Baseline with ISO 27001
Confirm ISMS scope and policies; 27017 builds on 27001/27002.
October 20, 2025
Practical Guide to ISO 27017
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Cloud based environments have transformed the way organizations utilize and deliver technology; but they’ve also expanded the attack surface. While ISO 27001 establishes the foundation for information security, ISO 27017 adds the layer of cloud-specific guidance both for service providers and their customers. It helps define who’s responsible for what in shared cloud models, ensuring that security gaps don’t appear in the grey areas between vendor and client.
What is ISO 27017?
ISO/IEC 27017 is an international code of practice for information security controls applicable to cloud services. It extends the ISO 27002 control set with additional guidance tailored to cloud-specific risks, including data segregation, virtual machine hardening, and shared responsibility between providers and tenants.
The standard was developed jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to fill a gap between general ISMS controls and cloud realities. Who it applies to:
Cloud Service Providers (CSPs): Infrastructure, platform, or software service operators.
Cloud Customers: Organizations leveraging third-party cloud services to store, process, or transmit data.
Together, ISO 27001 and ISO 27017 form a framework that demonstrates to auditors and customers alike that cloud operations are secure, controlled, and transparent.
Why ISO 27017 matters for Cloud Security
Traditional security frameworks don’t explicitly address multi-tenant environments, virtualized infrastructure, or outsourced management layers; all defining features of cloud computing.
ISO 27017 bridges that gap by:
- Clarifying shared responsibility between CSPs and customers.
- Introducing additional cloud-specific controls to supplement ISO 27001/27002.
- Reinforcing trust and transparency between providers and clients.
- Supporting compliance alignment with frameworks like SOC 2, PCI DSS, NIST CSF, and CSA STAR.
In short: ISO 27017 builds the operational scaffolding that helps Enterprise GRC and IT teams prove secure configuration, isolation, and accountability in the cloud.
Key Controls in ISO 27017
ISO 27017 introduces seven additional controls and expanded guidance on over 30 of the existing ISO 27002 controls:
Mapping ISO 27017 vs ISO 27018
ISO 27017 focuses on security in the cloud; ISO 27018 focuses on privacy in the cloud.
Together, they form a complementary pair; one that protects systems and the other protecting personal data.
In practice: Many organizations certify ISO 27001 with both 27017 and 27018 annexes to cover full cloud trust and data privacy.
Implementation steps
- Start with ISO 27001: Implement or align with an ISMS (ISO 27017 builds on that foundation).
- Define shared responsibilities: Create a clear RACI model for each cloud service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
- Perform a cloud-specific risk assessment: Identify virtualization, API, and data-migration threats unique to your stack.
- Review and implement new controls: Map the seven additional 27017 controls and update procedures accordingly.
- Integrate monitoring and evidence collection: Use continuous control validation tools to prove compliance readiness.
- Train relevant stakeholders: Educate both IT ops and vendor management teams on shared security roles.
- Conduct internal and external audits: Ensure continuous alignment with ISO 27017 guidance through periodic reviews.
Tip: Why not automate your control mapping. Complyance lets you link ISO 27017 and 27018 controls across frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS), saving audit prep hours.
FAQs
Is ISO 27017 certifiable? Yes. It can be included as an extension to your ISO 27001 certification audit.
Who benefits most from ISO 27017? Both cloud service providers and enterprise customers that seek to demonstrate robust shared security governance.
How does ISO 27017 relate to CSA STAR? The Cloud Security Alliance’s STAR program aligns closely with ISO 27017/27018, often using them as proof for Level 2 certification.
Does ISO 27017 cover data privacy? Not directly; that’s ISO 27018’s scope. But implementing both ensures end-to-end trust across cloud operations.
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