GDPR and ISO 27001: What Businesses Need to Know About Access Control and Data Protection

We live in a world overflowing with data. Every click, transaction, and building entry generates information that businesses must manage responsibly. For organisations, this brings both opportunity and risk. Handle data well, and you build trust, open doors to new markets, and create resilience. Handle it badly, and you could face regulatory fines, lost contracts, or reputational damage.

At William Channon, we’ve seen how this shift has blurred the line between physical and digital security. A modern access control system doesn’t just open doors — it processes personal data, records usage logs, and stores information that falls under GDPR. That makes frameworks like GDPR and ISO 27001 just as relevant to your facilities and security systems as they are to your IT.

Why this matters for your business

The stakes are high:

  • Breaches are expensive → A lost or stolen key card, or poor access control logging, can create a security incident that exposes personal data.

  • Fines are severe → GDPR penalties can reach 4% of global turnover, with regulators increasingly scrutinising how businesses manage both digital and physical access.

  • Client expectations are rising → Many enterprise contracts now require evidence of ISO 27001 compliance, which covers both IT and physical access to sensitive information.

  • Trust is fragile → Employees, tenants, and customers expect you to protect not just their digital footprint but also the spaces they use every day.

GDPR vs ISO 27001

While both frameworks focus on protecting data, they do so in different ways.

AspectGDPRISO 27001Where They Overlap
PurposeLegal framework for protecting personal data.Standard for managing information security risks.Both promote confidentiality, integrity, and accountability.
FocusHow personal data is collected, stored, and used.How information (digital and physical) is protected through controls.Both address access control, data storage, and breach response.
Who It Applies ToAll organisations handling personal data of UK/EU citizens.Any organisation seeking to demonstrate secure information management.Most UK organisations handling personal data benefit from both.

GDPR governs how personal data is collected, stored, and used, requiring transparency and accountability. ISO 27001, meanwhile, provides a risk-based framework for protecting all types of information (digital and physical) through robust controls, including physical access management.

Where access control fits in

This is where William Channon’s expertise becomes crucial. Both GDPR and ISO 27001 require businesses to demonstrate strong physical access controls, for example:

  • Restricting entry to areas where sensitive data is stored (e.g., server rooms, file archives).

  • Ensuring audit trails for who has accessed a building or room, and when.

  • Managing and revoking access rights promptly when staff leave or roles change.

  • Using secure key management and card systems that prevent duplication or misuse.

  • Providing evidence that physical security policies align with data protection requirements.

Why do  you need both GDPR and ISO 27001 awareness

Some organisations assume that data protection is purely an IT issue. In reality, physical breaches can be just as damaging as cyberattacks.

  • An unlocked cabinet containing HR files is a GDPR risk.

  • A lost mechanical key with no audit trail is an ISO 27001 weakness.

  • A poorly managed access control system that logs personal data but lacks proper processes could expose you to fines.

By combining GDPR obligations with ISO 27001 controls, businesses can demonstrate that they take both digital and physical risks seriously.

How We Can Help

For over 100 years, William Channon has been trusted to protect people, property, and now data. We help organisations align their physical security with wider compliance responsibilities by:

  • Advising on best-practice access control systems that meet GDPR and ISO 27001 expectations.

  • Supplying and installing solutions that provide audit trails and secure management of keys, cards, and fobs.

  • Supporting facilities, estates, and security managers with ongoing maintenance and compliance checks.

  • Integrating physical and digital security strategies so your business can demonstrate robust, end-to-end protection.

Want to know if your access control meets GDPR and ISO 27001 standards?

Book a free consultation with our security specialists, and we’ll help you identify risks and ensure your system is compliant.

Final Thoughts

GDPR and ISO 27001 may sound like compliance frameworks for lawyers and IT teams, but they have direct implications for facilities, estates, and security managers. Physical access control is a critical part of protecting personal data, and the consequences of overlooking it can be costly.

At William Channon, our mission is simple: to make sure your buildings, people, and data are secure. From locksmithing and master key systems to smart access control solutions, we help organisations bring physical security in line with modern data protection requirements.

Sources:

ICO: Guide to the UK GDPR

BSI: ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management