ISO 27001 for AI companies
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the international standard for an information security management system (ISMS). For AI companies, it is the globally recognized way to show that security is managed systematically, which matters most with international and enterprise buyers.
Why it matters for AI companies
Where SOC 2 is a US-centric attestation, ISO 27001 is a certification recognized worldwide, so AI companies selling into Europe and beyond often need it. It also sets up ISO/IEC 42001 (AI management), because the two share the same management-system structure.
What to focus on
ISO 27001 is built around clauses 4 to 10 (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement) plus the Annex A controls. The 2022 revision organizes Annex A into 93 controls across four themes: organizational, people, physical, and technological.
For AI companies the highest-value Annex A controls are access control and identity, cryptography, logging and monitoring, secure development, and supplier (third-party) management, which covers the model and infrastructure providers your product depends on.
ISO/IEC 42001 (the AI management system standard) uses the same harmonized management-system structure as ISO 27001. If you build your ISMS well, adding AI-specific governance later is largely reuse, not a fresh project. Keel keeps both on one crosswalked control library.
Do it once, not twice
Keel is built on one crosswalked control library, so a control you implement for ISO 27001 counts toward every other framework it satisfies. Add a second framework later and it mostly reuses this work. See the crosswalk explorer for the exact overlap.
Start free Check your readinessCommon questions
SOC 2 or ISO 27001 for an AI company?
It depends on your buyers. SOC 2 is common with US enterprises; ISO 27001 is a certification recognized internationally. Many AI companies eventually pursue both. Because they share most controls, the second is largely reuse on a crosswalked platform.
How does ISO 27001 relate to ISO 42001?
ISO 27001 manages information security; ISO/IEC 42001 manages AI. They use the same management-system structure, so an ISO 27001 program is a strong foundation for adding ISO 42001 afterward.
Framework names are referenced factually for guidance. Keel is not affiliated with or endorsed by the bodies that publish them. See our legal and trademarks page.