Strengthening Global Workforce Data Security: GaiaWorks Achieves ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 Certification
GaiaWorks has officially cleared the audit by BSI (British Standards Institution), receiving the ISO/IEC 27017 certification for cloud service information security and the ISO/IEC 27018 certification for personal data protection in the cloud.
This milestone follows our initial ISO 27001 certification in 2016 and subsequent successful SOC 2 Type II audits conducted by a “Big Four” accounting firm. These latest international certifications validate our standards in cloud infrastructure security, data isolation, and privacy protection, ensuring a secure environment for the enterprises we serve.
As a provider of global workforce management cloud services, GaiaWorks currently supports over 1,800 customers and 7 million employees across 34 countries and regions. We consider the protection of customer data to be our primary responsibility. Our security framework now focuses on three key operational areas:
1. Hardened Cloud Infrastructure (ISO 27017)
ISO 27017 defines specific information security controls for cloud environments. GaiaWorks has implemented rigorous virtualization security isolation, cloud asset configuration management, and optimized network architecture. By clarifying risk control mechanisms and responsibility boundaries throughout the cloud service lifecycle, we ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our systems against external threats.
2. Compliance Standards for Cloud Privacy (ISO 27018)
To meet the ISO 27018 international code of practice for protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in public clouds, GaiaWorks has integrated compliance directly into product R&D and daily operations. Because workforce management systems handle sensitive employee data, we have established strict authorization mechanisms and access controls for data collection, storage, processing, and cross-border transmission. This prevents unauthorized access and protects the privacy rights of both the enterprise and its employees.
3. Facilitating Global Operations and Market Entry
Following the principle of “Privacy by Design,” we have integrated these new certifications into our existing information technology and security systems. In an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape, these verifiable international standards help multinational enterprises shorten their IT and legal security assessment cycles. This reduces compliance risks across multiple jurisdictions and ensures the efficient, lawful flow of global workforce data.
Comprehensive Security Attestation
With these additions, GaiaWorks’ compliance portfolio now includes:
· SOC 2 Type II: Issued by Ernst & Young (EY), covering Security, Availability, and Confidentiality.
· ISO 27001: Information Security Management.
· ISO 27017 & 27018: Cloud Security and Privacy protection.
· ISO 20000-1 & ISO 9001: IT Service and Quality Management.
These certifications complete a critical part of our cloud architecture and privacy protection framework. They serve as evidence of our stable service levels and our capacity to safeguard customer data. We will continue to work closely with global auditors and security experts to ensure GaiaWorks remains a leader in data protection, to protect the digital assets of our global clients.
A Great Workforce, Gaia Works.
FAQ
Why did GaiaWorks pursue ISO 27017 and 27018 specifically?
A: Most general standards (like ISO 27001) were written for physical offices. ISO 27017 and 27018 are “cloud-native” extensions. They prove we have specific controls for virtualized environments and, more importantly, a legally verifiable framework for handling employee PII (Personally Identifiable Information). For a global leader, this isn’t just a security upgrade; it’s a legal safeguard.
How does this help our legal team during a regional expansion?
Entering markets like the EU (GDPR) or Japan (APPI) usually triggers a grueling 3–6 month security and legal audit. Because our BSI and EY (SOC 2) certifications are mapped to these international laws, we provide a “compliance ready” infrastructure. This allows your legal team to rely on our existing audits rather than starting a security assessment from scratch, significantly shortening your time-to-market.
What is the tangible benefit for the CHRO in terms of employee trust?
Workforce management systems store the “digital life” of your employees—IDs, bank details, and health data. ISO 27018 mandates “Privacy by Design,” meaning we cannot use employee data for anything other than your business operations. It provides a third-party guarantee to your workforce that their data is isolated, encrypted, and handled with the highest degree of professional ethics.
Does this change how we interact with GaiaWorks daily?
No. These certifications happen “under the hood.” They refine our internal R&D, data isolation, and incident response protocols. For your teams, it simply means higher system availability and the peace of mind that your global data flows are operating within a hardened, internationally recognized perimeter.
Who actually verified these standards?
We don’t self-certify. Our ISO standards are audited by BSI (British Standards Institution), and our SOC 2 Type II reports—which test the actual effectiveness of our controls over time—are conducted by Ernst & Young (EY). This provides your board with independent, “Big Four” level assurance.
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