Recognised By
ISO 27001 vs ISO 42001: Security or AI Governance?
ISO 27001 vs ISO 42001 compared: information security vs AI management systems, who needs which and how they fit together.
Book a free consultationOverview
ISO 27001 protects information. ISO 42001 governs how an organisation builds, buys and uses AI. They share the same management-system structure, so companies that already hold ISO 27001 can add ISO 42001 without starting again.
ISO 27001 vs ISO 42001 at a glance
| ISO 27001 | ISO 42001 | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. | Responsible development and use of AI systems. |
| Core activity | Information security risk assessment and control selection. | AI risk and impact assessment, data governance and oversight. |
| Typical owners | CISO, IT security team. | Product, data science and compliance leaders. |
| Best fit | Any organisation that handles customer or company data. | Companies that develop, deploy or rely on AI systems. |
| Structure | ISO management system structure plus Annex A controls. | The same management system structure, so the two integrate. |
Which one should you choose?
- Start with ISO 27001 if you have no information security certification yet.
- Add ISO 42001 if AI is part of your product or operations and customers ask how you govern it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both ISO 27001 and ISO 42001?
Many organisations hold both when different customers ask for each. A gap assessment shows how much of the work overlaps so you do it once.
Can you help with ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 together?
Yes. We plan one programme with shared documentation, a single internal audit cycle and one management review, then guide you through each audit.
Related services
More guides
ISO 9001 Certification Cost, Timeline and Process in IndiaISO 27001 Certification Cost, Timeline and Process in IndiaISO 45001 Certification Process and Timeline in IndiaISO 42001 Certification Process and Timeline in IndiaSOC 2 Certification Process and Timeline in IndiaHIPAA Certification Process and Timeline in India
1
Free Quote