What is an ISO 27001 Compliant Cloud?
- Kamalika Majumder | DevOps & ISO 27001 Consultant
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
What Does It Really Mean When a Cloud Provider Says They Are ISO 27001 Compliant?
When a cloud provider claims to be ISO 27001 compliant, it often reassures customers that the provider follows internationally recognized security standards. However, what does this really mean? Does it guarantee absolute security for your data? Does it automatically make your organization compliant if you use their services?
This article breaks down the meaning of ISO 27001 compliance for cloud providers, the scope of their certification, and what customers need to consider when evaluating such claims.
Understanding ISO 27001 Certification
ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a framework for organizations to manage security risks by implementing policies, procedures, and controls that protect information assets.
Achieving certification involves an extensive audit process conducted by an independent certification body.
A cloud provider that is ISO 27001 certified has demonstrated its ability to:
Identify and assess security risks related to its cloud infrastructure.
Implement security controls to mitigate risks.
Continuously monitor and improve security measures.
What does ISO 27001 mean in a Cloud Environment?
When a CSP claims compliance, their certification typically applies to specific services and infrastructure within their cloud environment. The scope of certification may include:
Data centers and physical security
Network infrastructure and segmentation
Identity and access management controls
Incident management and disaster recovery processes
Monitoring and logging capabilities
However, it is important to understand that not all services offered by a cloud provider may be covered under their ISO 27001 certification. Customers should request and review the scope of certification to determine which services are compliant.
Shared Responsibility Model: What Cloud Providers Are Responsible For
While cloud providers implement security controls that align with ISO 27001, compliance follows a shared responsibility model:
Cloud Provider Responsibilities: The CSP is responsible for securing the underlying cloud infrastructure, including data centers, network security, and hardware.
Customer Responsibilities: The customer is responsible for securing their applications, configurations, access controls, and data stored in the cloud.
This means that even if a cloud provider is ISO 27001 certified, your organization is not automatically compliant unless you properly configure and secure your cloud environment.
What Happens When a Cloud Provider Fails to Uphold Their Security Responsibilities?
When a cloud provider does not meet their end of the shared security responsibility model, it can lead to severe security breaches, data leaks, and compliance violations. A recent example is the Oracle Supply Chain Hack of 2025, which exposed critical vulnerabilities in cloud security due to a failure in maintaining proper security controls.
The Oracle Supply Chain Hack of 2025:
On March 21, 2025, a significant security breach occurred involving Oracle's cloud infrastructure, leading to the exposure of approximately 6 million records from their Single Sign-On (SSO) and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) systems.
This incident affected over 140,000 tenants utilizing Oracle's cloud services. The breach was traced back to Oracle failing to:
Properly implement network segmentation and access controls, allowing attackers to move laterally within the system.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing, which could have identified vulnerabilities earlier.
Enforce timely patch management, leaving critical security gaps open for exploitation.
As a result, numerous enterprises relying on Oracle’s cloud services faced disruptions, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. This breach highlights that even when a CSP is ISO 27001 certified, security lapses on their part can have cascading effects on customers.
Lessons for Cloud Customers:
Verify Security Controls: Do not rely solely on a provider’s compliance claims—regularly assess their security posture.
Implement Additional Safeguards: Use encryption, multi-factor authentication, and third-party monitoring to add extra layers of security.
Demand Transparency: Request detailed audit reports and conduct third-party security assessments of your CSP.
Prepare Incident Response Plans: Have contingency plans in place in case your CSP experiences a security failure.
How to Verify a Cloud Provider’s ISO 27001 Certification
When evaluating a cloud provider’s compliance, organizations should:
1. Request the ISO 27001 Certification Report
Cloud providers typically provide ISO 27001 certificates and audit reports from an accredited certification body. These documents outline the scope of the certification and any potential exclusions.
2. Review the Statement of Applicability (SoA)
The SoA details which controls have been implemented and which have been excluded. Customers should review this document to understand which security measures the CSP has in place.
3. Assess How the Certification Affects Your Compliance
Does the provider’s certification cover all the services your organization intends to use?
Are there any shared responsibilities that require your team to implement additional security measures?
Does the provider’s compliance align with your industry’s regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS)?
4. Monitor Ongoing Compliance
ISO 27001 requires continuous monitoring and improvement. Customers should verify that their CSP undergoes regular audits and updates their security practices accordingly.
Common Misconceptions About Cloud Providers and ISO 27001 Compliance
Misconception 1: If My Cloud Provider Is ISO 27001 Certified, My Organization Is Automatically Compliant
Truth: ISO 27001 compliance is not inherited. Customers must configure their cloud environment securely, implement access controls, and manage risks specific to their operations.
Misconception 2: All Cloud Services from a Certified Provider Are ISO 27001 Compliant
Truth: Some CSPs may have only a subset of their services covered under the certification. Customers should check which specific services and regions are included.
Misconception 3: ISO 27001 Certification Means Absolute Security
Truth: While ISO 27001 provides a robust security framework, it does not guarantee complete protection against all cyber threats. Customers must adopt additional security best practices, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and continuous monitoring.
Conclusion:
As businesses increasingly migrate their infrastructure to cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), ensuring security and compliance becomes a critical priority.
ISO/IEC 27001, the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), provides a structured approach to securing information assets, reducing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
However, achieving ISO 27001 compliance in cloud environments requires a strategic approach that considers shared responsibility, automation, and security controls.
When a cloud provider claims to be ISO 27001 compliant, it signifies adherence to a globally recognized security framework, but it does not absolve customers of their own security responsibilities.
Organizations must carefully evaluate the provider’s scope of certification, understand the shared responsibility model, and implement their own security measures to ensure full compliance.
By taking a proactive approach to verifying compliance, reviewing security controls, and configuring cloud environments securely, businesses can maximize the benefits of cloud services while maintaining ISO 27001 compliance.
Need to get ISO 27001 or SOC2 Compliant, but not sure where to start!
Thanks & Regards
Kamalika Majumder
