They all promise trust, continuity, and responsibility — but which one is for you?
Let’s break down the top three standards and see how they fit into your business strategy.
| Standard | Nickname | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 22301 | “Crisis Commander” | Business Continuity Management (BCM) |
| ISO/IEC 27001 | “Data Defender” | Information Security Management (ISMS) |
| ISO/IEC 42001 | “AI Ambassador” | Artificial Intelligence Governance |
| Criterion | ISO 22301 | ISO/IEC 27001 | ISO/IEC 42001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Keep operations running during crises | Protect information assets | Govern AI responsibly and ethically |
| Scope | Disasters, physical/system disruptions | Digital data, access, cybersecurity | AI systems, transparency, ethical use |
| Risk Focus | Outages, disasters | Hacking, data breaches | Algorithm bias, compliance, auditability |
| Required For | Finance, public sector, healthcare | All industries | Any organization using AI systems |
| Certification Path | BCP planning, testing, recovery drills | Risk policies, ISMS documentation | AI lifecycle governance and monitoring |
| Superpower | Fast recovery and resilience | Data privacy and risk control | Ethical, auditable AI |
Hospitals, banks, logistics? → Go for ISO 22301
Privacy-sensitive businesses (GDPR, HIPAA)? → ISO/IEC 27001
Building or deploying AI? → You need ISO/IEC 42001
These standards are not competitors, they’re complementary forces:
ISO 22301 = Stay online in crisis
ISO/IEC 27001 = Keep data safe
ISO/IEC 42001 = Govern AI responsibly
Use all three — and build a resilient, secure, and future-ready organization.
| Role / Position | Best-Fit Standard(s) | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| CEO / CTO | ISO 22301 & ISO/IEC 42001 | Business continuity and AI risk directly impact company reputation |
| CISO / Security Teams | ISO/IEC 27001 | Focused on digital security, risk control, and information protection |
| AI Developer / Engineer | ISO/IEC 42001 | AI models must be ethical, transparent, and auditable |
| Compliance / Legal Teams | ISO/IEC 27001 & ISO/IEC 42001 | Regulatory alignment and system accountability are mission-critical |
| Operations Manager | ISO 22301 | Ensures uninterrupted services during crises and disaster recovery |
| Scenario | Recommended Standard | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Your data center catches fire | ISO 22301 | Alternative process planning enables uninterrupted service delivery |
| Customer data is leaked | ISO/IEC 27001 | Security policies and controls mitigate breach impact |
| Your AI model produces biased results | ISO/IEC 42001 | You need ethical, transparent, and traceable AI decisions |
| Your industry faces a surprise audit | ISO 27001 + ISO 22301 | You need both resilience and data protection in place |
| You must align your AI systems to regulations | ISO/IEC 42001 | Supports AI lifecycle governance and legal compliance |
Realistic Scenario: The Bank That Survived a Digital Storm
A leading financial institution suffered a massive cyberattack.
Their data was under threat → ✅ ISO/IEC 27001 kicked in
Their operations were halted → ✅ ISO 22301 became essential
The attack was rooted in an AI decision engine failure → ✅ ISO/IEC 42001 proved vital
The result?
Because the organization had implemented all three standards, they recovered within 2 hours.
Meanwhile…
Their competitor, who only had ISO/IEC 27001, took 3 full days to restore operations — losing both clients and credibility.
Unlock your full potential in the world of technology with our top-notch IT courses. As the leading provider of tech education in France, we offer a wide range of programs designed to cater to your specific needs and goals. Our expert instructors will guide you through the best IT courses and equip you with the skills to excel in the ever-evolving tech industry. Join our community of tech enthusiasts today and gain a competitive edge in the job market. Discover the best IT courses in Paris and beyond, and embark on a transformative journey towards a successful tech career. Whether you're in the bustling streets of Paris, the charming beauty of Lyon, the vibrant atmosphere of Marseille, or any other city across France, we've got you covered. With our virtual classroom courses, you can join us from the comfort of your own home, accessing top-notch training and expert instruction at your convenience. Explore our comprehensive course offerings, expand your skills, and unlock exciting career opportunities, all while enjoying the flexibility of learning from anywhere in France.