ISO 42001 is a brand-new framework designed to ensure the security, privacy, and fairness of AI tools and systems. While not yet mandated by any industry or government, forward-thinking organizations are proactively implementing it to mitigate the emerging risks associated with AI.
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Do You Need to Achieve ISO 42001 Compliance?
The short answer is that most businesses do not technically need to implement ISO 42001, at least not yet. It’s a new framework, and few legal or business contexts explicitly require it. But that might change in the future, and getting ahead of the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is a good idea for any organization that plans on using AI tools.
Fully understanding this new framework and whether it applies means knowing:
- What the framework is and in what circumstances it applies
- Whether organizations must implement the framework—now or in the future
- Why implementing the framework is beneficial even without a mandate
- How ISO 42001 interacts with other regulatory compliance considerations
The best way to ensure security across AI and ML tools is to work with a dedicated cyberdefense partner who will help you strategize and deploy the best controls for you.
Understanding the ISO 42001 Framework
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publishes several frameworks that govern and support best practices for safety and security across all industries and business contexts. They often partner with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for frameworks that concern information technology (IT), cybersecurity, and related areas.
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is one of these partnerships. It’s the first global framework of its kind, dedicated to standardizing and securing management across AI and ML systems. Its primary concerns are transparency, accountability, fairness, explainability, privacy, and reliability. These are all assured through a complex network of clauses, requirements, and controls. Its structure mirrors that of other ISO frameworks, such as ISO 27001, facilitating control mapping.
Is ISO 42001 a Mandatory Framework?
At present, implementation of ISO 42001 is completely voluntary. There are no laws, location- or industry-based requirements, or other governing rules that mandate organizations to implement it. However, as more and more organizations integrate AI and ML tools into every asset of their business, there is a growing demand for assurance that those tools are being used effectively.
Organizations might find that they need to implement ISO 42001 because a particular business partner either expects or requires them to. And a particular business culture within a given industry or location might consider ISO 42001 a gold standard or de-facto requirement.
Additionally, key markets may soon require this and other regulations.
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act is set to come into effect over a 36-month rollout following its publication in July 2024. It will require protections similar to those in ISO 42001 for all commerce in the EU that makes extensive use of AI tools. Similarly, an executive order on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI was delivered in October of 2023, pointing to the possibility of greater regulatory burdens on AI across businesses in the US in the years to come.
Reasons to Get Certified
Even if there’s no explicit requirement to achieve ISO 42001 certification, savvy organizations in every industry are getting ahead by considering or commencing implementation.
One reason to implement ISO 42001 is it’s among the best ways to get ahead of the many risks associated with AI tools. AI allows organizations to process an unprecedented amount of data at speeds previously unimaginable. However, with all that excess data comes a serious responsibility to ensure its privacy and integrity at scale. ISO 42001 controls facilitate that.
Another big reason to consider implementing ISO 42001 is optics.
AI and ML tools have come into focus over the past few years as an increasing amount of consumer-facing technologies and systems have put them front and center. Along with this exposure, there have been concerns about how well these tools and technologies keep users’ best interests in mind. Spending the resources necessary to test AI tools and ensure they’re sound will go a long way toward quelling current and future concerns consumers might have.
ISO 42001 and Other Regulatory Frameworks
Organizations on the fence about implementing ISO 42001 should consider the ways that AI tools can impact their security and compliance with other regulations. While ISO 42001 is voluntary, implementing it might help you comply with a regulation that is legally mandatory.
The real impact of ISO 42001 is in minimizing AI risks, including risks to compliance.
For example, much academic and business research has been done on the risks that AI tools have for sensitive data. One of the most prominent examples is that chatbots pose challenges to compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A bot can expose protected health information (PHI) in ways disallowed by the Privacy Rule. This could constitute as a HIPAA breach if the information is identifiable and interceptable by cybercriminals.
For this reason, implementing ISO 42001 helps organizations secure AI and ML tools to help prevent compliance complications—especially when working with a compliance partner.
Optimize Your AI Tools’ Security and Compliance
While ISO 42001 is not yet a mandatory requirement, early adoption can provide a significant competitive advantage. This is especially pertinent for organizations that heavily rely on AI tools. Implementing this framework is one of the most effective ways to secure your AI systems and demonstrate your commitment to external security standards.
RSI Security helps organizations strategize for and implement compliance frameworks of all kinds, including new and emerging ones. We believe that discipline upfront unlocks greater freedom to grow down the line. We’ll help you rethink your cyberdefense to that effect.
To learn more about how we support ISO 42001 and other compliance, get in touch today!
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