The Adoption and Development of AI and ISO/IEC 42001
Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption is moving ahead at a fast pace. However, as AI systems grow more complex, they bring increased cybersecurity and data privacy risks for organizations. To address this, the Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) standard, known as ISO/IEC 42001, was introduced to guide responsible AI development and deployment.
ISO/IEC 42001 was published internationally at the end of 2023 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Since January 2024, the British Standards Institution (BSI) has been offering certification for this standard in the UK, reporting strong demand. Global assurance firms like LRQA have also launched certification services for ISO 42001, alongside several accountancy firms starting AI auditing programs.
What ISO 42001 Covers and Who Should Apply It
ISO 42001 is designed to help organizations develop and use AI responsibly. It sets out requirements and guidelines for creating, implementing, maintaining, and improving an AI management system tailored to an organization’s context. This makes it relevant not only to companies building AI systems but also to those using AI to improve products, services, or internal operations. The standard applies broadly across industries and company sizes.
ISO 42001 addresses AI-specific issues such as bias, fairness, inclusiveness, safety, security, privacy, accountability, explainability, and transparency. It uses a risk-based approach and aligns with existing management system standards, making it easier to integrate into current governance frameworks.
Typically, organizations can expect the certification process to take between six and twelve months.
Why Cybersecurity Professionals Should Care About ISO 42001
AI introduces unique cybersecurity and privacy challenges. ISO 42001 covers AI lifecycle management, including cyber risk mitigation. Cybersecurity teams will be essential in supporting and improving these measures to ensure AI systems are safe and compliant.
While ISO 42001 addresses AI risks, it doesn't replace comprehensive cybersecurity standards like ISO/IEC 27001, which remain key references for data security and privacy management. ISO 42001 complements these by focusing on AI-specific considerations, serving as a strategic tool for building trust and resilience in AI adoption.
Ensuring Your Auditor Has the Right Expertise
The interest in ISO 42001 certification is linked to the upcoming ISO 42006 standard, which sets requirements for auditors certifying organizations against ISO 42001. Until ISO 42006’s official release in July 2025, auditors have been working with draft versions.
ISO 42006 ensures that certification bodies demonstrate the necessary competence and rigor to assess organizations developing or using AI systems. This helps prevent a loosely regulated market where anyone might claim to offer credible AI management certification.
Choosing auditors accredited under ISO 42006 adds confidence that they have the expertise needed to perform thorough AI management system audits.
Supporting Compliance with Other Regulations and Standards
ISO 42001 helps organizations keep pace with current and upcoming AI-related regulations. While not designed for any specific regulatory regime, it requires consideration of external rules and policies impacting AI development and use.
Examples include the EU’s NIS2 cybersecurity directive, which covers critical infrastructure like data centers, and upcoming laws such as the UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the EU’s Digital Operations Resilience Act (DORA) for financial services. These regulations focus on managing cyber and supply chain risks connected to AI systems.
Getting Started with ISO 42001
Here are practical steps for organizations interested in pursuing ISO 42001 certification:
- Research the standard through webinars or resources to understand its scope and benefits.
- Assess your current position regarding AI development and usage.
- Secure senior leadership commitment—effective management systems require buy-in from the top.
- Obtain a copy of the ISO 42001 standard to understand its requirements.
- Use self-assessment checklists to identify existing practices that meet the standard.
- Consider training courses to build internal expertise on ISO 42001 implementation and auditing.
- If resources are limited, seek external consultants to guide policy and process development aligned with the standard.
Certification offers external validation that your AI management system aligns with an internationally recognized framework, providing assurance to customers, partners, and regulators.
For those looking to deepen their AI knowledge or certification skills, exploring targeted AI certification courses can be a valuable next step.
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