What standard focuses on guidelines for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in cloud environments?

The standard that specifically focuses on guidelines for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in cloud environments is 27018. This international standard provides a framework for cloud service providers to ensure that PII is handled appropriately, emphasizing the importance of privacy in the cloud. It elaborates on the controls and best practices for protecting data while it resides in cloud services, particularly addressing the unique challenges posed by cloud computing in relation to PII.

This standard acts as a complement to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002, which are broader in scope regarding information security management. By specifically targeting cloud environments, 27018 provides actionable insights and requirements that assist organizations in effectively managing the risks associated with PII within those environments. This focus on privacy and compliance is critical for organizations that engage in cloud computing and handle sensitive data, making the standard highly relevant in today's digital landscape.