152+
Certified Clients
20+
Accredited Audits Completed
6+
GCC Countries Served
1,200+
Audit Evidence Items Reviewed
6+
Lead Auditors
97%
First-Cycle Success

Planning to certify your privacy program?

Through independent audits, MCS certifies organizations against ISO 27701, supporting recognition of privacy practices aligned with regional regulations such as UAE, KSA, Qatar PDPLs, and GDPR.

ISO 27701 Certification

PIMS Assessment

Accredited Audit

Conformity Evaluation

Data-Privacy Certification

What Is ISO 27701?

ISO 27701 is an international privacy information management standard that extends ISO 27001, focusing on requirements for protecting personally identifiable information (PII). It provides a structured framework for establishing and operating a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) aligned with recognized global data-protection principles.

As an extension to ISO 27001 and ISO 27002, ISO 27701 specifies additional controls and requirements for PII controllers and PII processors, supporting organizations in demonstrating responsible handling of personal data throughout its lifecycle.

Certification to ISO 27701 enables organizations to demonstrate accountability and conformity with major privacy regulations, including the EU GDPR and various regional data-protection laws, strengthening transparency and confidence among customers and stakeholders.

Benefits of Certification

Achieving ISO 27701 certification demonstrates that your organization takes data privacy seriously and has established a structured approach for managing personally identifiable information (PII). Certification strengthens your reputation and builds trust with clients, partners, and regulators. Beyond meeting regulatory expectations, it reflects operational maturity and responsible data governance.

  • Competitive Advantage: Stand out as a privacy-focused and trustworthy organization within your industry.

  • Global Recognition: Gain credibility through an internationally recognized privacy certification aligned with GDPR and other global regulations.

  • Compliance Readiness: Demonstrate conformity with applicable privacy laws and reduce legal or reputational exposure.

  • Improved Stakeholder Confidence: Reassure customers, partners, and regulators that data is handled with transparency, integrity, and accountability.

Certification Process (ISO 27701)

The ISO 27701 certification process conducted by MCS follows an accredited and impartial evaluation approach designed to determine conformity with the requirements of the Privacy Information Management System (PIMS).

1. Application & Scope Definition
Organizations begin by defining their certification scope and submitting an application for ISO 27701 assessment.

2. Stage 1 Audit – Documentation Review
MCS auditors review documented information relevant to the PIMS to assess readiness for the certification audit and to understand the organization’s context, scope, and implementation status.Develop or update necessary policies, procedures, and records—such as privacy notices, consent management, and data-handling protocols. Conduct staff awareness sessions and role-based privacy training.

3. Stage 2 Audit – Conformity Assessment
A detailed on-site (or hybrid) audit is performed to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of PIMS controls, including requirements for PII controllers and PII processors.

4. Certification Decision
An independent certification decision is made based on the audit findings. Upon successful completion, the organization is awarded ISO 27701 certification.

5. Surveillance Audits
Periodic surveillance audits are conducted to verify the continued conformity and effectiveness of the certified PIMS.

6. Recertification Audit
Every three years, a recertification audit ensures continued alignment with ISO 27701 requirements.

Ready to take the first step toward accredited certification?

We provide impartial auditing, evaluation, and certification services for ISO 14064, ISO 27701, ISO 42001, and SOC 2 across the GCC — enabling organizations to achieve internationally recognized compliance with confidence.