ISO 27701 Audit Services

Lazarus Alliance is an accredited ISO 27701 certification body specializing in independent, efficient audits for organizations worldwide. Our proactive approach, powered by proprietary tools like the IT Audit Machine, helps you achieve ISO 27701 certification faster and more cost-effectively than traditional auditors.

ISO 27701 Certification with Lazarus Alliance

ISO/IEC 27701 is the leading international standard for establishing, implementing, and maintaining a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). 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 success.

We also offer optional gap analyses and readiness assessments to identify deficiencies early, saving you time and reducing risks before the formal audit. Due to accreditation requirements, we maintain strict independence and do not provide PIMS implementation consulting.

Why Choose Lazarus Alliance for Your ISO 27701 Audit?

Accredited expertise with decades of global experience
Streamlined process using innovative tools like the IT Audit Machine
Competitive pricing tailored to your organization's size and scope
Annual surveillance and re-certification support for ongoing compliance
Proven track record of helping organizations of all sizes achieve certification efficiently

Ready to start your ISO 27701 journey? Contact Lazarus Alliance today at 1-888-896-7580 or visit lazarusalliance.com for a customized quote and expert guidance on ISO 27701 audits, costs, timelines, and preparation. Achieve information security excellence with a trusted, proactive partner.

Lazarus Alliance is an accredited certification body (auditor) for ISO/IEC 27701, the international standard for Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). They conduct formal audits and issue certifications, but cannot provide consulting services for designing or implementing your ISMS due to accreditation rules requiring independence.

The ISO 27701 certification process with Lazarus Alliance follows the standard two-stage audit approach, with optional preparatory steps:

Optional Pre-Certification Steps

Gap Analysis (Early-Stage Assessment) — Lazarus Alliance identifies what's already in place versus what's missing in your PIMS. This helps organizations early in their journey.
Readiness Assessment (Pre-Assessment) — This informal, high-level review examines your intended scope, policies, procedures, and controls. It identifies gaps and deficiencies to save time and money before the formal audit. Many organizations use this to prepare effectively.

Formal Certification Audit

This is the required process for initial certification and consists of two stages:

Stage 1 Audit (Document and Readiness Review) Lazarus Alliance reviews your PIMS policies, processes, scope, risk assessment, Statement of Applicability (SoA), and other required documentation. The goal is to confirm your framework is ready for deeper testing. This stage is often performed onsite or remotely.
Stage 2 Audit (Implementation and Effectiveness Review) Conducted after Stage 1 (typically a few weeks later), this in-depth audit tests whether your PIMS is fully implemented, operating, monitored, and maintained according to ISO 27701 requirements. It includes interviews, observation of processes, and evidence review (often onsite at relevant locations). If successful, Lazarus Alliance issues the ISO 27701 certificate.

The total timeline varies significantly (from a few months to up to a year) depending on your organization's size, complexity, and existing PIMS maturity.

Post-Certification Maintenance

Certification lasts 3 years.
Annual surveillance audits confirm ongoing compliance.
A full re-certification audit occurs before expiry to renew the certificate.

Lazarus Alliance emphasizes that the process duration depends heavily on how closely your current management system already conforms to ISO 27701. For more details or to start, contact us directly via phone (1-888-896-7580). Note that you'll need to build and implement your ISMS independently or with a separate consultant before engaging them for the formal audit.

Basic ISO 27701 Audit Timeline – What to Expect with Lazarus Alliance

Achieving ISO 27701 certification with Lazarus Alliance, an accredited certification body, follows a structured, two-stage audit process designed for efficiency and impartiality. The overall timeline varies significantly based on your organization's size, complexity, scope, and current Information Security Management System (ISMS) maturity, ranging from a few months to over a year. Lazarus Alliance's proactive approach and proprietary IT Audit Machine often help streamline assessments for faster progress.

Here's a typical timeline breakdown:

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

Gap Analysis or Readiness Assessment: Start here if your PIMS is early-stage or needs validation. Lazarus Alliance performs a high-level review of your scope, policies, procedures, risk assessment, and controls to identify gaps. This informal step saves time and money by addressing issues before formal audits.
- Duration: A few weeks (depending on your team's availability).
ISMS Implementation: Build or refine your PIMS independently (or with a separate consultant—Lazarus Alliance cannot provide implementation consulting due to independence requirements).
- This is often the longest phase, taking months for most organizations.

Initial Certification Audit (2–12 Weeks Once Ready)

Stage 1 Audit (Documentation and Readiness Review): Lazarus Alliance reviews your PIMS policies, risk assessment, Statement of Applicability (SoA), and framework. Often remote or onsite.
- Duration: 1–2 weeks.
- Outcome: Areas of concern identified; time allowed to address them (typically 2–8 weeks).
Stage 2 Audit (Implementation and Effectiveness Review): In-depth onsite or remote testing, including interviews, process observation, and evidence verification to confirm your PIMS is operational and effective.
- Duration: 1–4 weeks (depending on scope and locations).
- Outcome: If successful, Lazarus Alliance issues your official ISO 27701 certificate.

Post-Certification Maintenance (Ongoing Over 3 Years)

Certification Validity: 3 years from issuance.
Annual Surveillance Audits: Brief reviews to confirm ongoing compliance, check for changes, and perform limited testing.
- Duration: Typically 1–2 days each (Years 1 and 2).
Re-Certification Audit: Full audit before expiry to renew for another 3 years.
- Similar to initial Stages 1 and 2, but focused on continual improvement.

Lazarus Alliance emphasizes that timelines are highly dependent on your readiness—the better prepared your PIMS, the quicker the process. Many clients complete formal audits efficiently thanks to early gap/readiness work.

Ready to begin? Contact Lazarus Alliance at 1-888-896-7580 or lazarusalliance.com for a customized quote, timeline estimate, and guidance on your ISO 27701 certification journey with a trusted, accredited partner.

What is ISO 27701 and why is it important for privacy management?

ISO/IEC 27701 is the international standard for a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). It extends ISO 27001 by adding privacy-specific controls for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) as controllers or processors. In 2025, the latest edition allows standalone implementation. Certification demonstrates accountability, reduces privacy risks, and builds trust under regulations like GDPR and CCPA—making it essential for organizations handling personal data.

What is the difference between ISO 27701 and ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 focuses on an Information Security Management System (ISMS) for overall information security risks. ISO 27701 builds on it (or stands alone in the 2025 edition) to create a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) with additional controls for PII protection, data subject rights, and privacy governance. Organizations often pursue both together for comprehensive security and privacy compliance.

Do I need ISO 27001 certification before pursuing ISO 27701?

While ISO 27701 was originally an extension requiring ISO 27001, the 2025 edition supports standalone PIMS certification. However, most organizations benefit from implementing both simultaneously for efficiency, as they share the same management system structure and audit process.

What is the ISO 27701 certification audit process?

The process mirrors ISO 27001: optional gap analysis and readiness assessment, followed by a formal Stage 1 (documentation review) and Stage 2 (implementation effectiveness) audit. After certification, annual surveillance audits and a full re-certification every three years ensure ongoing compliance.

How does ISO 27701 help with GDPR compliance?

ISO 27701 maps directly to many GDPR requirements, providing controls for data subject rights, privacy by design, breach notification, and accountability. While it does not guarantee full GDPR compliance (which is a legal requirement), independent ISO 27701 certification serves as strong evidence of robust privacy practices during regulatory audits.

What are the benefits of ISO 27701 certification?

Key benefits include enhanced PII protection and privacy risk management, demonstrated compliance with global regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.), reduced risk of fines and breaches, greater customer and partner trust, competitive differentiation, and streamlined integration with existing ISO 27001 systems.

How long does it take to achieve ISO 27701 certification?

Timelines typically range from 6–18 months, depending on your organization's size, maturity, and whether you're pursuing it alongside ISO 27001. With Lazarus Alliance's streamlined approach and proprietary tools, many clients achieve certification faster and more cost-effectively.

How much does ISO 27701 certification and audit cost?

Costs vary based on organization size, scope, complexity, and whether combined with ISO 27001. Factors include internal preparation, consulting (if needed), and accredited auditor fees. Contact Lazarus Alliance for a customized quote—we specialize in efficient, competitive pricing without compromising quality.

Benefits of ISO 27701 Certification

Enhanced privacy risk management and PII protection — Provides a structured framework to identify, assess, and mitigate privacy risks related to personally identifiable information (PII).
Demonstrated compliance with global privacy regulations — Supports alignment with laws like GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and others, helping organizations meet regulatory and contractual obligations.
Builds trust with stakeholders — Serves as independent evidence of robust privacy practices, reassuring customers, partners, regulators, and internal teams.
Reduced risk of privacy incidents and fines — Implements controls that minimize data breaches, misuse of PII, and potential regulatory penalties.
Competitive advantage and market differentiation — Certification acts as a trust signal, appealing to privacy-conscious clients, partners, and talent in mergers, acquisitions, or data-sharing scenarios.
Streamlined integration with existing systems — Extends ISO 27001 (or stands alone in the 2025 edition), avoiding the need for separate privacy and security management systems.
Improved transparency and accountability — Facilitates better management of data subject rights, PII processing (for controllers and processors), and ongoing improvement.
Operational efficiency in privacy practices — Enhances processes for handling personal data, incident response, and overall privacy governance.

Expert ISO 27701 Compliance Audit Services by Lazarus Alliance. Call +1 (888) 896-7580 today!