talent Attraction: Signals leadership in cloud privacy, making your organization more appealing to privacy-aware customers, partners, and top talent who value ethical data handling and robust security cultures.

Overall, ISO 27018 certification transforms cloud privacy from a compliance obligation into a strategic business advantage, helping providers stand out in a crowded market while meeting growing global demands for data protection. The certificate is valid for 3 years, with annual surveillance audits required to maintain ongoing compliance.

Ready to elevate your cloud privacy program? Contact Lazarus Alliance at +1 (888) 896-7580 or visit lazarusalliance.com for accredited ISO 27018 audit services and expert guidance.

Certificate Directory

Lazarus Alliance maintains a public register for all certificates issued by the certifying body. The purpose of this registry is to enable third parties, who are in receipt of a certificate, to validate the legitimacy and currency of the document without having to contact a Lazarus Alliance representative.

We want to be your partner and ISO 27018 compliance audit assessor of choice! For additional information, please call 1-888-896-7580.