For years, data privacy was treated as a legal matter. Something lawyers resolved with fine-print privacy policies and generic consent forms. In 2026, that era is over. Privacy is a business requirement, a competitive differentiator, and in many markets, a condition for operating.
The regulatory map in 2026
- GDPR (EU): The global reference. Seven years after implementation, cumulative fines exceed 4.5 billion euros.
- LGPD (Brazil): The ANPD increased its enforcement capacity in 2025. Sanctions are now an operational reality.
- Sectoral regulations: Financial sector regulators already include specific personal data protection requirements.
ISO 27701: the unifying extension
ISO 27701 is an extension of ISO 27001 that adds specific controls for managing personally identifiable information (PII). It does not replace local regulations: it complements them by providing a management framework to demonstrate compliance across multiple regulations simultaneously.
Why privacy is now a business requirement
- Supplier due diligence: Multinationals operating under GDPR require privacy control evidence from their LATAM suppliers.
- Public tenders: Requirements now go beyond local law.
- Cyber insurance: Insurers require privacy management evidence as a condition for policies.
- Consumer trust: Organizations with demonstrable privacy frameworks recover faster from breaches.
How to assess your current state
- Do you have an updated inventory of personal data you process, including cross-border flows?
- Have you conducted a privacy impact assessment (PIA) in the last 12 months?
- Does your incident response team have a specific procedure for personal data breaches?
- Can you demonstrate to a regulator or client that your privacy controls operate effectively?
If any answer is no, a gap assessment against ISO 27701 gives you a clear map of where you stand.